I want Berkeley to be a model of good behavior in elections, and I want ballot measures to win or lose based on their merits. Instead Mayor Bates and others are resorting to unethical and illegal behavior regarding Measure R and Measure S.

A story in Inside Climate News reported on October 24 that NPR has reduced their environment and climate team from three full-time to one part time reporter. Progressives need an objective voice to keep us informed on one of the most important issues of our time. Climate reporting should be increasing, not decreasing. NPR's climate and environment reporting should be restored.

Between the ages of 18 and 24 are the years during which most mental illnesses are diagnosed. Adding psychiatric services to the current health services system at TWU will give students the opportunity to see a psychiatrist, be diagnosed, and receive the proper treatment including medication. In order for those living with mental health concerns to receive disability services, a diagnosis must be made, having psychiatric services on campus will allow all students living with mental illness to receive support services.

One day soon, you might be stopped on the street and asked to sign a petition in support of "great new public school option coming into the neighborhood." At the top of the petition, you will also see the words "Success Academy Charter Schools." Here in District 1, we want our schools to reflect our values, cultures, and diversity. Given rising class sizes, rampant overcrowding and inadequate funding, who wouldn't want another great public school? But the Success Academy claim is very deceptive. Success Academy Charter Schools take resources and space from our public schools. What’s more, Success Academy Charter schools do not serve the same number of high-needs students as do our district schools. Our schools, which will lose resources to Success Academy, will enroll even more at-risk students that Eva's schools will not take. Standing up to say no to Success Academy can help protect and support the community schools we already have in District 1. By signing this petition you are telling Eva Moskowitz and Success Academy that we are a strong, united community dedicated to supporting schools that truly serve our needs. Dear Success Academy, THANKS, BUT NO THANKS!

25 House Republicans recently signed a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy in opposition to the proposed rule, so now it's more urgent than ever that we have Senators on both sides of the aisle fighting for the public interest!

On Monday, October 27th, the Mayor and City Council discussed a temporary stop to development in industrial areas adjacent to school zones and residential neighborhoods. Unfortunately, they did not take action to vote on the temporary moratorium. We are grateful the Mayor and Council did take action to ensure the study recommended 10 years ago to create a transition zone will be started immediately. However, a study without a moratorium is just a green light for developers to build monstrous, gigantic buildings and subject our neighborhoods, our schools and our kids to more negative impacts of industrial use. The Mayor and City Council must pass the moratorium at their next meeting on November 3rd.

As we enter the final weeks of a midterm election that is almost certain to be marked by the most big money spent and the lowest voter turnout in American history, we who believe in “one person, one vote” political equality must exercise our right to vote and support candidates who will defend our democracy. Kai Newkirk and other 99Rise leaders are fasting until at least 28,000 Americans (after the 28th Amendment for which we fight) sign the pledge to stand against corruption and vote in support of pro-democracy candidates this November. This pledge campaign, along with the personal sacrifice of those fasting, can move us closer to solving the number one concern of MoveOn members- the corrupting effect of money in politics, but only if you make the pledge and help distribute this petition!

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has decided to evict Posman Books from Grand Central Terminal. They are refusing to renew the independent bookseller's lease, and Posman's has to be out by December 31. The bookstore's space will be used for storage while a new tower is built. However, the Rite-Aid next door to Posman's will remain in business. New York is losing bookstores left and right. We cannot afford to lose another. Meanwhile, we're drowning in Rite-Aid (and Duane Reade, and Walgreens, and CVS). MTA, your decision to deny a lease renewal to Posman's--an independent, long-time, local New York business--is unconscionable and immoral. By doing so, you are contributing to the cultural death of the city. We ask that you renew Posman's lease and find another space for storage. See more info here: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20141027/REAL_ESTATE/141029873/end-of-story-for-grand-centrals-posman-books

Jay Cutler's lack of enthusiasm and inability to preform as a starting quarterback has left the Chicago Bears with a pitiful record of 3-5. This is unacceptable because the talent that surrounds him is outstanding. Please sign this petition and help convince Virginia Halas McCaskey to fire Jay Cutler.

What happens to TMC owners who were subjected to high pressure sales tactics, lied to, sold by unlicensed sales people and not given the legally required sales information until it was too late to cancel their TMC timeshare purchase? The Attorney General's staff under cover investigation has proven these things true. How do these TMC owners get out of a lifelong financial obligation to a scam? There has to be a fair and reasonable way out of a life long commitment to the TMC fraud operation provided by the Attorney General's Office to TMC owners.

To President Obama, the U.S. Congress, the National Council on Disability, the National Council on Independent Living, and the Rehabilitation Services Administration: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2013, 17.6 percent of persons with a disability were employed, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In contrast, the employment-population ratio for those without a disability was 64.0 percent. The employment-population ratio was little changed from 2012 to 2013 for both groups. The unemployment rate for those with a disability was 13.2 percent in 2013, higher than the rate for persons with no disability (7.1 percent). The jobless rate for persons with a disability was little changed from 2012 to 2013, while the rate for those without a disability declined. These statistics illustrate that legislative efforts and "best practice solutions" to fully include and integrate people with disabilities into the workplace are NOT successful and discrimination and disincentives to getting a job or having a career still exists. In addition, according to the most recent U.S. Census data, 28 percent of those with disabilities ages 18 to 64 lived in poverty in 2010. Meanwhile, the poverty rate for their peers in the general population was 12.5 percent. On October 14, 2016, thousands of people with disabilities and fellow supporters will participate in the Million Gimp March on our Nation's Capitol to demand the following: 1. That Congress or the President takes immediate steps to make gainful employment and the pursuit and achievement of a career a civil right for people with disabilities and that legislation such as the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act are strengthened and vigorously and meaningfully implemented. 2. That Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which authorizes employers, after receiving a certificate from the Wage and Hour Division, to pay special minimum wages - wages less than the Federal minimum wage - to workers who have disabilities for the work being performed be immediately repealed at the Federal and State levels for all workers with disabilities and that an Executive Order be issued ordering that the certificates held by states and other jurisdictions be immediately made null and void. 3. That laws that make it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in hiring and in the workplace be strengthened, funded and immediately implemented. 4. That, once employed, people with disabilities be allowed to keep medical benefits such as Medicaid and Medicare, as a supplement that would cover essential items, services and long term care that private insurance does not. 5. That the asset limit for people with disabilities on Medicaid be increased from $2,000 to $50,000. We, the undersigned, agree with and fully support these demands and call for across-the-board competitive and inclusive employment opportunity equality regardless of ability.

Petition to grant Eric Gunnels eligibility for disability due to epilepsy.