In his State of the Union, President Obama called on Congress to raise the minimum wage to $10.10. Pat will deliver this petition to Senator Grassley demanding he stand up for Iowan working families and support a minimum-wage increase. Will you sign this petition? We’ll invite the media to our petition delivery. The more signatures we have, the more likely the media will cover our fight on this issue – so please tell others too.

In his State of the Union, President Obama called on Congress to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 – an idea popular among many Republican, Independent, and Democratic voters. Leslie Endean-Singh will deliver this petition to Rep. Steve Pearce demanding he give 150,000 New Mexico residents a raise by supporting a minimum-wage increase. Can you sign this petition? We’ll invite the media to our petition delivery. The more signatures we have, the more likely the media will cover our fight on this issue – so please tell others too.

The Illinois Constitution states, “The public policy of the State and the duty of each person is to provide and maintain a healthful environment for the benefit of this and future generations.” It is our duty to protect our environment, but we are running out of options. Oil and gas industry has started exploratory drilling.

 We've reached a new phase in the fracking struggle in Illinois. According to the Illinois DNR, thanks to dangerously weak rules, the fracking rush could begin as early as this fall. Citizen’s groups have pointed out that the law will devastate local ecosystems, and won't protect us from health impacts including poisoned water supplies or air pollution that cause birth defects and other illnesses for people living near fracking wells. Over 32,000 comments were submitted to IDNR during the public hearings but even the strongest of regulations work to protect industry, gut local control in unincorporated areas, legalize pollution, are worthless without enforcement, and will do nothing to stop earthquakes in the New Madrid and Wabash Valley seismic zones. It’s crystal clear. Money and the prospect of jobs are the driving force behind our governor’s poor decision to sign this negligent law and disregard people for profit. We are running out of options. Non violent direct action is our last line of defense to protect what we love. 

 We are asking for your pledge of solidarity. Will you stand with us and hundreds of other folks who are dedicated in stopping the destruction of our beautiful Illinois, the land between the rivers, from becoming the next sacrifice zone for the industrialized fracking. Will you support us in building a powerful movement to defend our homes in Illinois by 1) Raising awareness of civil liberties in your community, 2) Donating resources, like supplies, for organizational efforts, 3) Join or support  nonviolent direct action campaigns, like rallies, protests and candlelight vigils? 
Pledge your support and solidarity with Illinoisans who are protecting their communities from the harms of fracking.

For a woman excited to welcome a beautiful, healthy child into the world, there is nothing as devastating as learning the pregnancy is high-risk -- or worse, enduring a miscarriage. Pregnancy complications can threaten a woman's health and future fertility. Unfortunately, in Alabama, it could become legal for any medical staffer at a hospital to deny care and put pregnant women at risk. This week, the Alabama Senate will have a hearing on HB 31, a cruel bill that would allow health professionals to refuse to give urgent assistance to pregnant women who need to end the pregnancy to prevent serious harm. And in most cases, they would not even have to provide a referral elsewhere. The bill would also protect health care professionals and hospitals from liability for refusing to provide necessary medical care. Most doctors and nurses want to help women live healthy lives - not leave them in dangerous predicaments. The Alabama House has already passed this bill and this is a crucial moment to stop it in its tracks before the Senate votes on it. Stand with Alabama women and demand lawmakers oppose HB 31.

Giving every kid access to high-quality preschool in Illinois is a winning investment that levels the academic playing field for students [1] and boosts our economy in the short and long run. [2] Not only that, but this is an idea with bipartisan support.[3,4] Despite the evidence, Sen. Mark Kirk doesn't currently support the Strong Start for America's Children Act which would expand access to preschool. That’s why we want Sen. Kirk to join Sen. Dick Durbin and stand up for Illinois kids who can’t afford to get into a good preschool classroom. Sources: 1. “Why Investments in Early Childhood Work,” Ounce of Prevention http://goo.gl/2sDtWh 2. “Top 5 reasons why investing in early childhood education can drive better local job creation,” September 2011, investinginkids Blog http://goo.gl/mqSCKA 3. "Oklahoma! Where the Kids Learn Early,” November 2013, The New York Times http://goo.gl/tjlRcu 4. "U.S. Voters Overwhelmingly Support Investments in Early Education,” August 2013, First Five Years Fund http://goo.gl/krup0z

Tell the Fort Collins City Council and the State of Colorado to do financial, economic and environmental impact studies of the proposed new on-campus stadium at CSU in Fort Collins to help safeguard the wellbeing of our community.

Our Borough Manager has resigned his position and is cooperating with the District Attorney of Pittsburgh and Agents of the FBI. The corruption and lying within our Borough must stop now! Everyone, from the Mayor down to and including all councilors, must go. We demand that they step down immediately! Please remember, this petition is for MUNHALL RESIDENTS ONLY! Please do not sign if you do not reside in Munhall! Your cooperation is requested.

On January 9, more than 7,000 gallons of the chemical known as 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) leaked into Charleston, West Virginia's water supply that has left about 300,000 people in the area unable to drink or bathe in their water. Freedom Industries later told regulators that another chemical known as PPH -- was part of the leak. Since then, people are still going to the hospital because of issues from using the water- schools are still being closed because the water is not safe. Update 2/6/14- Five Kanawha County schools have closed early (2 on 5th, 3 on 6th) for the chemical smell being in the school and making children, teachers and staff ill. One child and one teacher were transported to the hospital and one cook was treated by an ambulance but not transported. Children were allowed back in schools on the 7th- even after parents made known their outrage and even protested. UPDATE 2/20/14 The petition has been printed and is currently getting packaged for delivery to the Kanawha County Board of Education. The petition will be delivered on Friday, 2/21/14 by myself, Jana Goodall. I will update everyone again once I get a response.

I have seen firsthand the effects of ineffective leadership in Congress. Gridlock hurts us all. We need to draft Sharon Sund because she shares our progressive values and will fight against income inequality. Go to Caucus on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH at 7 PM. Raise your hand and become a DRAFT SHARON delegate.

Since taking over Daniel H. Heyns the Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections has closed Gun Towers and Perimeter Security Vehicles positions at MDOC facilities state wide. Security and safety should be a top priority for Michigan These policies are dangerous for Michigan citizens and should be stopped.

The end of the Cold War should have brought about greater freedom for the citizens of the world. Instead, we're seeing a return to the politics of a less-enlightened time. As these issues seize headlines around the world, we'd like people like Vladimir Putin to realize that history will remember him according to what they did for people and for what they did against them. As writers, we represent the conscience of our country. We'd like to see something done.

Many people are Jewish at this school and some are forced to take Hebrew school as an after school program but it takes time away from actualy school work. Plus, we have to learn an additional language because Hebrew is not an option. Also, some people are intrested in learning Hebrew but if they arent then they don't have to choose that language to learn.