The Arana Gulch Master Plan is our chance to provide public access to this beautiful place (including for the mobility-impaired), to get outside funding for serious restoration of the endangered tarplant, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to provide environmental education to school-kids and adults alike. It just needs approval by the Coastal Commission.

VAWA, Violence Against Women Act, would not have happened without the steadfast commitment and hard work of a countless number of advocates, coalitions and community partners who worked tirelessly for this landmark legislation. And thanks to the bipartisan efforts and dedication of U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (Republican) and then U.S. Senator Joe Biden (Democrat) who worked diligently to draft the VAWA Act. These two men were able to set aside their political differences and recognize that valuing the well being of our citizens takes precedence over the political infighting of our of our political parties. By drafting this legislation, these men acknowled the severe sociological impact that domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking has on our communities. This powerful piece of legislation provided federal funding to help local communities address the needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Their ability to come together meant that domestic violence would no longer be considered a “family matter” and it criminalized spousal rape. To be certain, without these two men, we would not have made the great strides in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Programs have been created that address the devastating impact of early victimization and exposure to violence. Due to the VAWA legislation that requires community service providers collaborate together, we are beginning to see some positive results. Judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, hospitals, shelters and rape crisis centers are working together more and more to create powerful change in their communities. But this collaboration is still in its infancy, and is due to the VAWA Act and the funding that results from the Act. But we still have a very long way to go and although we have seen progress we continue to fight an uphill battle. We still need the VAWA act in place to ensure that we will not lose the ground that has been gained. We still need our leaders to put aside their political differences and come together in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration with the goal of improving our society as a whole. Please contact your local congressman and let them know that you support the Violence Against Women Act and that you support protecting our children, daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers. Ask them to Reauthorize VAWA so that we can continue to provide protection and assistance to these victims.

Fort Massac State Park, near Metropolis, IL, is Illinois first state park. Unfortunately, the most vivid and unique part of the park, the replica of an 1802 American Outpost Fort, has been closed to the public because of safety concerns. Structural flaws and premature deterioration of the palisades and fraising are the cause of these concerns. Please help the Friends of Fort Massac lobby the state of Illinois for money to repair this historic fort replica.

H. Res. 319 is the "STEM to STEAM" proposal that seeks to add funding for Arts and Design to federal STEM funding.

With University education moving beyond the affordability of middle income students, there is a need for a self supporting federal online university, at a student cost of under $1,000 dollars per school year. Professors would need to be the best in the nation. Students would be able to move at their own pace. Passing a course would require "mastery". This would end college created student debt and allow any deserving student to earn a respected degree.

Federal tax law allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for their commuting expenses. In 2012 the maximum tax-free discount to each employee for TRANSIT will be $125 per month, but for PARKING it is $240 per month!! This is a change from last year when congress had the levels equals for parking and transit. Commuters who use mass transit should get the same benefit as drivers!!!

Lawmakers in Congress and the Senate need term limits. There is too much corruption in Washington and our representatives should not be trying to figure out how to maintain their power. Their energy should be put into working on legislation that is good for their constituents.

People are dying all over Mexico, due to the Cartels making so much money supplying illegal drugs. Prohibition Failed, so has the war on drugs. More people die from tobacco related Cancers every year, than from all illegal drugs combined. And the US is wasting over a billion a year on enforcement alone!!

The recent US Supreme Court decision to allow unlimited corporate donations to political causes is at odds with one person one vote as a basis for our democracy because advertisements affect voter choices.

We call on Congress to demand that the FDA summarily withdraws the NDI Draft Guidance and goes on the record stating that the agency will not, now or ever, review, consider, surveil or engage in enforcement activities according to the re-interpretation of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) evident in its Guidance document but, instead, will honor the law that the American people gave to the FDA (via Congress) to uphold via regulation according to both the spirit, letter, and plain and intended meaning of DSHEA.

This petition calls for Congress to immediately take action to protect the lives of children under 9 months of age.

Elected officials should be required to accept the same cuts in income the public are subjected to. If they are required to endure the same austerity we do it might get them to do some work.