Texas has the highest proportion of the population living at or below the minimum wage in the nation. The expansion will help Texan's receive the care that they NEED, at lower cost, and without raising taxes on Texan's. We demand Governor Perry allow the expansion to go through as Republican Governor Chris Christie recently allowed in New Jersey.

We want a full membership meeting of the Rockford Area REALTORS to be heard by the elected leadership. We respectfully request per the bylaws of the Assoication; Article 11, Section 3, by written petition signed by the membership that the leadership call a full membership meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to openly discuss our MLS decisions and that we, the members, will be involved in setting the agenda.

As a Social Security and Medicare recipient as well as a politically aware person, I pointedly note the obvious, that any attempt to deal constructively with the Republicans is absolutely impossible. Further, attempting to reach a Grand Bargain with the Republicans through hurting those dependent on vital entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare is unconscionable, as well as ineffective,as the Republican lawmakers are but children posturing as adults. Those of us who are pro-people and progressive must demand that the President be as firm with the Republicans as the sequester has proved them to be irresponsible.

Emblem Health has notified all NY brokers that they will no longer pay commission as of 05/01/13. This is completely unethical and will have a drastic impact on our clients and the livelihood of all NY brokers. Because Emblem Health was denied a rate increase by the Department of Financial Services –DFS, they are taking action on the brokers that helped build their brand, and who service there policy holders. (See DFS statement below) With Healthcare reform to take effect in 2014, our knowledge and service is crucial in keeping our clients in compliance. This action needs to be stopped NOW! “Thus, while EmblemHealth, Inc. and HIPGNY have been profitable, their operating subsidiary, GHI, for some reason is not. In reviewing the reasons for this disparity, DFS has become increasingly concerned that Emblem’s overall management and its executive compensation practices have been a significant cause of GHI’s marginal financial condition. Moreover, DFS is concerned about the impact on the public of the rate increases proposed in the instant rate application. As a not-for-profit corporation, Emblem has a special duty to provide affordable health insurance to New Yorkers and to manage itself appropriately to make that possible. Poor management and compensation not related to both short and long-term performance can create improper incentives and have a deleterious impact on a company’s operations.”

We elected the President because we agreed with his policies. Now the House & Senate Republicans are blocking any new revenue in a deal to avoid the sequester. John Boehner just stated once again that revenue is NOT on the table. Join me and tell John Boehner and Mitch McConnell to put revenue on the table in the form of closing loopholes for the rich and for corporations who get tax rebates!

Be it resolved, that as Iowa is one of the States of the United States of America with the fewest acres of land set aside for preservation in Natural Wildlife Reservation Parks that an I-80 rest-stop booth be created to inform a new plan and make available a way to donate to such a program increasing Wildlife Reserve acres in Iowa.

Congressional Term Limits

Representative John Conyers who has made it simple. Congress can pass a clean bill for President Obama's signature that says: "Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is repealed."

Over the last few months, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has indicated that he has no intention of accepting new federal dollars to expand the state's Medicaid program. If he rejects these funds, over 542,000 Pennsylvanians will be uninsured. In recent months, Republican governors across the country have been changing their minds and accepting Medicaid dollars. Corbett has no excuse now and is doing nothing more than hurting those most in need in Pennsylvania. Tell Governor Corbett to accept federal Medicaid dollars and protect the over 542,000 Pennsylvanians that would benefit.

Basic Congressional Reform which forces Congress to personally feel the effects of both its actions and inactions is critical to our democracy. Congress can not be separated by entitlements and laws which are different from the rest of American citizens.

A constitutional amendment requiring public funding of presidential and congressional campaigns will eliminate the special interest money from politics and allow congress to work for All the people of the nation.

Let's stop big money and interests from owning our legislators. Our Elected Officials are PUBLIC SERVANTS, and should behave as such. They should not vote against the common good of all the people in favor of giving special consideration (including tax breaks, reductions in fines, etc). If a Legislator receives significant donations (in excess of $50,000 from ANY person, Corporation, PAC, or Special Interest group, they SHALL NOT be eligible to vote on any legislation that pertains to the said person, Corporation, PAC, or Special Interest group. Legislators who are found to have done so should be stripped of their Elected office and any benefits of that office. Criminal Conviction should be considered if it is found that the Legislator voted against the wishes of his constituents.