Although Texas has the youngest population in the U. S., there is no advantage economically unless they are a well educated work force.

I recently had my CPA e-file my tax return with the IRS, I also took my roommate along to have his tax's filed as well. My CPA got the verification of submission for both of us, the forms stated that if e-file we would have our refunds back within 21 days, and would be able to go to the IRS website under Wheres my refund link and check the status of the filing within 72 hours. My CPA advised that the system was being slow and it may be a bit longer. I decided to give the direct deposit until today March first, I check in my bank and it wasn't there. I then proceed the check the IRS website and was shock and concerned to see that my filing did not even registered in the system and I received the following message: Refund Status Results We cannot provide any information about your refund. Be sure to: verify your filing date;check with your tax preparer or tax software provider; orverify you received your electronically filed acknowledgement e-mail.If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date. Processing may take longer under certain circumstances. At this point my thoughts went from concerned to worried and I decided to contact my CPA. When I spoke with him he advised that over half of his clients are having the same issue and he had contacted the IRS and was advised that they where having some system upgrades and they weren't able to give him any information. He gave me the IRS number and advised that I can contact them as well. I proceed to have my roommate check the status of his refund, to our surprise his status came up in the system and he would be getting his refund on March 4th. I couldn't understand how we both could have our tax's done by the same person within mins of each other but his returns status was available in the system yet my return was unable to be obtained. I then reach out to the IRS by phone and was placed on hold and told it would be a 15 minute wait. I waited for over 25 minutes and my call was never taking, I then decided to research the issue on the internet and found from several CPA and Tax preparer forums that this issue is wide spread. This is unacceptable, we pay taxes automated, and yet we have to deal with a system that is so obviously mismanaged, and have decided that they are not accountable for the work they have to do for the good of the public. I believe that this is a horrible mishandling of public affairs and that it should be investigated all the way up to the heads of the IRS. The economy is already in the tank and the money that is held up in the system could be used to help prop up the allying markets. If you agree that at some point the federal government has to be held accountable for their actions please sign this petition.

"During a Court Ordered parental visit my three year old son, (at the time) had been in the vehicle with my ex-husband who was highly intoxicated BAC .14%. This is not my ex-husband state officials and employees. However, our conserns were ignored. Even's first, second or even third driving while intoxicated offense. I along with my eldest son had given numerous caution to numerous government and more concerning, the judicial system did not want pursue any action of enforcement for Child Endangerment or Disorderly Persons. February 14, 2013, my ex-husband had been arrested yet again for driving under the influence his BAC .20%. He was released R.O.R. And, the only consequence he has since received had been to turn in his driver’s license. We need enforcement of laws set forth." If Government is instituted for safety and protection than why, are such laws not enforced? Enforce protection for children by enforcing the laws of protection.

Due to recent events at Sandy Brook Elementary school, the shooting at the movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado, and the shooting in Arizona where Congress woman Gabby Gifford and many other innocent people were brutally shot and some murdered this country has got to make a change. While some states may have strict laws on purchasing firearms there are those who are not meeting the standard to protect American citizens. By incorporating a nationwide gun policy the people of America will find it safer to walk down the street, send their children to school, and visit their local grocery store.

The FDA is about to approve a Horse slaughter operation in New Mexico! Horses are NOT food! This is terrible and has caused me to loose sleep. This is just wrong!

Congress 'works' only about half the days of a full time worker, so they should get paid for the days they work. Their inability to actually do the people's work may potentially cause me and THOUSANDS of others to be furloughed, while they get paid for NOT DOING THEIR JOB. I work hard and think they should do actual work for their public salaries. An honest day's work for a day's pay... should apply to congress.

South Carolina Bill H 3365, calling for a full-time school psychologist in all South Carolina schools, is currently active in this legislative session and has been referred to the Committee on Education and Public Works. This bill stipulates that school psychologists must "identify students in need of mental health counseling, promote awareness of mental health issues and the availability of treatment, screen and identify students for mental health issues, and provide appropriate mental health counseling and make referrals for appropriate social services counseling". This bill does not take into consideration the already full caseload of school psychologists as well as their other responsibilities such as psychometric testing. We believe that licensed masters of school social workers are the missing component in this bill and would serve a vital role in filling the gap in mental health services for students. A recent study surveyed social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors in order to determine the actual proportion of their time that was dedicated to certain roles. The study revealed that school social workers and counselors spent more time counseling, while school psychologists spent more time with testing and report writing. If we allow Bill H 3365 to pass without including licensed social workers, our children could get “identified and possibly referred” to outside agencies but may not receive the services they need. The inclusion of social workers in this bill would bridge this gap between the student (and their family) and the school. Please sign this petition as support for including licensed masters of social workers as part of this bill. As South Carolina residents, we want to let the committee members know how much we value our children and want to ensure that their mental health needs are adequately served. We need your help! Working cooperatively, school psychologists and social workers will be able to offer comprehensive developmental, behavioral, and mental health services that will improve students’ social and emotional health and academic success. Please show your support by signing this petition.

Too many animals die by being abused. We need steeper penalties invplace. By making animal abuse a felony, maybe this will lessen the abuse and save lives.

If you are against the spreading the current 180 days of school throughout the year and shorter summers then sign this petition! only sign this if you live in Cabell County!

Social Security is unsound BECAUSE the Feds use it as their piggy bank. Instead of investing Trust monies, they 'borrow' Trust assets in the form of 'special issue' T-bills. These pay stupidly LOW returns to the Trust. In contrast, State government pension systems invest in broad markets. Those pay TWICE the benefits of Social Security, at EARLIER ages, and at LESS in payroll contributions. It is INVESTMENT RETURNS that are needed to properly fund Social Security, and NOT benefit reductions or higher payroll contributions! Duh!

A final vote on marriage equality in Illinois could take place any day - and State Representative Rita Mayfield may be the deciding vote on whether we will finally guarantee equal marriage rights for every citizen in our state. Rep. Mayfield has said she'll vote her constituency and asked residents from across the 60th House District (Waukegan and North Chicago) to weigh in on how she should vote.

The show Shark Tank on ABC seldom gives minority entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their ideas to the sharks. There should be more minority presence on the show, because the black community heavily relies on its entrepreneurs for survival.