Small business owners slam Chamber of Commerce
Charging the US Chamber of Commerce with supporting only the 'interests of Fortune 500 companies,' small business owners this week sharply criticized the business group for refusing to endorse the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act, according to a statement released July 8th by the American Small Business League (ASBL).
Health reform battle heats up
Weakening health reform in exchange for bipartisanship is unacceptable, Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-Nev., warned Senate Finance Chair Max Baucus, D-Mont., July 7th, according to a report in Washington-based Roll Call.
Illinois budget crisis fuels demand for progressive income tax
CHICAGO -– As Illinois entered its second week without a budget, Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed the state operating budget passed by the state legislature, sending the budget process into further chaos.
George Fishman, a life with a purpose
George M. Fishman, lifelong working class scholar, teacher and activist, passed away peacefully at his New Haven, Conn., home on June 30, at age 92. He was a stalwart champion of quality public education for all children, workers' rights, equality and peace.
Steelworkers ratify groundbreaking agreement with MeadWestvaco in Covington
PITTSBURGH, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the members of USW Local 8-675 in Covington, Virginia have voted in favor of a proposed new contract with MeadWestvaco. The overwhelming ratification vote took place on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.
Campaign against crime and police abuse to be unveiled at NAACP convention
A new online campaign against police misconduct and violence will be featured at the NAACP’s convention next week in New York City at the Hilton Hotel. The convention will also mark the civil rights organization’s 100th birthday, and joining them for the celebration will be President Barack Obama in his first visit to New York City as president.
Coalition will battle banks over new consumer protection agency
“Some will rob you with a six-gun, some with a fountain pen,” Woody Guthrie sang in his 1939 song “Pretty Boy Floyd.” These days an unappetizing alliance of finance companies, banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders and financial services firms is using a lot more than fountain pens. The American Financial Services Association, an industry group, is reported to be coordinating a mega-bucks lobbying campaign to block the Consumer Financial Protection Agency proposed by President Obama last week.
COMMENTARY: The door to real change is wide open
Let me begin with a simple observation: If the last 30 years were an era of reaction, then the coming decade could turn into an era of reform, even radical reform. Six months into the Obama presidency, I would say without hesitation that the landscape, atmosphere, conversation, and agenda have strikingly changed compared to the previous eight years.
Push begins for new stimulus bill
As the reality of a recession far worse than anyone believed it was earlier this year takes hold, labor and its allies are laying the groundwork for another stimulus battle this fall. They are making their plans even as the Obama administration and Democratic leaders say it’s still too early to consider another recovery package.
Health industry lobby buys 350 former government officials
The country’s biggest insurers, hospitals and medical groups have hired more than 350 former government staff members, including former members of Congress, in order to influence the health care debate taking place in the nation’s capital, the Washington Post reports.
