In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many families in Western North Carolina remain isolated due to the destruction of essential bridges, their only connection to their homes. Temporary footbridges, funded by nonprofits, provided short-term relief but are inadequate for long-term use. Efforts to rebuild permanent structures have been halted due to FEMA's No-Rise Certification requirements. While these certifications are important for preventing future flooding, they require costly engineering studies and lengthy approval processes that many families cannot afford. Among those affected is my own family: my mother has been unable to reach her home except by four-wheeler, and an elderly neighbor battling cancer is stranded with only a footbridge for access. The storm has reshaped rivers and eroded landscapes, making exact reconstruction impossible for many. We urge North Carolina legislators to take immediate action by: 1. Waiving No-Rise Certification costs for families rebuilding essential access bridges. 2. Allocating funding for engineering studies to assist low-income residents. 3. Expediting the permitting process for critical recovery projects. These families need access to their homes, medical care, and resources now. We cannot wait for another disaster to make this right. Join us in calling for practical, compassionate solutions to this urgent issue.

We all know someone with mental illness and we all have reached times of despair when dealing with them. It would be great to have help in providing adequate care and treatment for them. 

We need to save the lives of our "street people". There are too many out here starving, freezing, dying because they have nowhere warm. Our shelters are over run, and it's time to do something. We have other places we could convert into shelters, we have plenty of places that are willing to feed them. It's time to wake up and do your job, Mr. Ridenour. You're our mayor, and your people are dying in the streets. 

In an October 2024 Connecticut Mirror poll, almost half of all voters and three quarters of Democrats listed reproductive rights and abortion as key issues. With the election of Donald Trump, the rights we now have in Connecticut are threatened by Project 2025’s plan to implement a national ban on medication abortion by pushing the FDA to reverse approval of mifepristone and misoprostol (the drugs most commonly used for medication abortions). On day one of his administration, Trump’s attorney general could also reinterpret the Comstock Act to criminalize the act of sending mifepristone through the mail. This would prevent healthcare providers from obtaining the drug, even though abortion is legal in Connecticut. It is vitally important that all of us who care about reproductive rights let our governor and elected representatives know that we want them to take action immediately to protect these rights. State Democratic leaders Martin Looney and Bob Duff have already written to Governor Lamont to note their appreciation of efforts by his administration, the Department of Public Health, UConn, and legislators who have been developing a plan to stockpile doses of mifepristone. They noted that Massachusetts, Washington, California, and New York have already taken this action. However, although it appears that there is significant support for Connecticut taking similar steps, there has been no stockpiling yet. [Courtesy of Elizabeth Vozzola, PhD. This text was published as a letter to the editor of We-Ha.com on Dec. 12, 2024.]

Signing the petition to rename Oakland International Airport after Vice President Kamala Harris is an opportunity to honor a trailblazing leader who embodies Oakland’s resilience, diversity, and progressive values. This change would not only celebrate her historic achievements but also elevate Oakland’s global recognition, reinforcing its unique identity and pride. A previous attempt to rename the airport as “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” was temporarily blocked by the federal court, as it sought to use the brand of another city rather than celebrating Oakland’s deep roots and culture, which allow it to stand proudly on its own two feet. Naming the airport after Vice President Harris reflects the city’s strength, independence, and rich history while inspiring future generations.

This could hinder and inhibit the sick and elderly’s health, leading into a faster decline. A person could possibly not afford nor be able to find other transportation and be denied government assistant healthcare. 

This was an incredibly destructive and dark event in the CalPERS history, to allow pensioners who paid into the CalPERS system for decades to hang in the wind with 63% of their planned retirement taken away.    ·       Contracts were Irresponsible: CalPERS wrote pension contracts with well over 170 public Joint Powers Authorities (JPA).  CalPERS staff wrote these contracts (building growth for the CalPERS fund) never making the JPA Founding Cities responsible for the CalPERS pensions. Without such a provision, the JPA employees had no knowledge of the peril their pension accounts were in.  There was no way the JPA’s would fund their pension accounts in perpetuity.  Developing CalPERS contracts,  without a means to continue pension plan payments, was an irresponsible and horrendous error!    ·       No Social Security: We are/were public servants, who faithfully paid for decades into our PERS retirement accounts, and we deserved our full pensions. Our pensions have been slashed (since 2016) for reasons we had absolutely no control over. Additionally, the majority of us were prohibited from contributing to Social Security (couldn’t contribute to both SS and PERS) so we have no Social Security pensions to fall back on. Many have had to go back to work late in life, and everyone will be working into our 70’s and 80’s and never make up this retire. Ghost Pensioners Included in Termination Fee:   CalPERS has applied absurd assumptions against us, and we are paying the price of “ghost pensioners” who will never be a cost to CalPERS:   1) The ESGVC $18M “termination fee” has been grossly inflated by the CalPERS Actuary, as follows: calculated in the $18M termination “projection”,  are many “ghost pensioners” who are deemed a “potential future cost”.  The “ghost pensioners” are individuals who were never vested in CalPERS to start with, or withdrew ALL their funds from their PERS account (when they left public employment), but CalPERS says they MIGHT come back into the PERS system at some point in their lifetime.  Additionally, CalPERS is applying an interest penalty of 2.8% to the Termination  Fee of $18M, when it is CalPERS' shortcomings that caused this contract to exist in the first place.  Legislators:  Fortunately, for all rest of the JPA employees in the State of California, AB 1912 was passed to assure that what happened to the ESGVC pensioners doesn’t happen again.  However,  AB1912 did not resove the ESGVC pensioners devastation.  ESGVC was excluded from eligibility for AB1912.  

ABC 7 Chicago story that aired on 12/16/24 regarding Andy. https://youtu.be/KstKbAZ4-wQ?si=kAqwB_Szli--yc9K

1. Human Rights: Advocacy Supporting Christopher Hunter’s case is a stand for the fundamental rights of all individuals, emphasizing the importance of compassion and justice within the legal system. 2. Awareness of Injustice: This campaign highlights issues related to unjust sentencing, prison conditions, and the need for reform in the criminal justice system, raising awareness about systemic problems that affect many. 3. Compassionate Approach: Advocating for compassionate release underscores the value of empathy and understanding in our society, promoting a more humane approach to justice. 4. Community Solidarity: By joining this campaign, individuals can demonstrate solidarity with those affected by the criminal justice system, fostering community support and connection around shared values of fairness and compassion. 5. Potential for Change: Campaigns like this can lead to significant changes in policy and practice, potentially benefiting not only Christopher but also others in similar situations who deserve a second chance. 6. Mobilizing for Justice: Collective action can amplify the call for Christopher's release, making it more difficult for authorities to ignore the demands for justice and compassion. 7. Inspiration for Others: Taking part in this campaign can inspire others to advocate for those who are marginalized or wrongfully treated, creating a ripple effect of activism and awareness. By joining the campaign for Christopher Hunter’s compassionate release, individuals can be part of a movement that seeks to correct injustices and promote a more compassionate society.

We’re asking the Seattle School Board to prioritize our kids’ safety and well-being over questionable business deals. By signing this letter, you’re helping ensure our students get real, safe, and effective mental health support. Here are the reasons why our collective action is important:  • Student Well-Being at Risk: This partnership with Talkspace could compromise the quality and safety of mental health support for our children. • Privacy Concerns: Potential risks to students’ sensitive personal data. • Financial Accountability: Why is this money being spent on a for-profit company with questionable practices instead of proven local solutions and partnerships? This is not an investment in our students or our community. Here are the reasons why this action is urgent: This partnership potentially impacts the mental health of over 55,000 students in Seattle. Partnering with a company like Talkspace could mean putting profit over care, leaving vulnerable kids without the support they need. If we don’t act now, this could set a precedent for future decisions that prioritize cost over quality in our schools.

  What is the Problem? High school students are graduating without essential financial literacy skills, leaving them unprepared to navigate adulthood successfully. Many teens don't know how to budget, save, manage credit, or invest, which can lead to debt, poor financial decisions, and long-term financial instability. The lack of financial education in schools fails to prepare students for real-world challenges, perpetuating a cycle of financial insecurity. What Action Could Be Taken? Mandate financial literacy education as a semester-long course in all high schools across Washington State. The course should cover critical topics such as budgeting, saving, credit management, taxes, and investing. This program can be modeled after successful initiatives like Utah’s General Financial Literacy course, which has significantly improved financial behaviors among students. State lawmakers, education boards, and officials, such as the Superintendent of Public Instruction, can introduce legislation or curriculum changes to make financial literacy education a requirement for high school graduation. Allocating resources and prioritizing financial literacy as part of the curriculum is essential to achieving this. Why Is It Important? Financial literacy is a life skill that impacts every individual. Without it, young adults are more likely to fall into debt, struggle with financial planning, and face economic hardships. Preparing students with these skills before they graduate will: • Reduce student debt and financial mismanagement. • Empower teens to make informed decisions about their financial futures. • Foster long-term financial stability for individuals and communities. This change will create a generation of financially responsible and independent young adults who are equipped to contribute positively to society. Why Should Others Join This Campaign? Everyone benefits from a financially literate society. Parents want their children to succeed, educators want to prepare students for the real world, and communities thrive when individuals are financially stable. Joining this campaign means advocating for a future where young adults are empowered, confident, and capable of managing their finances. By supporting this initiative, you are helping to ensure that no student enters adulthood without the tools they need to succeed. Together, we can make financial literacy education a priority and create lasting change for future generations. 

Drivers pay for their own cars, maintenance, gas/electric, and healthcare. We deserve to make more than $20 an hour before deductions.