Monday 10/2

Friday

I am stealing from Rogan's list today.  There was no shortage of news over the weekend.

1. I think we need to call to ask Congress to re-authorize CHIP.
Since its creation by a bipartisan coalition under the Clinton administration, CHIP has been crucial for the health and well-being of millions of American children, their families and their communities. The benefits for families and communities of CHIP are many. For one, CHIP is crucial in providing financial security and prevents families from suffering catastrophic losses.  As a block grant, CHIP requires periodic appropriation of funding to maintain the program. The most recent extension, the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act, funded the program through September 2017. Without additional funding, states will run out of money over the next few months. Moreover, without a quick congressional action, states will be confronted with daunting administrative and planning challenges on how to possibly maintain or phase out the program.http://fortune.com/2017/09/27/chip-kids-health-insurance/

2. Trump has nominated Jeff Mateer to federal court. Mateer, Texas's First Assistant Attorney General, has described gay marriage as "disgusting," and referred to transgender individuals as being part of 'Satan's plan" http://cnn.it/2wxzKWZhttp://bit.ly/2faeZVW This is not somebody who should be serving in any leadership role, much less that of a district judge. Let's make sure our Senators oppose Mateer's confirmation.

3. Puerto Rico is, of course, a distaster.  We can call to ask the Jones act be waived for more than 10 days.  Here are some ways to help financially:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/can-help-hurricane-victims-puerto-rico/

Let this news motivate you to keep going. Want to help canvass via postcard? Text HELLO to (484) ASK-ABBY and you will be set up with instructions and addresses.
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
October 14th 10:30 - 12
Forum with Erin Murphy, candidate for governor
Burnhaven Library
1101 County Road 42 W, Burnsville, Minnesota 55306
Saturday, October 14th 11 am – 1 pm
The People's Rally for Justice
Minnesota State Capitol
75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155