We want to thank the six council members who publicly supported Measure N--which raised the minimum wage for hotel workers in Long Beach--and encourage them to take leadership to raise the minimum wage at the Long Beach Airport and Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

Getting sent to prison for a crime you did not commit may seem like a far-fetched movie plot but for hundreds of Californians it’s a horrifying reality. We both spent over 20 years in prison despite being innocent of the crimes for which we were convicted. We will never get back the time we lost but there are other ways California can give back to those who have been wrongfully convicted, and prevent wrongful convictions from happening in the future. For the last few months we've traveled to Sacramento to urge our state representatives to pass two important bills that will help to protect innocent people from wrongful conviction and give back to the wrongfully convicted after our criminal justice system fails them. These two bills are in Governor Brown's hands now and we are hoping and praying that he signs them into law. Senate Bill 618, authored by Sen. Mark Leno, will streamline the process for exonerees to receive compensation for time spent incarcerated due to their wrongful conviction. That compensation is desperately needed to help exonerees, like us, begin to rebuild our lives after wrongfully spending years behind bars. Senate Bill 569, authored by Sen. Ted Lieu, will require law enforcement to videotape the interrogations of juveniles charged with homicide. False confessions during police questioning of suspects is the second most frequent cause of wrongful convictions, with juveniles most at risk. These two bills provide simple solutions to make California’s justice system more fair and equitable. We need Gov. Brown to sign them into law, so we waste no more time and take concrete action to protect the innocent and help those who have been wrongfully convicted. Please sign the petition to urge Governor Brown to sign SB 569 and SB 618 into law! With deep gratitude, Franky Carrillo, 20 years in prison for a crime I did not commit Maurice Caldwell, 21 years in prison for a crime I did not commit

Recently I have had the unfortunate experience of seeing a loved one's life be torn to shreds by a family member who accepted the power of attorney position in this man's life. He was experiencing the loss of his mother to cancer when the family member stepped in. He was under the impression that he was signing a health care power of attorney, not a durable binding power of attorney. He chose to live with the POA. Immediately his bank account began dwindling. He was restricted from coming to his hometown. His belongings were taken over as if they were not his to have any control over. Checks began bouncing. All of this activity is considered acceptable by a court of law because he placed this person as his power of attorney. He ended up in ICU almost dying due to neglect. There has to be a change! Individuals who require a power of attorney are already compromised to begin with-whether it be by mobility limitations, mental and physical disabilities, or living situations. They are an "at risk" population. I want to see a greater level of accountability in regards to the power of attorney position. I want to see laws implemented that make it a felony to exploit anyone that is dependent upon the assistance of a power of attorney in order to see their legal and financial affairs handled . I want to see equal response from both city and county law enforcement concerning the reporting of said exploitation. I want the Department of Social Services to be supported in their endeavor to protect the elderly at risk population against abuses by powers of attorney instead of being stonewalled because "not everything that is wrong is criminal." There has to be a greater accountability!

For three years, a group of multinational corporations and trade associations have been quietly negotiating a trade pact IN SECRET that could void American laws that protect workers, jobs, health, and the environment. During negotiations here last summer, news leaked of some of the provisions U.S. trade officials were prepared to approve, and a public outcry derailed the talks. Trade Representative Ron Kirk resigned. Newly confirmed US Trade Rep Michael Froman is pushing to renew "fast track" authority so President Obama can sign the agreement first, and then force a quick vote in Congress without any public scrutiny, floor debate, or revisions. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, one of just four U.S. Senators who voted against Froman's confirmation, said of TPP, “I have heard the argument that transparency would undermine the Trade Representative’s policy to complete the trade agreement because public opposition would be significant.” Warren explained, “In other words, if people knew what was going on, they would stop it. This argument is exactly backwards. If transparency would lead to widespread public opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States.” The only TPP language made public was leaked in 2012 and shared by Public Citizen. Since then trade officials have kept a tight lid on the negotiations, only recently allowing members of Congress to view (but not copy) the text, which remains "classified." Among the most disturbing revelations in last year's leaked TPP language, that seems to be mirrored in the Atlantic Trade Agreement as well: Foreign companies would have "preferred status" – granting them greater rights within our borders than our own companies enjoy. U.S. companies would have more incentives to offshore jobs, and foreign companies would not be bound by the minimum wage and could sue the U.S. if our health, safety, or environmental regulations interfered with their profits. Jurisdiction over such suits would rest not in the hands of elected officials or judges, but with an international business tribunal. Their decisions, which would be binding upon all member nations, would supersede our own laws – including our Constitution. This is JUST WRONG!

Raul is a single father of a 9-year-old U.S. citizen. He -- like all parents -- wants nothing more than to watch Raul Jr. grow and go to school. But little Raul Jr. is counting the hours that he has left with his dad because immigration officials are preparing to deport his dad tomorrow, September 20th. With no other family in the US, this deportation will tear Raul and Raul Jr.'s small but loving family apart. No child deserves to be tortured with the idea that his dad will never be back home. Raul has no criminal record and has been a valued member of the Mesa community in Arizona for over 15 years. In fact, he was on his way to work on a bus when he was detained. Fortunately there is an easy temporary fix for Raul and his family. Immigration officials can grant Raul "prosecutorial discretion" and defer his case. Please join us in demanding that the immigration official overseeing Raul's case stop his deportation. We need to keep families together!

We need a change in our criminal justice system. The Board has done a great thing in creating a Community Justice Task Force and funding a needs assessment. Now they need to follow through by reallocating money from the Public Safety Sales Tax and other sources to fund alternatives to incarceration.

Elizabeth Warren would be the best person to have in the white house. She has proven to be tough on Wall Street and will fight for the middle class. She will rally the base, which is extremely important for an election. With Hillary's pro war stance on Syria and her support for NAFTA. She is clearly not the right choice! We don't need an another politician who will disappoint. She has a proven track record and with her win as a senator she is on her way to becoming the next president of the United States.

Immigrant teenagers that have lived in America for most of their life's, and have worked hard in school and have been accepted in to College shouldn't be deported. Someones hard work shouldn't be wasted because of their immigration status.

The Space-Available Travel Program is a means by which members of United States Uniformed Services (US Military Service Members, Reservists, National Guard and Military Career Retirees, Convalescing service members, Metal of Honor winners and so on are eligible to travel on aircraft under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense when excess capability allows. Meaning when all personnel TDY or PCS orders have been filled and space for transporting supplies & equipment are met. Any additional seats which would of remain empty can then be made available to anyone in the above uniform service members categories. This is a benefit that's been made possible to enhance the quality of life for the men and women who serve our country in the uniform services. But, unfortunately for decades now, our Service Connected Disabled Veterans who have been rated 100% Permanent & Total, who served our country and were honorable discharge. Have been passed over and DENIED, the benefit of the Space A Flight Program and the use of these available seats while the category list of eligibility has grown to include DoD Civilian employees, Contractors, Boy Scout Leaders, USO Athletes & Entertainers, Jr & Reg ROTC cadets, teachers, foreign military, the media, non profit organizations, and so on. The list is just endless of all those who have been extended this benefit over the years, which mind you, none have ever served in the U.S. armed services. Please Help! Its time to right this wrong and amend DoD 4515.13-R to include a Category 7 eligibility for our P/T 100% Service Connected Disabled American Veterans, so they too can enjoy the benefit of the Space A Travel Program and help to enhance the quality of their life!

More than 40 percent of private-sector workers and 70 percent of low wage workers do not have a single paid sick day off of work to take care of themselves or family when ill. In many cases, workers have to make the decision to stay home and take care of a child when sick, or paying bills. No one should have to risk their paycheck and job because they're sick. The city of Tacoma, Washington is considering a new law that will help working people across the country by making sure that all workers have paid sick time off of work to use when sick. Send a message to Mayor Marilyn Strickland and the Tacoma City Council now.

The Republicans in Congress have by their actions degenerated into political lunacy, and are no longer functioning for the beneficial interests of the American People. When congressional action redounds to the harm of the People, appropriate measures must be taken to stop it. As of 9/30/13, a government shutdown, led by Republican Tea Party extremists, is inevitable. No matter which side of the issue you are on, here is just some of what will happen to the economy as the shutdown extends from days to weeks: 1. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees will go without a paycheck, having an extremely deleterious effect on families. 2. Food imports will not be monitored for quality. 3. Federal housing loans will not be processed. 4. Tourism will be very badly affected, as national parks, museums (e.g. the Smithsonian), the Library of Congress all will close for lack of funds. 5. The ripple effect from that means that hotels and restaurants will lose great amounts of money for lack of tourists. 6. Although active military will still be funded, disabled vets will lose *their* funding and benefits. But the Tea Party extremists don't care one whit. All this because the Tea Party extremists — funded by the Koch Brothers — want the "Top 1%" to hold all the political cards and power, never mind the real-world consequences. These extremists are holding the country prisoner. Some people even believe that they want to replace democracy with an oligarchy. But the main reason for doing this is because of "Obamacare." They know that once it is implemented — which it surely will be — that it will be of great benefit to the American people, and that it will be ensconced in a position of importance equal to Medicare and Social Security (and will generate more Democratic/liberal voters). A few super-rich are spending millions to prevent this because parity for the middle and lower classes will take away from their power. That's why I say that extremist action that hobbles the government and wreaks havoc on the People should be included as acts of domestic terrorism. PLEASE — SIGN THE PETITION and FORWARD IT ON to all of your friends WHO CARE about such things. We need government by GROWNUPS, not extremist lunatics.

I am harassed with chemicals and it is getting very intense for me and my friends in this senior building I called for help and I was not taken seriously. I was taken to the psychiatrist ward at the hospital and the doctor thought I was paranoid. I am afraid of calling the Police for help. These chemicals get into the Respiratory System, then according Dr. Singer, a Neurologist, it gets into the Nervous System to cause excruciating pain and disability. Plus, it focuses on any Vital Organ to disable and cause death to those that are vulnerable. The creators of these chemicals have discovered the Pathway from the lungs to all parts of the body. These chemicals are focused to any part to disable and cause death to Human Beings and animals. It is urgent to stop the creators and harassers from this behavior to destroy life and pollute the environment. This is for Humanity and the younger generation The authorities have more information on this. Now, is the time to do a proper investigation to get these chemicals to test and assess. Thus, stopping this chemical harassment here in Minneapolis, MN and every where else in USA and the World.