As summer winds down, the state and local election season prepares to gear up. Though Congress is on recess and the President is on vacation, we activists continue our work.
In this issue:
* Warren Buffet's urge to raise taxes
* Robert Reich analyzes austerity measures
* Uranium mining dangers in Virginia
* Holding Congressman Cantor accountable
* Public input for Affordable Care Act implementation in Virginia
* Petitions related to discrimination against the unemployed, access to safe and legal abortion in Virginia
* Upcoming events
ARTICLES OF INTEREST:
Warren Buffett says stop Coddling the Super-Rich.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44…
(see petition further down in this newsletter)
Robert Reich’s article, “How Austerity Is Ushering in a Global Recession”
http://robertreich.org/post/90…
On uranium mining in Virginia:
Virginia Interfaith Center Opposes Uranium Mining – http://www.thestreet.com/story…
Richmond Times-Dispatch article deriding the above position – http://www2.timesdispatch.com/…
(see “tools” below for resources on uranium mining)
TAKE ACTION:
Tell Cantor to Stop Clowning Around with Our Jobs
With no end to the jobs crisis in sight and a debt deal that will lead to more job losses, unemployed workers and other members of the community are fed up. Join members of Virginia Organizing and others to call on Congressman Eric Cantor to create jobs for middle class families. See Calendar of Events for details of this August 31 action.
Submit a written comment about Virginia’s Health Benefit Exchange that will be created as part of the Affordable Care Act. The deadline for comment is 5 p.m., August 26. Send comments to VHRI@governor.virginia.gov. The next meeting of the the Virginia Health Reform Initiative will take place on September 9. Public comment will be accepted at that meeting as well. See the calendar of events below for details.
TOOLS:
Resources on Uranium Mining
from Virginia Interfaith Center:
http://www.virginiainterfaithc… (see column on right of web page)
PETITIONS:
From Virginia Organizing:
Please sign the petition asking the major employment websites, such as Monster.com and CareerBuilder, to refuse ads from companies that prohibit the unemployed from applying. http://act.truemajorityaction….
From Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:
Protect Access to Safe, Legal Abortion in Virginia
Petition to Governor McDonnell
http://www.coalitionforwomensh…
From MoveOn:
I Stand With Warren Buffet in response to the multi-billionaire investor’s call to raise taxes on the rich.
http://civ.moveon.org/c4/stand…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Please submit your organization’s events to ActionUpdate@me.com for consideration for inclusion.
Visit http://www.vademocrats.org/go-… for meeting dates for your local Democratic Committee.
For the activities calendar for Progressive Democrats of America, go to http://www.pdava.org/index.php…
Wednesday, August 24, 12:45 p.m.
U. S. Senator Mark Warner opens the Petersburg campaign office for Senator Henry Marsh’s re-election.
142 Wythe Street (corner of Wythe & Jefferson Street)
Petersburg
http://www.HenryLMarsh.com
Contact: Julian Greene 804.704.0315, grezandy@aol.com
Friday, August 26, 5 p.m.
Deadline to submit a written comment about Virginia’s Health Benefit Exchange that will be created as part of the Affordable Care Act. Send comments to VHRI@governor.virginia.gov.
Wednesday, August 31, 5 p.m.
Tell Cantor to Stop Clowning Around With our Jobs
This demonstration is part of a growing number of protests against members of Congress by Americans who are fed up with politicians who side with CEOs hand Wall Street bankers over middle class families. Help hold Congressman Eric Cantor accountable for his role in the debt ceiling negotiations that led to a downgrade in the US credit rating and spending cuts which will eliminate more jobs. Cantor refuses to discuss raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy and big business. RSVP to this event at http://statevoices.salsalabs.c… for location and details, or contact Julie at Virginia Organizing; 804.405.6615.
Wednesday, September 7, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
Membership Phone Bank
VLPP
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond
Training and refreshments will be provided. We’ll kick off our electoral work by talking to Planned Parenthood supporters in Senator Houck’s district. Senator Houck is a long-time supporter of choice, and he faces a tough re-election campaign. This will be a fun and easy way to participate, especially if you have never done it before.
RSVP to Courtney Jones, 804.482.6132, or courtney.jones@ppfa.org.
Thursday, September 8, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
Membership Phone Bank
VLPP
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond
Training and refreshments will be provided. We’ll be talking to Planned Parenthood supporters in Senator Houck’s district. Houck is a long-time supporter of choice.
RSVP to Courtney Jones, 804.482.6132, or courtney.jones@ppfa.org.
Friday, September 9, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Public Meeting
Virginia Health Reform Initiative of the
Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources of Virginia
2nd floor board room in the Commonwealth Conference Center
Virginia Department of Health Professions (located at the Perimeter Center)
9960 Mayland Drive
Henrico, VA 23233
(There is plenty of free parking)
Public comment on the recommendations for the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange (part of the Affordable Care Act) will be accepted during the meeting.
Wednesday, September 13, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
Membership Phone Bank
VLPP
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond
Training and refreshments will be provided. We’ll be talking to Planned Parenthood supporters in Senator Houck’s district. Houck is a long-time supporter of choice.
RSVP to Courtney Jones, 804.482.6132, or courtney.jones@ppfa.org.
September 14, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Speak Out to Protect Women
Join supporters of women’s reproductive health rights to “Speak Out”
at VCU compass area the day before the Virginia Board of Health votes on regulations on women’s health clinics.
Wednesday, September 14, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
Membership Phone Bank
VLPP
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond
Training and refreshments will be provided. We’ll be talking to Planned Parenthood supporters in Senator Houck’s district. Houck is a long-time supporter of choice.
RSVP to Courtney Jones, 804.482.6132, or courtney.jones@ppfa.org.
Wednesday, September 20, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
Membership Phone Bank
VLPP
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond
Training and refreshments will be provided. We’ll be talking to Planned Parenthood supporters in Senator Houck’s district. Houck is a long-time supporter of choice.
RSVP to Courtney Jones, 804.482.6132, or courtney.jones@ppfa.org.
Wednesday, September 21, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
Membership Phone Bank
VLPP
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond
Training and refreshments will be provided. We’ll be talking to Planned Parenthood supporters in Senator Houck’s district. Houck is a long-time supporter of choice.
RSVP to Courtney Jones, 804.482.6132, or courtney.jones@ppfa.org.
Wednesday, September 27, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
Membership Phone Bank
VLPP
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond
Training and refreshments will be provided. We’ll be talking to Planned Parenthood supporters in Senator Houck’s district. Houck is a long-time supporter of choice.
RSVP to Courtney Jones, 804.482.6132, or courtney.jones@ppfa.org.
VOLUNTEER FOR CANDIDATES:
Senator Henry Marsh
Phone banks every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
6 – 9 p.m.
Union Hall at the corner of Airport Drive and Nine Mile Road
If you can help, contact: info@henrylmarsh.com or 804.938.9884 with the dates you can attend.
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