I've been the victim of the US Dept of Education for over 14 years and have been discharged temporarily because of my disabilities three times but they continue to transfer it over to another creditor instead of pursuing my ex husband who is very gainfully employed who's wife refuses he pay his portion on the joint consolidation. We jointly consolidated as newly weds and I subsequently suffered a disabling car accident, a second stroke, heart attack, open heart surgery, tumors, etc. I also have 10 year old special needs twins and am an only living parent-one is autistic. I must provide for us all while he enjoys suitable employment in a position my brother promoted him to. The government has given me the run around, I've contacted senators, aclu, congress, ombudsman and the attorney General. I'm desperate and being told that I am responsible for his portion because I signed the joint consolidation (not as a primary) and was sent a letter from the treasury informing me that I may face a garnishment of up to 15% monthly and further tax offsets. They informed me that they didn't have to pursue my ex husband because I signed first.

Last year North Carolina ranked 2nd (only to California) in terms of solar capacity added. But we still get less than 1% of our energy from the sun. Durham has a history of innovation and leading on the environment, so we should encourage the city to take the lead on solar, and commit to getting 15% of it's energy from solar power. We can clean up the environment AND create local jobs at the same time. So let's Grow Solar Durham!

The Venezuelan people have suffered for 15 years the imposition of a totalitarian regimen that progressively has limited freedom and peace. Gross violations of humans rights seen for the past two months have been well documented by the Venezuelan people through the social media due to the lack of independent media outlets. It is urgent for the US to stand with the Venezuelan people and to promote the universal values of freedom and human rights.

The schools contribute to litter in our communities. Our neighborhoods standards, respect and appearance is harmed by the amount of trash/debris, negligently left to blow or settle. Neighborhood gutters and sewers are clogged from the trash. Flooding occurs from clogged gutters. These schools are public and funded by our taxpayers. Shouldn't they give something back to the communities they are in...besides garbage?

Our son passed away from a Rare Disease called Leigh's Disease. It is so important in the Rare Disease community that research continue so that some relief can come to those who suffer. And by claiming a tax credit of only 50% we may see drug manufacturers find orphan drugs to help treat patients with rare disease. Shortly after our son's death in 2010, EPI-743 went into clinical trials for those who were in final stages of Leigh's Disease. I'm sure that this would have never happened had it not been for the Orphan Drug Tax Credit!!!!

my petition is about taking the greed out of our country and putting the humanity back in

Currently, Vermont pays millions of dollars in interest and fees to big out of state financial institutions and other entities. Most of this money does not come back to the state and is not available for use by the state to increase economic vitality and the quality of life for Vermonters. Some of these institutions have been found to engage in rigging everything they can for their own enrichment. Creation of a state bank would keep this money in VT The parent company of TD Bank NA, where VT deposits most of its checkbook funds, has derivative contracts which are valued at 5 times its total assets. In the event of another collapse like the one in 2008, it is possible that Vermont could see its deposits confiscated to "bail-in" TD Bank. Putting our public monies into a state bank would prevent this from happening. S.204 would create a "10 Percent for Vermont Program" and extend full banking powers to the Vermont Economic Development Authority. Initially, 10% of VT's unrestricted funds would be deposited in the state bank to be used in partnership with community banks to fund projects which would contribute to Vermont's economy. This is a modest start which would require capitalization of about $7 million. The bank would not be designed to compete with community banks. It would be designed to expand their ability to enhance prosperity in the state. The Senate Finance Committee must take up and approve this bill by the end of the day on March 21. Currently, it looks like it is unlikely that the committee is going to act on this bill. We need to let the committee know that there are a lot of Vermonters who support this bill. Please sign this petition and pass it on to as many people as you can. The more people who sign it, the more likely that the committee will act on the bill.

My brother was sentenced to life in federal prison for a first-time non-violent drug charge. This was his first offense of any kind. The federal courts took the words of 2 already jailed drug dealers to use against my brother. The jury found him NOT-Guilty of having a gun when arrested; yet the judge used it against him when determining his sentencing. The judge has told my brother's lawyer that he thought my brother lied on the stand and didn't like his attitude; so I guess that means he made it personal and thought he'd show him. The life-sentence for a first time drug offense is absolutely ridiculous and we need to put a stop to it!!!

If policymakers fail to make California more competitive, our local film and TV production industry will face permanent damage as hundreds of thousands of jobs leave forever to other. It is imperative that the Legislature and Administration take decisive steps to retain an industry that serves as a vital source of jobs, tax revenue and economic opportunity.

We, young professionals feel passionate about the growth of our community and want to aid in the process and also want to grow ourselves. We want to be a vital part in our community and network within one another and other business leaders. Stamford is "the city that works", we want to make sure it works properly.

“Strong: A Boston Anthem” is dedicated to the spirit and resilience of the people of Boston. We ask that the City Fathers support an effort to unite us by proclaiming this song Boston's official anthem.

Capping hours of in-home caregivers as California Gov. Jerry Brown proposes will jeopardize care while pushing countless caregivers further below the federal poverty line. Last fall, President Obama's Department of Labor extended the protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to include In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregivers in California, 90 percent of whom are women and 70 percent of whom are women of color. Among California’s poorest workers, they have struggled without overtime and FLSA protections to raise families and make ends meet on poverty wages and meager benefits, all while putting their heart and soul into caring for our loved ones. This year, Gov. Brown proposed a state budget that caps IHSS caregivers’ hours in order to deny them overtime pay and FLSA protections. Across the state, 60,000 caregivers are currently paid for 160 or more hours of service a month. The governor’s proposed cap would cause those caregivers to lose as much as 43% of their incomes—earnings often used to feed, clothe and help house the very IHSS consumers they serve. If the legislature votes to approve this proposal, seniors and people with disabilities who require care beyond 40 hours a week will be forced to rely on temporary or alternative caregivers with less experience and a lack of familiarity with their unique needs. Especially concerning are the impacts this proposal would have on children and adults with autism, and elderly patients with dementia, for whom consistency is an essential part of care. Capping hours for IHSS providers impacts both the livelihood of caregivers and the continuity of care IHSS consumers deserve. Passing this proposal would be a glaring example of how, even in a state known for its progressive history, seniors, disabled persons, women, people of color, and the working poor, are still denied a fair shake today. California can do better! Please add your name to the petition calling on Governor Brown and California's legislature to do right by caregivers, and care recipients by rescinding his proposal to cut hours for tens of thousands of workers.