As for Mr. Gainey, I think he well deserved an endorsement. As much as I have had a great working relationship with Joe Preston, and I like him, it may be time for a change and bring in someone who will really get things moving in Harrisburg. Gainey displays a real passion and energy for leadership, and I believe him as he talks about advocating for the whole of his community, which includes me.
On Friday, I was at the White House for a general policy briefing, and it coincided with the 2nd anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Movement of the ACA through Congress was a tumultuous experience for me, as I was a fan of a public option and I cared deeply about getting this bill passed. Wile not perfect, it did pass, and the country is better off for it. The legislation has lowered the[Read More…]
I’ve written a number of posts about the recent PA Voter ID bill which could be viewed as a kick off to the 2012 election season. Certainly for many, the Voter ID bill may make it more difficult to vote, but another ongoing issue occurs every election if registered voters do not know enough about the candidates to make informed decisions in the voting booth. For voters here in Pennsylvania, a few different organizations provide[Read More…]
The linked story and associated video are worth watching. But what I’d like to do is place this current battle into a larger picture. Here is some Iowa history concerning same-sex marriage. Iowa already had a local Defense of Marriage Act passed by their legislators which was struck down in 2005. and now they want to do it again? It easily passed the GOP run state house, but Mike Gronstal, a Democrat is vowing to[Read More…]
So what constitutes an acceptable ID? What ID’s will work, and what ID’s will not be enough? The information below makes it clear what ID’s are OK, and anything else is not OK. Additionally, if you do not have an approved ID, what you need to get one is also detailed below. I have highlighted some text in RED to draw additional attention to it. For folks within the LGBTQ community, especially trans persons and those who don’t conform to what is thought of as traditional gender roles, this is where a real problem may occur.
The bill as passed in some other states, has been deemed unconstitutional, and full of errors. If Pennsylvania passes the bill, the state can expect lawsuits and a chaotic election season at a time with the voice of the voter is truly needed more than ever.
A vote on House Bill (HB) 1434 is scheduled for TUESDAY, MARCH 13 in the House State Government Committee. Now is the time to let your voice be heard. HB 1434, proposed by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, would not only amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to define marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman, it would invalidate any other type of legal union or one substantially equivalent. That means any discussion of civil[Read More…]
We have known for a while that the Republicans in WAshington DC have been after Obama and their entire purpose has been to make him a single term president. GOP efforts in the states has been geared heavily towards promoting a conservative social agenda such as the efforts to take away women’s reproductive rights. Here in Pennsylvania, the efforts go both ways however. Corbett announced as far back as 2010 his intention to suppress the[Read More…]
Late this afternoon, the PA Senate voted to pass HB 934, a Voter ID bill designed to suppress the Democratic vote in the coming elections. Passing by a single vote, the bill nows goes back to the House because it has ubndergone a few changes since the House passed iut previously. This is a huge blow against real democracy in a state bust slashing public sercvices, it will now spend 5 million (at least) against[Read More…]
I received this press release posted below, but I’d like to add that I have known Stacey for several years, and I’m thrilled to see her take this step forward! Way to go! STACEY GRAY RUNNING FOR CONGRESS “It’s our turn” 3rd District 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT — Independent Candidate Stacey Gray has begun her campaign to represent the third Congressional District in Washington. She characterizes her effort as “for the people of the district” as[Read More…]