“Just-in-time” scheduling, as it’s known, can wreak havoc on the lives of working people and their families. When shifts are scheduled with little advance notice and canceled at the last minute, it’s hard to imagine having any financial security. And when workers don’t have predictable schedules and are expected to work any time they’re called, it’s hard to make plans to take care of your family or find additional work, if necessary. Right now, Minnesota lawmakers can make a difference for thousands of Minnesota workers, by passing legislation to make fair scheduling a reality now.

Please fund the $34 million for MLK that is shown in the MNPS Capital Improvement Budget.

When the Herero (Ovaherero) people of Namibia revolted against the confiscation of their land and cattle by German colonists, more than 80,000 men, women and children were killed. On October 2, 1904 Lieutenant-General Lothar von Trotha publicly issued a written extermination order, Vernichtungsbefehl, of the Herero people in Namibia on behalf of Germany Kaiser Wilhelm II. This infamous extermination order decreed: “Herero found within the German borders with or without a gun, with or without cattle, will be shot. I shall no longer receive any women and children. I will drive them back to their people, or I will shoot them”. The United Nations and historians consider this to be the first genocide of the 20th century, and it is estimated that eighty percent (80%) of the estimated 150 000 tribe was killed. The Herero people suffered incalculable losses from mutilation, rape, slaughter, and banishment from their land. Survivors were confined to concentration camps where they performed forced labor. Today, descendants of the survivors continue to reside in Botswana, South Africa, and many other countries. The majority of the Herero people live in their homeland of Namibia, where they are now a minority. While the then German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Mrs. Wieczorek-Zeul, apologized for the genocide at a commemorative event in 2004, however the German government refuses to enter into a meaningful dialogue about reparations. In order to address the genocide of the Herero people, the late Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako filed a lawsuit against the German government and German companies that benefited from slave labor in the US courts. However, the case was dismissed for technical reasons. We, the undersigned, urge the government of Germany to offer reparations to the Herero and Nama tribes of Namibia for the genocide committed against their people from 1904-1908. Sincerely, This petition is endorsed by many community leaders and it is the undertaking of the Ovaherero Diaspora and descendants. For more information contact us at [email protected]

We live next to Olympic National Park, home to many protected and endangered species; this unique ecosystem became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve decades ago. Now its ancient temperate rain forests, snow-capped mountains, rugged and pristine beaches could be assaulted by at least 112 of the world's loudest jets flying thousands of training exercises year-round, at altitudes as low as treetop level. War games would also test new electromagnetic weaponry, triggering significant concerns about the potential health impacts and migratory patterns of birds, amphibians and sea creatures, as well as plants, micro-fauna and human beings. Several indigenous tribes call these lands home. Waters of the Pacific Coast Marine Sanctuary would be assaulted by surface-to-air gunnery, missiles, underwater explosions, and mid-frequency sonar. Sonar can spell death to endangered whales and marine mammals, disrupting whale migration, breeding, nursing, breathing, and feeding—and sometimes causing ruptured eardrums and fatal internal hemorrhaging. While military training is important to our national security, it can -- and should -- be conducted in suitable locations and ways that do no harm to endangered wildlife. We owe it to future generations to continue to protect these irreplaceable biological treasures.

I have seen first hand the vast number of people/patients, with an array of conditions, whose quality of life would benefit immeasurably from access to this medicine.

I am writing to add to the voices already expressed by vote in Fayetteville to prevent "THE INTRASTATE COMMERCE IMPROVEMENT ACT," which is the amended Bill SB202 (you can find AR SB202 info here: legiscan.com/AR/text/SB202/2015). After this bill is passed, a person can be legally discriminated against in cases which do not pertain to Arkansas state law, and, therefore, fired or not hired, nor even served as a customer, a patient, a renter, a human. After this bill is passed, no city or municipality can have discrimination laws which suit its own demographic and municipality’s needs. This bill has wide scope and negative potential that will greatly affect the quality of life for many. It will perpetuate our state poverty and discrimination. It will prevent opportunity, hope, and help. Senator Hester is appealing to people who discriminate against Gays for misguided ideas. I say "misguided" because nothing and no one could ever separate you from your God, so long as you love and believe in God. Furthermore, economy is not threatened by the public presence or public spending of gays or foreigners. Senator Hester is not amending a bill which will promote safe health and respiratory comfort for all patrons, such as smoking laws. Senator Hester is looking for the wrong way to alleviate regulatory burdens for businesses. He must also not know what it is like to have a loved one who is gay, to watch him be attacked violently because of hate, to watch him grow into adulthood with fear of the world and hatred for himself, and to have known well as a bystander, a loved one, before you knew what it was to be gay, that he has been gay since he was 5 years old. Senator Hester is misguided; Our state is suffering because of discrimination, against people who could participate, but rather are restricted from our commerce, taxation, and education. Thank you for your time, support, and work.

The Endangered Species Act prohibits any action, administrative or real, that results in a “taking” of a listed species, or adversely affects habitat. Yet, our government has opened up the North Carolina coast for seismic testing and development in an area where critically endangered right whales and a variety of endangered sea turtles feed. Developers have requested approval to "take" up to 5 right whales for offshore development. We need to take social action on behalf of those who cannot protect themselves and demand the enforcement of the Endangered Species Act.

I know people who fall in the Medicaid gap who cannot get coverage. I also know medical professionals who see firsthand how the failure to expand Medicaid results in increased use of emergency department resources, underpayment to hospitals and medical professionals, and substantial loss of work productivity.

On February 16, an oil train derailed and exploded in Fayette County, West Virginia. At least one tank car landed in a river, spewing oil into the local water supply, a home was burned to the ground, and hundreds of residents were evacuated. This catastrophe was the third oil train disaster in just 72 hours. It's time for President Obama to stand up to the oil and rail industries and protect the 25 million Americans who live in the oil train blast zone.

To radically reduce the level of green house gas emissions, and still be able to maintain modern lifestyles through the use of biofuels and clean energy. There are many incredible and sustainable uses for hemp, and it is time we used Hemp to the fullest potential. Hemp can be grown with little to no pesticides, which would help preserve the integrity of our water supply as well as support and renew the dwindling pollinator population. Hemp can yield 3-8 dry tons of fibre per acre, meaning we can safeguard our forests from the expansion of logging. Leading to cleaner air and the creation of more National Parks and outdoor spaces. Additionally, and most importantly, Hemp is carbon negative, helping to reverse the effects of global warming. Industrial Hemp should not be confused with Marijuana, as it has about as much THC as an O'Douls (non-alcoholic beer) has alcohol, meaning it will not render a "high" with use. Though most of the population is unacquainted with this fact, hence the push to legalize in States that have already legalized Marijuana.

As in many of our nations states with the worst health care systems, Oklahoma's Nurse Practitioners are restricted from providing their full scope of trained practice and subsequently restricted access to care and poor patient outcomes are a result. Despite Oklahoma’s 49th ranking in our nation’s state health care system, our leaders remain hesitant to act against physician-led special interest groups quoting false fears and biased opinions. We firmly believe that with organized public support founded on the volumes of evidence-based studies that support Nurse Practitioner Free practice, our States leaders will eventually act to break the special interest lead stranglehold on our health care policy by adopting policies and practices based on the widely available volumes of evidence based findings.

Lalíik is held sacred by native peoples of the Columbia Plateau, including the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Wanapum, Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Yakama, and is revered as a spiritual epicenter to this day. Native cultural heritage must be protected.