The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation Congress ever passed. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Right now, Congress can restore those protections by passing this important bill. Rep. Sanford should support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting for a strong bill. Justice demands it.

We love our school and are tired of it being destroyed by an incompetent school board.

Since 1998 deregulated electricity has become a productive market in the US offering savings to consumers in numerous states. Many states have now safely opened their markets. These states provide an effective and efficient model for California. In the 16 year since the federal order, California has allowed the process to stagnate which has forced its consumer to pay premium rates for electricity.

It is critical to support a law that will require age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in grades Pre-k through 12 grade. Since 25% of all female children and almost 17% of all male children "will" be sexually molested, and 80% of these children will not report such molestation, a law to prevent the occurrence and empower children to report attempts or an actual incidence of sexual molestation, is critical to the safety and health of the children of North Carolina. In addition, since North Carolina spends over $62,675,735 each year on the direct and immediate costs of child sexual abuse, to be proactive in preventing sexual abuse on children, will reduce funds now spent to address the aftermath of such abuse. Such funds would be better used to prevent childhood sexual molestation, which further establishes the benefits and need of Erin's Law being a reality in North Carolina.

Background: Elkhorn Industries is working with Superior Calumet Refinery in an effort to build an oil shipping terminal at Connors Point in Superior, Wisconsin. Tar sands and Bakken hydraulic fracturing oil resources will add to the disastrous carbon loading of our atmosphere that is exacting huge costs in destructive storms and chaos in our climate. Wasting 25 million dollars to establish great Lakes tanker shipping for short-lived fossil fuel resources is irresponsible and deplorable even if it could be done responsibly. With more than 40 million people relying on great lakes water for their survival we will stand to defend the water and call for an end to the irresponsible continued development of these failed and disastrous fossil fuel resources. We demand the development and deployment of clean renewable energy sources now. The Alliance for the Great Lakes released a report warning against shipment of petroleum products on the lakes stating “neither U.S. nor Canadian shipping fleets or ports are designed for large-scale transport of crude oil, and said neither government's regulatory system is prepared to deal with moving oil across the big lakes. Alliance for the Great Lakes - Report Oil and Water:
Tar Sands Crude Shipping Meets Great Lakes? http://www.greatlakes.org/tarsands

Schools that run hurry-up offenses, while untraditional and often thought of as fads, should not be penalized for their style of play. They are being unfairly targeted by traditional teams that aren't physically prepared for the pace that these teams demand of their opponents.

The union label is something that stands for quality and is a sign that workers are being paid fairly and have a voice in their workplace. "Roofers Union" recently opened in Adams Morgan, DC and not only give a nod to the actual United Union of Roofers, AFL-CIO, but their logo even is meant to resemble a union bug. Bringing attention to workers and unions is excellent for all workers, but it is only right that by doing so, "Roofer's Union" restaurant will also pay their workers a fair, living wage and provide them with benefits, as all unions do to their members.

President Obama has asked the Senate to confirm a judicial nominee who tried to channel funds to anti-choice crisis pregnancy centers and make a parental consent law even more extreme. Judges hold an incredible responsibility when they take the bench. Americans need to trust them to take an objective view of the law and not use their position to advance their personal agenda. Michael Boggs showed us his true personal agenda as a state lawmaker, and we can’t trust him with our rights. Fortunately, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, recognized that Boggs "does not have the votes in committee" and "His nomination should be withdrawn." We agree with Sen. Leahy - support for Boggs' nomination has become a political liability for any senator who hopes to maintain their constituents' support. We’re disappointed that pro-choice President Obama nominated someone who doesn’t share our pro-choice values. We agree with the president on a lot of things, but not this pick. We can't rest until Boggs' nomination is withdrawn or he's defeated. Speak out now and call on your senators to oppose this out-of-touch nominee.

I am an alum from Jones High School (one of the schools on the chopping block). With parents and stakeholders standing up for schools across the city, HISD must use creativity and innovation to meet its challenges. I will not stand idly by as Mr. Grier closes schools in low-income neighborhoods. Public education should be just that: public, and accessible. Where will our children go to school when these schools close? Across town? And who will have to pay for that? Our community. Superintendent Terry Grier, don't close down Houston schools. We need to invest in our children, not bail out on them. Take our schools off the chopping block and keep them open!

Stand Up For New Mexico's Children! In recent weeks, several cases of CYFD neglect have come to light including the death of Omaree Varela, a nine-year old boy that was allegedly beaten to death by his mother after reports to CYFD about abuse. We’ve seen too many cases where CYFD has failed New Mexico’s children in the Martinez administration. All we've seen from Governor Martinez is a pattern of excuses and shifting blame rather than action. It's time she showed more concern for protecting our children and less for covering for her political appointees. Our legislators must also demand accountability.

Big money in politics is a big problem. In fact, MoPIRG and Demos found that in 2012 the top 32 donors to Super PACs spent as much money as every single small donation to Obama and Romney combined, equaling the gifts of over 3.7 million Americans. The Government By the People Act would change the way our elections are financed through a combination of matching funds for small donations, and a “My Voice” tax credit. Instead of relying on Wall Street executives or lobbyists, participating candidates would rely on the ones the founding fathers intended them to represent: we the people. Thank Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II for cosponsoring this legislation and ask him to see it pass the finish line.

In the District of Columbia ADU ownership has been an amazing tool for many, but in recent years things such as extremely long resale restriction periods and sky rocketing common fees have turned a path to the American Dream into a corridor of hardship. We want our elected officials to see first hand how their policies effects the Districts constituents both good and bad.