Can anyone raise a family on $15,000 per year? $1,250 per month? Of course not. Meanwhile on Wall Street, corporate profits are way up and the stock market reached record highs. But Congress hasn't raised the minimum wage since 2007. President Obama called for a minimum wage hike, and Democrats in Congress want to raise it to $10.10 per hour. But John Boehner and Tea Party Republicans won't let the minimum wage bill see the light of day. Record profits while low wage workers can't support a family. That's just not fair. Here in Maryland, we don't need to wait for John Boehner to give low-wage workers a raise. State legislators in Annapolis are pushing to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour and then index it to inflation. That way as the cost of living goes up, the minimum wage will keep pace. The bill faces stiff opposition from the usual suspects: Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and right-wing think tanks funded by the likes of Karl Rove. If they had their way there wouldn't even be a minimum wage! Sign the petition below to tell Governor O'Malley, Senate President Mike Miller, and Speaker of the House Mike Bush: Working families can't wait for Congress. It's time to step up and lead the way for working families. President Obama has called for increasing the minimum wage, but for 500,000 low-wage workers in Maryland, we need Governor O'Malley to show that he is willing to stand up to Wal-Mart and McDonalds and raise the minimum wage now.

Many Maryland residents celebrate Norooz as part of their heritage and background. For those of us who do, it means taking a day off at work or having an "unexcused absence" at school.

I attend church at St. Michael's Catholic along with about 200 other members. Most of our elderly such as Simona Sabballos, Agustin and Fidela Garcia, all currently 89 years old, are the focus of our request. Honoring and caring for our elderly should be top priority. Thus I ask that CR 477 also known as 24th street along with Ave. K be paved.

We are asking Congress to create a simple website that allows the American public to view and vote on each line item in the Federal Budget. #LetUsDecide SIGN THE WHITE HOUSE PETITION: http://wh.gov/of0I

H.R. 630 would recalculate and restore retirement annuity obligations of the United States Postal Service, eliminate the requirement that the United States Postal Service pre-fund the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, place restrictions on the closure of postal facilities, create incentives for the innovation for the United States Postal Service, to maintain levels of postal service

Although there are a few bike paths, I think additional bike paths are necessary to accommodate the growing number of bikers on Oahu. As a pedestrian, I do not feel safe when bikes past by me on sidewalks. As a driver, I do not want to share the road with bikes. As a biker, I want a safe area outdoors where I do not interfere with pedestrians and cars while getting to my destination. If government has the funding for rail, then there should be funding for paint to add bike paths next to roads that connect the entire island. Not only would bikers benefit from safety, my proposal is indeed an environmental friendly option that would decrease traffic congestion as well as lower obesity. I am certain that more people would start biking when safety is accounted for and the image of Oahu would improve due to the popularity of biking everywhere.

places to ride

Education reform in the state of WV... This bill will allow the state to hire individuals without having gone through an education degree program to teach in our public schools.. It also wants to cut paid holidays and planning time from teachers while the top paid officials in the state bd of ed keep their paid holidays!! It pushes more testing of students especially in k-2. It seeks to hire superintendents that do not need any experience in the education field! This bill does not put students first and does not uphold the integrity of the teaching profession! Stop this bill from being passed!

Studies show students between ages 10-17 don't get enough sleep at night. Snack time can allow kids to have protiens to keep them more focused durring school.

My dear friend Elizabeth Espat suffered a brain injury (aneurism) in October 2012, and has been through incredible physical trauma in the past five months: multiple surgeries (coil insertion, decompressive hemicraniectomy, tracheotomy), seizures, strokes, and a medically induced coma. She is currently in a persistent vegetative state at a local Skilled Nursing Facility, where she is awaiting clearance for surgery. The surgery is a required step which would allow her to progress to the next stage of recovery. With every day that goes by, her SNF benefits diminish due to limitations of her health insurance PPO. Her brain and body need ample time to repair, reconnect, and heal so that she can begin rehabilitation. SB 320 will enable uniform and non-discriminatory access to treatment for acquired brain injury across an established continuum of licensed treatment settings specifically designed to provide the most clinically effective and cost efficient specialized treatment for acquired brain injury and to ensure that acquired brain injury as a catastrophic health condition is treated on par with other major medical conditions which have no time limitations. Thank you - Kris Homsher

It's time for all members of Congress and the Senate to NOT get paid a salary for a lifetime now matter how many years they have worked.

State Representative Dan Branch has introduced House Bill 3520 which would rename 7 miles of US 75, or Central Expressway, in honor of George W Bush. Central is the main artery from downtown to the suburbs, named after the former railroad line that ran between downtown and historic Deep Ellum. To rename this historic stretch of road after a president who has done little if anything significant for this city ignores our local history and compromises our integrity. W may live here now, but he does not represent our fair city. Sign this petition to preserve our cultural history and keep Central Expressway as is.