Friday, September 8, 2017

Friday 9/8 Call to Action

Friday
1. Clean Energy
As a special treat for Friday, let’s start with some good news. Clean Energy Economy MN released the results of a survey that reports that clean energy jobs are a growing in Minnesota. In fact, Minnesota’s clean energy sector has grown almost four times faster than any other area of Minnesota’s economy. (Hive five!) See? You can make profits and be good to the environment. (Donald Trump)
Minnesota’s current goal was to have 25% of its energy come from renewable sources by 2025. Since we are almost there in 2017, state Senators Karin Housley (R) and Nick Frentz (D) would like legislators to increase it too 50% by 2030.
We need to encourage our federal and state members of Congress to keep this ball rolling. This is a great opportunity to reintroduce yourself to your state representative and senator. This initiative seems like a win-win, no matter what side of the aisle you rest your bottom. Clean energy is a great way to create jobs and grow our economy.
If you haven’t already, sign up to use wind energy in your home.https://www.xcelenergy.com/…/rene…/windsource_for_residences
2. Betsy DeVos
In another chapter of “How do you live with yourself?”, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will rescind a sexual assault directive created by President Obama by rolling back guidelines of Title IX.
Title IX is best know for ensuring equal treatment of male and female athletes, but is also provides protections against sexual harassment, sexual assault, and creates protections for transgender students. DeVos has already rescinded protections for transgender students. Now she wants to make the investigation process for college sexual assault more difficult by decreasing transparency, and cutting resources and funding for victims.
DeVos’ main concern is the “Dear Colleague Letter”, a guidance created in 2011 by the Obama administration that increases punishment for public schools that did not protect their students from sexual harassment, assault, and/or rape. The letter also lowered that standard of proof for campus hearings and criminal trials. Is DeVos truly concerned that this guidance is overreaching or is this just another example of the Trump administration’s quest to get rid of every Obama accomplishment.
Our dear Senator Franken has already spoken out against this. Feel free to call him and thank him for being awesome. Encourage Senator Klobuchar to fight this as well.
3. Don’t Forget your Republican party job evaluation.
Do you have a Republican elected official working for you (state or federal)? Today is your chance to evaluate their job performance!
https://www.change.org/p/chair-mngop-com-mn-republican-part…
Franken-202-224-5641
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Dayton- https://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/
Congressional District 2 residents: Check out this website for information about groups and events in your area. mn02progressiveactionnetwork.com
Out and About
For those of us who missed the Burnout and Sustainability Training for Activists webinar last Saturday, the video is now available on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2wfVcwl We can also check out host Aditi Juneja's Self Care Sundays podcast and make sure that we're taking care of ourselves https://www.selfcaresundayspodcast.com/
September 8-10
The Energy Fair-St. Paul
Harriet Island Regional Park
200 Dr Justus O'Hage Blvd, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107
http://TheEnergyFair.org/
September 10th 2:30-3:45 pm
ATTC Learn & Take Action (September): Fake News - note new venue
Southdale Public Library
Edina, Minnesota 55435
University of Minnesota Journalism Ethics Professor Chris Ison will discuss the historical context of today's "fake news" crisis and share practical strategies for sustaining quality journalism.
September 12th 6-8 pm
Journalism: Facts Matter
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
321 19th Ave S, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Join us for a discussion on the role of journalism in the current political climate. Don Shelby's work as an investigative journalist earned two Peabody awards and three Emmys before his retirement from CBS's WCCO in 2010.

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