The current Irony. Water is more scarce than oil. California's dire condition will affect the entire country's access to food. Turn the keystone pipeline into a water pipeline taking excess water (snow melt) from the North and East to the West.

What’s the matter with New Mexico? While the Governor and the Legislature bicker over a $213 million capital outlay bill and $45 million in road projects, New Mexico’s State Auditor reports that therre is $4.5 BILLION DOLLARS in funds approved in previous years that were never spent. Meanwhile, check out New Mexico’s disgraceful standing as perhaps the worst or near-worst state to live in: What’s the matter with New Mexico? POVERTY New Mexico has the second-worst poverty rate in the nation, with 16.60 percent of families and 21.5 percent of individuals living below the poverty level. Poverty rates for the entire country in 2011 were 11.7 percent for families and 15.9 percent for all individuals. Only Mississippi has worse rates in both categories — 17.40 percent and 22.60 percent, respectively. What’s the matter with New Mexico? CHILDHOOD WELL-BEING New Mexico was 49th in the nation for children's well-being in 2014 — Poverty rates among New Mexico's children, however, actually rose, even as they fell nationwide. In 2013, 28 percent of New Mexico children lived in poverty. In 2014, the rate climbed to 31 percent. What’s the matter with New Mexico? MORE POVERTY All 50 states saw a drop in middle class households since the turn of the millennium. But it's especially bad for the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico's 2013 median income was $43,872, a drop from $47,035 in 2000 when adjusted for inflation. For perspective's sake, Texas' 2013 median income ranked at $51,704; Colorado's was $58,823; Utah's was $59,770 and Arizona's was $48,510. It's also worth noting that each of New Mexico's neighboring states' share of middle class sit between 45 percent and 52 percent of all households—which are all higher that New Mexico. What’s the matter with New Mexico? WORST IN EDUCATION New Mexico came in dead last in a report card that measures education performance across the nation. The annual Quality Counts Report from the Education Research Center gave New Mexico a D+ when it comes to a student's chance for success. The index measures the role of education in a person's life from cradle to career. WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH NEW MEXICO WHEN WE HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS? A New Mexico State Auditor’s report, titled ‘Money on the Sidelines, by the Government Accountability Office shows state agencies have $4.5 billion of unspent public dollars, including: • $2 billion resided in incomplete capital outlay projects and $1 billion in funds for road and water projects primarily in the New Mexico Finance Authority and the Environment Department. • $738 million for water projects in various state agencies’ funds. • $503 million was for restricted special funds ranging from the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) to Medicaid fund surpluses. • $42 million for education projects within funds at the Public Education Department and the Public School Facilities Authority. • $30 million in state agencies’ operational general funds. What’s the matter with New Mexico?

US diplomats have secured a historic, breakthrough: a framework that will ensure Iran can only have a peaceful nuclear program through rigorous inspections and verification.[1] This is perhaps the most significant foreign policy accomplishment of the Obama presidency, and offers the promise of a peaceful path with Iran, rather than a rush into an unnecessary war. But Republican war hawks—and too many Democrats who are siding with them—are continuing their crusade against the president and trying to sabotage this deal. We need all members of Congress to recognize that the alternative to diplomacy is war, and that they must reject the Corker-Menendez bill (Senate Bill 615), the Kirk-Menendez bill (Senate Bill 269), and any other legislative attempts to blow up the diplomatic process. References: 1. "Iran and E.U. Announce Framework for Nuclear Accord," The New York Times, April 2, 2015 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/03/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-talks.html

Our founding fathers' greatest fear was that the rich and powerful would corrupt our democracy. Their fears have been realized. One way of restoring our democracy is to make voting easier so the hard-working people of Hawaii have the time and energy to vote. Having your ballot mailed to you means you won't forget to vote, won't miss work, won't have to wait in line, won't waste gas, and can take your time to research the candidates and issues in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

This petition is about the Hawaiians and locals standing their ground against the government to stop the destruction of our Aina. Also to stop the slaughtering of the animals that live on Mauna Kea for the future hunters and Hawaiians.

Besides West Courtyard Drive, the Bridgehead neighborhood includes businesses on Bridge Point Parkway and housing units on Shepherd Mountain Cove and beyond. For those who live or work in this area, Courtyard at Capital of Texas (Loop 360) is one of only two possible exit points. The existing two outbound lanes are so inflicted by traffic congestion during the rush hour peak that it typically takes several long light cycles to reach the highway. The other exit requires traveling through a residential area one to two miles in the opposite direction, to Ranch Road 2222. Besides an incredible inconvenience to employees and residents alike, it's a safety issue with regard to emergency vehicle access. Ideally the roadway would be expanded from the stop sign at Bridge Point Parkway to include a right-turn-only lane stretching toward the highway, which would also allow more vehicles to turn left while the traffic light is green. This might require removing the median on West Courtyard Drive for half of its length, or shifting part of the median to reduce inbound traffic to one wide lane, or carving back the rockface behind the southern wall. Officials should work with the community to determine which solution is most desirable. While other measures like a more favorable light cycle may help in the short term, ultimately this improvement is required regardless of any anticipated or proposed upgrades to Loop 360 itself.

The State of Hawai'i's Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) is planning to issue the University of Hawai'i (UH) new leases for another 65 years, that's right, BLNR is planning to give Mauna Kea to UH for another 65 years. The new leases would end in the year 2078 - how old will you be in 2078? The current BLNR lease is scheduled to end in the year 2033, but this date is not good enough for UH and the other national and international observatories because they want the power to continue to build newer and bigger telescopes. Mauna Kea Conservation District Lands are watershed, historic, environmentally and culturally sensitive lands and therefore have special protective status under Hawai‘i law. In fact, any activity that will have adverse impacts on the natural, historic and cultural resources of Mauna Kea are NOT permitted by law and BLNR is tasked with enforcing these laws. The University has already admitted that 45 years of astronomy development has resulted in "adverse, significant, and substantial impacts" to the natural and cultural resources of Mauna Kea. The BLNR needs to stop the University from further telescope develop on Mauna Kea!  In 1998, the State Auditor, found that BLNR and UH’s oversight and protections of the natural and cultural resources of Mauna Kea is inadequate to ensure the protection of natural resources. The University focused primarily on the development of Mauna Kea and tied the benefits gained to its research program. The University neglected historic preservation laws and the cultural value of Mauna Kea was largely unrecognized.  BLNR is the land manager for all conservation district lands and they are required to collect "fair market" lease rents for the use of the Mauna Kea’s public lands. Currently, national and international observatories are only required to pay $1.00 per year to lease Mauna Kea’s public and ceded lands. This is unreasonable and it violates the law.  Lastly, BLNR is not fulfilling its constitutionally mandated duty to protect all rights customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes. Let your voice be heard –enough is enough!  We,  the undersigned, demand that BLNR take the following actions:  (1) We demand that the BLNR hold public hearings on the Issuance of New Direct Leases to UH for Mauna Kea Conservation District, including Amendments to Easements. Mauna Kea is a vast public resource and therefore is of great public importance. This is this controversial land management decision that the public should be allowed to comment and be heard.  (2) We demand that the BLNR deny the University of Hawaii’s lease renewals for Mauna Kea Conservation District lands.  (3) We demand that the BLNR restrict further development, including but not limited to the Thirty Meter Telescope, within the Mauna Kea Conservation District.  (4) We demand that the BLNR charge the existing observatories fair market lease rent and also that BLNR assess back rent for the use of the Mauna Kea Conservation District lands and that these funds be deposited into the Public Trust Land Fund for public purposes and for the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians as the law under HRS 171 requires.  (5) We demand that all revenues and monies involved with any telescope, scientific operation and/or research derived from the use of the Mauna Kea Conservation District lands be made transparent and that the rightful share of such revenues be given to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Please take action and sign, Mahalo for your support.

Vacation rentals and Bed and Breakfasts permitting has been such a contentious issue here on Oahu. The current rules are ineffective, unenforceable and archaic. The opponents proposal is to add "tools" for enforcement only. They did not consider the financial impact on Oahu economy as a whole. Similar action in Maui produced disastrous result and ultimately failed. Unscrupulous individuals, recognizing that state agencies have not been enforcing current law, are not complying with vacation-rental and tax requirements. We cannot attempt to address this problem by punishing those who are compliant with current law by stripping them of their opportunities and freedoms. It doesn’t matter where the property owner resides, the property is in Hawaii and therefore the existing laws of the state that admirably uphold constitutional and trade-agreement provisions must be enforced. Allowing permitting along with enforcement of reasonable rules address both issues of enforcement and its financing. Hawaii residents would like their neighborhoods to be places where they can expect enjoyment of their free time. They’d like their communities, and those of their friends and families, to have the services and support that make them good places to live, work, and explore. Owners of legal vacation-rental properties share these values, but we recognize there are some owners who do not. Rather than penalize all, we need to identify and address the owners who do not operate within their social license. Owners of legal Hawaii vacation rental property contribute to the state’s ability to offer the accommodation choices of any globally significant tourist destination in the competitive tourism marketplace. We would appreciate an end to the special-interest lobby-based bills that arise each year. Such bills harm what Hawaii stands for and threatens its economic future. Support Resolution 15-72 Support Resolution 15-86

The entire nation is affected by the flood of anonymous secret money unleashed on elections by Citizens United. One of the most powerful ways we can fight back against this tsunami of Dark Money is by passing strong DISCLOSE Acts to make sure that political ads can't deceive voters about who paid for them. It's up to the states to lead the way. The good news is that the country's largest state, California, now has a chance to do so, with the introduction of the 2015 California DISCLOSE Act that will let voters know who really pays for political ads. AB 700, the Gomez-Levine California DISCLOSE Act, will stop funders from deceiving voters about who pays for ballot measure ads by requiring ads to clearly reveal their top three funders. Funders must be shown in a big contrasting font on a black background for five seconds. The actual contributors must be listed — none of the usual shell games. Just the truth. Please thank California Assemblymembers Jimmy Gomez (D-Northeast Los Angeles) and Marc Levine (D- San Rafael) for their leadership in the fight against Dark Money in political ads. Tell them that people like you across the nation are watching California and grateful for their leadership. Be sure to add a comment to tell them how important what they’re doing is!

As one of the largest social service providers in the Midwest, A Safe Haven Foundation, addresses the needs of homeless men, women, and families in crisis. With more than 20 years experience, we understand that the face of homelessness is often complex and varied. Currently HUD's annual Point in Time count of homeless people does not include homeless children and youth who are living with friends, relatives, or staying at motels. This means social service agencies and shelters are precluded from serving these highly vulnerable individuals. By supporting S.256 - Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2015, HUD will be required to count someone as homeless if another federal agency -- such as the Department of Education classifies them as homeless. This will provide desperately needed housing resources. "Children living in these situations are particularly vulnerable to predators, including traffickers, because they are hidden to social-service providers and do not have case managers," according to Sen. Feinstein's office, which estimates there are one million such uncounted children and youth. The Department of Education, for example, considers such young people homeless, and provides them with extra services. A Safe Haven Foundation supports S.256 - Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2015. We hope you will, too!

Allowing corporate allies into jobs that oversee those same corporations creates a monopoly, eliminating competition in the areas of research and development, before ideas can reach the public. It also leaves the American consumer unprotected in the face of loopholes the size of a big red barn. Eliminating conflicts of interest in appointment of regulators is an absolute requirement for the US economy to remain competitive, while protecting consumers.

The shops @Wailea want to charge all who come to Wailea to enjoy the shopping and our great beaches. There is no parking in Wailea, no off street parking and very little beach parking. Are you ready to pay $3.00 per 1/2 hour? Or a day pass will cost you $40.00. Employees are being charged as well. Tenants of the mall have to purchase validation tickets. Each store set its own minimum price for validation. Since construction has already started, I want to change their policies. Free parking for all who work in the shops and free for Locals. Please, ask yourself if you want to or can afford to pay these prices? Enough already! Where's the Aloha? Keep south Maui No Ka Oi.