Zach Silk, Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility

We can do this.

We can make Washington safer for all of us — and our families — by requiring all gun purchasers to pass a simple criminal background check.

Sure, a small group of very powerful lobbyists have managed to pull enough strings to stop commonsense reforms in D.C. so far, but when 80% of Washingtonians support criminal background checks, there are not enough big campaign contributions in the world to stop us from doing what’s right.

So we’re going to get this done — and we need your help, right now, to make sure it happens.

www.wagunresponsibility.org

That’s it. That’s all you need to do.

It may seem like just a few mouse clicks, or phone taps, but standing up to the big money lobbyists — right now — and showing your fellow Washingtonians that you are one of the eight in ten who demand such a simple, but powerful, reform will make all the difference.

If each one of us speaks up — there’s no way that anyone can stop us.

www.wagunresponsibility.org

We’re going to get this done. And it’s all because you took a moment, right now, to say that it is time for reform.

Thank you,

Zach

Top 3: Michele Bachmann’s Career Lows

MICHELE BACHMANN’S MOST OUTLANDISH MOMENTS

THE SMEARING OF TRAYVON MARTIN

WHY 1.5 MILLION POOR TEXANS WON’T GET INSURANCE

How a pilot project can save taxpayers 30 percent

How a pilot project can save taxpayers 30 percent

America’s small information technology firms are some of the most innovative in the world. They are nimble, creative and can get the job done. And thanks to a new online government platform, it is getting easier for them to address some of the Federal Government’s most pressing IT needs.

It’s a win-win: Small technology companies get easier access to the Federal Government’s nearly $77 billion information technology supply chain, providing a potentially critical revenue stream as they build their operations. And government agencies get to work with innovative small firms with solutions that can help make government agencies more efficient and streamlined.

The catalyst for these connections is an exciting new pilot project called RFP-EZ. And the results we are seeing from this program highlight what is possible when you unleash the power of American entrepreneurs.

RFP-EZ is a new and easy way for companies to learn about and compete for government contracts – in particular, small companies that lack the experience or administrative support generally needed to take full advantage of the Government’s Request for Proposals (RFP) process, the means by which many government contract offerings are presented to the business community. The RFP-EZ platform was developed jointly by Federal innovators working in the SBA and private-sector entrepreneurs serving temporary stints in the Federal Government through the Presidential Innovation Fellows program, launched by the U.S Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Officer team last year. Sharing their private- and public-sector insights, the team developed RFP-EZ as a simplified platform aimed at opening up the Government marketplace to a wider range of companies and saving taxpayer money.

Applying agile development principles, the Fellows team designed RFP-EZ over a six-month period, publishing the platform’s code openly on GitHub. The team then launched the pilot by posting five relatively simple website development and database contract offerings, four of which were also announced via the standard government portal, FedBizOps. On a per-project basis, bids received through RFP-EZ were consistently lower than those received through FedBizOps—19% to 41% lower, and over 30% lower on average. Bids made through RFP-EZ also showed less overall variation. In addition, during the pilot period, RFP-EZ attracted more than 270 businesses that until now had never approached the world of Federal contracting.

According to Office of Management and Budget’s IT Dashboard, the Federal Government will spend more than $1.4 billion on Web Infrastructure and Web Content Management Systems in FY 2014. Based on 2011 and 2012 results, we can expect about half of these projects to be under the $150,000 “Simplified Acquisition Threshold” that would make them eligible for contracting through RFP-EZ.

As we refine and expand the use of RFP-EZ, we are confident that its success will grow, delivering better value for taxpayers and opening new opportunities for small businesses.

Leveraging feedback we received from entrepreneurs and Federal contracting officers, the next class of Presidential Innovation Fellows will begin work on version 2.0 of RFP-EZ, which will focus on improving the platform, scaling its initial results across the Federal Government, and adding innovative new capabilities. If your business would like to participate, we encourage you to get started by setting up a profile on RFP-EZ today. To all the businesses that submitted proposals through RFP-EZ and everyone who has given us feedback on the project, thank you for helping to bring this new capability to life – and we very much look forward to the path ahead.

Thanks,

Todd

Todd Park Chief Technology Officer Office of Science and Technology Policy The White House

The Dirty Dozen?

We know that you try to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, but could your utility company be harming the planet? Please read this important message from our friends at Pear Energy to learn how you can support clean energy. Thank you for all you do. -The Care2 Campaign Team

Is your utility in the Dirty Dozen? Find Out Here

Here’s a wild guess for  you:  your utility company does not share  your environmental and social commitments. And another guess: we do share  your values at Pear Energy. That’s why  I’m inviting you to sign up with Pear now. Pear Energy just released the Dirty Dozen Report, detailing the worst utility emitters. Did your utility make the list? Even if your utility is not among the rock-bottom losers  of the lot, it is still certain that it relies on burning coal, fracking for natural gas, or operating unsafe nuclear plants to supply you with electricity.  If we are going to win the fight to control climate change, your utility is simply part of the problem. By Contrast: Pear Energy is an easy way to have clean wind and solar energy produced and addedto the grid for the exact amount of your energy usage; We only deliver friendly, efficient and reliable customer service; We stick to our Fair Price Promise of transparency and reasonable prices.Buying  clean energy does cost a little more, but just a little more — around the cost of a cup of coffee per week; Pear Shares — We contribute to organizations that share our dedication to ecological sanity and full employment; We have a no-hassle satisfaction policy — if you are unhappy, we’ll switch you back with no switching costs and no service interruptions. Because your current utility owns the power lines to your home, it will continue to read your meter and deliver your electricity. With Pear Energy, you’ll get the same reliable service, but with the knowledge that you are buying into the solution, not the problem. Signing up for Pear Energy now is one thing you can do right away. Just click here to visit our website and your efforts will be almost complete. Bob Pollin Founder and President, PEAR

For that Teacher who is not afraid of BioColor

BioColor® is coming of age as the teachers’ favorite all-in-one-paint!

BioColor® paint outshines ordinary tempera, letting children discover dozens of ways to learn and create! Great for easel painting, sticker art, marbling projects, fabric paint or putty.

This vibrant, “magic” paint doesn’t fade or crack and adheres to any surface – from paper and wood, to metal and plastic.

 and for a chance to WIN … click on the link below

http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802648250&pubid=500077

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

English: Logo of the . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Krinos Foods, LLC. is Expanding its April 28, 2013 Recall to Include Additional Expiration Dates Jan 01-2014 to Jun 01-2014 of Tahini Products Because of Possible Health Risk

05/10/2013 09:37 AM EDT

Krinos Foods, LLC. of Long Island City, New York is voluntarily recalling its TAHINI sesame paste, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

 

Dairy Fresh Conducts Voluntary Recall of IGA Brand “Vanilla & Chocolate” 1.75 Quart Ice Cream Because Package May Contain Undeclared Allergens (Almonds, Coconut, Soy)

05/10/2013 08:53 AM EDT

Dairy Fresh is voluntarily recalling a specific batch of IGA Brand “Vanilla & Chocolate” Ice Cream (1.75 quart, 1.66L) with the plant code “3783” and a SELL BY date of 08-13-13 because it incorrectly contains Heavenly Hash ice cream, which contains almonds, coconut, and soy, which are allergens not declared on the carton. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds, coconut, or soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

 

Bimeda Inc. on Behalf of Manufacturer Bimeda-MTC Animal Health Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Sterile Solutions Due to Concerns Regarding Sterility and Possible Health Risk

05/09/2013 05:28 PM EDT

Bimeda Inc., on behalf of the manufacturer, Bimeda-MTC Animal Health Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Calcium Gluconate, one lot of Dextrose 50%, and one lot of Hypertonic Saline, all of which are in the form of injectable fluids, to the user level. These injectable fluids are being recalled as a precautionary measure; because of departures from customary sterility procedures, sterility cannot be entirely assured.

 

 

Pure Herbs Ltd. Issues Allergy Recall Alert on Undeclared Allergens (Milk and Soy) in Protein Extract Urgent Undeclared Allergen Labeling Recall In Pure Herbs Ltd. Protein Extract

05/09/2013 05:35 PM EDT

Today, Pure Herbs Ltd., Sterling Heights, MI is voluntarily recalling the 4oz and 1oz bottles of Protein Extract because they contain undeclared allergens – milk and soy. This labeling error was discovered during a routine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection when a review of the ingredients found that milk and soy allergen ingredients were not listed on our main label.

 

 

Whole Foods Market Recalls Mislabeled Curried Chicken Salad and Vegan Chick’n Salad Sold at the Cold Salad Bar Due to Undeclared Allergens

05/09/2013 07:36 PM EDT

May 9, 2013 – CAMBRIDGE, MA. – Whole Foods Market is recalling bulk curried chicken salad and bulk vegan curried chick’n salad because in some stores these items may have been sold with reversed labels causing undeclared soy and egg allergens. Due to the label mix-up, allergens were undeclared; the vegan chick’n salad contains soy, and the curried chicken salad contains egg.

 

 

 

XYMOGEN identifies allergen oversight by third-party manufacturer; issues recall of artriphen™

05/08/2013 05:19 PM EDT

Nutraceutical company XYMOGEN in Orlando, Fla., is recalling artriphen, a product recommended for the support of healthy joint function, because it contains traces of the undeclared allergens soy and milk.

CARE2 ~~~ VAWA , GunSafety and more

India: Take Violence Against Women Seriously                                     signatures: 36699 created by: sign now

The American people know universal background checks are an important safeguard to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

Washington Needs Background Checks for All Gun Purchases!

No One’s Sure Why 21 People Died in Knife and Arson Attack                                     Twenty-one people in a Chinese province where 45 percent of the population is Muslim, Uighur and an ethnic minority were killed last week. read more

Why Are We Forcing The Army To Build Tanks It Doesn’t Want? Congress is forcing the Army to spend nearly half a billion dollars building tanks that officials insist they don’t want, with money they say could be… read more

Congressional Budget Office ~~~

budget (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

Modifying Mortgages Involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Options for Principal Forgiveness

CBO examined three options for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to use principal forgiveness for certain underwater borrowers. How would those options affect the number of mortgage defaults, the federal budget, and the overall economy?

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Options for Principal Forgiveness in Mortgages Involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Working Paper 2013-02

CBO releases companion working paper to its report Modifying Mortgages Involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Options for Principal Forgiveness.

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H.R. 3, Northern Route Approval Act

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 17, 2013

the weekly share

 

We Dare You To Look At This And Tell Us Chained CPI Isn’t A Social Security Cut

The Top 5 Hate Tactics Used To Get People To Freak Out About Immigration

What One Thing Is Key To Turning The Table On Every Injustice In America?

The Other Washington ~~~

Information about the federal sequester

Updated March 14, 2013

There are two primary questions being asked related to the federal sequester:

1. Do federally funded employees who are furloughed qualify for unemployment benefits?
2. Are unemployment benefits affected by the sequester?

Questions about sequester-related furloughs

Q.	I’m being put on temporary leave without pay (furloughed). Am I eligible for unemployment benefits for the time I’m off?
A.	It depends on how the furlough is implemented. You would have to be unemployed for most or all of a week (Sunday through Saturday) in order to be eligible for benefits – assuming you meet other eligibility requirements. However, if you normally work full-time and your hours are reduced by one work day in a week, you will not be eligible for benefits because you still earn too much in that week to be eligible.
	NOTE: We decide eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Anyone has the right to apply for benefits and claim weekly benefits. When we have all the facts, we will determine eligibility.
Q.	Will I get paid for every week I file a claim?
A.	The first time you file your weekly claim and are eligible to receive benefits will be considered a “waiting week.” You will not be paid benefits for your waiting week. If you go off and on unemployment benefits more than once during your benefit year, you will not have to serve another waiting week during this unemployment claim.
Q.	How much money would I get in unemployment benefits?
A.	You can estimate your weekly benefit amount on our website. If you’re furloughed for only part of a week, use the earnings deduction chart to see if the reduction in your gross weekly pay makes you eligible for any benefits.
Q.	Do I have to look for work if I am waiting to go back to work with my employer?
A.	In general, you are required to look for work unless we tell you otherwise.

Some possible exceptions:

• If you are temporarily unemployed because of a lack of work, but you expect to return to work with your regular employer, you may qualify for “standby.” You must have a definite or probable return-to-work date within a reasonable amount of time. If we approve you for standby, you do not have to look for work, but you must be available for all hours of work offered by your regular employer. These weeks do not have to be consecutive.
• If you were hired to work full-time and you are still working each week, but your hours have been temporarily reduced, you may qualify for partial unemployment benefits (see the previous question}. To meet this requirement and to have your work-search waived, your weekly hours may be reduced by no more than 60 percent, and you must return to full-time work within four months.

Questions about the sequester and unemployment benefits

Q.	Will unemployment benefits be cut as a result of the sequester?
A.	The sequester does not affect “regular” unemployment benefits, which are paid with state funds. Regular unemployment benefits pay up to 26 weeks of benefits.
	However, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) will be affected.
	At this time, we are working with the federal Department of Labor to understand how and when the cuts will be applied to the benefits. We will communicate directly with benefit recipients when we have the answers.
Q.	Do you plan to halt EUC benefit payments?
A.	We have no intention of stopping payments to EUC claimants.