In the final hours of debate on the 2014 Farm Bill, Congress stripped the popular bi-partisan reform that would have tightened what it means to be “actively engaged” in farming. Without this definition, mega-farmers use this as a loophole to multiply their payments for every acre they add to their operation. This hurts small and mid-sized family farmers too, who aren't getting rich from farm payments. The time has come for the Obama Administration to fulfill their 2007 campaign pledge and close the loopholes mega-farms use to get around farm program payment limits.

New York state agencies are in the process of permitting several new gas-fired power plants such as the CPV Valley Energy Center in Orange County. These plants would be fueled by fracking in Pennsylvania and predicated on fracking in New York. This is the wrong road to take if we want a viable and sustainable energy policy that advances us toward 100% usage of renewable resources. Fracking is an inherently dangerous industrial process that is devastating communities in Pennsylvania as well as in New York, through its related infrastructure. We are opposed to the sale, transportation, and use of fracked gas. We demand that all New York state public officials as well as state agencies reject this project that depends on and facilitates fracking.

I already find it hard as it is to find quality food for my family. Having the option to use the USDA organic seal as a guide would be helpful if it were accurate to the presumption that it is truly safe of any harmful chemicals. The USDA has repeatedly permitted certifications of organizations known to not meet the legal requirement for said certification. Two examples are CCFO and Oregon Tilth. Organic Farming should entail requirements – Free of synthetic chemicals of any kind – Free of genetically modified organisms – Free of irradiation, pasteurization or sterilization – Produced in soils of enhanced biological activity – Produced via reputable farming strategies such as on crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, mechanical cultivation, approved mineral-bearing rocks and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity, to supply plant nutrients and to control insects, weeds and other pests. Our food supply needs to be properly labeled.

Duluth's unique Chester Bowl Park is under attack by corporate interests. In spite of public outcry, Duluth City Officials recently ordered the demolition of the historic Big Chester Ski Jump to make way for Sprint to erect a 75' stealth Mono-pole (cell tower). A 'Special Use Permit' is required since structures with high frequency radio magnetic emissions are forbidden in city parks! We strongly object to the city further desecrating our treasured Chester Bowl Park by issuing Sprint or any commercial entity permission to infringe on the health, safety and beauty of our public parks!

We are starting this Petition for the children. The common core curriculum is a curriculum that is unclear and confusing for our children. If a parent cannot understand the curriculum, how do they expect our children to understand. My granddaughter was punished from recess because her parents were unable to assist her with her homework and did it "old school." She was made to sit out and work the problem not once but twice. Change can only start when it is supported by others. If you are frustrated with this curriculum, stand up for your child by signing this Petitioner. Our voices for our children deserve to be heard! Thank you.

On July 19, 2014, human rights lawyer and mother Chaumtoli Huq was unlawfully arrested and detained for 9 hours. She was wearing a traditional South Asian tunic while waiting outside a restaurant in Times Square for her children and husband to use the restroom. Police approached her and told her to move. Ms. Huq was not blocking any passage that would prevent the public from free access to the sidewalk. When she explained she was waiting for her family, Officer Ryan Lathrop became irate. He continued to use force to arrest her, and when Ms. Huq said that she was in pain, Officer Lathrop told her “shut your mouth.” When Officer Lathrop found out Ms. Huq had a different last name than her husband, he told her “in America, wives take the names of their husbands.” Ms. Huq was arrested and held at the local precinct for nine hours. We demand that Bill de Blasio hold a public town hall meeting to respond to each and every case of police brutality so that the public can have a dialogue on over-policing in our communities. This arrest is characteristic of a pattern and practice of the NYPD of aggressive over-policing of people of color and persons lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights. It also shows a lack of gender sensitivity and ignorance towards diverse cultures in New York. No police officer should harass anyone, let alone question cultural norms of family relationships. This incident did not take place in a vacuum, as over-policing, discrimination, and police brutality has been at the forefront of national dialogue. Police misconduct and civil rights abuses following the police shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri has shocked the conscience of the nation. Even within New York City, however, we have plenty of examples of horrific over-policing. We are calling on you to demand that Bill de Blasio and Commissioner William Bratton take proactive steps toward ending police brutality and harassment of women and people of color.

The 2014 charter amendments to the New York State budget put an unfair burden on NYC taxpayers by requiring that the city house privately run charter schools in existing school buildings (“co-location”) or use scant education dollars to pay their rent. All of our districts have overcrowded, co-located schools, with some schools educating students in temporary trailers for years and many students deprived of gym, libraries, art rooms, and a proper lunch time. The charter amendments pit public school needs vs. those of the charters—with the charters all but guaranteed to win. One example of many: it was determined last spring — without any community input — that a new Success Academy Charter School would be granted use of the beautiful campus of Mother Cabrini Parochial High School in Washington Heights. This is one of three Success Academies for which the city is now paying for leased space; other Success Academies are co-located in public school buildings, rendering those buildings far beyond capacity. Yet, Success charters have over a $30 million surplus and, on one night in April alone, raised more than $7.5 million. What’s more, Success says it is a “public” school when convenient (i.e. when staking a claim to public space or money), yet when asked to reveal details about its finances and operations, it has argued in court that it is not a public entity and therefore not subject to public disclosure laws. We also call for a moratorium on all charter approvals unless and until a full audit of existing co-located charters and their compliance with the law—including marketing, enrollment, student retention, and disciplinary policies—has been undertaken by the New York City Comptroller and the New York City Council. We demand that all decisions about the siting of new schools occur in the context of a process that involves community voices and reflects community desires.

Over 1,800 landowners and farmers in Northeast Missouri have been informed that Ameren Corporation plans to build a 345,000 volt power transmission line through our land and near our homes. We are greatly concerned for our health, our livestock, and our farms. Why should a profit-driven corporation be allowed to take away our land?

Charles Erickson was wrongfully convicted and is an innocent man. He lost his twenties while incarcerated in Missouri maximum security prisons. His co-defendant Ryan Ferguson's convictions have been reversed and he has been released. Charles is 30 years of age now and should also be exonerated and released. Then, law enforcement officials must reopen and re-investigate the murder case in which Charles was wrongfully convicted so that the real killer(s) can be brought to justice.

Facts: Bottled water costs 300 to 2,400 times as much as tap water; 1 bottle costs as much as a year of tap drinking water; bottles are petroleum products; producing bottled water consumes up to 2000 times more energy than tap water and produces annually as much CO2 as 475,000 cars; 80% of the bottles go to landfills. We should discourage the purchase of bottled water.

Current and future students of Cielo Vista Charter School should have the opportunity to continue their education in an environment with proven success. The Cielo Vista Charter School community has created a culture that enhances the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of its students. Cielo Vista Charter School parents have been advocating for expansion to 8th grade for 4 years. It is time for the Palm Springs Unified School District to secure a suitable facility to expand Cielo Vista Charter School, which will support the continued success of students into middle school.

Due to budget cuts, Cabrillo College has decided to decrease the funding of The Dental Hygiene Program. The detrimental effect to students, patients, and staff is significant. This cut will affect many parts of the program. Not only will it cause the tri-county community to lose a high quality, low-income dental hygiene clinic, it will also alter the program so it is only able to accept one dental hygiene class once every two years. Admittance for students on the wait list will be postponed from 2 years to 4 years, and the students will not have the benefit of shadowing upperclassmen that will also serve as their mentors. The Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program has one of the highest job placement percentages on campus. On average, Dental Hygiene graduates move onto positions that make an annual take home wage between $83,750 and $100,000 per year. The student population enrolled in the program is approximately 50% belong to a minority and 90% are female. The Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program is the only community college program in the tri-county area. Without this program, students would have to travel as far as Los Altos Hills to obtain a comparable education. Additionally, approximately 10 staff members will lose their jobs. Many of those being dedicated faculty and staff who have been working for the program and devoting their lives to it for over 10 to 25 years. As for the community, the limited hours of the clinic will cause patients to wait between 9 and 18 months for an appointment. The decrease in instructional hours will limit the amount of time the students spend with instructors and with the patients. Help us save this vital program by signing the petition and urging Cabrillo to reinstate the funding.