Weekly Calls to Action
SATURDAY & SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24th & 25th:
This weekend - come help cavass & GET OUT THE VOTE with PA Senate candidate Tarah Probst & PA 137th District Rep candidate Amy Cozze. It’s a great opportunity to meet these wonderful women candidates! Here’s the details:
Sunday, February
25th, 12:30P - 3:30P
Pies to Die For, 5 Broadway, Bangor PA 18013
Join Mayor of Stroudsburg Tarah Probst and Amy Cozze for petition signing and canvassing. Help Tarah win the Senate seat for the 40th district and Amy win the State Representative seat for
the 137th district by getting them on the ballot. Let's take back the Slate Belt and regain blue here!
See event info & RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1981616475422216/
Please feel free to invite friends and family. Lets give them a warm welcome!
You can find out more about the two candidates here:
www.amycozzeforstaterep.com/
www.tarahprobstforsenate.com/
————————————————————————
We are now in the NEW 7th U.S. Congressional District! It’s an open seat and there’s some exciting progressive candidates running. There will be lots of events coming up as candidates
like Greg Edwards and Susan Wild ramp up their campaign efforts, so stay tuned...
If you want to get more involved in organizing events and actions, please email me directly at joecguest@gmail.com.
Here’s some additional event info, including voter registration links (also posted on facebook group)
- please share!
Easton Area Dems Petition Signing & Canvassing:
Saturday & Sunday, February 24th & 25th, 2018
Easton Area Democratic Committee Office
91 Larry Holmes Drive Suite 120
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
Saturday - 10 AM - 6 PM; Sunday 12 Noon - 6PM
https://www.facebook.com/events/345623122621930
In PA you can REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE - it’s easy! Make sure your friends & family are registered!
REGISTER TO VOTE:
https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
Not sure if you’ll be able to get to the polls ? Send in your ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION:
http://www.votespa.com/en-us/Documents/Absentee_Ballot_Application.pdf
PA Election Calendar 2018:
http://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/CandidatesCommittees/RunningforOffice/Documents/2018%20ElectionCalendar%20Web%20Version.pdf
WEEKLY ACTION - MAY 15 - MAY 21
Another week of obfuscation and dangerous incompetence by the Liar in Chief … Our efforts ARE making a difference - we actually scored an important victory for the environment last week - the Senate rejected a resolution to permanently do away with the BLM Methane and Waste Prevention Rule, which limits waste of natural gas on public lands. (Toomey sided with his oil & gas industry pals on this - let him know he made the wrong call next time you call).
This Call to Action is coordinated with national Indivisible calendar actions, the PA Together Coalition and other progressive organizations around the country.
PA PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE TOMORROW - TUESDAY, MAY 16TH!
LOWER MT. BETHEL FRIENDS: VOTE FOR SANDRA NEWMAN for Supervisor! Many of you know Sandra - she’s one of our original Indivisible Northampton County organizers…
WRITE-IN SAMANTHA BURNS for Supervisor. WRITE-IN JOE GUEST for AUDITOR - 4yr Term … And Vote for Regina Marinelli for LMBT Tax Collector.
Get your friends & family members out to support Democratic Candidates … The NCDC has a good guide to the PA Democratic Primary candidates here: http://northamptoncountydems.com/candidates/
Print it out, bookmark on your phone & bring to the polling place with you.
DO NOT VOTE FOR those pesky CROSS-FILED REPUBLICANS!
THIS WEEK’S PRIORITIES:
- Call for an INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR to investigate Trump’s ties to Russia. We are facing a Constitutional crisis. The American people deserve answers on how serious this administration’s ties to Russia are. Demand that your Senators withhold consent and filibuster all Senate business until a special prosecutor is in place. Good Info here: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/truth-or-trump
- KEEP DEFENDING THE ACA: TrumpCare passed the House, but even GOP Senators have said they’ll have to start from scratch in the Senate. Let’s remind them how bad TrumpCare is and URGE them to OPPOSE TRUMPCARE: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/10-worst-things-trumpcare/ … more here: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/trumpcare-procedure/
NATIONAL ACTION:
- DEFEND DODD-FRANK BANKING REGULATIONS: The Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) helps big banks and predatory lenders gamble with our money and rip people off & increase the likelihood of another financial crisis. CALL YOUR HOUSE REP and urge them to put constituents’ interests before banks’ by voting NO. Good call script HERE.
- OPPOSE TRUMP’S TAX PLAN: It’s short on details, but long on giveaways for the rich (especially Trump himself)… Tell Congress we don’t want ANY action on taxes until we see Trump’s taxes: remind your House Representative to support a discharge petition for the Presidential Tax Transparency Act (H.R. 305). And urge Congress to reject Trump’s tax plan now! See Indivisible’s updated tax reform explainer here.
- SUPPORT OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES: Tell Congress NO more money for Trump’s deportation machine! Indivisible Guide has a Immigrant Ally toolkit you can download HERE:
- FIGHT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: URGE SENATORS TO OPPOSE the ‘REINS’ ACT (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) & S. 21, S. 34 & S. 951. These bills quietly passed the House in January and are a direct and radical threats to public health and safety; they place unprecedented and dangerous roadblocks and delays on sensible safeguards that protect all of us. DETAILS HERE and READ MORE HERE
PENNSYLVANIA ACTION:
PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM:
- OPPOSE SB 3 / HB 77 - CALL YOUR PA HOUSE REP (this passed the Senate) - would change current 24-week cutoff for abortions to 20 weeks except in cases of medical emergency, with no exception for rape or incest & prohibit certain methods of abortion altogether. GOOD INFO FROM PP HERE
- OPPOSE SB 300 - Defunds Planned Parenthood. Call your PA State Senator: Info and script
PROTECT CLEAN AIR & WATER:
- OPPOSE SB 561 REINS Act - info and scripts
- OPPOSE HB 1071- Prohibiting imposing a ban/surcharge on plastic bags Info and scripts
- CALL ON THE DRBC to BAN FRACKING in the Delaware River Basin! SIGN HERE and share the petition calling for permanent protection from fracking. Even Governor Wolf has come out in support of a ban on fracking in the Delaware River Basin! Email Karen Feridun - karen.feridun@gmail.com if you’d like to receive alerts when DRBC actions & meetings are scheduled
SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES:
- OPPOSE SB 273 - Defunding Sanctuary Campuses. Call your PA SENATOR: Info and Script
- SUPPORT HB 1302 - Support the police and community safe act - Call PA HOUSE STATE GOV COMMITTEE to SUPPORT Info and script
- OPPOSE HB 14 - Defunding Sanctuary Campuses - Call PA HOUSE STATE GOV COMMITTEE to OPPOSE Info and Script
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION:
- OPPOSE SB 5 - “Sue Our Cities Bill” Senate Version (preempts local firearms regulations and allows the NRA to sue municipalities) - Call your PA SENATOR: Info and Script
- OPPOSE HB 671 - “Sue Our Cities Bill” House Version - Call your PA HOUSE REP: Info and scripts
CONTACT INFO for Members of Congress & PA State Reps (also at bottom of this email)
THE GOOD FIGHTS:
SUPPORT ROB QUIST in MONTANA SPECIAL ELECTION: http://robquist.org (MAY 25)
SUPPORT JON OSSOFF in GEORGIA SPECIAL ELECTION: https://electjon.com
(JUNE 20)
Difficult for you to make phone calls at work ? Use Resistbot! TEXT RESIST TO 50409 - turns your TEXTS into FAXES to your MoCs.
Boycott companies that support Trump - check out GrabYourWallet.org
The Resistance Manual is a very impressive information resource:
https://www.resistancemanual.org
Hello Indivisible Northampton County friends!
WEEKLY ACTION - MAY 1 - MAY 7
April has been an awesome month of action! We fought for our rights and our democracy at the Tax March, the March for Science and the People’s Climate March! On Saturday, over 200,000 of us marched in the Climate March in D.C., and in hundreds of sister marches across the country. As we call Congress this week, remind MoCs that we support the Paris Climate Agreement & stronger environmental protections, not tax breaks for corporate polluters. We believe in science and we want clean, renewable energy!
People’s Climate March Coverage: Washington Post, NY Times, Instagram, PCM site
Keep marching, keep calling & keep fighting!
This Call to Action is coordinated with national Indivisible calendar actions, the PA Together Coalition and other progressive organizations around the country.
THIS WEEK’S PRIORITIES:
- DEFEND THE ACA (AGAIN!): Trump & Paul Ryan are just a few votes short of what they need to pass TrumpCare in the House. TrumpCare would take away coverage from 24 MILLION people. In Pennsylvania, over 5.3 MILLION people with pre-existing conditions would be charged higher premiums. The House Rules Committee is meeting today on this. Keep up the phone calls & office visits and demand that your MoC abandon ACA repeal efforts & OPPOSE the McARTHUR AMENDMENT. CALLING INFO HERE: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/48-to-save-aca/
- TODAY - MAY 1 - Immigrants and allies across the nation are taking part in Rise Up, a day of action against Trump’s attacks on immigrants. Get involved: RESOURCES HERE
NATIONAL ACTION:
- OPPOSE TRUMP’S TAX PLAN: It’s short on details, but long on giveaways for the rich (especially Trump himself)… Tell Congress we don’t want ANY action on taxes until we see Trump’s taxes: remind your House Representative to support a discharge petition for the Presidential Tax Transparency Act (H.R. 305). And urge Congress to reject Trump’s tax plan now! See Indivisible’s updated tax reform explainer here.
- DEFEND DODD-FRANK BANKING REGULATIONS: The Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) helps big banks and predatory lenders gamble with our money and rip people off & increase the likelihood of another financial crisis. CHOICE Act is scheduled for a markup tomorrow, May 2. CALL YOUR HOUSE REP and tell them to put constituents’ interests before banks’ by voting NO. Here’s a call script to get started.
- URGE CONGRESS TO GRANT ASYLUM TO SYRIAN REFUGEES: Syria is one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time. Demand that Congress take action to support the thousands of Syrians displaced by the horrors of war. Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons to kill his own people - this demands real humanitarian intervention NOW. And dropping a bomb on some military airstrip doesn’t count.
- FIGHT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: URGE SENATORS TO PRESERVE THE BLM WASTE PREVENTION RULE & OPPOSE HJ RES 36. DETAILS HERE
- PROTECT OVERTIME: TELL YOUR REP TO OPPOSE HR 1180. FLOOR VOTE TUES 5/2. DETAILS HERE
- WHAT IS GOING ON WITH RUSSIA, CONGRESS ?? Congress must put country before party and APPOINT A SPECIAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE Russian interference with the 2016 Election: WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION NOW. See MORE RESOURCES HERE.
PENNSYLVANIA ACTION:
- OPPOSE SB 5 - “Sue Our Cities Bill” Senate Version (preempts local firearms regulations and allows the NRA to sue municipalities) - Call your PA SENATOR: Info and Script
- OPPOSE HB 671 - “Sue Our Cities Bill” House Version - Call your PA HOUSE REP: Info and scripts
- OPPOSE SB 300 - Defund Planned Parenthood. Call your PA State Senator: Info and script
- SUPPORT SR 33 - Creates a Task Force to investigate lead in our water: Info and Script
- OPPOSE SB 10 - Defunding Sanctuary Cities in PA - Call PA HOUSE REP: Info and script
- OPPOSE SB 273 - Defunding Sanctuary Campuses. Call your PA SENATOR: Info and Script
- OPPOSE HB 27 (PA HOUSE) - Gag order on Police Shooting: Info and script
- OPPOSE SB 383 (PA SENATE) - Guns in Classrooms: Info and scripts
- OPPOSE HB 97 - Charter School “reform.” Call PA Senator to OPPOSE: Info and Script
LOCAL ACTION:
- MAY 16 - PA PRIMARY DAY! VOTE! EASTON DEMS ARE CANVASSING & PHONE BANKING 5/2 - 5/14 - RSVP to Anne Lauritzen to get involved - alauritzen.dem@gmail.com
CANVASS SCHEDULE:
Sat. 5/6: 10:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-3:00pm
Sun. 5/7: 12:00pm-3:00pm and 3:00pm-6:00pm
Sat: 5/13: 10:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm
Sun: 5/14: 12:00pm-3:00pm and 3:00pm-6:00pm
PHONE BANK:
Tuesday, 5/2 5:30pm-8:30pm; Tuesday, 5/9 5:30pm-8:30pm,
Tuesday, 5/16 5:00pm-8:00pm
- CALL ON THE DRBC to BAN FRACKING in the Delaware River Basin! SIGN HERE and share the petition calling for permanent protection from fracking; PLEASE email Karen Feridun - karen.feridun@gmail.com and she’ll add you to the list to receive alerts when DRBC actions & meetings are scheduled
- THURSDAY, MAY 4th, 7-8:30pm - FairDistricts PA - Gerrymandering Session; Colton Chapel, Lafayette College; Sponsored by: Lafayette College Center for Civic Engagement, PA Women League of Voters, FairDistrictsPA, and the Easton Chapter of NAACP. No need to register. You can just show up!
- NEXT SATURDAY, MAY 6 - EASTERN PA INDIVISIBLE MIXER at KIRKLAND FARM, 2510 Old Bethlehem Road, Springtown, PA 18081 - RSVP HERE AND BRING a contribution for the food pantries - The Lord's Pantry in Ottsville & Quakertown Food Pantry - see most needed items by clicking here: http://stjohnsottsville.org/food-pantry or here: quakertownfoodpantry.org
A FEW GOOD LINKS:
SUPPORT ROB QUIST in MONTANA SPECIAL ELECTION: http://robquist.org (MAY 25)
SUPPORT JON OSSOFF in GEORGIA SPECIAL ELECTION: https://electjon.com
(JUNE 20)
Difficult for you to make phone calls at work ? Use Resistbot! TEXT RESIST TO 50409 - turns your TEXTS into FAXES to your MoCs.
Boycott companies that support Trump - check out GrabYourWallet.org
The Resistance Manual is a very impressive information resource:
https://www.resistancemanual.org
Keep fighting!
- the Indivisible Northampton County team
website - INC.IndivisiblePA.com
email - INC@IndivisiblePA.com
facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1211124402329017/
'Indivisible Northampton County Team’ (request to join and we’ll add you asap):
WEEKLY ACTION - MARCH 27 - MARCH 31
THIS WEEK’S PRIORITY:
- OPPOSE GORSUCH! We can do this! Our Democratic Senators need to do EVERYTHING in their power to stop Gorsuch. Committee vote is scheduled for Monday, April 3. Block Gorsuch by blocking “cloture.” Sen. Chuck Schumer has announced plans to filibuster Gorsuch’s nomination. But it’s not enough to just filibuster—they have to commit to voting against “cloture.” This vote requires 60 votes to succeed, which means Senate Republicans CAN’T win this on their own—they don’t have enough votes. Ask your Senators to commit to voting against cloture for Gorsuch. Let them know that #WeObject with our updated script.
- MORE GORSUCH OPPOSITION NOTES & CALLS TO ACTION:
- FIND family and friends in these states & have them call the 13 DEMOCRAT Senators who are on the fence re: Gorsuch! Urge them to STAND STRONG and filibuster, vote NO on cloture & NO on Gorsuch. Make new friends and ask them to call! If each of us got 5 friends to make just 2 calls, that would be 1,000 calls!
Tim Kaine VA - Phone: (202) 224-4024 / Fax: (202) 228-6363
Joe Manchin WV - Phone: 202-224-3954 / Fax: 202-228-0002
Jon Tester MT - Phone: (202) 224-2644 / Fax: (202) 224-8594
Michael Bennett CO - Phone: 202-224-5852 / Fax: 202-228-5097
Amy Klobuchar MN - phone: 202-224-3244 / fax: 202-228-2186
Angus King ME - (202) 224-5344
Claire McCaskill MO - Phone: (202) 224-6154 / Fax: (202) 228-6326
Mark Warner VA - Phone: 202-224-2023
Chris Coons DE - Phone: (202) 224-5042
Maggie Hassan NH - Phone: (202) 224-3324
Joe Donnelly IN - Phone: (202) 224-4814 / Fax: (202) 224-5011
Bill Nelson FL - Phone: 202-224-5274 / Fax: 202-228-2183
Heidi Heitkamp ND - Phone: (202) 224-2043 / Fax: (202) 224-7776
CONTACT INFO for Members of Congress & PA State Reps (also at bottom of this email)
MONDAY 3/27
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Protect Our Internet Privacy: Call your Representative and tell them to oppose H.J. Res. 86 (aka SJ 34); side with ordinary people over powerful corporate interests. Here’s the script.
TUESDAY 3/28
LOCAL EVENT & ACTION: Boyertown School Board Meeting (BJH East, 6:30pm) - Support district transgender policy - info
- Write postcards/emails/letters to all 3 Boyertown SD admins named in lawsuit (Joel Doe vs. Boyertown) in support of district’s transgender policies - Information here
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Urge your Representative to Co-Sponsor H.R. 186 - Release Trump’s tax returns! Support Rep. Bill Pascrell’s Resolution of Inquiry (H.Res. 186), which directs the Treasury Secretary to provide the House with Trump’s tax returns from 2006 through 2015. On Tuesday at 4 p.m., the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a markup on the bill. Only 62 Members have cosponsored this resolution so far. Tell your MoC to cosponsor this resolution: here’s the script.
- Tell your Rep to Oppose HR 1430, the ‘HONEST ACT’; let Congress know we support scientific research that the EPA depends on (House vote on Weds., 3/29) - 5Calls Script HERE
PA SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Call Reps to Support HB 75 (provides for early voting) - Official link
- Call Senators to Oppose SB 5 (Firearms law allowing NRA to sue municipalities) - Info
WEDNESDAY 3/29
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Protect the Supreme Court - Tell our Senators NO CLOTURE on Gorsuch (see above)
PA SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Call your PA Rep to Oppose HB 77 / SB3 (Abortion Ban) - CALL SCRIPT HERE (Note: SB 3 PASSED the Senate - terrible! - so now it’s HB 77).
THURSDAY 3/30
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Expose Trump’s Russia ties. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) thinks he can get away with moving hearings behind closed doors. Nunes can’t be trusted; tell your MoCs that it’s time to take Nunes off the case and put the investigation in the hands of a nonpartisan, independent commission, in full view of the American people.
◦ Tell your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 356, the Protecting our Democracy Act, which would create a special commission to investigate Russian interference into our elections.
◦ Tell your Senators to cosponsor S. 27, which would similarly create an independent commission to investigate Russian interference in our democratic institutions.
- Ask Senators to Support SB 175 - Miner’s Protection Act - Scripts
- Ask your Rep to Support HR 179 - Miner’s Protection Act - Scripts
PA SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Call Gov. Wolf to support his opposition to Dept. of Education & EPA budget cuts
- Call Senators to Support and Co-Sponsor SB 22 - End Gerrymandering! Information / Scripts
LOCAL ACTION:
- Call local officials to pass a Resolution in Support (end Gerrymandering) - Instructions
FRIDAY 3/31
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Protect the Supreme Court - Tell our Senators NO CLOTURE on Gorsuch (see above)
- Call your Rep to Oppose HR 354 (defunds Planned Parenthood)
- Call your Rep to Oppose HR 785 National Right to Work (weakens/ends unions)
LOCAL ACTION
• Double check your voter registration and polling location here:
https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/VoterRegistrationStatus.aspx
Deadline to register for the PA primary is 4/17/17. Get a friend to register!
A FEW GOOD LINKS:
SUPPORT JON OSSOFF in GEORGIA SPECIAL ELECTION: https://electjon.com
(APRIL 18)
SUPPORT ROB QUIST in MONTANA SPECIAL ELECTION: http://robquist.org (MAY 25)
Difficult for you to make phone calls at work ? Use Resistbot! TEXT RESIST TO 50409 - turns your TEXTS into FAXES to your MoCs.
Boycott companies that support Trump - check out GrabYourWallet.org
The Resistance Manual is a very impressive information resource:
https://www.resistancemanual.org
Stop Gorsuch campaign: peoplesdefense.org
Climate March - April 29: https://peoplesclimate.org/#sign-up
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR!
A couple good examples here...
Trump's Global Gag Rule Bad for Women:
http://www.mcall.com/opinion/letters/mc-rosenbaum-trump-global-gag-rule-20170320-story.html
DRBC Should Put an End to PennEast Pipeline:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/03/people_are_uniting_against_pen.html
Kudos to Those Fighting for Slate Belt Environment:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/01/kudos_to_those_fighting_for_sl.html
WEEKLY ACTION - MARCH 13 - MARCH 17
This Call to Action is coordinated with national Indivisible calendar actions, the PA Together Coalition and many other progressive organizations around the country in order to maximize our impact.
CONTACT INFO for Members of Congress & PA State Rep (also at bottom of this email)
THIS WEEK:
- Write personal emails or postcards to U.S. Reps & Senators to Oppose ACA Repeal. The Congressional Budget Office just came out with a report saying TrumpCare would cause 24 MILLION Americans to lose their health coverage. As Sen. Casey succinctly put it, “the bill is a disgrace to our nation and a disaster for hardworking Americans”.
TUESDAY 3/14
Note: Tuesdays with Toomey is CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER - Write Toomey a postcard in support of immigrants rights. Condemn his hate and fear mongering around sanctuary cities, specifically his bill “Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act”.
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Call Senators to Support SB 175 - Miner’s Protection Act - Scripts
- Call Reps to Support HB 179 - Miner’s Protection Act - Scripts
- Call Senators to Oppose HJ Res 63 - Support worker safety - Scripts
- Call MoC to oppose ACA repeal - 5Calls Script / Indivisible Script
PA SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Call State Reps to Oppose HB250 - Tax credits for private education - Information
- Call State Reps to Oppose SB 10 - Blocks Funding for Sanctuary Cities - Information
WEDNESDAY 3/15
Stop PennEast! DRBC Meeting - TIME CHANGED TO 2P
(let’s get there early to ensure we get seats inside the auditorium)
Washington Crossing Historic Park
1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA 18977
More info here: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/drbc-commissioners-meeting-help-deliver-community-comment-penneast-pipeline
The Ides of March! Fire up those Ides of Trump postcards and send ‘em to the White House…
https://www.theidesoftrump.com/#theidesoftrump
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Ask your Rep to demand Trump’s Tax Returns; co-sponsor HR 186 - Scripts
- Call Senators to oppose Alex Acosta for Labor Secretary
PA SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Ask your PA Senators and Reps to co-sponsor PA Fairness Act - Information
- Call PA Reps to Oppose SB3 (Abortion Ban)
THURSDAY 3/16
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Call MoC to oppose ACA repeal - 5Calls Script / Indivisible Script
- Call Senators to oppose rollback of Medicaid - Scripts
PA SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Call Senators to Support and Co-Sponsor SB 22 - End Gerrymandering!
FRIDAY 3/17
US SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVES:
- Oppose Gorsuch & filibuster! - Indivisible Script / peoplesdefense.org
- Call Sen. Toomey to oppose Senate rule change (nuclear option) for SCOTUS vote
IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO ALREADY, CALL YOUR U.S. HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE THESE BILLS:
HR 610 Vouchers for Public Education
HR 899 Terminate the Department of Education
HJR 69 Repeal Rule Protecting
Wildlife
HR 354 Defund Planned Parenthood
HR 785 National Right to Work (this one ends unions)
HR 83 Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Bill
HR 147 Criminalizing Abortion (“Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act”)
HR 808 Sanctions against Iran
SUMMARY OF THIS WEEK'S URGENT PA STATE LEGISLATION:
PA Together coalition has excellent Weekly Calls to Action for PA issues. We’re listing the most urgent ones below, BUT PLEASE CLICK HERE for FULL DETAILS & CALLING SCRIPTS; use, adapt and share as you see fit.
- OPPOSE SB3: Abortion Ban CALL SCRIPT HERE
- OPPOSE SB10: Blocking Funding for Sanctuary Cities CALL SCRIPT HERE
- OPPOSE HB 250: Tax Breaks for Corporate Donations to Private Schools CALL SCRIPT HERE
- SUPPORT SB22: End Gerrymandering SCRIPT HERE
- SUPPORT PA FAIRNESS ACT: Stop LGBTQ Discrimination SCRIPT HERE
A FEW LINKS TO CHECK OUT:
The Resistance Manual is awesome! Just saw this earlier today… very impressive resource:
https://www.resistancemanual.org
Stop Gorsuch campaign: peoplesdefense.org
Boycott companies involved with Trump - Click HERE for a list: grabyourwallet.org
Might be handy for organizing buses for the April 29 Climate March…
http://rallybus.net/peoples-climate-march/#list
https://peoplesclimate.org/#sign-up
WEEKLY ACTION - MARCH 6 - MARCH 10
This Call to Action is coordinated with national Indivisible calendar actions, PA Together and many other progressive organizations around the country in order to maximize our impact. Four key things to focus on this week:
1) OPPOSE REPEAL OF THE ACA
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/3/4/demand-full-transparency-in-aca-repeal-efforts
Stop the secret ACA repeal bill. Republicans are refusing to share the draft of their Obamacare repeal bill—even with some members of their own party. They’re also trying to move the bill through committee so quickly that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) won’t have time to score the bill, meaning we won’t know how many people it will insure or how much it’s going to cost. It’s critical that this bill get slowed down. Ask your MoCs to publicly demand a CBO score before Congress takes action and takes away health care from 32 million Americans. The message is simple: No Score, No Bill.
2) CALL YOUR SENATORS: OPPOSE THE NEW MUSLIM BAN
The Trump administration just announced a new Muslim ban executive order. This is the same hateful, illegal discrimination as before. Make sure your Senators know that this changes nothing – the only way to fix an unconstitutional Muslim ban is to get rid of it!
CLICK HERE FOR ACLU ACTION LINK
3) DEMAND FULL INVESTIGATION OF TRUMP TIES TO RUSSIA. SESSIONS MUST RESIGN.
Over 140 Democrats have now called for his resignation (LIST HERE) - and many republicans have called for his recusal. According to Sessions himself, officials who commit perjury should be removed from office—and his claims to the Senate Judiciary Committee that he hadn’t communicated with Russian officials obviously fit the bill. Let's ask Cartwright, Dent & Toomey to call for his resignation, and if they won’t, be sure to ask them why not. Check out our new script calling for Sessions’ resignation and also demanding a broader investigation into the administration’s ties with Russia.
4) OPPOSE GORSUCH & FILIBUSTER
Democrats must do everything in their power to block this nominee, including use of the filibuster.
https://act.credoaction.com/call/SCOTUS_Dems/
MORE ACTIONS TO TAKE:
TUESDAY MARCH 7 - TUESDAYS WITH TOOMEY - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS: TUESDAYS WITH TOOMEY - ALLENTOWN
TOPIC: ACA Repeal
GOAL: Demand no repeal of the Affordable Care Act without a replacement that ensures: 1. No one loses coverage or consumer protections; and
2. Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP coverage and protections are not weakened.
BRING: A letter describing what obtainable healthcare means to you. Letters in envelopes will not be accepted by the Senator's office.
GET READY FOR MINI-RECESS: URGE TOOMEY TO MEET WITH HIS CONSTITUENTS ON MARCH 16 IN ALLENTOWN. Both the House and Senate will be holding long recesses again in April, but the Senate will also be in recess briefly over March 16–19. Republicans want to pass their ACA repeal legislation at the end of March, so it will be essential to use this mini-recess to tell our Senators how much protecting the ACA matters to us.
SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS! CALL YOUR REP - OPPOSE HR 861 & OPPOSE ANY BUDGET CUTS TO THE EPA
HR 861 is an outlandish bill introduced by Rep. Gaetz of Florida to abolish the EPA. It probably won’t get much traction, but the Administration has made it very clear they want to eliminate existing environmental protections, slash the EPA budget and eliminate 1 of every 5 positions in the Agency. This would have a devastating effect on the protection of our clean air and water.
On the EPA side, the 24% budget cut would virtually eliminate Great Lakes restoration, reducing the funding from $300 million to $10 million. Among the 38 core programs facing severe cuts: lead cleanup, methane emissions reduction, and brownfield restoration. The budget would slash NOAA's climate research, including eliminating funding for "external research, coastal management, estuary reserves and "coastal resilience," programs essential to coping with rising sea levels in a period of global climate change.
URGE CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE PRUITT
Call for a moratorium on all EPA activity until Scott Pruitt is fully investigated. His recently released emails document direct ties to the fossil fuel industry and a history of putting special interests ahead of health and safety. This crook sued the EPA 14 times as Oklahoma Attorney General; and he copied and pasted letters from big oil onto his own letterhead. He can’t be trusted at all, certainly not to protect our environment.
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/23/investigate-scott-pruitts-emails
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/us/politics/trump-vehicle-emissions-regulation.html
PROTECT the CONSUMER FINANCE PROTECTION BUREAU:
Since it was created in 2011, the CFPB has returned roughly $11.8 billion to 29 million consumers. That’s an average of $407 for the equivalent of 9 percent of the U.S. population. But some Democrats are teaming up with Trump to tear it to shreds. We can’t let that happen. Tell Senate Democrats: Protect our consumer protection agency from Trump.
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump_cfpb?t=6&akid=21915.10997327.PSMW6X
CALL YOUR HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE THESE BILLS:
HR 610 Vouchers for Public Education
HR 899 Terminate the Department of Education
HJR 69 Repeal Rule Protecting
Wildlife
HR 354 Defund Planned Parenthood
HR 785 National Right to Work (this one ends unions)
HR 83 Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Bill
HR 147 Criminalizing Abortion (“Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act”)
HR 808 Sanctions against Iran
THIS WEEK'S URGENT PA STATE LEGISLATION:
Again coordinating with the PA Together coalition on Weekly Calls to Action for PA issues. We’re listing the most urgent ones below, BUT PLEASE CLICK HERE for FULL DETAILS & CALLING SCRIPTS; use, adapt and share as you see fit: goo.gl/c4Lcyz
- OPPOSE SB3: A coalition of PA Dems, Planned Parenthood, many grassroots organizations and elected officials will be holding a series of rallies on SB3 this week in Reading, Allentown and Erie, as well as Montgomery County, hopefully. For more information, see Women’s Choice Women’s Rights Days of Action Guide. There will also be a Rally for Women’s Healthcare Rights in West Chester on March 11th. CALL SCRIPT HERE
- OPPOSE SB10: The Pennsylvania Immigrant and Citizenship Coalition is holding a day of action on SB10 and the other anti-immigrant bills before the PA General Assembly on Tuesday, March 7th. Please join us in calling on legislators to #StopTheHate. The House Judiciary Committee may take up SB10 as soon as March 14th. If you can get to Harrisburg easily, please mark your calendars. CALL SCRIPT HERE
- OPPOSE SB 166: The Pennsylvania State Senate has rushed to put forward Senate Bill 166 to a vote without any debate. This bill is an attack on state employees’ union rights and their ability to contribute to their union. Unions are the crucial for the success of the working class in Pennsylvania, and this bill will severely impact their ability to receive voluntary contributions from their members. CALL SCRIPT HERE
STOP THE PENNEAST PIPELINE
Mark your calendars and let’s take group action for the March 15 DRBC Meeting in Washington Crossing Historic Park @ 10:30AM! Click here to sign up for updates: http://bit.ly/DRBCMarch15
More info here: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/drbc-commissioners-meeting-help-deliver-community-comment-penneast-pipeline
FEB. 27 - ADDITIONAL ACTIONS, WAYS TO STAY INVOLVED & LINKS:
(SEE BELOW FOR THIS WEEK'S PRIMARY CALL TO ACTION)
CALL YOUR SENATORS AND HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO SUPPORT THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU - OPPOSE SENATE BILL 370 & OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 1031
SUPPORT IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES - TEXT: HERETOSTAY to 877877
Help United We Dream to support immigrant communities and be put on alert to support immigrants facing pressure from ICE
MIDTERM / SPECIAL ELECTIONS / PHONE BANK:
There are midterm elections happening around the country. If you want to help by joining an out of state phone bank you can do so: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
PICK AN ISSUE & EMAIL LETTERS to the editor at either letters@mcall.com (200 word limit) or letters@lehighvalleylive.com (250 word limit). Include your name, address and daytime phone number. This is critical - we need to make sure the press hears our voices loud and clear. This is what democracy looks like!
PROTECT RETIREES - CALL YOUR SENATOR & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE H.J. RES. 66
Republicans in Congress are ramming through fast-tracked legislation (H.J. Res. 66) that would block states like California, Oregon, Maryland, Illinois, and Connecticut from helping their citizens save money for retirement.
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/15/state-retirement-plans-hj-res-66
OPPOSE HR 610 (‘CHOICES IN EDUCATION ACT’) - CALL YOUR HOUSE REP
This is an attack on our public school system and attempts to begin privatization of our school system; also repeals Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which includes programs for struggling learners, AP classes, ESL classes, School Safety, etc. Repeals the school meal rules established in accordance w/ Health Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which established rigorous nutritional guidelines and was passed w/ bipartisan support.
https://5calls.org/#issue/recImYZ6r0OuYwZBD
INTERESTING LINKS:
TRACK CHARLIE DENT VOTES:
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/charles-w-dent/
TRACK MATT CARTWRIGHT VOTES:
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/matt-cartwright/
WEEKLY ACTION - FEB 27 - MARCH 3
We had an incredible impact last week! Tuesday’s Town Hall Without Toomey garnered national media attention, highlighted how important Health Care is to Pennsylvanians & put Toomey’s in the spotlight for his failure to meet with constituents. Across the country, Members of Congress heard our Indivisible voices and it’s making a difference. It’s CRITICAL that we keep up this awesome pressure on Congress this week, especially on Russia, Trump’s corruption, the ACA and opposing Gorsuch and the remaining Swamp Cabinet nominees. Keep fighting!
This Call to Action is coordinated with national Indivisible calendar actions, PA Together and many other progressive organizations around the country in order to maximize our impact.
Click HERE for Members of Congress & PA State Rep CONTACT INFO
MONDAY 2/27 & TUESDAY 2/28
INVESTIGATE TRUMP CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - CALL YOUR HOUSE REP AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT / CO-SPONSOR HR 111
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee will be debating HR 111, which would mandate that the Attorney General release any DOJ materials related to Trump's conflicts of interest or financial ties to Russia. Urge your Rep to co-sponsor H.Res 111.
Dent 202-225-6411; Cartwright 202-225-5546; Fitzpatrick 202-225-4276
more info: https://5calls.org/#issue/recoh1dXy87aEau76
DEMAND AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION ON RUSSIA - CALL YOUR HOUSE REP TO URGE SUPPORT FOR HR 356 - this would establish an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election.
https://5calls.org/#issue/rec7YDjp8sWJRzbcf
http://thesixtyfive.org/weeklyCTA
CALL THE DOJ & URGE SESSIONS TO RECUSE HIMSELF - 202-353-1555
https://5calls.org/#issue/recwP9xfcrWBMJiQV
TUESDAY 2/28
TUESDAYS WITH TOOMEY! - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS:
TUESDAYS WITH TOOMEY - ALLENTOWN - PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT; 1150 S. Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown PA 18103 @ 12:20P
OPPOSE NOMINEE RICK PERRY & VOTE NO ON ALL TRUMP’S SWAMP CABINET APPOINTEES
CALL YOUR SENATORS AND URGE THEM TO VOTE NO ON PERRY
Perry has demonstrated a shocking lack of knowledge & understanding of the primary functions of the Dept of Energy. He also opposed the Iran Deal, a major milestone in nuclear nonproliferation.
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/23/oppose-rick-perry-for-secretary-of-energy
Other remaining nominees include Zinke for Interior, Perdue for Agriculture, Ross for Commerce, Verma for CMS Administrator and more. Keep telling Toomey (202-224-4254) to oppose Trump’s cabinet nominees.
CALL YOUR SENATORS & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE SEEMA VERMA FOR CMS ADMINISTRATOR:
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/23/oppose-seema-verma-for-cms-administrator-1
TAKE ACTION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE - CALL YOUR HOUSE REP AND URGE THEM TO OPPOSE HR 637
This bill, ‘Stopping EPA Overreach Act’ seeks to strike the words ‘greenhouse gases’ from the Clean Air Act & prevent the EPA from regulating dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. HR 637 would be a devastating strike against efforts to fight climate change.
https://5calls.org/#issue/recONDaDYcD324kgj
WEDNESDAY 3/1
SHIELD IMMIGRANTS FROM TRUMP’S DEPORTATION TACTICS
CALL GOVERNOR WOLF 717-787-2500 & URGE HIM TO PROTECT OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY
https://5calls.org/#issue/recojWy67C4TUrJIF
From Indivisible Guide Team - Stand indivisible with Immigrants:
In light of the horrifying wave of attacks from this administration on immigrant families and communities, please consider how to take action at the local level to fight back against raids, detention, and deportation. Indivisible Guide put together a short guide on steps you can take to stand indivisible with immigrants in your community. We hope you’ll bring the incredible inventiveness and dedication you’ve demonstrated this past week to this urgent challenge.
CALL YOUR SENATORS AND HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO DEMAND RELEASE OF TRUMP’S TAX RETURNS:
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/23/demanding-trumps-tax-returns
THURSDAY 3/2
CALL YOUR SENATORS AND URGE THEM TO STOP GORSUCH - FILIBUSTER IF NECESSARY! AND DON’T ‘NUKE’ THE SENATE! Ask Democrats to do everything in their power to block this nominee, including use of the filibuster.
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/16/reclaim-recess-scotus-action-plan
WIN BACK A U.S. HOUSE SEAT! SUPPORT JON OSSOFF IN GEORGIA SPECIAL ELECTION - APRIL 18:
LEARN MORE & DONATE HERE: https://electjon.com
FRIDAY 3/3
SUPPORT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT - KEEP THE MOMENTUM UP!
REMIND OUR SENATORS AND REPS THAT WE OPPOSE REPEAL OF THE ACA
Emphasize how Affordable Care Act repeal would personally hurt you and your family. Make it personal – let them know that if they vote to repeal or gut Obamacare, our blood is on their hands! Ask them, “Can we count on (the member) to oppose fully or partially repealing the ACA?” Make them answer!
Some Obamacare facts / benefits here: http://obamacarefacts.com/benefitsofobamacare/
At a minimum, full or partial repeal would drive up healthcare costs for everyone, as poor, uninsured people reverted to relying on free emergency room care for every need.
A guide for communicating with your rep about health care here:
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/16/reclaim-recess-aca-action-plan
THIS WEEK'S URGENT PA STATE LEGISLATION:
The PA Together coalition is putting together great Weekly Calls to Action on key PA issues. We’re listing the most urgent ones below, BUT PLEASE CLICK HERE for FULL DETAILS & CALLING SCRIPTS; use, adapt and share as you see fit: https://goo.gl/XWCvAq
OPPOSE SB 10 - BLOCKING FUNDING FOR SANCTUARY CITIES
CALL YOUR PA HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE SB 10. The Senate voted to approve legislation that can withhold up to $1.3 billion of state money from the 30 Pennsylvania cities and counties that current offer some form of protection to undocumented immigrants. SB 10 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which could vote on it as early as March 13th.
http://paimmigrant.org/toolbox/stop-the-hate-2017/
OPPOSE SB3 - ABORTION RESTRICTIONS
CALL YOUR PA HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE SB3. The PA Senate just passed the country’s most restrictive, and least transparent, abortion bans. SB 3 not only bans abortions past week 19; it also criminalizes D&E, a procedure often used by doctors to help a woman who has miscarried but still has some tissue in her womb. This bill will now move to the PA House, where a similar bill passed last year.
SUPPORT SB22 - END GERRYMANDERING
CALL SENATOR SCARNATI & URGE HIM TO PLACE SB 22 IN COMMITTEE SO IT CAN MOVE FORWARD.
Senate Bill 22, introduced by Senators Lisa Boscola (D) and Mario Scavello (R), would end gerrymandering by establishing an independent redistricting committee. It was introduced Thursday, February 16 but STILL has not been assigned to committee or posted on the PA General Assembly website (http://www.legis.state.pa.us/). The Senate President Pro Tempore makes sure bills are assigned to committee and made available for other legislators to evaluate.
Senator Joseph Scarnati - (717) 787-7084 / (814) 265-2030 / (570) 724-5231
email: jscarnati@pasen.gov
STOP THE PENNEAST PIPELINE
Mark your calendars for the March 15 DRBC Meeting in Washington Crossing Historic Park @ 10:30AM! Click here to sign up for updates: http://bit.ly/DRBCMarch15
More info here: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/drbc-commissioners-meeting-help-deliver-community-comment-penneast-pipeline
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PA LEGISLATION TO TAKE ACTION ON
A couple key reminders on calling your elected representatives:
- You can always call 202-225-3121 to get your members of Congress. We have 2 Senators (Toomey & Casey) and a Representative (Matt Cartwright or Charlie Dent, for most) representing our district.
- Let them know you are a concerned constituent who votes and you will be watching congress and voting in the next election.
- Let them know you’re a member of Indivisible Northampton County!
- Model progressive values: you can hold your MoC accountable and still be kind, polite, and respectful of them & their staff.
- It is very effective when a large number of constituents call their Members of Congress (‘MCs’) on the same day about the same issue. Find some friends and make the calls together!
The national Indivisible Guide team will help amplify our message too, so share your pictures, videos, and stories with them at stories@indivisibleguide.com, use #indivisible and tag @IndivisibleTeam on Twitter, or post them to Facebook.com/IndivisibleGuide. Tag #IndivisibleNorthamptonCounty too!
Thank you!
- the Indivisible Northampton County team
website - INC.IndivisiblePA.com
email - IndivisibleNorthamptonCo@gmail.com
facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1211124402329017/
'Indivisible Northampton County Team’ (request to join and we’ll add you asap):
WEEKLY ACTION - FEB 20 - 25
This week is the Congressional Recess week, so we’re focusing on local action and PA State issues. Let’s make a strong showing in Allentown TOMORROW at Tuesdays with Toomey AND the PA Health Action Network Town Hall! We’ve notified the press - Indivisible Northampton County will be there! (see press release below)… Bring SIGNS & BANNERS & PERSONAL STORIES about how the ACA has helped you & your family.
CLICK HERE FOR TUESDAY 2/21 DETAILS & RSVPs:
TOWN HALL WITH OR WITHOUT TOOMEY
TUESDAYS WITH TOOMEY - ALLENTOWN
Click HERE for Members of Congress & PA State Rep CONTACT INFO
SAVE THE DATE - NEXT INDIVISIBLE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY MEETING:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 @ 4:00P - Easton Dems Office, 91 Larry Holmes Drive, Suite 120, Easton, PA 18042
LOCAL & PA STATE ACTION:
HEALTH CARE ACTION WEEK! SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and CALL & GO VISIT BOTH Toomey’s and Charlie Dent’s Allentown offices. Emphasize how Affordable Care Act repeal would personally hurt you and your family. Make it personal – let them know that if they vote to repeal or gut Obamacare, our blood is on their hands! Ask them, “Can we count on (the member) to oppose fully or partially repealing the ACA?” Make them answer!
EMAIL LETTERS to the editor at either letters@mcall.com (200 word limit) or letters@lehighvalleylive.com (250 word limit). Include your name, address and daytime phone number. This is critical - we need to make sure the press hears our voices loud and clear. This is what democracy looks like!
Some Obamacare facts / benefits here: http://obamacarefacts.com/benefitsofobamacare/
At a minimum, full or partial repeal would drive up healthcare costs for everyone, as poor, uninsured people reverted to relying on free emergency room care for every need.
A guide for communicating with your rep about health care here:
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resources-2/2017/2/16/reclaim-recess-aca-action-plan
SUPPORT IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES - TEXT: HERETOSTAY to 877877
Help United We Dream to support immigrant communities and be put on alert to support immigrants facing pressure from ICE
PA STATE LEGISLATION - URGENT:
We got some help collating PA Calls to Action this week from a great team of researchers working under the new Pennsylvania Together umbrella. I’m summarizing below, BUT PLEASE CLICK HERE for FULL DETAILS & CALLING SCRIPTS; use, adapt and share as you see fit: goo.gl/tiyrUP
OPPOSE SB 10 - BLOCKING FUNDING FOR SANCTUARY CITIES
CALL YOUR PA HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE SB 10. The Senate voted to approve legislation that can withhold up to $1.3 billion of state money from the 30 Pennsylvania cities and counties that current offer some form of protection to undocumented immigrants. SB 10 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which could vote on it as early as March 13th.
http://paimmigrant.org/toolbox/stop-the-hate-2017/
OPPOSE SB3 - ABORTION RESTRICTIONS
CALL YOUR PA HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE SB3. The PA Senate just passed the country’s most restrictive, and least transparent, abortion bans. SB 3 not only bans abortions past week 19; it also criminalizes D&E, a procedure often used by doctors to help a woman who has miscarried but still has some tissue in her womb. This bill will now move to the PA House, where a similar bill passed last year. It will likely be referred to committee on March 13th.
PA STATE LEGISLATION - ACTIVE:
OPPOSE SB166 - SUPPORT UNIONS
CALL YOUR PA HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE SB166. The PA Senate passed SB166, a blatant attack on workers, which seeks to define union advocacy on behalf of members as "political" and then outlaw collecting dues for those activities (this is how unions were gutted in Wisconsin). http://www.padems.com/no-sb166/
OPPOSE SB128 - SUPPORT PAID SICK LEAVE
CALL YOUR PA STATE SENATOR & ASK THEM TO VOTE NO ON SB128. PA Senate Republicans want a standardized statewide Paid Leave Policy. Rather than pass state-wide paid time off protections for workers, they instead want to pass a statewide policy blocking local paid leave legislation. Their plan would nullify paid leave laws already on the books in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
OPPOSE SB241 - PAY EQUITY
CALL YOUR PA HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE SB241. Pennsylvania Senate-approved SB241 does nothing to address pay equity. Even worse, the GOP snuck in an amendment that overturns Philly’s recent wage discrimination bill and would preempt any local legislation on pay equity in the future.
OPPOSE HB250 - SCHOOL VOUCHERS
CALL YOUR PA HOUSE REP & URGE THEM TO OPPOSE HB250 (currently in Appropriations Committee). The PA House is considering a bill that would give tax breaks to corporations for donating to private schools. These tax breaks would divert funds from the PA general fund into private schools, leaving less money to fund public schools and other important state programs.
SAY NO TO SLUDGE!
CALL Phil Durgin (Executive Director of PA House Legislative, Budget and Finance Committee) at 717-783-1600 to tell him you are OPPOSED to using Sludge as "fertilizer" and believe land application of Sludge should no longer be permitted.
A few key points and consideration requests for Mr. Durgin:
1) Significantly wider testing should be performed of contaminants (beyond current list of PCBs and 8 metals)
2) Property values are diminished when Sludging occurs on adjacent properties; property owners can have trouble selling properties next to fields with Sludge
3) Require significantly greater distances for sludge application near streams - currently it’s only 33 feet from intermittent streams and 100 feet from active streams - this practice should not be allowed anywhere near water!
If you’d like to be better prepared before you call, Howard Klein encourages you to call him at 610-588-4347 to fortify your talking points.
Per House Resolution 60, Phil Durgin, the appointed (not elected) Executive Director of the Legislative, Budget and Finance Committee is doing a "review" of regulations dating to 1997 which permit sludge as a land application (Sludge is the end product from any waste treatment plant and therefore includes - but is not limited to- industrial waste, pharmaceuticals, radioactive agents, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, metals, and human waste). We could use normal animal manure or other organic fertilizers, but not Sludge, which contains dangerous chemicals! Phil's recommendations must be presented to the PA legislature no later than the end of May, and are likely to be sooner.
http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/sewagesludge.htm
http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/case.pdf
http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/Sludge/Newsolutions.pdf
U.S. CONGRESS ACTIONS & INDIVISIBLE SCRIPTS:
**TUESDAY 2/21** - OPPOSE THE MUSLIM BAN:
• Opposing the Muslim and refugee ban. Trump’s appalling ban may be tangled up in the courts right now, but he’s announced that another executive order on immigration is coming soon.
**FRIDAY 2/24** OPPOSE GORSUCH & DON’T ‘NUKE’ THE SENATE:
• Opposing Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court. The next Supreme Court justice will shape the Court’s decisions for decades to come. It’s absolutely essential that Democratic Senators stick together in opposing Trump’s nominee.
SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE - CALL YOUR REP AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT HR 356
https://5calls.org/#issue/rec7YDjp8sWJRzbcf
DEMAND THAT CONGRESS GET THOSE TAX RETURNS!:
• With this week’s revelations about ties between Trump’s inner circle and Russia, this is more important than ever. Congress can make Trump release his tax returns, but they have to act. URGE YOUR MoCs TO SIGN REP. BILL PASCRELL’S LETTER—check out the last set of questions here for more information on what to ask your MoC.
SUPPORT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT:
• Defending the ACA/Obamacare. Republicans have been trying and failing to repeal Obamacare for seven years. And seven years later, they’ve still got no plan for how to replace it. If your MoC has been calling for repeal, ask them these questions—we’re pretty confident they won’t have a good answer.
Indivisible has more great resources here, in their Reclaim Recess toolkit, which includes:
• Video Tutorial on Town Halls with Robert Reich
• How to Have a Successful Town Hall
• Sample Questions to Ask MoCs at Town Halls
• Congressional District ACA Data
• Annotated GOP ACA Talking Points
• Refugee and Muslim Ban Action Plan
From Indivisible Guide: a few especially important points to remember:
• Be prepared: have in mind the questions you want to ask your MoC or stories you want to tell—practice your story in advance if you need to.
• Model progressive values: you can hold your MoC accountable and still be kind, polite, and respectful of them, their staff, and other town hall attendees.
• TAKE PICTURES AND VIDEOS AND SHARE!: This is crucial to your success—be sure to send these to local press. We’ll help amplify your message too, so share your pictures, videos, and stories with us at stories@indivisibleguide.com, use #indivisible and tag @IndivisibleTeam on Twitter, or post them to Facebook.com/IndivisibleGuide.
- Senate Bill S. 65: Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act
- House Bill HR 371: Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act
- Puzder opposes paid sick days, fair scheduling, family-sustaining wages, and our basic right to organize.
- Senator Toomey and Andy Puzder have consistently opposed a minimum wage increase that would directly benefit 2.1 million Pennsylvanians and provide a much-needed boost to struggling communities.
- Puzder has even suggested he would prefer to replace all his employees with robots because they never need time off, and robots never file “an age, sex or race discrimination case.”
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