People everywhere are negatively affected by the time change in terms of health issues, an increase in motor vehicle accidents after a time change, and young children who are confused by the sudden, random shift in daily activities and bedtimes. Our circadian rhythm doesn't suddenly easily shift back and forth every six months to accommodated this unnecessary intrusion on our health. Many states have proven how successful it is to embrace stability by non-participation in Daylight Savings Time. Let's join them and end this unneccesary assault our health.

The Kentucky House and Senate are currently considering an amendment to the state constitution, and as of this writing, HB 399 has passed out of committee in the House and may be headed to the floor. This amendment would allow an incremental (up to 1%) increase in the sales tax if citizens in a locality vote in favor of it by referendum. The primary problem with this amendment is that it asks more from people who can least afford it. When most or all of someone's income goes toward affording basic needs, a tax increase can have a big impact on quality of life. (I know this personally from growing up with limited means.) Another problem is that such a referendum acts regressively by giving effective decision power to those with greater means to impose this tax on those with lesser means. A third concern is that those paying a greater share of their income toward this new sales tax will not have adequate representation in the process for deciding which corresponding capital projects are selected (and likely won't even if the funding method was more equitable). Overall, we believe it is economically and socially unsustainable to build local projects by asking the most from those who can afford it least. We support fair taxation and other equitable avenues for acquiring funds in consideration of new community projects that enrich us all. Alternative, less regressive methods for funding projects include raising rates on existing taxes that are more progressive in design, creating or raising fees for particular licenses/services, selling bonds, or seeking state/federal appropriations/incentives. Localities in Kentucky have the power to utilize these funding methods today without this amendment. -- Check out these further resources: 1) Testimony on Local Option Sales Tax to Interim Joint Committee on Local Government, Jason Bailey, Director, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, September 25, 2013 - http://www.kypolicy.org/content/testimony-local-option-sales-tax - In addition to addressing LOST's effects on those with lesser means, Bailey discusses several other challenges with LOST. 2) KFTC Member Voices: The Local Option Sales Tax - http://www.kftc.org/blog/member-voices-local-option-sales-tax Both of these links suggest many useful ways to make Kentucky's tax system more fair and adequate.

I have started this petition because I'm a lover of animals, and I believe that they deserve advocates to represent them. After seeing photographs and videos of animal brothels all over the world showing helpless animals tied down and sodomized and raped by human beings, laying in pools of their own blood, it made me so sick to my stomach. I know that there's others out there that feel the same way . This is happening in countries like Sweden,Brazil,Belgium,Germany,Russia, and Denmark. As well as in the U.S., places like Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, and Kansas, North Carolina, and New Mexico too. Some of these states have laws protecting animals of certain abuse but not necessarily sexual abuse. I hope we can get as many signatures as possible to at least deem the petition worthy of recognition by officials who hold places in office.

Governor Christie and the Motor Vehicles Commission passed new rules that prohibit Tesla from selling directly to consumers, beginning on April 1st. They did this without a public hearing or going through the normal legislative process, in violation of their responsibility to the citizens of this state. New Jersey residents should have access to electric cars and the option of buying directly from car manufacturers instead of having to go to a car dealer.

Steve Smith gave his entire professional NFL career to the Carolina Panthers. He gave his heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, and body to the Charlotte, NC area and Panthers fans around the nation. Always giving us a show and keeping us pumped up with every reception. He showed up and gave his all every time he was on that field, not matter how far ahead, or how far behind his team was. I realize eventually Steve will have to retire, but not like this. He has earned a place on that field for 1 more year. This petition is simple. Panthers fans who sign agree they will not purchase any merchandise that supports the Carolina Panthers, and will not purchase any tickets to see the Carolina Panthers, until Steve Smith is allowed to finish out at least 1 more year of his professional football career with the Carolina Panthers. He has made sacrifices for us, it's time we return the favor!!!!!!!

All major pharmaceutical companies in the US and Europe have now banned their drugs from being used in executions. States intent on killing prisoners have been forced to turn to so-called ‘compounding pharmacists’ -- who are not regulated by the FDA -- to create their own deadly cocktails that will, however painfully or slowly, cause the death of the recipient. If the American Pharmacists Association would ban their members from participating in executions—as all other major medical associations have already done-- the Association could help end the death penalty in the US once and for all.

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Despite all the evidence about the reality of climate change and the damage it is causing, Congress has so far failed to do anything about it -- lulled through this crisis by polluting special interests. We need to send a clear message that the American people want Congress to wake up. Monday night, I joined 30 of my colleagues in pulling an all-nighter on the Senate floor to wake up Congress to the importance of taking action on climate change -- and the response has been phenomenal. For nearly 15 hours straight, we controlled the debate on the floor while our Republican counterparts sat virtually idle on the sidelines. But that's not all. In the past 24 hours, hundreds of thousands of grassroots supporters across our country have taken action online to add their voices to our efforts -- with thousands more taking action every hour. Monday’s all-nighter was historic, but it was just the beginning. I am more energized and more inspired than ever by this outpouring of support. This is the first effort of a new Climate Action Task Force that Barbara Boxer and I announced at the beginning of this year – an effort to break through the lies of Big Coal and Big Oil and finally galvanize our colleagues to acknowledge an undeniable truth: Climate change is real. The overwhelming support we have received has heightened our confidence about our ability to get a significant climate bill passed in Congress. We can win, but we have to fight. And in order to fight, we need your voice. Join me and thousands of others today to tell Congress: Wake up to climate change and take urgent action.

Studies now show that providing low-income communities access to full-time, high-quality preschool could entirely eliminate the achievement gap. [1] With 7 out of every 10 PA children lacking access to high quality early learning now is the time to act and support the children of Pennsylvania. [2] An investment in early childhood education is an investment in our future; with an $8 return for every $1 invested. [3] Now THAT is bang for your buck! Don't wait to make a difference. Act now. 1. http://www.minnpost.com/learning-curve/2014/01/new-study-high-quality-preschool-poor-kids-under-3-would-eliminate-achievemen 2. http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/state/pa/report-percent-of-pa-children-can-t-access-preschool/article_bfb11e27-be5a-5796-a24c-30b3d50f2da2.html 3. http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/new-research-early-education-as-economic-investme.aspx

Russia's invasion of The Crimea and intent to invade the Ukraine has "Third Reich" written all over it. Millions were brutally murdered, in addition to those killed in the world war which quickly followed Hitler's invasion. The world waited too late before intervening then and this should not happen again. I think citizens in addition to governments can put pressure on Putin and his henchmen to stand down and to let them know the world is against them. La invasión rusa de Crimea y la intención de invadir la Ucrania es exactamente lo que eran objetivos de Adolf Hitler en Europa. Y millones fueron brutalmente asesinados (además el comienzo de una guerra mundial) ocurrió antes de que él fue detenido... Creo que los ciudadanos además los gobiernos pueden presionar a Putin y sus secuaces que se retiren y hacerles saber que el mundo está contra ellos.

I am a life-long cyclist that has ridden in states that have been supportive of cyclists and provided safe routes, as well as states that were hostile to cyclists and did everything they could to get them off of the road. I dream of a day where bicyclists are considered when designing roads, and we create cities throughout the US that support more than just cars.

UPDATE: CPS lawyers are questioning students without parental consent. Yesterday was Drummond. Today Saucedo. This is simply intimidation and an attempt to punish students, parents, and teachers for exercising their rights. Please sign & share to support us! My daughter attends Saucedo Elementary School - where the push to opt of the test started. My daughter's education is a result of good teaching and not standardized testing. We stood up against CPS for the right reasons.