Bernie Buzz: A Focus on Income Inequality

 

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The Bernie Buzz
TAKE THE QUIZ: Was it Pope Francis, President Obama, Sen. Sanders or Sam Polk?
State of the Union
President Obama used his Tuesday night address to a joint session of Congress to say he is signing an executive order that will set the minimum wage for federal contractor workers at $10.10 an hour. Bernie applauded the move. In a Sept. 25 letter to the White House, Bernie and 14 other senators had called on Obama to do just that. Obama’s move also lent momentum to legislation that would raise the minimum pay for all workers to $10.10 from the current $7.25 an hour. The move to help low-wage workers was the substantive centerpiece of a nationally-televised speech that put a spotlight on income inequality in America. It’s an issue that too many for too long had all but ignored, but that’s changing now. World leaders from the president to the pope speaking out on what Bernie has called a national disgrace.
Video WHO SAID WHAT?
Read READ BERNIE’S LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT
Online Town Meeting on NSA
ONLINE TOWN MEETING ON NSA
The National Security Agency’s surveillance of millions of Americans’ telephone and email records will be the topic of a town meeting this weekend in Montpelier, Vt. Can’t be there in person? Watch it live online at 1 pm ET Saturday on Bernie’s Senate website. Bernie invited two national authorities on civil liberties — Georgetown Law Professor David Cole and the National Lawyers Guild’s Heidi Boghosian — to speak on government surveillance and corporate attacks on privacy rights. As Bernie has said, “The threat of terrorist attacks against the United States is real and the U.S. government must be vigorous in protecting the American people from possible attacks. I believe, however, that we can accomplish that goal without undermining the constitutional and privacy rights which make us a free society.”
Read SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS NOW
Veterans Legislation
VETERANS LEGISLATION
Bernie has introduced the most comprehensive legislation for veterans to come before the Senate in decades. The Senate is expected to take up the measure soon to restore pensions for military retirees and expand health care, dental care and education benefits. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Bernie put together a bill that has garnered support from virtually every major veterans group in the country. The legislation, he said, will “deliver on the promises that we have made to our service members.”
Read READ MORE ABOUT THE BILL
Read READ THE LETTERS OF SUPPORT
MUST READS
News
Koch World: 2014
Politico
News
Oxfam: 85 Richest People as Wealthy as Poorest Half of the World
The Guardian
News
U.N. Says Lag in Confronting Climate Woes Will Be Costly
The New York Times
COMING EVENTS
Meeting
Feb. 1: Bernie will host a town meeting at 1 p.m. ET on NSA surveillance
Radio
Listen to “Brunch with Bernie” Fridays at 3 p.m. ET
SHARE THIS BERNIE BUZZ Share on Google+ Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
GET BERNIE BUZZ UPDATES
Receive updates on breaking news. Tell Bernie what subjects interest you.

 

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CSU News Highlights

CSU in the News

Kapri Bibbs declares for 2014 NFL Draft, forgoing last years at CSU
Denver Post
12/29/2013

Colorado State sophomore running back Kapri Bibbs announced Sunday that his record-setting 2013 season will be his last at the college level.
Read More…

Temple Grandin (video)
WTTW Chicago
12/26/2013

We revisit a conversation with Temple Grandin, a well-known adult with autism, best-selling author, and professor of animal science at Colorado State University.
Read More…

CSU to test metro Denver waters with engineering program
Northern Colorado Business Report
12/27/2013

In its first semester, Colorado State University’s Denver South initiative will provide graduate-level classes to engineers from some of the world’s leading companies, including CH2M Hill and Lockheed Martin.
Read More…

Colorado awards nearly $3M to support innovation through Advanced Industries Program
InnovatioNews
12/23/2013

Eight early-stage and retention grants were made to Colorado companies as part of the first round of awards under the state’s new Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program. Companies receiving the grants included Prieto Battery Inc., Fort Collins, $150,000.
Read More…

Defense dollars arming CSU research
Northern Colorado Business Report
12/27/2013

Research dollars from the U.S. Department of Defense have surged nearly 150 percent at Colorado State University in the past seven years, even as once-robust federal research budgets have withered.
Read More…

Legal pot sales begin amid uncertainty in Colo.
Seattle Times
12/26/2013

It’s easy to see why the industry is attracting so many people. A Colorado State University study estimates the state will ring up $606 million in sales next year, and the market will grow from 105,000 medical pot users to 643,000 adult users overnight — and that’s not counting tourists.
Read More…

Growing your own marijuana in Colorado: Legal doesn’t mean simple
Denver Post
12/26/2013

Still, it’s not like home growers can call a Colorado State University extension agent for growing advice; those experts are prohibited from answering any questions related to marijuana. Even though Amendment 64 specifically allows advice on growing marijuana, greenhouse and nursery staff often shy away from the subject.
Read More…

Local wineries catch wave of industry growth
Fairplay Flume
12/26/2013

Across Park County and Colorado, wine enthusiasts are buying up more local wines, according to a report conducted by Colorado State University’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. The report, which was commissioned by the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board and released on Dec. 10, said the state’s wine industry has more than tripled its economic impact to approximately $144 million.
Read More…

This year’s crop freezing on the vines
Grand Junction Sentinel
12/26/2013

Western Colorado’s wine-grape crop faces another blow this year after record-low cold temperatures earlier this month killed vines and grape buds across the valley. “It’s been really cold and it was very early,” said state viticulturist Horst Caspari at Colorado State University’s Western Colorado Research Center on Orchard Mesa. “Our temperatures (in early December) were 18 to 20 degrees lower than normal.”
Read More…

Researchers from park service, university studying haze at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Associated Press
12/23/2013

Researchers from the National Park Service and Colorado State University are studying haze levels in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota. Haze has become more noticeable in park’s north unit, which is surrounded by intensive oil and gas development.
Read More…

. Beetle kill forests’ uncertain future after the epidemic
Coloradoan
12/21/2013

Professor Skip Smith, head of Colorado State University’s Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, wandered on Friday through a lodgepole pine forest just west of Red Feather Lakes, and he couldn’t find a single living mountain pine beetle. But the evidence that the bark beetle had been there was clear.
Read More…

A Tragic Year For Wildland Firefighters Ends In Reflection
NPR
12/28/2013

Doug Rideout of Colorado State University’s West Fire Research Center is cautious about reading too much into this bad year. He says one large event doesn’t make a trend.
Read More…

On climate change, Florida’s been warned (w/video)
Tampa Bay Newspapers
12/20/2013

“We’re going to lose our forest,” A. Scott Denning, a professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University, told the gathering. “We’re not going to have forests in Colorado 50 years from now.” If it sounds alarmist, Denning makes it clear that the problem is that serious. He says it’s simple, serious and solvable.
Read More…

Report: CSU, UNC had ‘weak’ financial health
Northern Colorado Business Report
12/26/2013

Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado had “weak financial health” during fiscal 2011 to 2012, according to a new report to the legislative Joint Budget Committee. The report came as CSU saw funding cuts from the state of Colorado and as the university invested in improvements to its facilities, said Rich Schweigert, chief financial officer of the CSU system.
Read More…

Budget software raises questions
Pueblo Chieftain
12/24/2013

On Friday, the CSU system released its own budget summary for CSU-Pueblo that suggested the school’s basic operating deficit ranges between $4.1 million in 2008 to as much as $16.3 million in 2010.
Read More…

Nutrition labels need to be visual
Boston Globe
12/21/2013

Ask Gina Mohr of Colorado State University. Two months ago, she brought home what she thought was “natural” ice cream from the supermarket, but her husband said it did not taste right. Turned out it was frozen dessert with artificial flavors that she views as unhealthy. Mohr said the current system still puts too much responsibility on consumers to decipher the health value of foods, especially when the removal of some ingredients may be cosmetic.
Read More…

Nuts pack nutritional benefits
Sterling Journal-Advocate
12/26/2013

Melissa Wdowik is an assistant professor at Colorado State University in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and director of the Kendall Anderson Nutrition Center.
Read More…

CSU in the Blogosphere

Dr. Temple Grandin Shares Her Insights Into the Autistic Brain in a February 2014 PresenceLearning Webinar
Benzinga.com
12/23/13

Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading expert on and author about autism, will kick off the series with “The Autistic Brain” on Thursday, February 13th, 2014 at 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM PT (12:30 PM to 2 PM ET).
Read more…

Adding a New Dimension: Lidar and Archaeology
Optics and Photonics News
12/27/13

One of the targeted sites, Angamuco in the southwestern Mexican state of Michoacán, belonged to the Purépecha people, says Christopher Fisher, one of two Colorado State University archaeologists studying lidar data from this region. Based on their Angamuco survey, Fisher and colleague Stephen Leisz plan to begin excavating this month.
Read More …

Taking Piroplasmosis Seriously
TheHorse.com
12/16/13

Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and researcher in infectious diseases, explains how veterinarians might have overlooked an infected horse under the old screening process.
Read More…

Understanding potassium’s role in the ruminant diet
Drovers Cattle Network
12/26/13

Dr. Terry Engle, a Professor at Colorado State University has a research focus on trace minerals. I asked him some questions regarding potassium and at what point do we need to be concerned about toxicity and what potassium toxicity looks like.
Read More …

Higher Ed News

5 Higher-Ed Trends for 2014
National Journal
12/30/13

The underlying forces that drove change in 2013 aren’t likely to change in the new year: declining public funding, changing demographics, advancing technology, and a tough job market.
Read More …

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 USA
© 2009 Colorado State University

Humboldt State Men’s Basketball Weekly Preview 12/30/13

 Dan Pambianco

December 30, 2013

Humboldt State Men’s Basketball Weekly Preview

New Year begins with games at CSUMB, CSUEB

This Week’s Game
Extended time off during holidays break in compliance with the NCAA’s Life in Balance initiative finds the Lumberjacks refreshed and ready to begin the 2014 part of their schedule. Or does the time off leave them rusty and lethargic heading into this week’s California Collegiate Athletic Association games?“The team looked hungry and inspired during practice today,” head coach Steve Kinder said, following the Jacks’ return to the court Monday. “Charges, loose balls and toughness were the backbone of our goals today. I liked the way the team responded to what is typically a difficult practice, coming back from break.”

Unfulfilled thus far despite respectable performances by the Lumberjacks as a team and individuals, Humboldt State begins the new year still seeking its first CCAA win. HSU attempts to address that predicament this week during a pair of away games, first facing CSU Monterey Bay (3-4, 1-3) on Friday in Seaside, then taking on Cal State East Bay (5-5, 2-2) on Saturday in Hayward. Both contests tip off at 7:30 p.m.

Track the Jacks
Audio: Every Humboldt State men’s basketball game is broadcast live on the local airwaves on KATA 1340 AM, the North Coast’s ESPN affiliate owned by BiCoastal Media. J.B. Mathers handles the play-by-play responsibilities, beginning with the pregame show 15 minutes prior to tip-off. The audio is also streamed live online at http://socialstreamingplayer.crystalmedianetworks.com/radio/kataam.

Video: Friday’s game will be streamed live on CSU Monterey Bay’s site at http://www.otterathletics.com/sports/2007/11/6/listenlive.aspx?id=62. No video stream is available for Saturday’s contest at CSUEB.

Live Stats: Follow Friday’s action online via CSU Monterey Bay’s live statistics viewer, located at the following link: http://www.sidearmstats.com/csumb/mbball/. Saturday’s updates will be available on CSU East Bay’s website at http://www.sidearmstats.com/csueastbay/mbball/.

Head-to-Head History
Last year’s two-game series produced a split, with a 70-61 Otters’ win in Seaside and a 108-100 Jacks’ victory in Arcata. HSU’s loss to CSUMB marked the first time an Otters’ team had defeated the Lumberjacks. Humboldt State enters this season’s series with an 18-1 record vs. CSU Monterey Bay. …The Jacks and CSUEB Pioneers also took a game last year, each winning on their own home court. HSU claimed a 77-69 win in Arcata, and CSUEB won, 78-70, in Hayward. In the all-time series the Jacks still trail the Pioneers, 35-48.

Statistically Speaking
Three hundred and five schools and their variable rosters of athletes will be sorted weekly in the NCAA Division II statistical rankings. Here’s a look at where the Jacks rank, team-wise and individually, in selected national and CCAA categories following seven games.

Team/Player Category Mark    NCAA    CCAA
HSU FG% 50.7 25 2
HSU Scoring Off 84.9 54 1
HSU Assists 152 91 1
David Howard Double Doubles 6.0 16 1
David Howard FG% 66.1 41 4
David Howard Field Goals 77 33 1
David Howard RPG 8.1 81 3
Allan Guei A/TO Ratio 6.0 3 1

Probable Starters
Lumberjacks
#4 Parker Farris, 6-4, 180, Fr., G, McKinleyville
#22 Will Taylor, 6-4, 220, So., G/F, Eureka
#10 Jordan Mackie, 6-6, 190, Jr., G/F, Los Angeles
#25 Allan Guei, 5-9, 163, Jr., G, Los Angeles
#32 David Howard, 6-7, 230, Jr., F, Chicago

Cal State Monterey Bay
#3 Brandon Cole, 6-1, 177, Sr., G, Victorville
#5 Alex Fertig, 6-3, 200, So., G, Fresno
#11 Ryan Nitz, 6-4, 182, So., F, Rancho Cucamonga
#15 Kris Gallop, 6-9, 215, Sr., Vallejo
#40 Jordy Scott, 6-7, 233, Jr., C, Lake Tahoe, Nev.

Cal State East Bay
#5 Jacari Whitfield, 5-, 160, Jr., G, San Francisco
#11 Mark Samuels, 6-0, 180, Sr., G, Berkeley
#22 Gabe Kindred, 6-2, 175, Sr., G, Oakland
#33 Ryan Hebrebrand, 6-5, 220, Sr., F, Livermore
#35 Kyle Frakes, 6-10, 225, Fr., C, Thousand Oaks

David Howard, The Sequel
Despite being slowed by a bout with the flu in the Jacks’ most recent game, forward David Howard continues to rank among league and national leaders in several statistical categories. Since returning to the court following a three-year hiatus, the junior leads the league in total field goals (77) and double-doubles (6).

Going his Guei
Flashy at moments, junior guard Allan Guei (rhymes with way) is still much better at being superbly understated. The transfer from Cal State Northridge rarely makes mistakes, and has been extremely effective directing the Jacks’ offense, setting up the system and distributing a team-high 36 assists. More remarkably, Guei has only committed six turnovers while playing a team-high 330 minutes (33.0 per game). His assist/turnover ration of 6.00 ranks third among NCAA Division II players.

Young and Younger
After establishing themselves as local prep legends, McKinleyville High’s Parker Farris and Arcata High’s Will Taylor – both freshmen – have already begun to make their marks in the collegiate ranks. Farris, averaging 8.7 points per game, has already hit a game-winning shot (vs. Pacifica), and Taylor, barely 18 when he started classes in the fall, has displayed composure and a variety of talents in posting a scoring average of 10.4 points per game. … “Our freshmen look promising, particularly Taylor and Farris,” Kinder said. “They have proven they can play as starters at the CCAA level. The fact that they are local products is icing on the cake.”

Scouting Cal State Monterey Bay
Cal State Monterey Bay brings a 3-4 overall record and 1-3 CCAA mark entering January. The Otters snapped a four-game losing streak with a 89-83 win over Cal State East Bay on Dec. 21. …Junior guard/forward junior Ryan Nitz is the Otters’ leading scorer with an average of 20.1 points per gam. That mark ranks him third among CCAA players.  Nitz leads the CCAA in steals (16, 2.3 spg) and is No. 4 in 3–point percentage (46.9). “Cal State Monterey Bay will bring a tough line of competition within their guard play and be difficult to beat on their home court,” Kinder said.

Scouting Cal State East Bay
Senior guard Gabe Kindred has been a consistent force for the Pioneers, who enter the week 5-5 overall and 2-2 in conference action. Kindred tops his team in scoring with an average of 19.6 points per game and ranks second in league in 3-point accuracy at .476 percent shooting. The only player ahead of him in that category is teammate Nick Grieves, a 6-4 junior who has connected on 54.3 percent of his long bombs.

Kinder’s Comments

“I am encouraged by our roster and new faces after 10 games. At .500 on the year, I believe we have accomplished some of our goals and our progressing to become better each and every game.”

DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ FOR CONGRESS

Dear Ralph,

Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and their right-wing allies in the Senate are like a bunch of Grinches.

They put their own political agenda ahead of the needs of middle class families when they shut down the government in October. Now, with the holidays on the horizon and time running out, they’re opposing a bipartisan budget deal that even John Boehner supports. And all of their special interest pals are right behind them.

Ralph — we’ve got a goal to hit this month: $20,000 by the FEC deadline. And hitting this goal will let all of the Tea Party special interests and their allies in Congress know exactly how hard we’re willing to fight back against their backwards agenda.

Let’s make sure we end 2013 in the best position possible — give $5 or more right now.

National Republicans already sent me plenty of presents this year – including robocalls in my district smearing my record.

These attacks are just the beginning. And I’ve got two opponents that are hoping the attacks will make a real difference for them.

We’re no strangers to attacks and smears — last year, my opponent spent $2 million dollars against me. We won because we worked together to build a grassroots defense. And with right-wing attacks against the middle class coming swifter than ever, we need to make this last deadline of the year count.

Before the year is out (and the FEC quarter ends), give $5 or more to help us hit our $20,000 goal.

Thank you for all of your help.

Debbie

National Wildlife Federation

Dear RALPH,

Endangered orca whales in the Northwest are being pushed to the brink of extinction by declining salmon runs, habitat loss and toxic pollution.

Now the 90 remaining orcas in the Puget Sound face a new threat: proposals that would send as many as 100 million tons of coal each year on trains, barges, and supertankers along the Columbia River and Puget Sound spewing toxic coal dust and diesel emissions that would pollute the waters on which orcas rely.

Help protect endangered orcas by signing the petition against construction of coal terminals in the Northwest.

Thanks for all you do!

Bob Fertik

National Wildlife Federation

Protect Endangered Orcas from Toxic Coal

Orca

Dear Activist,

Toxic chemicals and sharp declines in salmon have left the orcas that live in the waters of Puget Sound teetering on the edge of extinction—today, fewer than 90 whales remain.

Now Big Coal is planning to bring massive amounts of coal through the Northwest, which would pollute the waters and salmon that orcas depend on with toxic coal dust and soot.

Keep toxic coal pollution out of endangered orcas’ waters by signing the petition opposing these disastrous projects.

Right now, multimillion-dollar coal companies are forging ahead with plans to build massive coal terminals in the Northwest. If approved, as much as 100 million tons of coal per year would be transported by train from the Powder River Basin in Montana to massive terminals in Oregon and Washington, then loaded onto giant barges and shipped overseas—spewing coal and toxic pollution into orcas’ waters.

Not only would waterways from the Columbia River to Puget Sound be polluted, construction of the massive terminals would destroy crucial habitat. And when the coal is burned, it causes carbon pollution that drives climate change and mercury pollution that is already affecting salmon, orcas and many other species that depend on Northwest waters.

Fierce opposition in the Northwest from wildlife advocates like you has forced Big Coal to scrap some of its plans, but the fight for orcas is far from over. Three massive proposals are still on the table, and Big Coal is pulling out all the stops to push them through.

We can’t let Big Coal rake in profits at endangered orcas’ expense—sign the petition to stop coal exports through Northwest waters. 

Coal companies are spending millions of dollars to hide the full impacts of their coal export plans. Fortunately, these proposals are by no means a done deal. By demonstrating widespread opposition to our decision makers and the media, we can help stop proposed coal ports from harming orcas.

With proposals moving quickly and more popping up all the time, orcas urgently need our voices to show overwhelming national opposition to these dirty coal projects.

Add your voice TODAY—take action to protect critically endangered orcas from toxic coal. 

Thanks for all you do to protect wildlife.

Sincerely,

Andy Buchsbaum
Interim Executive Director, NWF Action Fund
info@nwa.org
Twitter: @wildlifeaction
Join us on Facebook

 

Debbie Wasserman Schulty for Congress

Dear Ralph,

Ted Cruz and Tea Party Republicans in Congress played a dangerous political game with the American economy by shutting down the government. They selfishly and callously put partisanship over people.

Their selfishness was a disaster to our economy and for middle class families. Our economy lost about $24 billion and our unemployment rate ticked higher. In the end, middle class families in South Florida and across the country were the ones who got hurt.

Debbie works tirelessly, day in and day out, to stop this kind of thing from happening. And because of her efforts, Washington Republicans attack her with robocalls.

Debbie needs us standing with her. The best way to do that is to help her hit the $15,000 November grassroots goal. Can you pitch in $5 or more to help?

I know my wife — no matter what attacks the Republicans throw at her, no matter how many opponents turn up in this race, and no matter how much they spend to defeat her, she’ll never waiver and will stay focused on fighting for the families she represents.

It’s up to us to make sure she has the resources she needs to fight back against attacks like the one that came from the Republican National Committee (RNC) during the shutdown.

Let’s make sure our grassroots efforts continue growing. Contribute $5 or more toward Debbie’s $15,000 November goal.

Thank you for having Debbie’s back.

Steve

Paid for and Authorized by Debbie Wasserman Schultz for Congress

Gov. Dean’s email has been so inspiring.

Sent by Eden James, Democracy for America
To Ralph — 

I hope you’re as happy as I am that Democrats went “nuclear” on Thursday, finally taking a stand on filibuster reform in the Senate. It was a proud day for everyone at DFA, as we joined Daily Kos and CREDO in delivering 285,402 petition signatures to Sen. Harry Reid and Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill. Now, as Gov. Howard Dean wrote to you, we need to stay on offense — not just on the filibuster, but on other critical issues like health care and income inequality. 

The response to Gov. Dean’s email has been so inspiring. If you missed what he wrote below, check it out and click here to join DFA members across America who are standing with Dr. Dean.

– Eden 

Eden James, Political Director


Ralph —

We have let Republicans control the discourse on the Affordable Care Act for way too long. It’s time to call them out for what they are really trying to do: undermine this President and deny health care to millions of Americans.

Back in 2009, I asked you to stand and fight with me for the creation of a Public Option as part of DFA’s “Stand with Dr. Dean” campaign. Together we did everything we could to improve the health care reform package as it moved through the legislative process. We left it all out on the field and did a lot of good, even if we didn’t get everything we wanted.

Today, I’m asking you to stand and fight with me again. Conservative powerhouses like the Heritage Foundation are spending millions piling on with misleading attacks to stoke the fears of Americans, while Ted Cruz and the Tea Party are hatching new plans to repeal Obamacare in its entirety. They think nervous Democrats in Congress will cave in to Republican demands to dismantle our reforms. It’s up to us to stop that from happening.

That’s why we need your support to go on offense. Goal: Stop Ted Cruz and the Tea Party from destroying the ACA — and save the future of health care reform in America. Will you contribute $5 now to help DFA go big on our “Don’t Go Back” campaign?

It might be tempting to sit this one out. After all, many of us wanted Medicare for All or a Public Option instead. But make no mistake, we have to fight back — because the future of health care reform depends on it. 

Remember what we’re up against. It’s no coincidence that the roll-out of Obamacare has been difficult. Republicans have undermined it at every turn, refusing to expand Medicaid, denying necessary funding and even shutting down the government. They’ve done everything they can to make this system as dysfunctional as possible, and now they want to use that dysfunction as an excuse to go back to the system we had before. 

I don’t believe America wants to go back. As Charles Chamberlain, DFA’s Executive Director, wrote to you on Monday, going back means losing all of the progress we’ve made on critical reforms like pre-existing conditions and lifetime caps, and all of the progress we could make by amending this law to make it even better and stronger. 

Our message? Don’t go back. Go on offense. Please donate $5 to DFA now so we can defend Obamacare and force Republicans back on defense — to save the future of health care reform.

Thank you for standing up with me again. Together, we’re going to win this for America. 
– Howard   
Gov. Howard Dean
Founder, Democracy for America

 

Progressive Change Campaign Committee

 


Ralph,

BREAKING: New polling of key congressional budget negotiators from both red states and blue states shows growing momentum for expanding Social Security.

On average, 65% of voters in these key districts support expanding Social Security benefits, and 70% would not vote for a candidate who supported cutting them.

Over the past few months, we’ve worked with allies to make EXPANDING Social Security a credible part of the debate.

Support expanding Social Security? Join over 650,000 people who have already signed our petition to Congress.

Our friends at MoveOn sponsored the poll conducted in states like in Arizona, California, New York, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Kentucky — home state of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who is more vulnerable than ever.

On Monday, the Washington Post’s editorial board attacked our campaign, Elizabeth Warren responded on the Senate floor, which resulted in huge national news.

Senators Sherrod Brown and Elizabeth Warren are the two latest members of Congress to support this bold idea, and we need to keep the pressure on the rest of Congress to join us.

Sign the petition telling Congress to expand Social Security — don’t cut it.

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Kimberly Fountain, PCCC Campaign Director


Want to support our work? Ed Schultz called us “The top progressive group in the country”! And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in $3 here.

Stop Citizens United

McCutcheon will tell us soon enough whether Citizens United was a one-time occurrence or part of a broader, surreptitious plan to demolish the long-standing campaign finance regime and create a Wild West in politics…”
— National Journal, 10/2013

Dear Ralph,

Citizens United was one of the Supreme Court cases that gave birth to Super PACs. It let special interest groups take unlimited money from undisclosed donors and spend it to influence elections.

Conservative and Tea Party groups took full advantage of the ruling — spending more than $860 million in the last election to sway voters. And now theMcCutcheon case could open the door to even more outside spending in our democratic process.

The McCutcheon case could remove the limit on how much total money an individual can donate to candidates and PACs in the course of one election cycle. That means special interests can donate the maximum to as many candidates or committees they see fit — expanding the influence of large sums of money in our elections.

We may not hear from the Supreme Court until the summer. But we don’t have to wait to call on Congress to take action.

Congress must take action to take back the reins on our campaign finance system. Let them know you stand against Citizens United, and support safeguards against corruptive, unlimited, undisclosed contributions in our elections.

 

Congressman Huffman: I joined Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell for a hike on the Point Arena-Stornetta Public lands on the Mendocino Coast .

WEBSITE  |  BIOGRAPHY  |  CONSTITUENT SERVICES  |  NEWSROOM  |  LEGISLATION

       

 

Earlier this month I joined Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell for  a hike on the Point Arena-Stornetta Public lands on the Mendocino Coast .

It isn’t often that a Cabinet Secretary visits, and it’s rarer still that one comes to discuss expanding a National Monument in our backyard.

I’m thrilled that she accepted my invitation and held a public meeting where she saw and heard the tremendous support from the local

community for adding these breathtaking lands to the California Coastal National Monument (CCNM).

This is an unmatched opportunity to preserve more than 1,600 acres of pristine coastal lands. A National Monument designation adds

another level of protection to this complex and fragile ecosystem, which includes habitat for several endangered species, coho salmon,

steelhead, Great Blue Herons, Peregrine Falcons and the Laysan Albatross.

Safeguarding this national treasure isn’t just good for the environment; it would also boost the local economy. This would be the first

land-based addition to the California Coastal National Monument, providing a gateway for visitors to experience the Monument, as

well as attracting customers to local businesses.

The potential benefit to the local economy is just one of the reasons why the effort to protect this amazing stretch of the Mendocino

coast has such broad support—from State and local elected officials to the Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians, conservation

groups across the country, and local businesses and civic leaders

We were very fortunate that the House of Representatives unanimously passedmy very first bill as a Congressman , which would add

this magnificent land to the National Monument. I’m very pleased that our two California Senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein,

support this effort in the Senate.

As we continue to move this legislation forward, I’m gratified by Secretary Jewell’s commitment: at the public meeting in Point Arena

she told us that if Congress doesn’t get this done, the Administration will. This community meeting was a critical step needed

before President Obama can use the authority under the Antiquities Act to do just that.

I’ll keep you updated on our efforts to preserve this spectacular land, but for now, things are looking good! Thank you for all your

support.