Oregon: the toughest heat protection law in the US (tags)
Heat waves are becoming more frequent and longer. Farm workers, people on construction sites, and even firefighters have been largely dependent on the goodwill of their employers during a heat wave. How long Oregon's heat protection law will remain in effect is unknown.
A Big Victory For Oregon’s Biggest Union (tags)
After years of painful backsliding, the state workers of Oregon’s largest union, SEIU 503, recently stood firm and scored a big win in their contract negotiations against the state’s anti-union Democratic governor, John Kitzhaber.
More Austerity Cuts Coming to the States (tags)
The Great Recession has quietly devastated public services on a state-by-state basis, with Republican and Democratic governors taking turns leading the charge. Public education has been decimated, as well as health care, welfare, and the wages and benefits of public sector workers. The public sector itself is being smashed. Since the recession began, states have made combined austerity cuts of at least $337 billion, according to the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities
Lawless Spying in America to Obstruct First Amendment Freedoms (tags)
lawless spying
The Bi-Partisan Attack on Public Workers (tags)
States everywhere across the United States are facing the common enemy of extreme budget deficits. Many states have deficits in the multi-billion dollar realm, as the budget crises dominate the debates for the upcoming gubernatorial elections. In these debates, Republican and Democratic candidates are finding it difficult to disagree on the most essential issues around the budget crises. The most crucial question for any incoming governor must be: how will you resolve the state’s budget crisis? The answer from both parties is a resounding: “Public workers and those who depend on their services will pay for the crisis”!
Warning Scientology's NarCONon (tags)
Most people are aware that the fake "drug treatment" scam called "NarCONon" is actually the notorious Scientology criminal enterprise trying to rook and swindle unsuspecting victims in to handing over their money.
How New York Fought the Budget Defecit and Won (tags)
While nearly every state is facing severe budget deficits, New York State showed how to balance the budget without completely destroying the social safety net. New York took a few progressive steps forward in balancing the budget and painted a more sensible picture of “shared sacrifice” than what the average politician has proposed. Instead of sacrificing social programs and increasing taxes that affect primarily workers, two new tax brackets were created for New York’s wealthier citizens, generating 4 billion dollars in state revenue. Prior to the new budget, New York’s highest tax rate was 6.85 percent, for anyone making $20,000 or more. The additional tax brackets are 7.85% and 8.97% for those whose income is more than $300,000 and $500,000. These new rates are temporary and set to expire in 3 years. According to the Times-Union, "In broad strokes, the agreement closes the state's estimated $16.2 billion budget deficit through $6 billion in federal stimulus dollars, $6 billion in cuts to an array of programs, and $4 billion in new revenue through an increase in the personal income tax on affluent New Yorkers." The grassroots movement that pushed this “wealthy tax” forward not only asked that new tax brackets remain permanent but also asked for a third tax bracket on New Yorkers earning $1 million or more annually, which would have raised an additional billion dollars.
A Simple Solution to the States' Budget Crises (tags)
On February 16, in Salem, Oregon a rally of more than 5,000 students, teachers, parents, and social service workers assembled in front of the state capitol, demanding a solution to the state’s financial crisis. This was but one of many similar protests nationwide; and Oregon is par for the course when it comes to U.S. states neck deep in a budget crisis. It is estimated that, unless other sources of revenue are raised immediately, the state will make $800 million in cuts…by June. The projected deficit for the next two years is $2.5 billion.
BRILLIANT ACTIVISTS TAKING IT TO CONGRESSIONAL OFFICIAL'S DOORSTEPS (tags)
This past weekend saw demonstrations all around the world with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to protest the third anniversary of the War in Iraq. But something new is happening.
Tasers and Our Fight Against Police Brutality (tags)
Tasers may save some lives, but seem to increase police brutality.
Remember the Red and Blue States (tags)
Don't cry for the passage of the democratic government. Weep for the real patriots that will be swept away to the concentration camps or whose blood will cover the streets, but above all else regardless of the outcome remember the red states.
Impeachment Is Not Enough (tags)
By now its clear to everyone, that Bush lied to congress about weapons of mass destruction. He lied to the American people. He had aides lie to the Untied Nations. He lied about the connection between Iraq and bin Laden. He lied about Nigeria. He lied about chemical and biological weapons. He lied about the underlying reasons to wage war. He lied blaming others for his lies. He lied about his staff; they are all a bunch of convicted felons and retreads from his daddy’s administration. He lied and good men died because he lied.
Headwaters and Cascadia Forests Still Struggling Against Clear Cut Logging (tags)
Mountainriver.org continues to supply the latest information in the struggle to preserve the last remaining old growth redwoods in California as well as the fight to save old growth douglas fir in Oregon