Sign Up For Updates
America Votes
Summit is Almost Here!
The America Votes 2012 State Summit is only days away. Don't miss your chance to be a part of one the most important gatherings of progressives in 2012. Check out the State Summit page here.
- Action United
- AFL-CIO
- AFSCME
- America Votes
- American Association for Justice
- BISC
- Campaign for Community Change
- Clean Water Action
- Colorado
- Democracia Ahora
- Education Voters of America
- EMILY’s List
- Florida
- Fundraising
- Human Rights Campaign
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Keystone Progress
- League of Conservation Voters
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- NAACP Voter Fund
- National Education Association
- National Politics
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- OH - Budget, Business, and the Economy
- OH - Campaigns and Elections
- OH - Choice, Civil Rights, and Social Issues
- OH - Education
- OH - Environment, Energy, and Agriculture
- OH - Health and Seniors
- OH - Justice and the Courts
- OH - Labor
- OH - National
- OH - Top News
- Ohio
- Penn Environment
- Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania State Education Association
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund
- Polling
- Progressive Future
- ProgressNow Action
- Redistricting
- SEIU
- Sierra Club
- Summit
- United Food and Commerical Workers International Union
- USAction
- Wisconsin
- Women's Voices. Women Vote.
- Women’s Campaign Forum
- Working America
- Home Page
- Main Blog Page
A Great Day in New Hampshire
Labor and progressive partners scored a huge victory in New Hampshire today, as the state House voted to uphold Governor Lynch's veto of the Right to Work bill. America Votes congratulates Labor, who worked so hard for months on this bill - and we thank the hundreds of volunteers who helped in this important effort.
The AV office in Concord became an impromptu campaign headquarters this morning, as volunteers streamed in once they got word that today might be the day the Speaker would call for a vote. More than 200 volunteers arrived at 7:00 am from labor unions and community allies. Volunteers created a strong, positive presence for legislators that are standing with us - lining the hallways, packing the gallery, greeting and thanking the Reps.
There was a whip team assigned to and track legislators to make sure they were there and in their seats. There was a boiler room used to run data for the whip team so we know where all of our legislators were and that the full whip team had all the info they needed. And there was a lobby team which was a group of lobbyist that have been working with the Reps since the beginning who were there for support if they are approached by the speaker and to answer questions.
Obviously, the fight continues, as Republicans in New Hampshire have vowed to bring the issue up again next year. But, for today at least, we congratulate you all and the folks in New Hampshire for a big win.
New Hampshire State Director Josiette White manning the First Aid station during today's day of action.
Stand Up For Workers; Union Plus Will Donate On Your Behalf!
Union Plus has issued a challenge to the supporters of labor. They will give $25 for every new Facebook fan and $25 for every Tweet using the #UnionPlus hashtag up to $100,000 to help America Votes fight back against the recent attacks on the labor movement.
Please help us spread the word! There are a few different ways to help:
1. Promote this challenge on your Facebook page! Ask fans to join the Union Plus Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/UnionPlus: For every new Facebook fan, Union Plus will donate $25 to the fund.
2. Tweet using the hashtag: #UnionPlus and include @UnionPlus - Union Plus will donate $25 for every new tweet with this hashtag.eg. "Stand UP for Workers: @UnionPlus just donated $25 to the State Battles Fund on my behalf just by tweeting this hashtag: #UnionPlus |#1u"
Union Plus supports the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain for fair wages, a safe work environment, and to have a strong voice in the workplace - and we're proud to back up our stance with a $100,000 donation to the America Votes State Battles Fund. The money will go toward opposing state legislation, ballot measures, and executive orders that attack the labor movement.
Please help us make this a success by kindly spreading this message to your supporters, family and friends on Facebook and Twitter!
ALERT: NH "Right to Work For Less" Up for Full State Senate Vote on April 20th
As expected, NH HB 474 - Right to Work for Less - passed the Senate committee on a party line vote (4 to 1). We expect the full senate will vote on Wed April 20th. We need your help to continue to oppose this extreme anti-worker agenda.
Continue reading to see how you can help in New Hampshire!
Here's how you can help:
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR: The senators are telling us that they need to hear from us! Take a minute between now and Tuesday to call and email your senator. You can find your senator's contact information here: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/senatemembers.asp.
Key Message points:
• Include your name and address
• Ask the senator to vote NO on HB 474
• Tell them what type of work you do
• Include any of the following:
- Right to Work for Less is opposed by employers across the state. This isn't something employers are asking for and it isn't something employers want.
- Right to Work for Less doesn't create jobs - it isn't about rights and it's not about work.
- States with similar Right to Work for Less laws have higher rates of poverty, higher rates of unemployment and lower wages.
- Right to Work for Less is being pushed by out-of-state special interests. Right to Work for Less isn't right for New Hampshire
If you need help with your message, please contact us at protectnhfamilies@gmail.com.
JOIN A CANVASS: We are canvassing this weekend! We'll be out talking to voters about what is happening at the state house and asking them to contact their senator. These canvasses have been going great so far with a positive response from voters. Help us keep the momentum going!
Weekend Details
NASHUA: Join us on Saturday April 16th from 10 to 2pm or Sunday April 17th from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. We'll meet at the AFT hall at 7c Taggart Drive in Nashua. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com.
CLAREMONT: Join us on Saturday April 16th from 10 to 2 pm. We'll meet at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 120 Broad Street in Claremont. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com.
JOIN A PHONEBANK: Phone banks are up every day this week. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com.
STATUS OF THE NH BILLS
HB 474 - Right to Work for Less legislation - passed out of the senate committee on a party line vote 4 to 1. The Senate committee stripped the damaging amendment added in the house. The full senate is expected to vote on a traditional Right to Work for Less bill on Wed. View the bill status report here.
HB 2 - part 2 of the state budget bill - was amended in committee to eliminate the right to collective bargaining. This budget bill as currently written is devastating for New Hampshire families, communities and tax payers and includes an underhanded assault on New Hampshire workers. The full house passed the budget (HB 1 and HB 2) Follow HB 1 here and HB 2 here. You can view a comparison of the Governor's budget and the house budget here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 16th Nashua Canvass: Help us stop the reckless legislative attacks on New Hampshire families! The canvass will run for 10:00 - 2:00 and we'll meet at the AFT Hall at 7 C Taggart Drive, Nashua. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com
APRIL 16th Claremont Canvass: Help us stop the reckless legislative attacks on New Hampshire families! The canvass will run for 10:00 - 2:00 and we'll meet at the Trinity Episcopal Church 120 Broad St Claremont. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com
APRIL 17th Nashua Canvass: Help us stop the reckless legislative attacks on New Hampshire families! The canvass will run for 12:00 - 4:00 and we'll meet at the AFT Hall at 7 C Taggart Drive, Nashua. RSVP to john@nhforhealthcare.com
ON GOING: You can join the interfaith voices for a humane budget at the state house. Regular vigils are taking place at the State House. Learn more here.
SAVE THE DATE: The full senate is expected to vote on HB 474 on Wednesday April 20th. More details coming soon.
SAVE THE DATE: The full senate is expected to hold a hearing on the budget on April 21st. More details coming soon.
MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Letters to the Editor: We are working to inform voters and influence legislators with letters to the editor. We need your help to get the word out! Contact kehrenberg@aflcio.org for more information, templates or to let us know you sent a letter.
Contact the Senate: We need your help letting the NH Senate know that HB 474 is bad policy and bad for New Hampshire. Please ask your members and supporters to contact their senators and ask them to stand up for the middle class and oppose HB 474. Then let us know how they respond! If you need an action alert template or more information, please contact us at protectnhfamilies@gmail.com
BUILDING THE CAMPAIGN
We need your help bringing more allies to the table! We are looking to engage small business and employers, community organizations, and religious organizations across the state. You can help by talking to the businesses and organizations in your area. Materials to help you get the conversation started are attached. Please contact Josiette with any questions or suggestions to help us build the campaign at 603-545-4772 or jwhite@americavotes.org.
We are also looking to take the message out to your organizations. Schedule a presentation or request presentation materials by contacting Josiette at jwhite@americavotes.org or call 603-545-4772.
SPOTLIGHT ON RECENT NEWS AND LETTERS
Over 11,000 people have joined the campaign to Protect New Hampshire Families! Sign-on today and invite your neighbors, families and friends! Sign-up today by joining our Protect New Hampshire Families facebook page!
As always, you can donate to the fight across all of the states here.
Joan Fitz-Gerald Speaks at State Battles Fund Event
Yesterday, working men and women across the country came together in solidarity with those fightings for their rights in places like Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire and Indiana. Last night, progressives gathered for a State Battles event in Washington, D.C. to raise money to help fight the injustices taking place in these states and others. Below are some pictures of America Votes President Joan Fitz-Gerald speaking at the event. Thank you for all who helped make the event a success. For more information on the State Battles Fund, visit our State Battles 2011 page here.
PA America Votes Partners in the News:
The latest news clips mentioning PA America Votes partners:
Hundreds rally in solidarity with Wisconsin workers Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"We are here to stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and American families everywhere," said Michael Morrill of Keystone Progress, the advocacy group that organized the rally. "Right now the American dream is slipping away for millions of us, and we're here today to say enough is enough. It's time for our government to work for us, and not just corporations and millionaires" …
The Phlog: Don't Sneeze On My Cheesesteak…Rally Philadelphia Weekly More than 60 demonstrators rallied outside of City Hall today and flooded the building in support of paid sick days. About 210,000 workers in Philadelphia receive no paid sick days, according to Action United …
Planned Parenthood May See Elimination Of Federal Funding Haverford-Havertown Patch Congressman Pat Meehan (R-7th Dist.) voted to eliminate the federal funding. Patch did reach out to Meehan seeking a comment but unfortunately, he was unavailable by press time. Maggie Groff, vice president of external affairs for the Southeastern Pennsylvania division of Planned Parenthood, said it’s clear the organization is being targeted because it is well known and it provides abortion services. However, no federal money is spent on abortion services ...
Hundreds rally in solidarity with Wisconsin workers Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"We are here to stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and American families everywhere," said Michael Morrill of Keystone Progress, the advocacy group that organized the rally. "Right now the American dream is slipping away for millions of us, and we're here today to say enough is enough. It's time for our government to work for us, and not just corporations and millionaires" …
The Phlog: Don't Sneeze On My Cheesesteak…Rally Philadelphia Weekly More than 60 demonstrators rallied outside of City Hall today and flooded the building in support of paid sick days. About 210,000 workers in Philadelphia receive no paid sick days, according to Action United …
Planned Parenthood May See Elimination Of Federal Funding Haverford-Havertown Patch Congressman Pat Meehan (R-7th Dist.) voted to eliminate the federal funding. Patch did reach out to Meehan seeking a comment but unfortunately, he was unavailable by press time. Maggie Groff, vice president of external affairs for the Southeastern Pennsylvania division of Planned Parenthood, said it’s clear the organization is being targeted because it is well known and it provides abortion services. However, no federal money is spent on abortion services ...
A Message from AV President Joan-Fitzgerald on the Struggle in Wisconsin
Dear America Votes Supporter,
As you watch events unfold in Wisconsin, please be aware that the very same scenario is ready to play out all across the Midwest. In many respects the Democratic members of the Wisconsin Senate that have fled the tyranny of their new governor are doing it for working people in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana. But America Votes and our partners aren't going to let this happen without a fight (link to video).
If the right to collective bargaining is eradicated with the stroke of Governor Walker's pen, the core of the middle class will be at the mercy of hostile legislatures who can change the terms of their contracts and working agreements for any reason.
Our state director in Wisconsin has been working non- stop, without sleep, to coordinate the efforts to stop this bill from going forward. Phone banks have been set up and manned to get calls out informing people of the effort at the Capitol. Sites have been chosen for marches and demonstrations and America Votes' partner organizations are supplying the volunteers. We are proud to be a part of this effort to stop the erosion of worker's rights in Wisconsin.
America Votes' directors in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan are readying themselves and their partner organizations for this struggle as well. We have worked in these states for the past 7 years and can bring a broad coalition to stop this effort to undermine the middle class. Please help me today to bolster our work in these critical states. Your donation of will go a long way to support these people who are standing up for all of us. We are providing much needed water and food to volunteers.
As we are inspired by the resolve of the people of Wisconsin, we must be prepared in other states where these bills are ready to be introduced. Your help will strengthen our work, which allows greater coordination in this struggle.
In the words of Mother Jones who spent her entire life fighting for the dignity of the working man in the face of the murders of the Ludlow Massacre:
"Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living!"
In solidarity,
Joan Fitz-Gerald
President, America Votes
Ohio House Republicans pass House Bill 1: Tax Dollars to Fund Private Corporation with Little Transparency or Public Access
Ohio House Bill 1 creates a private corporation that would receive and distribute millions of state tax dollars in place of the Ohio Department of Development. The catch - the corporation won't be subject to public record requests or the same audit requirements of other government agencies. Tuesday, this bill passed the Republican-dominated Ohio House despite opposition from Democrats. Ohio House Bill 1 creates a troubling precedent of delivering tax dollars to corporations without transparency or accountability.
Other states have tried similar schemes in the past. In 1996, Florida privatized their Department of Commerce. This experiment failed. This past week, Florida has begun to reverse that move and reinstate the state-run department. Florida is doing this at the behest of their Republican Governor, with cheers from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Governor Scott argued that making the department state-run again was necessary so they had real accountability:
``When you don't have one person looking over everything, it makes it more difficult to get things done. I'll have a hard time holding somebody accountable for this if I don't have a person responsible for it.[1]''
Why can't Ohio learn from Florida's mistake?
When governmental agencies are privatized, not only are the taxpayers left in the dark about the mechanizations of the new organization; but they aren't accountable. We need to stop giving our state away to a handful of corporate insiders and let the people of Ohio have a say in how their money is spent.
House Bill 1 is currently in the Ohio Senate. Please contact your state senator to let him or her know that privatization is not the answer.
More information on Ohio House Bill 1 and Florida's reversal:
Bill Language and Analysis: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_1
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/01/slow_and_careful_on_jobsohio_e.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-27/fla-gov-proposes-restoring-commerce-department.html
Still Spending
One of the more remarkable trends of the 2010 election was the rise and impact of outside interest groups such as American Crossroads and American Action Network, who spent millions of dollars to defeat Democrats across the country. As Politico's Jeanne Cummings reports, these groups are looking to continue spending, even after the conclusion of the 2010 election season.
The reason for the continued spending is to satisfy some of these groups' statuses as 501(c)4 organizations, meaning they are technically "social welfare" groups rather than explicit political organizations. Thus, in the coming weeks and months, we may see issue ads from American Crossroads GPS, such as calling for the repeal of the health care law. American Action Network (which envisions itself as a conservative version of the Center for American Progress) is also planning a series of seminars and conferences on issues such as the health care law's implementation as well as organizing the first meeting of the Hispanic Leadership Network, which seeks to "elevate conservative voices in the Latino community."
America Votes President Joan Fitz-Gerald was recently quoted in the article, saying:
It's very clear that American Crossroads and American Action Network are going to continue to do the type of media buys they did during the campaign throughout the year. Every day will be a campaign for them. I think the progressive organizations that we work with may indeed have to run some ads.
So what are progressives doing to combat this? For starters, the Democracy Alliance, a network of top progressive donors, is meeting in Washington D.C. this week to begin to lay out a fundraising strategy for the 2012 cycle. In an interview with MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, Media Matters founder David Brock said "I think what people are missing in this, though, is if you look back, you know, progressive donors have stepped up when asked to advance our values, our American values through politics." Brock continued, "One of the lessons we learned this year is we have to start now."
Twitter Round-up Part II
Below are some of the tweets sent out by our AV staff, who are working across the country pounding the pavement and getting out the vote.
At Common Concerns, checking out another great staging location sending canvassers out into PA-6 and PA-7!
Getting CO early vote and mail-in numbers today; progressive returns increasing daily. Keep it up-send in your ballot! Early vote ends Fri
In Columbus OH, volunteers arriving for Planned Parenthood and Equality Ohio phone bank tonight (despite torrential rain!)
Rural Organizing Campaign- aka ROC- rally tonite in Defiance, OH at the UAW Hall to energize rural, NW Ohio voters for GOTV & E- Day.
all hands on deck for GOTV turf cutting in Columbus, OH this morning!
Great work in PA-7 and PA-8 being done by Vote Vets and LCV. Thanks for the site visit and program update team!
Calm before the storm? Not really...gearing up for our 96hr GOTV, let's go CO!
WI: In MKE now at 1 of 2 staging sites here. trained 160 canvassers and drivers yesterday, expecting 250+ more today! #gotv
Manchester, NH: Day 4 on the ground. 28 canvassers out and about. Phonebank in Concord and progressive voter guide ALMOST done! good day.
As always, you can follow America Votes on twitter, @Americavotes