All Women Need Access to Birth Control without Co-pays

Your Voice is Crucial                     Tell HHS all women deserve access to birth control without a co-pay!                   Forty-seven years ago today, the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Griswold v. Connecticut established a right to use contraceptives without interference from the state. It’s hard to believe that nearly a half century later, politicians are still trying to erect barriers to women’s access to affordable birth control. Tell the Department of Health and Human Services that all women, no matter where they work or go to school, need access to birth control without co-pays or burdensome obstacles. Last summer, we secured a big victory when all FDA-approved contraceptives were added to the list of preventive health services that all new health insurance plans must cover without a co-pay or deductible. Unfortunately, 335,000 houses of worship received an exemption from the requirement, leaving their female employees without access to this critical benefit. Now the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed an “accommodation” for other religiously affiliated organizations, which would shift the responsibility of providing contraceptive coverage without cost sharing to the insurance companies. HHS is asking for comments and we must make sure that any “accommodation” does not put additional hurdles in the path of women seeking contraception. Employees of religiously affiliated organizations must have access to contraception to the same extent as employees of other organizations and companies. It’s critical that your voice be heard — submit your comments to HHS today and say that all women must be able to obtain contraceptive coverage without co-pays in the simplest way possible, no matter where they work or go to school. It’s only by raising our voices together that we can protect women’s health. Thank you for all you do. Sincerely,     Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law

Youtube – Korean Americans – Women’s Health – President Obama

President Obama Holds a Press Conference on the Economy

President Obama calls on Congress to pass the bipartisan, paid-for ideas that he proposed last year to put construction workers back to work upgrading our roads and bridges, teachers back in the classroom educating our kids and police and firefighters back on the job keeping our communities safe, and addresses the state of the economy, including the situation in Europe, which continues to pose headwinds to our recovery here at home. June 8, 2012.More

 

President Obama Speaks on College Affordability

President Obama calls on Congress to stop interest rates from doubling on student loans, and discusses his Administration’s initiatives to keep college affordable for students and their families. June 7, 2012.More

 

 

 

West Wing Week: 06/08/12 or “Roll Up Our Sleeves and Never Quit”

This week, the President traveled to Honeywell International in Minnesota, to highlight efforts to help veterans find good paying jobs, urged Congress to support the Paycheck Fairness Act and to not let interest rates double on student loans on July 1st. That’s June 1st to June 7th or “Roll up our sleeves and never quit.”More

 

 

 

Women’s Health Town Hall

U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, senior White House Officials, and a diverse array of media, organizations, groups and stakeholders engage in an open dialogue about women’s health care and the Affordable Care Act. June 7, 2012.More

 

 

 

Korean American Leaders Briefing Part 1

The White House Office of Public Engagement and The Council of Korean Americans host a briefing for Korean American community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the Korean American community, including foreign policy, immigration, human rights, small business, education, civil rights, and trade. June 7, 2012.More

 

Korean American Leaders Briefing Part 2

The White House Office of Public Engagement and The Council of Korean Americans host a briefing for Korean American community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the Korean American community, including foreign policy, immigration, human rights, small business, education, civil rights, and trade. June 7, 2012.More

 

 

Media Matters for America: Clinton and Summers Agree with President Obama

Fact: Bill Clinton And Larry Summers Agree With Obama On Bush Tax Cuts
In recent interviews, President Clinton and former White House economic adviser Larry Summers agreed with President Obama that Congress should not extend the Bush tax cuts for wealthy households. But Fox News distorted their comments to falsely claim that Clinton and Summers are in favor of extending them for all households, and thus are “at odds” with Obama. Read More

NRA Partners With Conspiracy-Minded Gun Activists At Chicago CPAC
This week, National Rifle Association president David Keene will moderate a “conservative conversation” at the Chicago Conservative Political Action Conference with NRA board member Maria Heil, Illinois State Rifle Association executive director Richard Pearson, and Wisconsin Tea Party figure Kimberly Jo Simac. Keene and the panelists all have a history of extreme and conspiratorial rhetoric. Read More

Fox Touts Walker Win As Validation Of Harmful Austerity Policies
Economists agree that austerity measures in a weak economy lead to less growth and fewer jobs, and the condition of Wisconsin’s jobs market, which is lagging much of the rest of the country, is consistent with that fact. Nevertheless, Fox News figures are spinning Gov. Scott Walker’s recall win as proof that budget cuts “will help our nation as a whole with the economic woes that we face.” Read More

Right-Wing Media Disappear Fact That Conservative Money Swamped Union Message In Wisconsin
Right-wing media are arguing that Wisconsin governor Scott Walker’s victory in the Wisconsin recall election was a victory for the grassroots over unions and progressives. But, due to Citizens United and a loophole in Wisconsin campaign finance laws, the progressive message was swamped by conservative special interest money. Read More

Sorry, Fox: Recall Election Does Not Diminish Obama’s Chances In November
Fox News figures have attempted to spin the results of Wisconsin’s recall election to claim Gov. Walker’s victory is a referendum on President Obama. In fact, polling shows Obama holding a significant lead over Romney in Wisconsin, and even conservatives admit the election is a poor predictor of Obama’s re-election bid. Read More

CBO Report Shows Stable Budget Is Possible, But Media Hype “Grim” Scenario
CBO Presents “Two Scenarios That Embody Different Assumptions About Future Policies Governing Federal Revenues And Spending.” From the Congressional Budget Office’s “2012 Long-Term Budget Outlook”: Read More

Gov Gregoire in the Newsroom

• 6/8/2012 – Gov. Gregoire announces 2012 Smart Communities award winners
• 6/7/2012 – Gov. Gregoire hosts 23rd annual Centennial Accord meeting
• 6/5/2012 – Gov. Gregoire honors 20 state government leaders for excellence
• 6/4/2012 – Gov. Gregoire announces $17 million in AmeriCorps grants to address critical community priorities
• 5/30/2012 – Gov. Gregoire’s statement on opening of electric-vehicle charging stations along I-5, US 2

News Archive »

a message from AL Franken … Repeal DOMA

Hear that sound? That’s momentum — our fight for marriage equality is building steam.

We knew the Defense of Marriage Act was discriminatory. We knew it was wrong. But an appeals court in Boston just ruled that it’s unconstitutional, too.

Meanwhile, in the wake of President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, polls show that more and more Americans are ready for a country where the law treats all loving, committed relationships equally.

And here in Minnesota, surveys show that we have a great chance to defeat an anti-equality constitutional amendment — a victory that would be the first of its kind if we can pull it off.

This is the perfect time to help us keep building momentum by signing on to my petition to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act –   click here to add your name today!

We still have a long way to go. Change is hard — even without right-wing groups spending lots of money to stop it from happening. We’re fighting uphill — here in Minnesota and around the country.

But the momentum is on our side. It’s just a matter of time before we end marriage discrimination in America. Well, time and hard work.

A generation from now, marriage equality will be the law of the land. And you’ll be able to look back on this moment and know that you helped to build momentum in this fight — that, because of you, America is a fairer country.

Click here to help me fight for marriage equality today!

Thanks,

Al

P.S.: My ‘extra ask in the P.S.’ is even more important when we’re fighting for equality. Join in the fight to end DOMA today.

The Amazon approaches its moment of truth … a message from Greenpeace Activist

I’ve written a few blogs since I’ve been on the Rainbow Warrior, but my time in Brazil has given me enough material for thousands more. I worked as a journalist before Greenpeace and that is how I have approached this trip, trying to tell you the stories that happen every day in this magical country and do some justice to the people who live in it.

Today I produced a more personal account of my work as well as my impressions of this truly unique place. I wanted to do this because on Friday the President of Brazil will make a decision that could affect this amazing rainforest for decades to come. I believe that the people I have met here want the world to know what is at stake, so I tried to explain how the past few weeks have affected me.

The Rainbow Warrior sails through the Amazonas river.

As I’ve learned, changes to Brazil’s forest code could be one of the worst things to have happened to the Amazon for years. I also know that the concept of zero deforestation is tantalizingly close to becoming a reality.

I hope you enjoy the film, but more importantly I ask you take action with us.

Together we can do it. Together we can all save the Amazon.

Congressional Budget Office: HR2356 , HR4480,HR2903 and more

Monthly Budget Review

• Federal Budget Deficit Totaled $721 Billion for the First Seven Months of 2012, CBO Estimates

S. 1144, Soda Ash Competition Act

• H.R. 4480, Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012
• H.R. 2903, FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012

H.R. 2356, WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2012

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on May 9, 2012

CBO estimates that H.R. 2356 would authorize the appropriation of $394 million over the 2013-2017 period for programs in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and other agencies to address the threat of weapons of mass destruction.

read more

State Tabacco Taxes – done right it can be a win win solution

U.S. State and Local Issues

State Tobacco Taxes

A Win-Win-Win Solution

Tobacco tax increases offer a win-win-win solution for states, especially as they face a severe fiscal crisis and work to balance budgets while preserving essential public services.

Health Win: Tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking and other tobacco use, especially among kids. Every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking by about seven percent and total cigarette consumption by about four percent.

Budget Win: Every state that has significantly increased its cigarette tax has enjoyed substantial increases in revenue, even while reducing smoking. Higher tobacco taxes also save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, including Medicaid expenses. States can realize even greater health benefits and cost savings by allocating some of the revenue to programs that prevent children from smoking and help smokers quit.

Political Win: National and state polls consistently have found overwhelming public support for tobacco tax increases. Polls also show that, when it comes to balancing budgets, voters prefer raising tobacco taxes to other tax increases or cutting crucial programs such as education and public safety.

Progress, But More Work to Do

In recent years, almost every state and the federal government have increased tobacco taxes. The average state cigarette tax is currently $1.46 per pack, but rates vary widely from 17 cents in Missouri to $4.35 in New York.

On April 1, 2009, the federal cigarette tax increased by 62 cents, to $1.01 per pack.

Every state and the federal government can achieve significant health and revenue gains by further increasing tobacco taxes. Governments can raise even more revenue — and reduce all tobacco use — by increasing taxes on other tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco and cigars, to parallel the rate on cigarettes. This discourages all tobacco use.

Mindful Behavior … Stop Smoking

Mindful behavior … Stop smoking

I believe that great information makes us think – hopefully starts a conversation as well as makes us take positive action. We have all heard about the current political noise going on in California concerning taxing cigarettes; a move that Washington State decided was a good idea deciding folks must pay both the cigarette tax and the use tax, which goes directly to the Department of Revenue. The art of Mindful behavior takes some a mere moment while others a few hundred tries but … it can be done.

As a parent and an ex-smoker for over 15yrs, the idea of taxing cigarettes is a good idea though no revenue will benefit the state itself, it will help others in the different ways the act of smoking affects our lives. It took becoming a parent to stop along with allergies and asthma but mostly by way of mindful behavior, and the love of my kids not to mention a long family history of asthma.  Mindful behavior has a whole lot of angles … by definition or what society thinks of when contemplating the word “behavior”  is a need for guidance or in its totality has to do with the quality of awareness that a person brings to everyday living; learning to control your mind, rather than letting your mind control you.  However, being mindful in this case includes actions that can be stopped, controlled, or at least  altered if you make lifestyle change, reduce stress with exercises, and or find other things to do.

California can subscribe to a Tobacco Tax; the increases can offer a win-win-win solutions, especially as they face a severe fiscal crisis and work to balance budgets while preserving essential public services.

  Stop Smoking

In 2009, Orzechowski and Walker, an economic consulting firm said …

$1,712 is the average amount a pack-a-day smoker in the US spends annually

What can $1,712 buy?

****170 mosquito nets from nothingbutnets.net and prevent malaria transmission to African families.

** Provide 11,900 meals for the nation’s hungry through www.feedingamerica.org

** Donate to local programs to give 10 kids fun and creative after-school options every day for a month.  www.aferschoolalliance.org for tips on finding an organization near you.

Pelosi – House Dems and Congress in the Newsroom JUNE 2012

Pelosi Statement on President’s Call for Action on Jobs

“Democrats believe in a different path: instead of hitting the road, we should pass the transportation bill that creates or saves more than 2 million jobs. Instead of going on recess, we should keep college affordable for America’s students. The test isn’t passing ‘message bills’ like the House has been doing, or sending letters to the White House. The only correspondence the President should be receiving from the Speaker is a jobs bill to sign.”

June 08, 2012

Pelosi Floor Speech in Appreciation of House Floor Tribute Recognizing Leader Pelosi’s 25th Anniversary in Congress

“I considered that a great honor and I consider this a great honor – to serve with each and every one of you, patriots all, Representatives, independent representatives of your district. And that word has two meanings: it’s your title, it’s also our job description, that we represent our districts and bring the beautiful diversity of opinions, of ethnicity, of generations, of geography, of philosophy, to the Congress of the United States. The beauty, I say in my district, is in the mix. And while I’m very honored to have served as the Speaker of the House, first woman Speaker of the House, first Italian-American Speaker of the House, first Maryland Speaker of the House, first California Speaker of the House, many firsts, it always is the greatest privilege of my life, as I’m sure it is with each of you, to step on the floor of the House to represent and speak for the people of each of our individual districts…”

June 07, 2012

Transcript of Pelosi Press Conference Today

“Democrats have a simple request to our Republican colleagues: don’t run out the clock on the economy. Let’s work around the clock to create jobs, promote growth, and restore prosperity for the middle class. We call on the Speaker to cancel next week’s recess – this is the ninth week long recess of the year – and to stay in session to address America’s top priorities: jobs, economic growth, and the security of the middle class…”

June 07, 2012

Pelosi Letter to Boehner: Cancel Recess, Don’t Run Clock Out on Economy

“I call on you to cancel next week’s recess – our ninth week-long recess of the year – and instead commit the House to working round the clock to address the highway and student loan laws, and to extend the middle-income tax cut without further delay.”

June 06, 2012

Pelosi Statement on Meeting with Chinese Activist Chen Guangcheng

“It was an honor and a privilege to meet Chen Guangcheng and his wife, Yuan Weijing, today in New York to discuss their views about recent developments in China.”

June 05, 2012

Pelosi Statement on Ninth Circuit Court Declining to Rehear Prop 8 Case

“I commend the plaintiffs on their success, their courage in challenging this discriminatory measure, and their willingness to lead the charge in the fight for marriage equality. With two courts now declaring Prop 8 unconstitutional, we pledge to keep up the fight to ensure every family in our state and across our nation enjoys fair and equal treatment under the law.”

June 05, 2012

Pelosi Statement on Senate Republicans Vote to Block Paycheck Fairness Act

“Equal pay for equal work should be a pillar of our American recovery. In this time of great economic challenge, the 77 cents that women make for every dollar men make adds up to a real impact on working families.”

June 05, 2012

Pelosi Statement on 23rd Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre

“One of the most enduring images of the 20th Century will forever be seared into our conscience – the picture of the lone man standing in the street, bringing the line of tanks to a grinding halt. Today, the spirit of Tiananmen lives on in the hearts and minds of those continuing the struggle both in China and abroad.”

June 04, 2012

Pelosi Spokesman Statement on ENDA Executive Order Decision

“This decision adds more urgency to Democrats winning back the House to continue on our path of ending discrimination as we did by repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and making a fully-inclusive hate crimes bill the law of the land…”

June 01, 2012

Pelosi Statement on LGBT Pride Month

“During LGBT Pride Month, we celebrate how far we’ve come in the fight for civil rights, we pledge to keep working to ensure our nation lives up to the American ideal of equality, our heritage and our hope.”

June 01, 2012