http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/members_rss The following posts were created from our member blogs. It's March and you know what that means: wet, soggy weather, an end-of-winter snowstorm, and the state hockey tournament. Here at ABM, we like to use March to look back at the most outrageous, ridiculous things conservatives have done in the last year in our March Badness tournament. But just like your March Madness bracket predictions can't get started until the NCAA selection committee releases the teams that will participate in the big dance, our March Badness bracket can't get started until we know what you think was the worst of the worst from conservatives this year. Join the selection committee and nominate the worst conservatives of the year: http://allianceminnesota.org/SelectionCommittee Once we get your selections, we'll get the bracket set up, and vote for the worst of the worst every week until we have a new March Badness champion. If you play along with us, you have a chance to win a copy of ProgressNow Founder Michael Huttner's book 50 Ways You Can Help Obama Change America and B rave New Films 5th Anniversary 10-DVD Collection , a box set that includes Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism, Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price , and Uncovered: The Truth Behind the War in Iraq. Last year one of Michele Bachmann's many bizarre statements took home the title after outlasting Norm Coleman's marathon recount legal challenge, an impressive "victory." Did you see something happen this year that was worse than that? Let us know. http://allianceminnesota.org/SelectionCommittee Next week, we will unveil the bracket and begin voting to see what was the worst of the worst. One lucky person will pick up a copy of  50 Ways You Can Help Obama Change America and 10 must-watch DVDs for progressive activists. In a year full of tea baggers and plenty of Bachmann word vomit, conservatives hit a new low. So think back to those stories that really put the bad in badness, and send them our way . Happy Bracketing! http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB4 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB4/commentary#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:16:27 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB4 Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BB4/ It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the different proposals for balancing the state budget. The Senate just started laying out their own proposal, which is similar to the Governor's but includes some key differences, according to Minnesota Budget Bites . I immediately noticed the difference in funding reductions for the Minnesota State grant program. As a Macalester student and a MN State Grant recipient, it caught my eye that Gov. Pawlenty has proposed a $2.3 million permanent cut to the program. The Senate does not cut base funding for the State Grant program. I probably wouldn't have noticed this at all except that Macalester's Day at the Capital to advocate for the program was last week. The MN State Grant program helps over 84,000 Minnesota students like myself pay for college. That's more than one-third of college students who are residents of Minnesota. The program benefits students attending all institutions, as you can see by the picture above. Almost every college student I know cringes when they think of the loans they need to take out in order to pay for their education. This program is so important because it helps students like me minimize their borrowing and future debt, while keeping higher education accessible. We must avoid Gov. Pawlenty's proposal to make permanent cuts to this program. We need to make sure the state budget isn't balanced on the backs of low- and middle-income college students who are trying to pay for their education without becoming financially paralyzed. To learn more about the MN State Grant Program, check out Minnesota's Private Colleges .   Photo credit: MN Private Colleges http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BBm http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BBm/commentary#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:17:03 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BBm Stephanie, ABM Intern Stephanie, ABM Intern 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBm/ One entity that some people do, who reach themselves swimming in a association of nix but horrible debt, is obtain a debt compounding word. A debt integration loan, is a identify of loan specifically organized of anyone that has involuntary themselves into a debt that is advantageously beyond their own effectuation. This typewrite of give gift enable you to pay off all of your debt with one mercantilism each period, than by having to sort various monthly payments. 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Still, that higher stake rate could foreclose you lots of money in the stressed run, because the debt compounding give instrument afford you to improve compute in kinda or not you impoverishment to line insolvency. ======================================== albert pinto Savings Accounts http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/johnrobinson/BBP http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/johnrobinson/BBP/commentary#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:27:32 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/johnrobinson/BBP User from New York, NY User from New York, NY 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBP/ Earlier today, the Minnesota House of Representatives had an opportunity to override Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto of a bill to continue to provide basic medical services to 70,000 Minnesotans through General Assistance Medical Care. The bill, which passed which passed two weeks ago with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, ensured that Minnesota's most vulnerable -- including 8,000 veterans -- do not go without the health care coverage they need. Over the weekend, over 2,200 Minnesotans used participated in our Save GAMC campaign , writing letters to their legislators -- particularly the 38 Republicans who voted in favor of the original bill -- to vote yes once again. Denise Cardinal, Executive Director here at Alliance for a Better Minnesota: This afternoon, Republican Rep. Paul Kohls declared that it's a sad day in Minnesota when politicians "put politics ahead of getting things done." He's right -- and when it comes to providing basic health care services for 70,000 Minnesotans, Rep. Kohls' statement certainly applies to the 38 Republican legislators who took back their original vote in favor of the General Assistance Medical Care service. Under pressure from the governor and party leaders, they decided their political agenda was more important than listening to the thousands of constituents, faith leaders, doctors and nurses, and veterans who joined you in calling on them to save GAMC. The decision of Republican legislators like Marty Seifert to reverse their support for legislation to save GAMC was a decision put the interests of the Republican party ahead of their constituents. At least half of the Minnesotans covered through the GAMC service now have just one option to get the medical care they need -- the emergency room. This kind of "Emergency Room Health Care Plan" advocated by the likes of Tim Pawlenty is the most costly option for all of us. Minnesotans expect more than political calculation from their governor and as candidates for the Republican Governor's endorsement, legislators like Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer had an opportunity to show real leadership on this issue. Sadly, they did not. It's not leadership to throw the most vulnerable 70,000 Minnesotans under the bus because party leaders say so. This sort of politics is what got us into this budget mess, and it's certainly not what will get us out of it. This is only the first time that we will see this sort of partisan calculation during this legislative session. From education cuts, deeper cuts to health care, to gutting the higher education budget, we'll need to push back just as hard as we did this time. If legislators like Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer expect Minnesotans to believe they have the vision to move Minnesota forward, they'll have to set aside obstructionism and partisan games and make a real effort to put Minnesota on the right track. We'll be watching. Thank you again for working with us to move Minnesota forward, Denise Denise Cardinal Executive Director Alliance for a Better Minnesota   http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB7 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB7/commentary#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:16:52 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB7 Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BB7/ Yesterday, we sent this email out to Alliance for a Better Minnesota members in hopes that Minnesota Republicans would stand by their vote, and not pull the ultimate political flip-flop. With debate underway in the State House, things are still up in the air. Joe, Republican leaders appear to be backtracking from their support for a bipartisan compromise to protect more than 70,000 Minnesotans from getting kicked off a state service -- General Assistance Medical Care -- that provides access to basic health care. In a radio interview, one Republican legislator admitted it's a shift from "what's good for the district" to "party loyalty." It is shameful to let party loyalty displace the needs of veterans and the poor who are seeking access to doctors and medicine. Take a minute to tell your legislators that their loyalty should be to their constituents -- not political party leaders: http://ga0.org/campaign/VoteYesOverride We need to put the pressure on legislators so that they have the courage to stand up to party leaders in order to save this crucial service. The vote is expected on Monday and we need you to click on the link and take action now. Thank you for telling your legislator to put the needs of constituents ahead of party loyalty. Joe Davis, Alliance for A Better Minnesota P.S. The override vote could happen tomorrow, Monday March 1st, so make sure you take action right now. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Joe Davis, Alliance for a Better Minnesota Subject: 70,000 Minnesotans are counting on you To: joe@allianceminnesota.org Last week the state legislature put partisan bickering aside to protect the more than 70,000 vulnerable Minnesotans--around 8,000 of which are veterans-- who depend on General Assistance Medical Care to get access to basic health care. But now, after Governor Pawlenty's veto, some of those same legislators that supported the bipartisan bill are thinking about voting against that very same bill this time around. Click here to ask your legislator to vote YES on GAMC one more time. If the legislature does not act, more than 70,000 Minnesotans across the state that depend on the GAMC program will be without the care that they need. This service is simply far too important to the most vulnerable in our state to be a victim of of Tim Pawlenty's presidential hopes, and the ambitions of other Republicans seeking higher office. That's why we here at Alliance for a Better Minnesota, a grassroots advocacy organization, have been contacting folks like you across the state to contact your legislators right away. Our legislators have the power to make things right but they need to know that they made the right decision the first time. We only need three out of 38 House Republicans to vote the same way they did last week to make this happen. http://ga0.org/campaign/VoteYesOverride Hearing from people in their district is the only way that they'll stand up to Tim Pawlenty. Click on the link to contact your legislator and tell them you support basic medical care for the most vulnerable folks in our state, and you support their vote. Thanks for standing up for what's right, Joe Joe Davis Deputy Director Alliance for a Better Minnesota http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/joe/BBY http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/joe/BBY/commentary#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:56:09 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/joe/BBY User from Saint Paul, MN User from Saint Paul, MN 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBY/ A new analysis from the Center for American Progress demonstrates the benefits of passing health care reform on the American economy. Passing reform, say the authors, could increase the number of jobs in the United States by about 250,000 to 400,000 per year over the coming decade. Skeptics of health care reform argue that it will do little to control health care spending in the long run. Yet even the skeptics agree that successful health reform will reduce uninsurance by expanding private nongroup, private small group, and public insurance coverage. This expansion in insurance coverage will likely increase health care jobs since the newly insured will need doctors, nurses, and other health care personnel to meet their medical needs. So even those with doubts about reform would have to recognize that it will likely create jobs and also improve the well-being of the currently uninsured, many of whom are unemployed. A more optimistic view of health reform recognizes its potential to improve the efficiency of the U.S. health care system. More efficient health care will lower the burden of health insurance premiums for firms, and in turn allow them to hire more workers. This will also increase the number of jobs and at the same time reduce the financial woes of those struggling with uninsurance and a depressed labor market. A recent poll conducted by the Progressive Campaign Change Committee, found that 62% of Minnesota voters support health care reform that includes a public option. http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBs http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBs/commentary#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:48:56 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBs Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBs/ Marty Seifert was one of the 38 House Republicans to vote for the GAMC bill last week, but he has since vowed to uphold the Governor’s veto. Rep. Seifert is clearly showing that partisanship is more important than proving the 8,000 veterans who rely on GAMC with the care they need. The Star Tribune reported that David Skulborstad, a military veteran who lost his job in 2004, relies on GAMC for more than his prescription drugs or doctors appointments. "Having GAMC means I'm alive," he said. "I protected this country. In my moment of need, Gov. Pawlenty chose not to protect me." Voting to upholding Gov. Pawlenty’s veto means that Rep. Seifert also chose not to protect veterans like Skulborstad. That’s why Alliance for a Better Minnesota will be running online ads to pressure him to stand by his original vote. We’re running 30,000 impressions on the Marshall Independent website alone, as well as on all the top websites visited in Rep. Seifert’s district throughout the weekend. Clicking on these ads will allow Minnesotans to demand that Rep. Seifert honor his commitment to caring for the most vulnerable and veterans instead of putting partisanship ahead of Minnesota’s priorities. We only need three Republicans to stand by their vote for the GAMC bill in order to override Gov. Pawlenty’s veto, so make sure you send Rep. Seifert a letter demanding he put veterans and the state’s most vulnerable ahead of partisan politics. Below are some of the ads you’ll be seeing if you live in Rep. Seifert’s district. http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BBy http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BBy/commentary#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:02:03 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BBy Stephanie, ABM Intern Stephanie, ABM Intern 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBy/ Today in St. Paul, bank executives are meeting to prepare for their annual lobby day, when they'll head to the State Capitol and lobby state lawmakers to loosen regulations on the financial industry. While they were meeting this morning, a group of Twin Cities janitors with SEIU came to send a simple message loud and clear: "How much profits do you need? No more bailouts, no more greed!" Their simple message is especially powerful when you realize, as John VanDeventer points out in the email below, that these are the very same janitors who mop the floors and clean up the offices where some of these bankers work. While they're lining their pockets with billions in profits and bonuses, many of these janitors are struggling to make ends meet. If the big bank CEOs want to see the damage they've done to our economy, they don't even need to leave their offices. They just need to wait until 6:00pm. That's when the janitors come in to empty the trash, mop the floors, and scrub the bathrooms. But, unlike the bankers whose buildings they keep running, the janitors didn't see any bonuses this year. In fact, at banks like Wells Fargo and US Bank in the Twin Cities, the janitors are struggling just to get by. Right now, executives from Wells Fargo and US Bank are at a bankers meeting in St. Paul. Send a message to their Blackberries that it's time to fix the economy they broke - and they can start with the janitors in their own buildings: http://action.seiu.org/mnjanitors For Wells Fargo and US Bank alone, the combined bonus and compensation pool for 2009 was more than $30 billion . But, these same banks refuse to help the workers in their own buildings that are struggling to support their families. Instead of putting money back into their communities, the bankers are putting it into their own pockets. It's time we remind the banks who bailed them out when they crashed the economy - and of the promise they made to use our money to help get Main Street back on its feet: http://action.seiu.org/mnjanitors Right now, executives from Wells Fargo and US Bancorp are at the Minnesota Bankers Association convention in St. Paul. While they're all in the room together, we're going to deliver your messages right to their Blackberries. We need to let them know the entire country is holding them accountable for what they do with our money. Send your message to the bankers right now: http://action.seiu.org/mnjanitors Thanks, John VanDeventer SEIU.org/bigbanks   http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBd http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBd/commentary#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:20:54 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBd Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBd/ Yesterday, Governor Pawlenty told Minnesota that we should protect corporate America at the expense of our school children, the poor, the disabled, and the elderly.  There in the audience were two of his Republican allies -- legislators Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer -- who applauded his rhetoric as they hope to continue Pawlenty's failed policies. We believe it's time to move Minnesota forward -- to put middle class families first by protecting the services they need most, like education, health care, and public safety. Sign our petition at: http://aBetterMinnesota.org At the same time that school districts are " considering layoffs and program cancellations " because of the state's budget deficit, the governor proposed cutting the corporate tax rate and continuing his failed JOBZ program. According to the Legislative Auditor , the JOBZ program has been mismanaged and lacked proper oversight to protect taxpayer's dollars.  But, instead of fixing these problems, the governor protects inefficient programs at the expense of programs like GAMC, which provides those less fortunate with the vital care that they need.  The governor calls this controlling government spending even though it sends scores of Minnesotans to expensive emergency rooms instead of providing less costly, more effective preventive care. At its core, the governor's proposals are about helping corporations at the expense of middle-class families.  For every step of the way, Republican legislators like Seifert and Emmer have been advocates for the governor's approach.  Legislator Emmer even went so far as to suggest taking money away from programs that ensure clean drinking water to pay for a new Vikings stadium. We are experiencing unprecedented times and Minnesota deserves better than this from those charged with finding the solutions. Stand up for a Minnesota that is better than this. http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBl http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBl/commentary#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:36:17 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBl Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBl/ A new report from the Minnesota Department of Health confirms what we've been saying all along in this health reform debate: the status quo is not an option. The report found that more than 100,000 Minnesotans lost their health insurance between 2007 and 2009, largely due to the bad econom, raising the total of uninsured Minnesotans from 374,000 to 480,000 -- 85,000 of those being children under the age of 17. The survey found that some groups were hit harder than others. More men than women lost their employer-sponsored insurance as sectors that traditionally hire men -- manufacturing and construction, for example -- were hit hard by the recession. Some 12 percent of male Minnesotans were uninsured last year, compared to 6 percent of females. Young adults were also far more likely to be uninsured, as were minorities. Equally worrying was the finding that more people were going without insurance for long periods. Researchers asked respondents if they had been continuously uninsured for the past 12 months; 6.2 percent said yes, up from 4.6 percent when that question was asked in 2007. So not only are more people uninsured, but they're staying uninsured for longer. Under the current proposal for health insurance reform being debated in Congress, 519,000 Minnesota residents who currently don't have insurance -- and 356,000 residence who have nongroup insurance -- could get affordable coverage through the health insurance exchange.  An additional 282,000 residents could qualify for premium tax credits to help them purchase health coverage. http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBz http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBz/commentary#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:06:32 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBz Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBz/ Constituents of Representative Tara Mack corner her on the first day of the 2010 Minnesota Legislature and ask her to support funding General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC). GAMC is the program that provides health care to the poorest of the poor in Minnesota and was line item vetoed by Governor Tim Pawlenty at the end of the last legislative session. Representative Mack did not commit to voting for any of the proposals to save GAMC, saying the program was not as important as making sure health care services continue to those the program now serves. Video and reporting by The UpTake http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBT http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBT/commentary#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:40:52 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBT Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBT/ Planned Parenthood has released a video featuring former college and professional football player Sean James and Olympic gold medalist Al Joyner responding to the "Focus on the Family" Super Bowl ad featuring Tim Tebow and his mother. Check it out: To learn more about Planned Parenthood and their great work here in Minnesota, visit PlannedParenthoodAdvocate.org . http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBk http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBk/commentary#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:09:00 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BBk Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BBk/ Today is the first day of the 2010 legislative session. Now is the time to get our full renters rebate back -- and you can take action today to get it done. Last week many Minnesotans, including myself, wrote their legislators demanding that they get back the money Tim Pawlenty and his allies took from renters during his budget slashing last summer. Good news -- our letters are getting noticed. I want to share with you portion of the response I got from my state Senator, Scott Dibble, who has successfuly stopped proposed cuts to the renter's credit in the past: "It is vital that you keep talking to lawmakers, your own colleagues, friends and family about the importance of the renters' credit.  We face even more daunting budget deficits in years to come, so I fully expect similar proposals to crop up before the legislature in the future. It is only the strong activism of people like yourself that has allowed us to turn them back. " With the legislative session now underway, we need to take Sen. Dibble's advice and continue our strong activism. Contact your legislator and tell them you demand the full renters rebate back today. If we don't make our voice heard loud and clear during this session, we may not be able to get back the money Gov. Pawlenty and his allies took last summer. Thank you for taking action. Joe Davis, ReturnMyRebate.com http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB8 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB8/commentary#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:09:12 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BB8 Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BB8/ The military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy does not make sense practically, it does not make sense financially, and by acting in a discriminatory fashion, it certainly does not make sense morally. Our friends over at the Center for American Progress have put together 11 reasons why Don't Ask Don't Tell should be repealed: Nearly 14,000 gay and lesbian service men and women have been discharged from military service since 1993. More than 33,000 gay and lesbian service men and women have been discharged from military service since 1980. A survey of 545 service members who served in Afghanistan and Iraq found that 73 percent are comfortable in the presence of gay men and lesbians. This policy may have cost the U.S. government more than $1.3 billion since 1980. Find the rest of the reasons here . http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCn http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCn/commentary#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:00:02 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCn Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BCn/ A new web video takes a look at the way Congressional Republicans responded to President Obama's 2010 State of the Union , which included a proposal to recover the money American taxpayers spent to bailout the banks and use to help community banks lend to small businesses, calling for a new small business tax cut, a jobs bill, a comprehensive financial reform package, among others. Check it out: If there's one thing that's clear, it's that Republicans are still representing a party that’s still pushing the same special interest-driven policy agenda that destroyed our economy and drove us into this mess in the first place. http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCS http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCS/commentary#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:28:02 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCS Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BCS/ Tim Pawlenty and the GOP legislators who backed up his cut to the Renter's Credit thought they were off the hook. They were hoping that the many months passing between their cuts and your lighter wallet might make you forget who was responsible. But they were wrong. Already, hundreds of Minnesotans -- including you -- have stood up and called for the Renter's Credit to be fully restored. With the start of the legislative session just around the corner, we have an important opportunity to reach out to our elected officials and make sure our voice is heard. Take a minute to use our Renter's Credit Rebate Calculator to find out how much money Tim Pawlenty took from YOU - - then let your legislator know you want that money back! It's really easy to use our Renter's Credit Rebate Calculator to find out how much Pawlenty and friends took from you -- just enter your monthly rent and income. If you're not a renter, you can use it to find out how many dollars were taken from the pockets of folks who would've been spending that money and supporting local economies. As our legislators prepare to head back to Saint Paul, they need to hear from all of us who will lose out on a much-needed boost to our budgets during these hard times. Your personal story is one of the best weapons we have in his fight and will help raise awareness in the legislature about the need to restore the Renter's Credit. Send a message to your legislators. Tell them that renters are counting on them to stand up and fight to put money back in their pockets. http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCp http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCp/commentary#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:19:47 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCp Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BCp/ Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) plans to introduce a Congressional Disapproval Resolution that would block enforcement of the Clean Air Act for greenhouse gases. Her " Dirty Air Act " resolution would " retroactively veto " the Environmental Protection Agency's finding released in December "that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare," threatening the hopes for a clean energy economic recovery for the nation. Our friends over at Environment Minnesota are calling on Minnesotans to reach out to Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and tell them to speak out on the floor of the Senate against Murkowski's effort to undermine the United States' ability to combat climate change. Read the note below from Samantha Chadwick and take a minute to call Senator Franken or Senator Klobuchar and let them know you want them to speak out against the Dirty Air Act. Dear Environment Minnesota supporter, The Senate is set to take a big vote on global warming as early as today , and so far it's too close to call. The vote is not a step in the right direction. Instead, it's a sneak attack to block President Obama's progress on global warming -- in the form of an amendment literally written by lobbyists for big polluters. But few people even know about it because industry lobbyists have hidden it in a completely unrelated bill on the national debt. As a result, many senators are still on the fence, even though the vote happens as early as today. Tell Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar to speak out on the Senate floor against this sneak attack on the Clean Air Act. The vote is on an effort led by Sen. Lisa Murkowski to block President Obama from enforcing the Clean Air Act to fight global warming (even though she's from Alaska, the state most quickly and dramatically being affected by global warming). It will move America backward and halt the creation of clean energy jobs, just when we need them the most. Last week, our advocates helped reveal that Jeffrey Holmstead, a powerful lobbyist for the coal industry and electric utilities, actually wrote Sen. Murkowski's original amendment. He admitted to the Washington Post, "'I certainly worked with her staff' on the exact phrasing of the measure..." [1] Click the link below to tell Sens. Franken and Klobuchar to speak out on the Senate floor against this sneak attack on the Clean Air Act: http://www.environmentminnesota.org/action/global-warming/protect-clean-air-act?id4=ES Thanks, as always, for making it all possible. Sincerely, Samantha Chadwick Environment Minnesota Associate http://www.environmentminnesota.org P.S. Please share this e-mail with your family and friends. [1] http://views.washingtonpost.com/climate-change/post-carbon/2010/01/murkowski_and_her_lobbyist_allies.html http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCJ http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCJ/commentary#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:49:42 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCJ Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BCJ/ We're getting closer and closer to the next legislative session, and with Governor Pawlenty's reckless unallotments' coming under fire, there is real momentum building to get our full renters rebate back if we make our voices heard. Before the holidays we offered you a chance to enter a drawing for a free $100 IKEA gift card by sending a Tim "The Grinch" Pawlenty e-card to your friends. Because our hearts aren't "two sizes too small" like Tim Pawlenty and his cut to the renter's rebate program, we thought we would give all of you sorting through your inboxes after the holidays two more days to enter the contest. http://allianceminnesota.org/send-a-card Right now Peter S., Lydia H., Bao H., and Michael B. are in a dead heat for the most e-cards sent, but there's still time to play catch-up, but only if you hurry. Remember: the more people you tell, the more chances you have to win the IKEA gift card. Good Luck! http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCN http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCN/commentary#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:32:43 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCN Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BCN/ When we set off on the Make Minnesota Thrive Drive over the summer, we learned about the things that makes our state above average. But we also learned how cities across Minnesota were coping with budget cuts and unallotments and reductions in lifeguard staff, firefighters, and police officers were among the solutions. As winter sets in and the holidays begin, cities across Minnesota are relieved that they won't see their local government aid reduced in December; however, the city of Minneapolis will still make staff reductions. MPR reported today that the city is dealing with a multi-million dollar reduction to its police budget, which means it will lay off 25 police officers. The majority of the soon-to-be unemployed officers are a group of 19 recruits who are graduating from the academy this week...The new officers will work for five days before the layoffs take effect. Budget cuts and unallotment have meant that the department has to lessen the staff in order to cope with the multi-million dollar reduction in its budget. The department is hoping to receive a federal grant so that it can rehire at least some of the officers that were let go.   Photo: Tony Webster on flickr http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BC5 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BC5/commentary#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:34:01 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/stephaniefenner/BC5 Stephanie, ABM Intern Stephanie, ABM Intern 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BC5/ Members of the Youth Climate Movement confronted infamous climate denier, Lord Monckton, after he compared climate advocates to " Hitler Youth ." While Monckton was talking to reporters, some young climate advocates quietly placed a 350.org sticker on his back. 350 -- as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere (we're at 387 right now). Check out the video: In October, the Minnesota Free Market Institute brought Monckton to Minnesota for an event that was heavily promoted by other right-wing groups like Minnesota Majority and the Tea Party Patriots. All the hype about Monckton lead one Minnesota Daily reader wondering " Who exactly claims that Lord Christopher Monckton is a global warming expert? " The company he works for that gets money from ExxonMobile. What is his diploma in again? Journalism. How is that a scientific background? It is not. Was he a science adviser to Margaret Thatcher? No. None of those actual facts stop GOP gubernatorial candidate Pat Anderson from promoting Monckton's lies on Facebook and Twitter. I wonder if she thinks Monckton's also right when he says climate scientists are " criminals " and climate activists are " Hitler Youth ." http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCh http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCh/commentary#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:32:37 EST http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/post/xavier/BCh Xavier Xavier 0 http://allianceminnesota.org/page/community/comment_rss/BCh/