Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Call to Action, Wed 2/27

Wednesday 2/27
Minnesota Legislature
Check out Indivisible Minnesota Legislative Action for great information about the bills that are in the works at the Capitol. https://mailchi.mp/…/imla-alert-update-vote-to-end-child-ma…
Minnesota’s Election Security Funding
Minnesota’s Senate is still dragging its heels when it comes to passing SF93, a bill that would provide federal dollars for election security.. Remember, Minnesota was one of 21 states whose election system was targeted by hackers in 2016, yet we are the only state that has not accessed election security funding approved by Congress through the Help America Vote Act. This money would help update Minnesota’s aging Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS), and help train election officials, among other things.
Currently, the Republican-controlled Senate will only allow for a fraction ($1.5 million) of the approximately $6.6 million allotted to be released to the Secretary of State. Why? Seems like a good question to ask our own Senators or Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, the chairwoman of the State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee. Sen. Kiffmeyer was a former MN Secretary of State. She also is a member of ALEC, a lobbying group for big corporations.
Watch the latest hearing on SF93 here: https://www.facebook.com/annttreacy/videos/10157180471633417/?hc_ref=ARTByTde99Chk_FPNOazMkhgTY3fVI6gI6HlNrZWai-hCJuu-fVP_Oj8OA2wCWqDA
Like Secretary of State Steve Simon said, “Every day that we wait, and every day that we delay, and every day that we don’t have the resources intended for us by Congress is a day ... that we are putting the integrity of our election system and every voter’s vote at risk.”
Call your own Senator (especially if he/she is a Republican) and call Sen. Kiffmeyer today. Tell them you want Sec. Simon to have all the money with no regulations or restrictions.
State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee https://www.senate.mn/committees/committee_bio.php…
House Passes Resolution To Block Trump's National Emergency Declaration
Yesterday, the House voted 245-182 to terminate Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the U.S. -Mexico border. 13 Republicans joined House Democrats in the vote. Unfortunately, Reps. Emmer, Stauber, and Hagedorn were not among the 13. The resolution will now go to the Senate. Because it’s a privileged measure, it cannot be subject to filibuster, only needs a simple majority to pass, and must come to the floor for a vote within weeks. Three Republican senators have already committed to vote for the resolutions. The key is to find one more so that it can pass.
Today would be a good day to call our Senators and encourage them to vote yes for this resolution. Then call your congressperson and discuss their vote as well.
https://www.npr.org/…/house-passes-resolution-to-block-trum…
Michael Cohen to Testify before Congress
Today, Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, will testify before the House Oversight Committee in an open hearing starting at 9 am (Central Time). It appears that what Cohen is prepared to testify may implicate Trump in crimes while he was POTUS. Today is going to be a nail-biter for sure.
Check out Cohen’s prepared remarks here: https://www.politico.com/f/…
Here’s what you can expect: https://www.nytimes.com/…/27/us/polit…/cohen-testimony.html…
https://www.nytimes.com/…/michael-cohen-trump-congress.html…
Cohen revelations may test DOJ on presidential indictments https://www.msnbc.com/…/cohen-revelations-may-test-doj-on-p… via @msnbc
Cohen expected to raise new legal questions on Trump, Trump Org https://www.msnbc.com/…/cohen-expected-to-raise-new-legal-q… via @msnbc
A Moment for Rep. Angie Craig
I know not all the readers of this blog live in Congressional District 2, but I just want to take a moment to brag about my new congresswoman, Angie Craig. Rep. Craig has been working tirelessly for her constituents in MNO2. Just this past weekend, she had her SECOND town hall meeting and she has already cosponsored a number of bills. What a refreshing change Rep. Craig is from the last two years with Jason Lewis. Voting has consequences and I am happy to experience the good side of that. Kudos to you, Ms. Craig!
Check out Rep. Craig's latest town hall here on CD2Action: https://cd2action.com/congress/
Rep. Craig just wrote her first bill! It's HR 1331, To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to nonpoint source management, and for other purposes. Read more about it here: https://www.congress.gov/bi…/116th-congress/house-bill/1331…
Follow Rep. Craig's voting record here: https://www.countable.us/legislators/3799-angie-craig
Check out Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s schedule for the House of Representatives https://www.majorityleader.gov/floor-res…/the-weekly-leader…
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
Smith (202) 224-5641
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Walz https://mn.gov/governor/

YOUTUBE.COM
Subscribe here: https://goo.gl/JmDgXi Music video by The All-American Rejects performing Gives You…

Monday, February 25, 2019

Monday 2/25 Call to Action


Monday 2/25

Governor Walz explains how his budget reflects the morals or Minnesotans. His top priorities being education, healthcare, accessible childcare and affordable housing. “This budget looks to the future, because we are a state that looks to the future. As the federal government flounders, Minnesota will pave the way in finding solutions to our toughest challenges. As I’ve said many times, if Washington won’t lead, Minnesota will.” This state could really lead the country on making things better for everyone.

One of the worst things about the GOP controlled Senate is the way they are transforming the federal judiciary. “Graham indicated on Friday that Republicans have approximately eight to 10 circuit nominations to fill in 2019. He’s also got looming fights over three Ninth Circuit nominees from California after Feinstein and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who is running for president, came out against the administration’s picks. “We’ve got a real queue. ...Trust me on this, we will get our judges to the floor,” Graham added. “Whatever you want to say about Mitch McConnell he’s done a hell of a job when it comes to processing judges.””

Here are some handy tips on how to speak to your MoC about Trump’s fake emergency at the border, or write a letter to the editor. 

Retired military commanders who have served in both Republican and Democratic administrations have come out in support of HR8. Ask your representative to support this common sense gun legislation that will help keep our communities safe from gun violence. 
In a letter Thursday, 13 former top military advisers and combat leaders urged congressional leaders in both parties to pass the bill, known in the House as HR 8, which targets private gun sales that don’t require background checks under current federal law.”
Nearly 40,000 Americans died last year due to gun violence. This is an epidemic. We need to pass gun violence prevention measures. 
A Wednesday committee hearing on the bills was originally scheduled at an Edina middle school but has been moved to the State Capitol. The chairman of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division Committee, Rep. Carlos Mariani, D-St. Paul, intends to pass the bills that evening, according to a meeting announcement.


Here is what is coming up this week in our state legislature.

If you have the time you can read how Court records reveal the Mueller report in plain sight. 

Check out Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s schedule for the House of Representatives https://www.majorityleader.gov/floor-res…/the-weekly-leader…
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
Smith (202) 224-5641
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Walz https://mn.gov/governor/

Friday, February 22, 2019

Friday 2/22 Call to Action


Friday 2/22

Foreign adversaries sowed a lot of division in this country during the 2016 election, and there is no sign of relenting for the upcoming election. It shouldn’t matter which campaign is being targeted; the fact that this is still happening is extremely concerning. Everyone should be vigilant and monitor inflammatory posts, block suspicious posters and focus on issues, if we want honest, rational campaigns. 
“A POLITICO review of recent data extracted from Twitter and from other platforms, as well as interviews with data scientists and digital campaign strategists, suggests that the goal of the coordinated barrage appears to be undermining the nascent candidacies through the dissemination of memes, hashtags, misinformation and distortions of their positions. But the divisive nature of many of the posts also hints at a broader effort to sow discord and chaos within the Democratic presidential primary.”

If you were like me and weren’t able to make it MNLEG Coalition Third Thursdays last night about Countering the Climate Crisis in MN, I’ll post some handy links to read about what was discussed. Thanks to Indivisible MNLeg for posting the links.
Details on the panelists and what is being done by the 100% campaign.
MN 350
St. Paul’s sustainability efforts.
Minnesota has seen some of the most profound changes of anywhere in the country. This article is scary and heartbreaking. 
Students worldwide are taking a stand to demand action on climate change. 

Minnesota is home to more Liberians outside of Liberia than anywhere else. Senator Smith is urging Trump to extend protections of Liberian DED holders, or Deferred Enforced Departure policy, which Trump is trying to do away with. Their stories are of fleeing a war-torn, poverty stricken country in hopes of starting a new life in the United States are emotional. This could all be taken away in a month. We need to make sure they have opportunity to become citizens. 
Here’s what happening today in the Minnesota Legislature

Check out Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s schedule for the House of Representatives https://www.majorityleader.gov/floor-res…/the-weekly-leader…
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
Smith (202) 224-5641
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121



Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Wednesday 2/20 Call to Action

Wednesday 2/20
It’s another busy week for Minnesota legislators. There are some important bills on the docket today including the following:
*Adding an equal rights amendment (ERA) to the MN constitution via the ballot in 2020.
*HF4 -a bill that would prevent drug price increases (I’m looking at you insulin) and give MN’s Attorney General the power to put a stop to drug companies who try to gouge consumers.
*HF 983- Ranked Choice Voting!
Tomorrow, Republicans are going to try to abolish Minnesota’s current office of IT (Internet Technology) and reorganize them under a commissioner approved by the Senate.
Find more information about these bills and many others by checking out Indivisible Minnesota Legislative Action. https://mailchi.mp/…/indivisible-minnesota-legislative-acti…
Minnesota’s Election Security Funding
You know what’s missing from Minnesota’s legislative agenda? SF93- a bill that would provide funding for election security. Minnesota was one of 21 states whose election system was targeted by hackers in 2016, yet we are the only state that has not accessed election security funding approved by Congress through the Help America Vote Act. This money would help update Minnesota’s aging Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS), and help train election officials, among other things.
Currently, the Republican-controlled Senate will only allow for a fraction ($1.5 million) of the approximately $6.6 million allotted to be released to the Secretary of State. Why? Seems like a good question to ask our own Senators or Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, the chairwoman of the State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee. Sen. Kiffmeyer was a former MN Secretary of State. She also is a member of ALEC, a lobbying group for big corporations.
In light of the past election experiences in other states like Florida, Georgia, North Dakota and North Carolina, we Minnesotans need to push hard to ensure that EVERY eligible voter in Minnesota gets the opportunity to cast a ballot.
Like Secretary of State Steve Simon said, “Every day that we wait, and every day that we delay, and every day that we don’t have the resources intended for us by Congress is a day ... that we are putting the integrity of our election system and every voter’s vote at risk.”
Call your own Senator (especially if he/she is a Republican) and call Sen. Kiffmeyer today. Tell them you want Sec. Simon to have all the money with no restrictions.
State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee https://www.senate.mn/committees/committee_bio.php…
Do it for the Bramble Cay melomys
The Bramble Cay melomys, a small, unassuming rodent, was officially declared extinct. These little guys are the first animals whose extinction is due to climate change and rising sea levels. Beyond that, the loss of the Bramble Cay melomys is an example of doing too little too late. Scientists had planned on starting a captive breeding program but the poor island-living melomys (melomyses? melomi? What’s the plural of melomys?) were washed away by a big wave before the program was started.
https://www.theguardian.com/…/bramble-cay-melomys-australia…
Let’s use the plight of the Bramble Cay melomys as a cautionary tale for our own precious fauna. Did you know that Trump’s border wall will threaten 93 endangered species including jaguars, ocelots, Mexican gray wolves and cactus ferruginous pygmy owls? Many threatened species have designated critical habitat on the border between the U. S. and Mexico. Building that wall could be the “big wave” that pushes these animals into extinction.
https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/…/A_Wall_in_the_Wild.pdf
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/…/how-trump-us-mexico-b…/
The National Butterfly Center that was directly in the path of Trump’s bulldozers had hoped to be spared, but Trump’s declaration of his “national emergency” may change that.
http://www.abajournal.com/…/trump-declares-national-emergen…
https://thehill.com/…/430117-federal-judge-dismisses-lawsui…
Let’s be clear, Trump’s wall is the national emergency. We must stand up for the animals who have no voice. Call your members of Congress and Attorney General Ellison (who has sued Trump, thank you very much) and demand that they speak for the animals at the border.
Donate to the National Butterfly Center here: https://www.gofundme.com/protect-the-national-butterfly-cen…
Gov. Walz’s Budget Proposal
Governor Walz announced his budget proposal. Learn more about it here: https://www.mprnews.org/…/gov-tim-walz-poised-to-propose-bu…
Unity is the key to success
Bernie Sanders announced that he will run for president again. Already, the comment sections are a-buzz with varying opinions on his decision to run. There are many, many people running for president already. I suspect more will join in as the months go by.
As we see policy debate shape up in the Democratic primary, remember that the Republican Party doesn't believe that climate change, inequality, gun violence, structural racism, and the collapse of democracy are real problems, so they don't even propose solutions.
We may all have our favorite candidate and that’s okay! But one thing is for sure, they are ALL a better choice than Trump. Let’s promise now to be kind to one another. When the primaries are over, let’s commit to supporting the Democratic candidate, whoever it turns out to be.
Here’s a great article if you don’t mind a few (a lot) of swear words. (Thanks for this one, H. T.)
https://modernliberals.press/2019/02/19/i-will-vote-bernie/
Check out Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s schedule for the House of Representatives https://www.majorityleader.gov/floor-res…/the-weekly-leader…
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
Smith (202) 224-5641
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Walz https://mn.gov/governor/
YOUTUBE.COM

Monday, February 18, 2019

Monday 2/18 Call to Action

The National Emergency happened, to build the wall, saying "I didn't need to do this," but "I just want to get it done faster, that's all." We can expect it to be blocked by the courts in the short term.  There were some protests over the weekend, and there are some more in commemoration of President's Day, including one at Amy Klobuchar's office in Minneapolis at noon.

"We're mobilizing rapid-response events on Presidents Day—Monday, 2/18—against Trump's fake crisis and racist deportation force and to stand with immigrant, Muslim, and Black and brown communities to stop Trump's dangerous and illegal power grab."

https://www.crisisresponse.us/event/crisis-response/search/

Let's call our representatives and insist that they vote to block Trump's emergency order: "House Democrats may soon pass a resolution opposing the declaration, and Democrats in the Senate, while in the minority, could force a vote on it."

Hopefully some of our Republican representatives will join in voting against the order as well.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-17/lawmakers-expect-vote-to-block-trump-s-order-then-face-a-veto

The question of whether the census can gather citizenship data is going to the Supreme Court.

"“For at least the last forty years, the bureau has vigorously opposed adding any such question based on its concern that doing so ‘will inevitably jeopardize the overall accuracy of the population count’ by depressing response rates from certain populations, including noncitizens and immigrants,” wrote New York Attorney General Letitia James."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-takes-up-trump-administrations-plan-to-ask-about-citizenship-in-census/2019/02/15/1e0ce8e8-3138-11e9-8ad3-9a5b113ecd3c_story.html

Check out this information on Minnesota budgets:

"State spending doesn’t just grow because of inflation and more people — Minnesota added about 400,000 residents in the past decade. It also grows when those people want or need more government services, like medical assistance or special-education instruction.

Broken down, state government now raises and spends about $8,000 per resident, every two years. That’s up from about $7,500 in spending and $7,100 in revenues a decade ago."

https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/17/minnesota-spent-45-5-billion-the-past-two-years-should-it-spend-more/

Keep contacting Governor Walz and your state representatives and let him know that gun violence prevention measures are important to Minnesotans.
Check out Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s schedule for the House of Representatives https://www.majorityleader.gov/floor-res…/the-weekly-leader…
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
Smith (202) 224-5641
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Walz https://mn.gov/governor/

Friday, February 15, 2019

Friday 2/15 Call to Action


Friday 2/15

Intelligence officials have confirmed Russia’s active interference in our elections. We see propaganda on a daily basis trying to divide this country. So why are critical federal task forces which are in place to fight foreign election interference being gutted?
“Two teams of federal officials assembled to fight foreign election interference are being dramatically downsized, according to three current and former Department of Homeland Security officials. And now, those sources say they fear the department won’t prepare adequately for election threats in 2020.”

MN was one of 21 election systems whose system was targeted by Russian hackers in 2016, yet we are the only state as to not access federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding approved by Congress last year. This funding should be released so that Secretary of State Steve Simon can utilize the funding by securing our election systems and hire cybersecurity personnel. 

Congress has passed a border security deal avoiding another shutdown, which Trump will sign, then declare a national emergency. The climate crisis, healthcare, gun violence, student debt, economic inequality, racial injustices, children dehydrated in US custody or ripped from their families, these are real crisis. 
In addition to signing the border security deal, Trump is also planning to declare a national emergency, according to McConnell. His plans to do so would enable him to tap into funding previously allocated for natural disaster relief and military construction projects, though it’s expected to prompt legal challenges.
Republicans have also worried that such efforts would set up a precedent for Democrats to declare national emergencies in order to obtain funding for their policy priorities in the future.”

Thank you to D. R. for always being on top of legislation and for helping us follow what bills have been introduced in Congress that are related to guns and gun violence. This link should work as bills are added. 

The House Judiciary Committee has passed H.R. 8 and H.R.1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, on Wednesday night. Let’s keep this momentum going as these bills move forward. 

Keep contacting Governor Walz and your state representatives and let him know that gun violence prevention measures are important to Minnesotans. 
Check out Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s schedule for the House of Representatives https://www.majorityleader.gov/floor-res…/the-weekly-leader…
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
Smith (202) 224-5641
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121


Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Wednesday 2/13 Call to Action

Wednesday 2/13
Local Fare
If you are not following Indivisible Minnesota Legislative Action, you should. They are on top of what’s going down in local government; a task I find particularly daunting.
https://mailchi.mp/…/imla-action-alert-update-missing-and-m…
Today at the Capitol there will be hearings on, prohibiting the shameful practice of conversion therapy, restoring voting rights for felons, providing free public transportation on Election Day, Net Neutrality for Minnesota, and establishing standards for sick leave. Pay a visit or contact legislators, especially if your own House member is on the committee.
Governor Walz and Enbridge Line 3
Gov. Walz announced yesterday that his administration will continue the appeal started by Gov. Dayton of Enbridge Energy’s proposal to build an oil pipeline across northern Minnesota. The pipeline’s route would go directly through Ojibwe treaty territory and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has been working hard to advocate for the people and the land that would be affected.
Read more about it here, https://www.mprnews.org/…/02/12/line-3-pipeline-walz-decisi…, then call and thank Walz and Flanagan if you are so inclined.
Do you live in Minnesota’s second congressional district? There is a lot going on here! MN02’s new congresswoman, Angie Craig is working her buns off for her constituents. It has been such a refreshing change from the last two years. If you would like to follow Rep. Craig, and many other things that are happening in this district, I highly recommend CD2Action (https://cd2action.com). This website is a one-stop shop for everything you need to be in the know. There is good stuff there for everyone, even if you are not lucky enough to call MN02 your home.
Another Government Shutdown?
Congress has until Friday to figure out a funding package before another government shutdown happens. There have been rumors that there is a potential deal on the table. The deal will include $1.375b for border barriers (55 new miles of bollard fencing) and an overall cap on detention beds drops from 49,057 to 40,520. Let’s hope we can get Congress to pass it and Trump to sign it before the talking heads from Fox News convince him to do otherwise.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/16275638-2ed9-11e9-813a-0a…
Check out Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s schedule for the House of Representatives https://www.majorityleader.gov/floor-res…/the-weekly-leader…
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
Smith (202) 224-5641
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators
Resistbot: https://resistbot.io/
Governor Walz https://mn.gov/governor/
YOUTUBE.COM
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Wednesday 2/13
Local Fare
If you are not following Indivisible Minnesota Legislative Action, you should. They are on top of what’s going down in local government; a task I find particularly daunting.
https://mailchi.mp/…/imla-action-alert-update-missing-and-m…
...See More
YOUTUBE.COM
“If you don’t believe someone is fit to be president, they don’t become fit because they beat you.…