The Mayor of Miami-Dade County introduced his proposed budget for 2013-2014, which froze the millage at its current rate. Subsequent cuts to public services were proposed to include the closing of the Model City Library in Brownsville, Miami-Dade County, FL. This library serves an area where poverty is raging. The library serves a predominantly low-income community and is one of the largest and busiest libraries in the County. Closing this library will cause direct, adverse impact on scores of children and families who can not afford a computer nor access to quality reading materials. The Model City Library is also an EARLY VOTING PRECINCT. This library needs to remain open in order to give these children a fighting chance at a decent education and to ensure that the ability to vote at this site is in place for next year's vital election cycle.

The Oregon Department of Forestry, acting under the Oregon Forest Practices Act, continues to issue permits to spray herbicides over replanted clear cuts even when the land to be sprayed are clearly defined watersheds used by public water districts for drinking water. Other forest practices such as manual brush cutting are effective, but private forest managers are not required by law to use these alternative methods so some continue to spray. This is a flaw in the Oregon law and places citizens unnecessarily at risk. The Oregon Forest Practices Act should be amended immediately in special session. There is no effective way for water districts or the public water consumers in these small Oregon communities to assure non-degredation of their drinking water, in the face of direct herbicide applications to our watersheds.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has launched a cynical and transparent ploy to undermine women's health. His campaign for further regulation of abortion clinics claims to be about the health and safety of women -- but you and I both know that's not true. Singling out abortion providers for unnecessary regulation will not improve health and safety for women -- it will make it harder, or impossible, for providers to continue to offer women quality, affordable care. But it's not too late to do something about it. Now is our chance to let him know that we oppose further regulation of this type, which is unnecessary, politically motivated, and designed not to promote quality health care but to make it less available. Tell him that you don't want politics placed above the health needs of West Virginian women.

With another debt ceiling crisis looming, the public needs to be informed about the dangers ahead to America's social safety net and Rep. Fitzpatrick needs to hear from his constituents about how vital those programs are.

As Americans, we'll all be better off for having hardworking new immigrants as contributing members of our community. This is what America is all about.

I enjoyed visiting St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1996, when freedom was beginning to take shape there, and I am appalled that since I am gay, I would be endangered to go back there now with my partner of 16 years. Russia's backslide into suppression of free speech and human rights is wrong and needs active opposition.

I was one of the people of Yarnell who has had property in the small town of Yarnell, for 23 years. My insurance ran out in 2011 and was not told of such a situation not being under a insurance carrier. FEMA has denied any Federal Aid, I was hoping for a constuciton load of low interest rate to start over.

KEEP GRACEWOOD STATE SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL OPEN (East Central Regional Hosp.)

Now more than ever, the United States needs a policy for genetically engineered food labeling: there are genetically engineered foods in up to 70 percent of the foods on grocery store shelves, the USDA is considering approving a genetically engineered apple this spring, and the FDA is nearing its approval of a genetically engineered salmon. The labeling of genetically engineered foods should be mandatory. The public has the right to make an informed choice about the food they buy for their families. Without mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, consumers are left in the dark. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has sponsored new federal labeling legislation, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (S. 809), in the Senate. Take action and tell Senators Burr (R-NC) and Hagan (D-NC) to support the genetically engineered food labeling bill.

Now more than ever, the United States needs a policy for genetically engineered food labeling: there are genetically engineered foods in up to 70 percent of the foods on grocery store shelves, the USDA is considering approving a genetically engineered apple this spring, and the FDA is nearing its approval of a genetically engineered salmon. The labeling of genetically engineered foods should be mandatory. The public has the right to make an informed choice about the food they buy for their families. Without mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, consumers are left in the dark. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has sponsored new federal labeling legislation, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (S. 809), in the Senate. Take action and tell Senators Kaine (D-VA) and Warner (D-VA) to support the genetically engineered food labeling bill.

Now more than ever, the United States needs a policy for genetically engineered food labeling: there are genetically engineered foods in up to 70 percent of the foods on grocery store shelves, the USDA is considering approving a genetically engineered apple this spring, and the FDA is nearing its approval of a genetically engineered salmon. The labeling of genetically engineered foods should be mandatory. The public has the right to make an informed choice about the food they buy for their families. Without mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, consumers are left in the dark. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has sponsored new federal labeling legislation, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (S. 809), in the Senate. Take action and tell Senators Brown (D-OH) and Portman (R-OH) to support the genetically engineered food labeling bill.

Now more than ever, the United States needs a policy for genetically engineered food labeling: there are genetically engineered foods in up to 70 percent of the foods on grocery store shelves, the USDA is considering approving a genetically engineered apple this spring, and the FDA is nearing its approval of a genetically engineered salmon. The labeling of genetically engineered foods should be mandatory. The public has the right to make an informed choice about the food they buy for their families. Without mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, consumers are left in the dark. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has sponsored new federal labeling legislation, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (S. 809), in the Senate. Take action and tell Senators Levin (D-MI) and Stabenow (D-MI) to support the genetically engineered food labeling bill.