We should have a say in this decision.

We start this petition to show our continued support for Joy Ann Reid.

We need to do SOMETHING to help curb the number of school shootings.

Styrofoam has been banned from Montgomery County since 2016. Styrofoam is not only bad for the environment it is also bad for humans. Styrofoam also known as polystyrene, is a material that can not be broken down or reused again. Objects such as styrofoam cups get trashed and end up in the ocean or in the streets, where wildlife mistakenly consume them. When styrofoam is burned it releases carbon monoxide into the air. The harm styrofoam has on humans is that when you use styrofoam materials such as cups for hot liquids you are consuming the toxins made up of styrofoam. These toxins can cause headaches, weakness, and minor kidney failure.

The WCSD needs to do what is best in the education of all it’s students.

Get the Facts on Family Leave! What is the federal law? The Federal Medical Leave Act: 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for self or family member. In most cases, FMLA leave happens concurrently with other options available. What about those Family Leave ads on the subway? The new state law covers all private employers, but public employers must opt-in. Paid for by payroll tax, with an annual maximum of less than $100 per employee. Uses: bonding with a child, caring for a family member, or assisting with a military deployment. In 2018, maximum leave is 8 weeks, increasing to 12 weeks by 2021. In 2018, the benefit is 50% of average weekly wage, with a maximum of 50% of the state average of $1357. The percentage will rise to 67% by 2021. What is it like for teachers? UFT members are currently entitled to FMLA leave but are not covered under the state law. UFT members could be covered by state law via an amendment to collective bargaining agreement or a memorandum of understanding (no need for the contract to expire). Mothers who give birth may take leave for six to eight weeks after a birth but must spend down their sick days or take the leave as unpaid. Any parent may take a child care leave within the first four years of a child’s life, but this leave is unpaid and without health benefits. Other leaves include unpaid leaves for the restoration of health. What about other states? California: similar paid leave law as New York but covers more public employees. Mothers who give birth are also entitled to 28 weeks unpaid maternity leave. New Jersey and Rhode Island also have similar paid family leave laws. Many other states have unpaid leave laws that build on FMLA. What about other countries? Mexico: 12 weeks fully paid maternity leave paid by the social security system. India: 26 weeks fully paid maternity leave, paternity leave for civil servants. Sweden: 390 days per parent, paid at 80%, can be taken until child’s eighth birthday.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos must be investigated for: CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS - Betsy DeVos ordered the Office of Civil Rights to dismiss thousands of cases that were backlogged and rolled back Title IX rules that have a major impact on women and LGBTQ students. CORRUPTION - Betsy DeVos dismantled the unit that investigates fraud at for-profit colleges just weeks after hiring former for-profit college officials to sit in top positions at the Department of Education. ILLEGALLY DELAYED LOAN FORGIVENESS - Betsy DeVos intentionally delayed debt relief for students defrauded by shutdown for-profit schools. The Inspector General urged the Department to move on a backlog of debt relief claims, but many people are still waiting for their applications to be reviewed. CONFLICT OF INTEREST - Betsy DeVos used the Department to award a multi-million dollar student loan debt collection contract to a private company with financial ties to DeVos. The contract was canceled after growing pressure. Make no mistake, this isn’t the only investigation that matters. The Inspector General has been called to investigate the Education Department for illegally using Americans’ financial data. Auditors are also looking into misuse of tax dollars by Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. In fact, Inspectors General are currently investigating at least five cabinet officials for ethics violations. Abuse of power, in any form, cannot be ignored. The Inspector General must perform a thorough review of Betsy DeVos’ internal emails, policy documents, meeting agendas, guest lists, and more. No one is above the law. Now is the time to investigate Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

JBGB produces free live music concerts with national touring acts on 17-18 Thursday nights in May thru August. The sound levels during those concerts has been checked on numerous occasions by ourselves as well as the Fayetteville Police department and at no time was the sound found to be above what is allowed by City Ordinance. JBGB has asked the City to allow a dozen or so additional concerts each year: 6 on Saturdays after Razorback home football games 2 on Saturday & Sunday during Bikes, Blues & BBQ and a few charity fund raising events. The City not only does not seem to favor our request, but they also indicated they wanted to consider revoking our permit that allows the existing 17-18 Concerts. Their stated reasons are 1) Although our music permit allows customers to park in the adjacent vacant lot on Concert days, cars are parked there on other days and 2) The touring bands play a hour to do sound checks during the afternoon which is outside the stated concert times stipulated on the permit. By signing this petition, you are indicating your desire that JBGB be allowed to continue their existing 17 day Concert Series and to expand those live music days by the dozen or so requested.

Recently in Connecticut, legislators passed the "Time's Up Act" which is all about preventing and combating sexual harassment in the workplace. However, in California, we don't have a bill like that. Although, Senator Holly J. Mitchell introduced a legislation that would require companies with 5 or more employees to take sexual harassment prevention training, ensuring that all workers know their rights.

Our family has been without running water for over three years. Our contact with Fresno County and the Representatives has been a waste of time because there is no law to push this issue. These new developments with water pipes being installed are based on contractual agreements and trying to tap into those pipes affects the contract, which the people will not change. If there was a law advocating such a request to ensure that no family is without water it would make a difference for all families.

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness are guaranteed rights from the Bill of Rights. We, as US citizens, have these unalienable rights according to this document. More often than not, we as US citizens, are being denied these rights. Life is threatened by poor health care options; we have to decide to pay for prescription medication or pay for food. Hospital costs have skyrocketed with the increase in for-profit entities, we avoid going to a hospital for fear of the final bill. Pharmaceutical CEOs arbitrarily raise the price of life-saving drugs for more profit, we have to decide if our deductible will cover which drugs. Liberty has been taken away by the militarization of our peace officers in response to the increased threat of violence that is perpetuated by an industry that lives for violence. Our children are being slaughtered by the use of war-time weapons made all too easily available. Our citizens are being randomly sacrificed for profits. Happiness has been reduced to moment to moment instances because we have to settle for a working wage not enough to provide for basic necessities. Housing costs are such a burden that our citizens cut costs on utilities which costs them their lives while trying to stay warm/cool. U.S. Legislators are paid lifetime benefits after one year of office with guaranteed pensions and lifetime healthcare. This must stop. A "living wage" must be instituted with a standard non-guaranteed 401k, non-extendable healthcare with deductibles, and a term limit for all. This is a call for equality across our nation in pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness. Join me in making our voices heard, VOTE? Thank you.

Colorado currently has a law (C.R.S. 5-18-109) that limits the time that employers can view most criminal background history to seven years, however unlike so many of our sister states, because of how our law is written it is considered "preempted" by federal law and it is completely ignored by most employers. The United States has the largest percentage in the world of individuals involved with the justice system and predictions are that by 2040 almost one in every three individuals will have some sort of criminal history. Too many Colorado families are forever barred from meaningful employment because a law that our citizens have already passed is ignored. A new law that can actually be enforced is needed, and we urgently need your signature to help.