healthcare is a basic human right, and no one should be denied care due to financial barriers. A universal healthcare system would improve public health, reduce inequality, and create a more productive society by ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, can get the care they need when they need it. Together, we can build a more just and equitable system that benefits everyone.

Whether it’s allegations of sexual assault, concerns about heavy drinking, lack of experience, extremist ties, or past suggestions that the troops should be deployed against protestors and political opponents, one thing is crystal clear: Hegseth is unfit for the role. The Secretary of Defense oversees the largest and most powerful military in the world – and the bloated, too-powerful Pentagon bureaucracy that comes with it. This role demands, at the very least, a leader who prioritizes people’s well-being, has a willingness to root out corruption, understands the military should be a tool of last resort, and approaches our common security with seriousness and responsibility. We knew that would be a tall order for the incoming president, but Hegseth’s record not only falls embarrassingly short, it makes him a potential threat to the safety and security of millions of people, here at home and around the globe. The good news? Multiple outlets are reporting that Hegseth’s nomination is on the rocks. One senator told Politico, the prospects for his confirmation are "bad and getting worse.”[1] When you speak out to your senators today, your voice can tip the scales to derail his appointment before it even begins.  We cannot allow extremist rhetoric, scandal, and unqualified leadership to take root in the Department of Defense. Urge your Senators to reject Pete Hegseth’s nomination.

Don't let a politically motivated special interest group chill academic freedom and expression in our schools in the interest of promoting Israel's image among our students. The Lower Merion school board announced at a 12/3/24 school board meeting that they have unilaterally decided to partner with the Weitzman Organization and the Anti Defamation League on their antisemitism training initiative.  Both groups rely on the highly controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of antisemitism, which infamously conflates antisemitism with protected political speech that is critical of Israel.   Do we want our kids to be punished if they ask the question, "Is Israel's nation state law which codifies a legal system of Jewish supremacy consistent with democratic values"?  Should language used by a consensus of international human rights and legal experts including terms like "apartheid, occupation, and genocide" be prohibited when talking about Israel in school?  Should a child be suspended for saying "free Palestine"? Join me in voicing our concern that allowing Weitzman and the ADL to shape our district's curriculum will have just such a repressive effect and is inconsistent with our values.  

Amazon is one of the largest private employers in the country. It delivers more parcels than UPS and soon will overtake USPS as well. It has 2,843 warehouses and delivery stations in the US, and employs 800,000 people as well as hundreds of thousands more ‘contractors’. That means if Amazon workers get a raise, it will literally change the livelihoods of millions around the country. Workers are already making their voices heard. This summer Amazon workers at the San Bernardino air hub staged a one-day unfair labor practice strike and workers in Kentucky went on strike part of a day, forcing planes to re-route. In response to this pressure the company increased pay by $1.50 an hour - but with billions in profits every single year CEO Andy Jassy can do much much better than that.  Add your name to stand with Amazon workers by signing the petition to give them a real raise – and demand better for the people behind the packages.

Hostile architecture harms everyone, not just the homeless. It leaves the elderly, pregnant women, and the disabled without a place to properly rest. These types of seating are incompatible with mobility aids and make life harder for an already marginalized group. Anti-homeless architecture in Lafayette should be replaced with proper seating for the benefit of all citizens. 

Donald Trump’s reelection as president by the narrowest margin of victory since the 19th century means that nearly all of his criminal cases have either been dismissed or put on hold for now.  And despite what Trump and his supporters claim, his reelection as president must not mean that he gets to skirt accountability in the history books and public record.  It’s not hyperbole to believe that this is likely our last chance to read for ourselves the full lengths Trump went to in order to overturn democracy a few years ago before he and his Cabinet of loyalists take office again. In fact, Trump has already made clear his intention to go after those who once investigated him.  Attorney General Garland must move swiftly to release the full report before it’s too late. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Trump’s attacks on journalists and the free press are well documented. Now, as his second term nears, it’s critical that Congress implement greater protections for the press. The New York Times editorial board said it is important to pass a shield for reporters to “prevent abuses of power.”(1) In his first term, Trump attempted to block leaks and pressure reporters in ways that threaten the free press and the public interest. The House passed the PRESS Act without any opposition.(2) The Senate must now pass this legislation before Trump takes office. Sign the petition: Protect the free press and pass the PRESS Act now! The PRESS Act would protect journalists and the investigative reporting the public relies on to understand the inner workings of our government. With this legislation, government officials would not be able to force reporters to give up their sources or seize the phone and email records of journalists. The New York Times editorial board said, “Hostility toward the news media in the polarized politics of the day makes it more urgent than ever to ensure that reporters can continue to pursue their essential role as watchdogs over the government without the threat of court-ordered demands for their sources and information. The PRESS Act is needed now.”(3) Sign the petition: Tell the U.S. Senate to pass the PRESS Act before Trump takes office. Sources: 1. “A Reporter’s Shield Law Is Vital to Prevent Abuses of Power,” The New York Times, October 14, 2024 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid.

The proposed Fast Lane gas station and convenience store at 1510 Prospect Road is not a good fit for our community for several reasons: • Dangerous Health Hazards • Benzene, which is present in gasoline vapor, is a known carcinogen. • A peer reviewed study from 2023 showed that living within 250 meters of a gas station increased the risk of childhood leukemia by 2.4 times. (Malavolti et al, 2023) • A 2022 peer reviewed study showed that children living within 500 meters of a gas station were TWICE as likely to develop brain and spinal cord tumors. (Mazzei et al, 2022) • Negative Effect on Home Values • Several studies indicate anywhere from 9-30% lower home values in the areas surrounding gas stations. (Zhao et al, 2017) • Home value appreciation for homes within 800 feet of a gas station is HALF of that compared to homes farther away. (Locate Alpha, 2022) • Increased Crime • Gas stations and convenience stores account for the location of 5% of ALL violent crime and 14% of all robberies in the US. (FBI Crime Statistics, 2022) • Increased Traffic Congestion • Gas stations are very high traffic establishments, and it will cause traffic jams backing up Civic Center Drive and the Prospect / I-64 traffic circles

For over a hundred years, the entertainment industry has been a vital part of California’s story, helping transform our state into the 5th largest economy in the world. This industry doesn’t just entertain– it fuels our communities, creates jobs, and supports public services that make California a better place for everyone. The taxes we pay go toward schools, healthcare, environmental protections, workplace safety, civil rights, and support for our neighbors in need. As entertainment industry families, we live, work, and give back in California. We’re homeowners, parents, volunteers, mentors, and active tax-paying citizens dedicated to making our cities and neighborhoods stronger. This industry is not only our livelihood, but our legacy. Right now, nearly 40% of us are out of work. Since 2022, more than 20,000 jobs in the below-the-line crafts have disappeared, costing California $2 billion in lost wages and hundreds of millions in tax revenue that are crucial to our economy. California is the heart of this industry, and it’s here that the magic of film and television truly lives. But without competitive film and television tax incentives, many of us are being forced to leave the state we call home. Over the last 10 years film and television incentives have expanded globally. This has made California's tax incentive program unable to compete, putting the 2nd largest industry in the state in danger of collapse. Recently Governor Gavin Newsom put forth a proposal that would raise California’s annual incentive cap from $330 million to $750 million. While this is an important initial move, we need more substantial changes to keep our work in California. We need to ensure that creators, artisans, performers, and ancillary businesses reliant on this sector can continue to maintain their income, but also guarantee that the state keeps reaping the economic advantages this industry offers, such as drawing millions of international tourists– tourism being the 3rd largest industry in the state of California. We cannot afford to allow the motion picture industry to continue to leave California. We're not just losing the livelihood of tens of thousands of working families, we're also losing our legacy as the heart of the entertainment industry, and our status as the filmmaking capital of the world.  In signing this petition, we stand together asking you to keep Californians working. We must act now to protect our legacy and ensure California’s future. Our survival depends on it.

OUR KIDS ARE AT RISK - BENZENE IS A KNOWN CARCINOGEN CHILDREN’S HEALTH IS AT RISK: The World Health Organization (WHO), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognize benzene as a hazardous air pollutant and a known carcinogen.  These organizations emphasize that children are particularly vulnerable to benzene exposure due to their developing systems and greater relative intake of air.  Exposure to benzene is associated wit respiratory problems and leukemia.  Google it - it’s terrifying! ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: Increased emissions and traffic have the potential to harm not only preschoolers, but the entire neighborhood.  The plan to store 120,000 gallons of fuel underground - doubling their current capacity of 60,000 gallons of underground storage. INSUFFICIENT REVIEW: This project was deemed EXEMPT from ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.  The Culver City Planning Commission granted Costco an exemption from doing an Environmental Impact Report which would require an analysis on impacts on traffic, noise, air quality, and water quality - the report would require an analysis to the impact on the preschoolers, a “sensitive receptor” population.’’ HOW YOU CAN HELP: 1. SIGN THIS PETITION 2. VISIT OUR WEBSITE - https://www.futurenotfossils.com/ 3. EMAIL THE CITY COUNCIL Please email the Council members (templates below) to express your opposition to the relocation. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Utilize and customize one of the templates: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i9Rmq3FbnwyYTgHw6MoqHwh8MFYDqJSplB3dXvJSAm8/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-xtzm9RAUOCznXCu2eFY4ENednAEeD8nHiwcoSU5lew/edit?usp=sharing 4. SPREAD THE WORD Please share this issue with friends and neighbors.  The more voices we have, the stronger our message. Thank you for standing with us in this fight. Sincerely, Noah & Alba Beller

As of December 19th, my children will have spent six years in foster care, completely cut off from family connections, parental visits, and phone calls. This has resulted in a profound sense of abandonment and alienation, largely due to the actions of the department. The intention behind this approach seems to be to make them more adoptable, but it only reinforces the feeling that they are unloved and unwanted. This is why I believe Title IV-E federal funding should be repealed; it no longer fulfills its original purpose. Below are the negative failures of title 4E federal funding. I had a generated by AI... I didn't want people to second-guess me or think I didn't have my facts straight.  Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides federal funding for foster care and adoption assistance programs. While the intent of this funding is to support children in the welfare system and promote family stability, there can be negative results and impacts on families. Here are some potential negative outcomes associated with Title IV-E funding: 1. **Incentivization of Foster Care Placement**: The funding structure may inadvertently incentivize the placement of children into foster care rather than supporting families to stay together. This can lead to unnecessary separations and trauma for children and parents. 2. **Limited Support for Preventive Services**: Title IV-E funding primarily focuses on foster care and adoption assistance, which may result in insufficient resources allocated for preventive services that could help families avoid entering the child welfare system in the first place. 3. **Overburdened Child Welfare System**: Increased funding for foster care can lead to an influx of cases, overwhelming the child welfare system. This can result in inadequate attention and resources for families in crisis, leading to poorer outcomes for children and families. 4. **Disparities in Access to Services**: Families from marginalized communities may face barriers in accessing the benefits of Title IV-E funding. This can exacerbate existing inequalities and lead to disproportionate rates of foster care placements among certain populations. 5. **Stigmatization of Families**: The involvement of child welfare services can carry a stigma, which may discourage families from seeking help. This stigma can lead to isolation and further challenges for families struggling with issues that could be addressed with appropriate support. 6. **Short-Term Focus**: The funding may prioritize immediate placements and financial assistance over long-term solutions that address the root causes of family instability, such as poverty, mental health issues, and substance abuse. 7. **Potential for Mismanagement**: With increased funding, there is a risk of mismanagement or misuse of resources, which can detract from the intended support for families and children. This can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency in how funds are utilized. 8. **Impact on Family Reunification**: The focus on foster care placements may delay or complicate the process of family reunification, as resources may be more readily available for foster care than for services that support reunification efforts. 9. **Emotional and Psychological Effects**: The trauma of entering the foster care system can have lasting emotional and psychological effects on children and their families, which may not be adequately addressed by the services funded under Title

Signing this petition is vital to show Oregon’s leaders that we, as residents, demand bold action to protect our shared values and fundamental rights. As California and Washington take decisive steps to safeguard democracy, reproductive rights, environmental protections, and civil liberties, Oregon must join in solidarity to ensure our state remains a leader in progress, equity, and justice. Your signature amplifies the call for meaningful policies and partnerships that counter federal overreach and defend the rights, safety, and dignity of all Oregonians. Together, we can send a powerful message: Oregon will not stand idly by in the face of threats to our core principles. Make your voice heard—sign today!