The Problem: In New York State it is legal practice to withhold information pertinent to criminal cases from a defendant and his defense attorney until the very moment of trial. This is not because the information is unavailable; it is because the prosecution does not have to turn over such information earlier. For example, prosecutors are not required by law to hand over police reports, prior testimony, and any other evidence to the defendant until trial begins, and in some cases, not until the first witness takes the stand. A prosecutor does not even have to turn over evidence that might help a defendant or cast doubt on his guilt unless the prosecutor thinks it is important. This practice costs both taxpayers and the judicial system a great deal of time and money. The Solution: We request that New York State Senate Bill Number: S4089-2013 gets voted out of the Senate Standing Committee on Codes as new Criminal Procedure Law Article 245, thereby repealing CPL 240. As a result, CPL Article 245 would require that both the prosecutor and defense attorney provide the opposing party with extensive discovery early in a criminal case. In addition, CPL Article 245 would include a mechanism for prosecutors with legitimate concerns about the safety of their witnesses or with on-going investigations to withhold or redact any evidence or information covered by the statute and to move for a protective order.

People tend to look down on homeless people and even think of them as less than human. By you helping the homeless person it may encourage others to also help until there are more people helping homeless people then there are dehumanizing them.

We must fight to defend our rivers from pollution and degradation from gas drilling and fracking. Frack waste is so toxic that even the Coast Guard has recognized that its radioactivity and hazardous components warrant special limits on its transport. But they are trying to avoid public scrutiny and participation by a quick and dirty approval process that is riddled with loopholes that essentially remove any safeguard they propose, putting the water quality of all rivers and public health at great risk. Comment period has been extended to Dec. 6. If we all speak up, we can stop this.

I’ve already seen the damage the fracking industry causes. My family lives on farmland in the hills of West Virginia, where drilling and fracking operations are devastating the land, destroying ecosystems, and threatening the health of Appalachian communities. And in my home state of Ohio, wastewater injection techniques have caused 4.0 magnitude earthquakes on old, forgotten fault lines. Chatsworth is my new home, and I'm going to do all I can to protect it from fracking. Here in Los Angeles, I’ve met residents in the Figueroa Corridor whose health is threatened by drilling operations. Headaches, rashes, nosebleeds — these things are becoming commonplace for some. In Baldwin Hills, drilling activities in the adjacent oil field are cracking the foundations of private homes. With property damage and earthquakes an increasing risk, we need to stop fracking in Los Angeles.

One of the first soldiers I lost in Iraq wasn't an American citizen. His story began like many others who come to this country seeking a better life while giving back to their communities. Some do it through public service jobs and volunteerism, others in our churches and community centers. He chose to do it through military service, but he lacked citizenship when he made his Final Journey home -- despite the fact his sacrifice for our nation was just as enduring as those born here. Comprehensive immigration reform recently passed the U.S. Senate but remains stuck, waiting for the House of Representatives to take action. Add your name to mine and urge the House to take immediate action.

for the rights of grandparents to visit with her grandchildren. we have been denied the right to see our granddaughter we helped raise for 5 years.

Without notice other then the email saying we just closed your store, I was shocked to find that ETSY had closed my shop due to having some products that matched Pottery Barn Kids Quilts, and for using Pottery Barn Kids in my search terms (which I've done since 2008) I obviously was unaware that this was an issue until my store was closed. I wasn't give the opportunity to correct this and most definitely would have, had it been brought to my attention earlier. This is my families main source of income and I've worked hard to maintain my 100% customer rating and built a large customer base over the years. Please reopen Funky Letter Boutique.

To restore balance and functionality to the legislative process in the House.

Unarmed 19-year-old Detroit-area resident Renisha McBride was fatally shot while she went looking for help after surviving a car crash. The man who shot Renisha has yet to be arrested, charged, or publicly identified. And he may never be held accountable because of Michigan's deadly so-called "Stand Your Ground" or "Shoot First" law. More than a week after Renisha's death the shooter has not been arrested and he may not face proper prosecution because of Michigan's so-called "Stand Your Ground" or "Shoot First" law. The law could shield Renisha's shooter from criminal prosecution if he believes that he was in danger, even if his belief is wrong and rooted in racial bias. We cannot let another Black teenager's death go unpunished. Please join us in demanding Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and Dearborn Heights Police Chief Lee Gavin conduct a full investigation and bring the shooter to justice.

Our board is for us, not the janitors.

Too few people seem to take seriously the threat to one of the fundamental pillars of our democracy, an informed electorate. Manipulation of the truth for selfish, political purposes by the corporate media charged with reporting truth is not acceptable and there should be public consequences for the misuse of the forum CBS and the other powerful corporate interests who purport to report the news have been granted by us, the people.

Adding recycling bins for paper, cardboard, plastic, and glass around campus. At this college, there is a lot of paper handed out, and when we are done with it, where can we put it? Same with tin, plastic, bottles, glass, etc, where can we put them without having to go to the SAK?