Keystone Progress

Campaigns

• Don't Privatize Pennsylvania's State Parks

  Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett said that he wants to privatize Pennsylvania's state parks. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, "Corbett was asked what, besides the Liquor Control Board, might benefit from private-sector control. He replied: 'Prison health care and running state parks.' " We can't allow corporations to control state parks, using them to line the pockets of billionaires. Tell Gov. Corbett to stop selling PA to the highest bidder.

  10,780 of 15,000 Signatures

  Created by Mike Morrill
• Don't rig presidential elections by changing the Electoral College

  You know you’re out there when Paul Ryan thinks your idea is wrong. But Tom Corbett and his Republican allies in the PA legislature appear to be moving ahead with their idea to change the way we hold presidential elections. Corbett’s idea is to allocate PA’s Electoral College votes by percentage instead of winner-take-all. Using this formula, the 2012 results would have given the GOP (Romney/Ryan) 8 votes to 12 from PA for the Democrat (Obama/Biden). At first glance this might sound like a more fair system, but it would only work if all states had the same system. But the only states considering the Corbett Scheme are states where President Obama won, and where Republicans control the state government--Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. If the Corbett’s Scheme had been in place last year in these states, we would have a President Romney who won only 47% of the vote. How unfair is this plan? Even Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) opposes it, even though he would be Vice President today if it had passed last year.

  13,557 of 15,000 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill
• Legalize Marijuana in Pennsylvania

  State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) has legislation that will allow marijuana to be grown and sold legally in PA. “The modern prohibition of marijuana does a disservice to Pennsylvania by tying up our resources in the prosecution of its users; by depriving us of the revenue that this marijuana could generate; and by denying the Pennsylvanians suffering from terminal illnesses access to a natural medicine that could take away their pain,” Leach said. “It’s time we legalize marijuana and reap the benefits it has to offer.” What benefits could we reap? • Money to balance the state budget. Based on national figures, there is at least $3.4 billion in illegal sales of marijuana in PA each year. If we legalized it and taxed it at 6% it would generate $200 million. If we sold it in the State Wine and Spirit Shoppes, we could generate another $680 million with a 20% markup. • Fewer people in prison, lower costs for taxpayers. Approximately 25,000 citizens are arrested annually in Pennsylvania for marijuana-related offenses, at a cost of some $325 million dollars. • Legal access to a widely used medicine. Marijuana has legitimate medicinal uses and should be available to those who need it without risking arrest or dealing with underworld criminals. • A lucrative cash crop for PA farmers. Those who choose to grow marijuana will have a crop that can reap great profits. • An end to organized dealing in marijuana. Marijuana is the number money-maker for organized crime. Legalizing ends their participation in its trafficking and the associated violence. And that’s just the beginning. It’s time to end the hypocrisy, help to balance our state budget and end the 21st century version of Prohibition.

  16,935 of 20,000 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill
• Tell Sen. Casey to support marriage equality now!

  ***VICTORY!*** Sen. Bob Casey changes heart, comes out for Marriage Equality! Thanks to your tens of thousands of calls and emails, Sen. Bob Casey has announced his support for marriage equality. * * * Only a handful of Democratic U. S. Senators do not support marriage equality for same-sex couples. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania's Bob Casey is one of that tiny minority. Please send Sen. Casey a clear and simple message--It's time to support marriage equality.

  12,891 of 15,000 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill
• Stop the Legalize Discrimination Against Gays Bill

  Rep. Gordon Denlinger, a Republican State Representative from Lancaster County, wants to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow people to discriminate based on "sincerely held beliefs." According to Philly.com, under Denlinger’s proposed Freedom of Conscience Amendment, “employers, store owners, realtors, motel managers, etc., could deny jobs, groceries, homes or rooms to anyone (tall, short, pregnant, Catholic, Jewish, gay, Goth, Democrat, newspaper columnist) offending their beliefs. Just as long as those beliefs are ‘sincerely held.’” But the real reason for this bill is to legalize discrimination against LGBT people. Adding insult to injury, Denlinger introduced this outrageous idea on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This is part of a move among some in the Republican Party to turn back the clock to the pre-Civil Rights Act period. We can't let this movement gain momentum. Tell Rep. Denlinger, and your State Representative that we don't want legal discrimination in Pennsylvania.

  9,294 of 10,000 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill
• Restore Democracy to Philadelphia School District. Abolish the SRC

  In 2001, the Republican governor and legislators took over the School District of Philadelphia, abolishing the elected school board and creating the unelected School Reform Commission (SRC). It is time to restore control of the Philadelphia schools to the taxpayers of Philadelphia. Tell Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly to allow Philadelphians to elect their school board and return control of the schools to the people of Philadelphia. In October, 2014, Tom Corbett's SRC unilaterally, and illegally, ended the District's contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. Local parents and students were justifiably outraged. It's time to end this unjust situation and return the control of the Philadelphia Schools to the people of Philadelphia.

  1,090 of 2,000 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill
• Prayers are not enough. Moments of silence are not enough. Tell Congress to work to reduce gun vi...

  We originally posted this petition after San Bernardino. Thankfully, some Democratic Members of Congress have taken up our message after the Orlando massacre. “God isn’t fixing this.” We need action to stop the senseless gun violence in this country. It’s not often that we find ourselves in agreement with the tabloid New York Daily News, but today’s front page perfectly expresses our thoughts about the GOP reaction to gun violence. The print headline said simply, “God isn’t fixing this.” The online headline said “GOP presidential candidates offer prayers — not solutions on gun control — after San Bernardino massacre.” These headlines are responding to the statements by GOP leaders after yesterday’s mass shootings in San Bernadino. Every Republican presidential candidate was either silent or offered only prayers and platitudes—no recognition that they have a responsibility to act to stop the uniquely American problem of gun violence. “Your ‘thoughts’ should be about steps to take to stop this carnage,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn) posted on Twitter. “Your ‘prayers’ should be for forgiveness if you do nothing — again.” If you agree that we need more than prayers, please send this message to Congress.

  16,086 of 20,000 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill
• Tell Sen. Manchin to support marriage equality now!

  Only a handful of Democratic U. S. Senators do not support marriage equality for same-sex couples. Unfortunately, West Virginia's Joe Manchin is one of that tiny minority. Please send Sen. Manchin a clear and simple message--It's time to support marriage equality. Just this week, five more U.S. senators changed their hearts and decided to stand on the side of justice. Democratic Senators Bob Casey (PA), Tom Carper (DE), Heidi Heitkamp (ND), Bill Nelson (FL), and Joe Donnelly (IN). It it time for Sen. Manchin to take a public stand for Marriage Equality.

  8,065 of 9,000 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill
• Repeal Voter ID in Pennsylvania

  Pennsylvania's Voter ID/Voter Suppression Law was put on hold by a temporary injunction granted by Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson. This is only a temporary injunction, stopping its implementation for the 2012 election. Now we need to repeal this anti-democracy bill for 2013 and beyond. Send your message to Gov. Corbett and your state representative and senator urging repeal.

  9,084 of 10,000 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill
• Stop Republican Voter Fraud in the PA House

  Pennsylvania Republican legislators have voted repeatedly to force people to present identification cards, ostensibly to prevent non-existent voter fraud. Finally, real examples of voter fraud have been uncovered. According to the Associated Press (July 2, 2015): "Leaders of Pennsylvania's House Republican majority are being recorded as "yes" votes on a key budget-related schools bill, even though they weren't in the House chamber for the vote. "A House GOP spokesman said Wednesday that precedent allows representatives to vote, even if they're absent to deal with legislative business. "At the time of Tuesday night's vote, House Speaker Mike Turzai, Majority Leader Dave Reed and Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Adolph were at a news conference in the Capitol, along with at least eight other GOP representatives whose votes were recorded." At least 11 PA Republican State Representatives committed this voter fraud in clear violation of their own rules, which state: "No member shall be permitted to vote and have his or her vote recorded on the roll unless present in the hall of the House during the roll call vote." Please sign our petition demanding an end to this blatant case of voter fraud. We demand that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives enforce its own rules against voter fraud. If a Member is not present s/he should not be able to cast a vote. This fraud must stop.

  515 of 600 Signatures

  Created by Michael Morrill