Texas Democrats defy GOP power grab
ARDMORE, Okla. – The power grab by President George W. Bush, his advisor Karl Rove, and U.S. Majority Leader Tom DeLay to redraw Texas congressional districts in order to send up to seven new right-wing extremists to the U.S. House of Representatives suffered a serious setback when 53 Democratic lawmakers on May 12 boycotted the Texas House of Representatives.
Extreme poverty up sharply among Black children
The number of African-American children living in the harshest, most extreme conditions of poverty has climbed to its highest level in 23 years, according to a recent study by the Washington DC-based Children’s Defense Fund (CDF).
Job safety worsens under Bush
Job safety and health under the Bush administration features less enforcement and increased big business clout, a new AFL-CIO report titled Death on the Job: A Toll of Neglect, says. The report was released as unions across the country celebrated Worker’s Memorial Day on April 28.
Philly City Council urges healthcare vote
On May 1 the Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for a ballot referendum on November 4, 2003, for an addition to the City Charter requiring the Department of Health to prepare a plan for universal healthcare coverage that permits every Philadelphian to obtain decent healthcare on a regular basis.
Illinois budget crisis: What to do?
CHICAGO – “The Illinois budget crisis: Taking action to protect people’s needs” will be the theme of a forum to be held Thursday, May 15. Currently the State of Illinois faces a budget deficit of nearly $5 billion in 2004.
National Clips
LAWRENCE, Kansas – People protest war profiteering / CARSON CITY, Nevada – Our state is not a nuclear waste dump / BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Civil rights ‘foot soldiers’ honored / CHARLESTON, W. Virginia – Stop privatization of Coast Guard
DREAM Act seeks education equity
Imagine this. A mother, trying to escape the poverty of her country, comes to the United States with her three-year-old son. He grows up here. Goes to school and does well. In high school he’s in “the Honors Program and take[s] three Advanced Placement classes.”
Labor and the 2004 elections The view from Iowa and South Carolina
Mark Smith, president of the Iowa AFL-CIO, said his federation is not “doing much” when it comes to the 2004 election. “That comes after the AFL-CIO makes its endorsement. But some of our affiliates are busy,” he added, pointing to the May 17 forum organized by the State, County and Municipal Employees.
Prescription drugs under Medicare
For seniors, Medicare reform means getting a comprehensive drug benefit under traditional Medicare that is affordable and stable in price. They like preventive benefits and favor reforms that maintain Medicare as a program in which everyone contributes and everyone gets the same guaranteed benefits.
National Clips
WASHINGTON, DC: ‘Bring the troops home, now’ / SAN FRANCISCO: Halt first strike / SARASOTA, Fla.: Peace activists sit in at Harris Office / FORT WORTH, Texas: Machinists shut down Lockheed Martin / RALEIGH (County), W.V.: Coal Miner’s daughter fights Massey Energy
