Calif. governor lashes out at services for poorest
With California’s budget overdue by more than a week, and banks poised to stop cashing state IOUs, Republicans including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are seeking ever larger cuts to social programs while Democrats keep trying to balance cuts with new revenues.
President Obama: Economic recovery and jobs
This week, we’ve made important progress toward the goal of bringing about change abroad and change at home. During my visit to Russia, we began the process of resetting relations so that we can address key national priorities like the threat of nuclear weapons and extremism.
End of Republican coup means victory for NYC tenants
NEW YORK—The July 9 deal to put the New York State Senate back to work and restore the Democratic majority, however unsavory, was a huge victory for New York’s working people, especially tenants, say housing rights advocates.
Illinois governor signs affordable energy bill
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn signed into law an affordable energy bill, July 10, at a west side senior citizen center here. The new law will benefit tens of thousands of low-income utility customers.
Anguished families search historic Black cemetery for graves of relatives
The message on the website is terse: “If you have family or a loved one buried at Burr Oak Cemetery, please email your information or call our designated hotline. All inquiries regarding the Burr Oak Cemetery Investigation will receive a personal response, but we ask for your patience, as the requests have been overwhelming.”
New report finds racial profiling pervasive
A new report jointly authored by the Rights Working Group and the American Civil Liberties Union found that racial profiling by law enforcement agencies still persists on our nation's roadways, in airports, and near our border and urges Congress to pass the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA).
Swine flu shows need for health reform, says Sebelius
While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated this week that as many as 1 million Americans may have contracted the H1N1 virus, it doesn't seem to be any more dangerous than the seasonal flu, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters on a teleconference call, July 10.
White House meets with Congress on immigration reform
After two postponements, President Barack Obama recently carried out a key meeting with Democratic and Republican members of Congress at the White House There was guarded optimism from the immigrants’ rights movement in response to the meeting. But all agree that there will be no progress without increased struggle from the grassroots.
The impact of homophobia in virtual communities
A few weeks ago there was a group established on Facebook called 'I hate gays' which openly advocated killing gay people. When the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) sent a report through Facebook's built in reporting system and then urged its Facebook and Twitter followers to do the same, the user was suspended, and the group abandoned and commandeered by pro-gay users in the matter of hours.
Senators reveal details of health care public option
Two of the senators who are writing the health care reform bill are talking now about details of the public option, the part of the plan that, despite support from 70 percent of the public, has drawn the most vehement opposition from the insurance industry.
