On March 17, the House unveiled a new plan which slashes billions of dollars from the program that does the most to help hungry kids, and we need to push back. For decades, Republicans and Democrats have come together to support these programs, but thanks to repeated cuts, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) currently only provides $1.38 per meal, barely enough to buy a pack of gum. The truth is, when kids are hungry they struggle to learn. Ending childhood hunger is not only the right thing to do, it’s a smart investment in our future. SNAP benefits are currently around $125 per person, per month -- which works out to about $1.38 per meal. It might seem like a small benefit -- and to be sure, SNAP benefits are the lowest they’ve been in five years -- but to those struggling to put food on the table, it makes a critical difference. Together we can make sure America's kids are getting enough to eat and have a fair shot at a better life. We need to let Rep. Denham knows that we expect better than a budget which leaves kids hungry.

The pro-gun lobby is working hard to advance national legislation that would force states to recognize concealed-carry permits from all over the country, regardless of how lax the permitting standards in other states. And some states have lax standards indeed: A Sun-Sentinel investigation found that Florida had issued concealed-carry licenses to 1,400 people convicted of crimes, as well as to hundreds more applicants with warrants, domestic abuse injunctions, or gun violations.[1] And North Carolina, from 2007 to 2011, issued 2,400 conceal-carry permits to people convicted of crimes, including some who committed murder or manslaughter.[2] If mandated national concealed-carry legislation becomes law, it would allow dangerous, high-risk gun owners to go wherever they like with their firearms. The legislation would also encourage such gun owners from around the country to converge on states with loose permitting standards in order to easily get concealed-carry licenses that would have to be honored nationally. Furthermore, individual states would no longer be able to control who is authorized to carry a concealed gun within its borders. Police would not even be able to quickly find out if out-of-state permits are valid, putting law enforcement and the public at higher risk of harm. Mandated national conceal-carry would gut commonsense gun safety laws that parents worked hard to pass in states across our nation. Americans are already about 20 times more likely to be killed by a gun than someone from another developed country. Now is not the time to weaken commonsense safety standards or states' rights! Tell Congress to oppose federally mandated concealed-carry legislation now! [1] "The Law that Will Make a Million George Zimmermans," The Daily Beast, Jan. 12, 2015. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/12/the-law-that-will-make-a-million-george-zimmermans.html [2] "Guns in Public, and Out of Sight," New York Times, Dec. 26, 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/27/us/more-concealed-guns-and-some-are-in-the-wrong-hands.html?_r=0

LGBT youth suffer from homelessness, depression, and suicide in far greater numbers compared to their straight peers. This is largely caused by the misguided and harmful beliefs that sexual orientation and gender identity are a choice, not an innate aspect of one's humanity, and that any sexual orientation or gender identity other than "straight" is morally wrong. Our LGBT children are perfect as they are; we must stand with and protect them from anyone and everyone who says otherwise.

My vehicle was severely damaged in an accident at no fault of my own. While the insurance company reimbursed for the costs to repair it, the value of the vehicle dropped by nearly $3,000 since it will be noted on Carfax reports, and the insurance will not cover it.

Maine's current minimum wage is $7.50/hour. Over fifty-two 40-hour weeks, that adds up to $15, 600/year. The Federal Poverty Guideline for 2015 is $15, 930 for a household of 2. This could mean a single parent of 1 child, a working senior citizen with a disabled spouse, or many other situations. If we as a society want people to work for their living, then the very possibility of doing that must be legislated. For a family of 3 (eg. single parent, two children), the Federal Guideline is $20 090. Divided by fifty-two 40-hour weeks, this comes to an hourly wage of $9.66. Minimum-wage employers pay minimum wage because it's required. Decent employers pay more. This should be done because it's basic human decency. This is not even accounting for daycare, nor for people getting sick or having time off to spend with their families and friends. Raise Minimum Wage to a Living Wage.

I have arachnoiditis and it's not only a physical battle but a very emotional one too. Most people don't know what it is and most emergency room doctors don't understand the pain and other symptoms that come with it. It's an invisible illness that causes just as much if not more pain than cancer pain.

Iowa has the second largest number of puppy mills in the U.S., which house approximately 15,000 dogs. USDA records show that 47% of Iowa breeders were cited for violations to the Animal Welfare Act of 2014. Of the top 4 dog breeding states, Iowa is the only state without state-level oversight. State oversight will also decrease the production and distribution of sick and genetically inferior puppies, thereby helping to protect consumers.

To help all people with PTSD, Cancer, and other mental disorders and medical problems. This includes me a veteran who is on all kinds on meds that could be a limited if this was legal. My doctor said if it was legal they would have me on medical marijuana and it would reduce the meds I take and would help many Veterans with PTSD. The governor said the Dea said medical marijuana leads to more dangerous drugs so he will not legalize it.We need this for our Veteran and Cancer Patients so let's push this.

To: the Mayor, Town Council, WPCA members, and officials of Startford CT, and the GNHWPCA: • We don't see a public good in the regionalization with the New Haven Authority. • We don't want unanswered questions followed by a rubber stamp vote that surrenders our rights forever. • We will be at town hall on April 20 to let our voice be heard to stop this vote for a fire sale of Stratford's assets. • We will move forward to a referendum if the vote is yes. • "We" are citizens, voters, comprised of Republicans, Democrats and Independents, • We represent Stratfords' families, Business, Civic Organizations, residents. All are WPCA users and investors, • We are the voices that speak with one voice: Don't surrender the assets and control of our 100-year public investment in an efficient, cost-effective, WPCA system.

Simple... no athlete has come through our school district and achieved so much; #5 all time in scoring, 2615 pts. in New York State for any Section. #1 all time scoring leader 2615 pts. in Section II (breaking Jimmer Fredette's record 2404pts.) 2 time NYSPHSAA State Tournament MVP 2 time NYS Sportswriters Assocation's Class C Player of the Year - 2013,2015 He helped bring home 2 Class C State Championships in three years to Lake George, OF WHICH are the first state basketball championships for the school. Please sign and share this petition!

Thou shall not kill or at least not profit from wars. Wars kill people and cost a lot of money. If Everyone has to pay, those in charge will insure that there will be fewer wars. If the cost of war is paid off quickly, there will be less long term economic disruption. Soldiers and citizens will be glad it's over. Everyone shares the pain, not just the family members of our lost Soldiers.

The state again wants to cut the population of the Developmental Disabled and replace them with the Mentally Ill. They are using the facade of the Olmstead Act and Jensen Agreement to make it seem as though it will benefit both populations. This will be extremely hurtful to my son who is DD and the others who live in his house as well as others in the same predicament. My son is not ready to be in a less restrictive setting and he is very involved in the community through his work through Range Area Vocational Supports, Special Olympics, and more. Moving him away from his family/supports because there is nowhere close with the programming he needs would have catastrophic if not irreversible outcomes. The state needs to find a better way of integrating the MI into the communities instead of harming the other citizens.