ActionUpdate

13 April 2011

Hello Friends,

In this issue:

-President Obama’s speech on fiscal policy today

-Analysis of Republican Paul Ryan’s proposed 2012 budget, and a warning about a coming battle

-Redistricting news

-Local events and actions on a variety of topics, and

-Links to articles of interest on redistricting, voting rights in the District of Columbia, Wisconsin politics, the 2011 budget agreement, and opposition to the Republican 2012 budget proposal.

Today, Wednesday, President Obama is expected to deliver an address regarding the 2012 national budget. You can watch at 1:30 p.m. on C-SPAN 3 at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/pro… or at http://whitehouse.gov/live

In a conference call hosted by the Coalition on Human Needs on Tuesday, Robert Greenstein, Founder and President of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, stated that the Ryan (Republican) proposed 2012 budget is designed to drastically reduce the size of government and to shift money from the lower and median income earners to higher income individuals. Details and good resources at http://www.cbpp.org/research/i… The bigger threat, he said, is the battle which will ensue on the way to the July 8 deadline for raising the debt ceiling. If the ceiling is not raised by that date, the US government will be in default to its creditors. The Republican Party is expected to use this deadline as leverage to write a global spending cap into law. If they succeed, the spending cap could eventually force the dismantlement of our social safety net.

In friendship,

Beth

Beth Kimbriel

ActionUpdate@me.com

804-592-6321

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mohandas Gandhi

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Please submit your organization’s events to ActionUpdate@me.com for consideration for inclusion. 

Wednesday, April 13, 1:30 p.m.

President Obama’s Address on Fiscal Policy

from George Washington University

Watch live at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/pro… or at http://whitehouse.gov/live.

Thursday, April 14, 7 – 9 p.m.

Chesterfield County Redistricting Community Meeting

Greenfield Elementary School

10751 Savoy Road

Richmond 23235

This is the second of two public meetings to review changes to the boundaries of the county voting precincts.

See http://www.chesterfield.gov/Bo… for detailed maps.

Saturday, April 16, noon – 3 p.m.

“9500 Liberty” Film Screening

Byrd Theatre in Carytown, Richmond

Prince William County, VA, became ground zero in America’s battle over immigration policy when local officials adopted a law requiring police officers to question anyone they had “probable cause” to suspect was an undocumented immigrant. This happened years before similar events in Arizona. The documentary reveals the startling vulnerability of a local government when targeted by national anti-immigration networks using the internet to influence lawmakers and citizens. Alarmed by the climate of fear and racial division which resulted, residents resisted with YouTube videos, townhall meetings and a virtual showdown in the county seat of government.

Co-sponsored by Richmond Teachers for Social Justice, ACLU of Virginia, Richmond Peace Education Center, Colaborando Juntos, Wayside Center for Popular Education, Virginia Center for Teaching of International Studies, and VCU Masters of Social Work Student Association. A $2 donation is suggested.

Monday, April 18 · 4:00pm – 6:00pm

From Tiffany M. Word:

Tax Day Action

Chester Post Office

12300 Rock Hill Road

Chester, VA 23831

Same-sex couples are denied the 1,049+ federal rights that heterosexual couples have through marriage. The inequality prevents same-sex couples from filing taxes together and having the same tax benefits heterosexual couples enjoy. This will be a peaceful event showing support for our fellow human beings. Feel free to bring signs of support, or just stand with us. 

RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144251012305405

Wednesday, April 20, 7 – 8:30 p.m. (reception 6:30 – 7:00)

NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Legislative Debriefing

Old Town Alexandria near King Street Metrorail Station

(full address available upon RSVP)

Gather for a 2011 Legislative Debriefing from several pro-choice legislators  in the Virginia General Assembly. The annual Legislative Scorecard will be unveiled.

More details at http://www.naralva.org/events/…

Wednesday, April 27

Final Public Hearing and Vote on New Voting Districts for Chesterfield County

Public Meeting Room, Chesterfield County Administration Building

Route 10 and Lori Road, Chesterfield

See http://www.chesterfield.gov/Bo… for detailed maps.

TAKE ACTION:

Call your Congressman and tell them to vote NO on the 2012 Budget Resolution:

Congressman Bobby Scott 202- 225-8351

Congressman Randy Forbes 202- 225-6365

Congressman Eric Cantor 202-225-2815

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chesterfield County residents: Voting district lines will be redrawn and finalized by the end of April. See the calendar for community meeting dates to review the two proposed plans before the April 27 public hearing. For more details about the proposals see http://www.nbc12.com/story/143…

and

http://www.chesterfield.gov/Bo…

Virginia Organizing is offering paid summer externships to engage community members on the issue of Social Security. For more information see http://www.virginia-organizing… and download the application at http://www.virginia-organizing… and send your resume and completed application to Kevin Simowitz at kevin@virginia-organizing.org.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

Redistricting:

Overview: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/…

Proposed state-wide maps:

http://redistricting.dls.virgi…

Update on situation in Wisconsin:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…

Wisconsin Supreme Court election recount: http://www.orchidforchange.com…

Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray and other District officials among 200 – 300 protestors were arrested outside the Hart Senate Office Building while protesting restrictions placed on the District by the budget deal. The protest was a sign of growing exasperation over the GOP’s continued opposition to voting rights and independence for the residents of Washington DC. See http://www.politico.com/news/s…

Synopsis of the 2011 budget resolution passed last Friday:

http://www.politico.com/news/s…

Faith leaders are opposing the GOP’s proposed 2012 budget on moral grounds: http://www.washingtonpost.com/…

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