blank space

4/17/18 Rogan's List




Contact Federal Government Officials

Find senator’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/RLiotu

Find representative’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/5i7SXC

Fax legislators for free:  Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php


********************************
Many newspapers, including New York Times and Washington Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles each month.  We can also check with our local libraries to find out how to get online access through them.

1.       It was a strange weekend of toggling between the news in Syria and the waiting and wondering about whether or not Trump will fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein as a means to undercut the Mueller investigation (https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/16/if-trump-axes-rosenstein-heres-who-could-be-asked-to-fire-mueller.html). Let’s make sure we are ready to mobilize should this eventuality come to pass: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/14/resistance-now-trump-protests-rosenstein-mueller and https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org.

2.       The Special Counsel Protection Act, HR3654, now has 153 co-sponsors, all Democrats (http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/383120-partisan-tensions-rise-as-mueller-bill-delayed). Let's check to see if our own representatives are among them here.  If they are not, let's contact them to let them know we'd like them to become co-sponsors. Let's work together to protect the special counsel!

3.       It’s not only Democrats who are worried by Trump’s military strikes against Syria. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) said his committee would hold a hearing in the coming days to examine U.S. policy in Syria, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) quipped on Twitter that he could not recall the Constitution giving the president the authority to strike Syria, and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) warned that “it is vitally important that the Trump administration honors the Constitution by working with Congress on further military action” (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/some-gop-call-clearer-syria-strategy-while-expressing-support-strikes-n866051). Likewise, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to reopen debate on a new authorization of military force (AUMF) this month. We can tell both the Senate and House committees and all our reps that Trump must be stopped before any threatened "second strike" and must clarify both U.S. strategy and the constitutionality of his orders.

4.       The Government Accountability Office has reported that EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s $43,000 soundproof telephone booth violated federal spending laws (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/epa-chief-scott-pruitt-s-43k-soundproof-phone-booth-violated-n866391). This is only one among many scandals for Pruitt. Let’s call our MoCs and ask them if they’ve publicly demanded Pruitt be removed yet – and if not, what they are waiting for.

5.       The Senate voted a few weeks ago to roll back some of the protections enacted in Dodd Frank. The House is trying to pass a much more damaging roll back. If the House passes its version, the House and Senate will then negotiate a compromise bill (https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-04-11/elizabeth-warren-don-t-make-bank-deregulation-bill-worse ). We want to make sure the compromise is as close to the Senate as possible. Let's call our Representative and ask them to vote against any changes to Dodd Frank. Let's also call our senators. If they voted against the bill thank them. If they voted for it, tell them you are deeply concerned and ask them to tell leadership that the final bill can go no further then the Senate bill. We can find their vote here: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=2&vote=00054.

6.       Trump has issued an executive order to remake social safety net programs significantly, making it much harder for them to help people (http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/383106-trump-order-targets-wide-swathe-of-public-assistance-programs). There is so much going on along many fronts and this is the kind of news that flies under the radar. Let’s let our MoC know that we expect a thoughtful process for the systems that protect our most vulnerable citizens.

7.       Congress has until April 23 to use the Congressional Review Act to pass a "resolution of disapproval" reversing the FCC's vote to undo net neutrality protections. (http://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/apr/06/big-city-mayors-sign-letter-supporting-net-neutral/). Let’s let our MoCs know that we have not forgotten about this and want them to get this rollback overturned.

8.      Several anti-LGBTQ and anti-civil rights judges are waiting to be confirmed by the Senate. They include Thomas Farr, Howard Nielson, Gordon Giampetro, Michael Brennan, and Wendy Vitter. Vitter was recently called out for her refusal to say whether she supported desegregated schools. Neilsen has been cited for his ties to the NRA. Farr is known for his defense of gerrymandering, and the others have equally troubling positions on basic human rights. Let’s tell our MoCs to oppose all these nominations. 5calls.org has links and a script for Farr, Neilsen, and Brennan.

9.       Now that Congress has “clarified” that the CDC can conduct research into gun violence, let’s tell Health & Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to get started (https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/23/596413510/proposed-budget-allows-cdc-to-study-gun-violence-researchers-skeptical). Let’s also tell Azar that we expect the CDC’s research to include gun violence and women, low-income communities, and people of color—and to account for personal and societal biases in its research. (https://blog.ucsusa.org/charise-johnson/tell-secretary-alex-azar-we-need-to-demand-equitable-gun-violence-research-and-reform) Contact: secretary@hhs.gov; 202-690-7000; Secretary Alex Azar, US Department of Health & Human Services, 200 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20201.


Election 2018 – General

1.       We’re just a week away from the next special election for Congress, and national Republicans are pouring money into a deep red district in Arizona. After their last embarrassment in PA-18, they’re trying to drown out ER doc Hiral Tipirneni’s pro-universal health care, anti-tax scam message (https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/04/12/lesko-tipirneni-contrast-views-health-taxes-and-guns-final-cd-8-joint-appearance/511322002/). Let’s help her get the word out by phonebanking voters for her! We can sign up at this link.


2.       Millennials are now the largest voting bloc, with 6 out of every 10 voting Democrat. But young voters turnout at the lowest rate and cannot be reached as effectively through TV ads and phone calls." But guess what? They check their texts. (https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2018/04/16/teen-voters-targeted-technology-and-drivers-licenses/508461002/) So: "volunteer for Text The Vote and send free texts to unregistered young voters in swing states to encourage them to register!" It's easy. We can find out more here: https://www.textthevote.com.



Election 2018 – By State

Other Actions

1.       Last week, Bank of America announced plans to stop lending to companies that make assault weapons for non-military purposes. ( http://time.com/5235598/bank-of-america-loans-military-assault-weapon-gun-manufacturers). Now it’s time for other financial institutions to follow suit. Let’s join Newtown Action Alliance in calling on leaders in the industry to stop financing gunmakers who make weapons of war for civilian use. We can contact 1) BlackRock at contact.us@blackrock.com, on Twitter @BlackRock, or by calling the office nearest us; 2) Vanguard Group by calling 877-662-7447 or on Twitter @Vanguard_Group; 3) Voya through their website, by calling 855-663-8692, or on Twitter @Voya; 4) Invesco through their website or on Twitter @InvescoUS; 5) State Street through their website, by calling 617-786-3000 or on Twitter @StateStreet; and 6) Fidelity through their website, by phone at 800-972-2155 or on Twitter @Fidelity.

2.       We knew that Dick’s Sporting Goods had decided to stop selling assault-style weapons at their Field and Stream stores, but now we know that they are destroying their inventory rather than returning them to the manufacturer which is remarkable news: http://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2018/04/09/Dicks-Sporting-Goods-Pittsburgh-destroy-dispose-assault-rifles-guns-pulled-off-shelves/stories/201804060151. Let’s extend our gratitude to Dick’s leadership for this bold move: Dick’s Sporting Goods Headquarters, 345 Court St, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

3.       The presence of border patrol agents on Greyhound buses has sharply increased in the last year. According to the ACLU, this is a violation of bus riders’ Constitutional rights, and leads to racial profiling and intrusive questioning on people’s citizenship and immigration status (https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/03/22/immigration-advocates-protest-greyhound-bus-searches/449756002/). Ten ACLU affiliates have sent Greyhound a letter asking the company to stop allowing ICE to board their buses and conduct searches without a warrant. We can add to the pressure by contacting Greyhound (214-849-8966) or writing to Dave Leach, President and Chief Executive Officer Greyhound Lines, Inc. 350 N. St. Paul Street Dallas, TX 75201.

4.       An almost 100% volunteer group is collecting signatures to put a Medicaid expansion proposal before the voters… in Idaho, a deep red state with high barriers to getting citizen initiatives on the ballot. And yet, with the April 30th deadline closing in they are closing in on their goals (http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/bill-manny/article208784784.html). If we’re in Idaho, let’s make sure we’ve signed and consider volunteering to help them get signatures here. For everyone, we can donate to support this effort here, and follow Reclaim Idaho and Medicaid for Idaho on Twitter.

5.       Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors shares how abuse in the jailing and police systems of Los Angeles has touched her family, and why it's essential to get the Reform Jails and Community Reinvestment Initiative on the 2018 ballot in L.A. County (http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-cullors-los-angeles-sheriff-jail-reform-20180413-story.html). Let's all read more about the ballot proposal here. Then, if we are registered to vote in L.A. County, we can sign the petition and volunteer to collect signatures. For those of us outside of Los Angeles, we can help by contributing to their campaign and sharing their Facebook page with our friends and family.

6.       If we are tired of working so hard to elect candidates who then disappoint us with their inability to create change and are looking for a new ways to elect Progressive Slates that can truly represent our communities and create new policies to help us, we can check out The Incorruptibles. This group has successfully taken over their own corrupt local governments and replaced them with Progressives and now train people to do the same.We can find out more about them, sign up for trainings and download their guide here: http://www.theincorruptibles.us/. We can get an introduction to their strategies in this shareable Webinar link here: bit.ly/IncorruptiblesWebinar.

7.       If we are lawyers, or know others who are, Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) is seeking our assistance. Like us, this organization is concerned about Trump's threats against the Mueller investigation. They are looking for as many signatures as possible from attorneys before they put out a press release and raise awareness about preserving the rule of law. Click here: https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/protect-the-rule-of-law.

8.      Gun violence survivors may be eligible for crime-victim compensation to cover medical bills, mental health counseling, lost wages, funeral expenses, and more. Every state has a crime victim compensation program. Let’s learn how to apply here: https://www.thetrace.org/2018/04/gunshot-survivors-crime-victims-compensation-how-to/.

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize 

States

1.       VT/ALL: State governments are doing what Congress won’t do. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott last week signed sweeping gun control measures which included limits on the size of magazines, raising the minimum age for gun buyers to 21, limiting rifle magazines to 10 rounds and banning bump stocks. (https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/11/us/vermont-gun-control/index.html?sr=fbCNN041218vermont-gun-control0749AMStory). If Phil Scott is your Governor, send him a note of thanks. If not, pressure your own governor to move forward on sensible gun laws.


2.       MANY: For good reason, the New York Times considered this article on the conditions of teaching in public schools from Boston to Texas sufficiently important that it will not count toward your monthly free article limit: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/reader-center/us-public-schools-conditions.html. We should all read it.  Let’s tell our state legislators that starving the public schools is unconscionable; let’s lend our support to striking teachers; and let’s tell Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos that we hold her department responsible for failing to respond—or even notice—as public education in the US falls apart: 202-401-3000 or 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20202.


3.       KY: State Rep. Chris Harris (R) has given up his 'A' rating from the NRA to sponsor three common-sense gun safety bills. 1) HB409 bans the sale of ‘bump stocks,’  2) HB411 changes the law to require guns confiscated in the commission of a crime be destroyed if they are not kept for official use by law enforcement. Current Kentucky law requires that guns confiscated in the use of a crime be resold at public auction. 3) HB498 raises the age in Kentucky to purchase military-style semi-automatic rifles, like the AR-15, from 18 to 21, while making an exception for active military personnel and law enforcement officers. We can read more at the Courier-Journal. Let's contact our own KY House representatives to ask them to support these important gun safety bills.


4.       MI:  Republicans are pushing to repeal the Prevailing Wage Act of 1965, which provides a healthy minimum wage, safety protections, and helps pay for job training for construction workers. They are attempting to use a ballot proposal called “Protect Michigan Tax Payers” to repeal it (https://www.bridgemi.com/public-sector/prevailing-wage-law-repeal-petition-will-undergo-second-signature-review). This proposal has been referred to as “Right to Work 2.0,” as it would eliminate the current law requiring contractors to pay union wages and benefits for projects financed or sponsored by the state." We can use their call script as we contact our state representatives about this proposal: "Hi, I’m calling to urge Representative ____ to not act on the “Protect Michigan Tax Payers” ballot measure. Instead, let Michigan voters decide in November. Repealing the Prevailing Wage Act will hurt Michigan’s economy and labor force. Our workers depend on a prevailing wage to provide stability and security for their families. Without the Prevailing Wage Act, we will lose workers who help keep our state and the economy running." (Via Michigan Resistance)


5.       TX: Get to know some of the Democratic women running for office in Texas: “They are running for U.S. Congress and for seats in the Texas state legislature. They range in age from their mid-30s to late 60s. About a third of the women are Hispanic. One woman is transgender.” Read about them here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/wendysachs/2018/04/13/how-these-first-time-candidates-plan-to-turn-texas-blue/#399ce6266121.

Reading/Watching


1.       This is an excellent piece from Adam Davidson in The New Yorker “Michael Cohen and the End Stage of the Trump Presidency”: https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/michael-cohen-and-the-end-stage-of-the-trump-presidency



2.      Thanks to stagnant incomes and inequality, US eviction rates are sky-high—causing homelessness and community instability. Let’s read more here: https://www.npr.org/2018/04/12/601783346/first-ever-evictions-database-shows-were-in-the-middle-of-a-housing-crisis.



3.      “Abortion foes seize on chance to overturn Roe,” - https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/15/abortion-trump-supreme-court-roe-wade-473601.




No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.