St. Charles Advocacy Topics--February 22, 2012
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St. Charles Social Justice
Feb 22, 2012, 3:23:58 PM2/22/12
to St. Charles Social Justice Advocacy
ST. CHARLES ADVOCACY TOPICS—February 22, 2012
I. LOCAL
--NO INPUT
II. STATE
--II. A. URGE YOUR STATE DELEGATE AND SENATOR TO SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT
AVOIDS “CUTS-ONLY” TO NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES
--II. B. URGE YOUR DELEGATE TO VOTE FOR SB 484 WITHOUT AMENDMENT
--II. C. OPPOSE DIVERSION OF MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE FUNDS FOR VIRGINIA TO
NON-HOUSING PURPOSES
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. VIRGINIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE (VCC) URGES SUPPORT FOR
LEGISLATION TO PROTECT RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE
--III. B. NETWORK REPORTS SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF EXTENSION OF
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE/PAYROLL TAX RELIEF, AND THANKS YOU FOR YOUR
ADVOCACY
IV. INTERNATIONAL
--NO INPUT.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. LOCAL—NO INPUT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
II. STATE
--II. A. URGE YOUR STATE DELEGATE AND SENATOR TO SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT
AVOIDS “CUTS-ONLY” TO NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES
The northern Virginia Catholic social justice network, SALT (Social
Action Linking Together) reports that that its partner, Better Choices
for Virginia, is still analyzing the House and Senate cross-over
budget proposals. However, SALT quotes the following as Better
Choice’s initial “take” on these proposals.
"Unfortunately, the proposed House and Senate budgets simply continue
the cuts-only approach that is hurting working families and slowing
our economic recovery. Virginians need an economy that works for
everyone and lawmakers that listen to our priorities: a balanced
approach to the budget that includes new revenue so we can invest in
our future. Instead of taking a balanced approach that includes
reforming costly tax loopholes, both Chambers have resorted to
borrowing and accounting gimmicks."
Some examples:
-- Proposed education funding remains below 2007 levels
-- 4500 low income seniors across Virginia will lose health care
coverage under these proposals
-- The House "pays" for part of its budget by just assuming VRS is
going to earn a lot more money than even the VRS trustees think they
will - then spending that money now in its budget.
-- The Senate, as expected, does not raid sales tax revenues for
transportation and, in fact, indexes the gas tax to inflation
-- The House raids sales tax money for transportation meaning hundreds
of millions permanently lost from education, healthcare, public
safety, etc.
--The Senate would add new debt to the Commonwealth's already high
debt levels, borrowing over $470 million new dollars
-- Rather than take a balanced approach that includes reforming
corporate tax loopholes and giveaways, the House proposes spending
Virginia's share of the national mortgage settlement, money that was
intended to help relieve homeowners who were victims of the big banks
foreclosure practices.
-- The Senate proposes over $125 million in spending for corporate
"incentives"
Please urge your delegate and senator to oppose a “cuts-only” approach
to the budget that will hurt the most vulnerable, and to support a
balanced approach to the budget that includes new revenue as well as
spending reductions.
Find your legislators at the “Who is my Legislator” icon on the
Virginia Assembly Website, accessed by the link in the contact
information given at the end of the “State” section of this email.
--II. B. URGE YOUR DELEGATE TO VOTE FOR SB 484 WITHOUT AMENDMENT
SB 484 – a top Virginia Catholic Conference priority – requires an
ultrasound to be performed prior to an abortion and offers the woman
the opportunity to view it if she so chooses. Some are urging that
the bill be amended during the House floor debate. The VCC asks us to
urge our state delegates to vote for SB 484 without amendments.
Click on the following link (http://www.capwiz.com/vacatholic/issues/
alert/?alertid=61025351&type=ST) to view a pre-drafted (but editable)
message that could be sent to your Delegate to urge him or her to vote
for SB 484 with no amendments. [After clicking the link in the
previous sentence, you will need to scroll down and click “Send
Message” in order for your Delegate to receive your message.]
The VCC explains that much of the media attention has focused on the
transvaginal ultrasound technique. Many media accounts are not
telling the whole story, however. Providers of abortion admit that an
ultrasound (including a transvaginal ultrasound in some cases) is
necessary to determine the age and size of the unborn child to ensure
the health of the mother. In addition, seven (7) states have laws
that require an ultrasound for each abortion and require the abortion
provider to offer the opportunity to view the image: AL, AZ, FL, LA,
NC, OK and MS. Thus, Virginia would not be breaking any new legal or
medical ground by passing SB 484.
SB 484 also does not mandate or cosmpel anyone to have any
ultrasound. A woman, once told that the ultrasound is required
prior to the invasive abortion procedure, can choose whether to
consent.
--II. C. OPPOSE DIVERSION OF MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE FUNDS FOR VIRGINIA TO
NON-HOUSING PURPOSES
SALT reports that the proposed Senate and House of Delegates budgets
have one thing in common: neither body saw the need to direct the $69
million in Mortgage Settlement Funds to housing. SALT and the Virginia
Housing Coalition say that only one thing can change the course now—
let your senator and delegate, and the governor,know that this money
should be spent on housing!
After five months of downward movement, foreclosures are rising again.
Virginia's rate of foreclosure is the highest of the mid-Atlantic
states, homelessness is rising, rents are rising, record numbers of
homeowners are "underwater" on their mortgages. To make matters worse,
Federal housing assistance is being cut - funding for the HOME program
has fallen almost 50% in the last two years.
Economists, business leaders, and policy makers all agree that re-
starting the housing market is essential to our economic recovery. The
money from the National Mortgage Settlement Agreement should be spent
as it was intended, to rebuild homeownership and help Virginians who
have been devastated by the housing crisis. Examples of how this $69
million should be used in Virginia include:
--Down payment assistance for first time homebuyers
--Housing counseling for new homeowners and foreclosure prevention
--Rehabilitation of vacant and abandoned properties
--Development of affordable housing
--Preventing homelessness through rapid re-housing
Click on the following links to send a pre-formatted (but editable)
message to your senator and representative and to the governor, to
urge them to spend the $69 million where it should be spent: on
housing.
1. Click here http://www.capwiz.com/phonehome/issues/alert/?alertid=61009356&type=ST
to send a message to your Delegate and Senator.
2. Click here https://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm
to send a message to the Governor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR GOVERNOR, AND STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
- To contact Governor McDonnell, use the following link:
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm or
The phone number for Governor McDonnell is (804) 786-2211.
- Find your senator at http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembershipHome?OpenForm
- Find your representative at http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView,
OR
Go to “Who's My Legislator” icon on the General Assembly website at
http://legis.state.va.us to find or confirm who your delegate or
senator is, and his or her contact information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. VIRGINIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE (VCC) URGES SUPPORT FOR
LEGISLATION TO PROTECT RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE
A VCC alert reports that during the week of February 27, the Senate is
expected to vote on the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act in the
form of an amendment to Transportation Authorization Bill (S. 1813).
For this purpose Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), the primary sponsor of S.
1467, has introduced Senate Amendment 1520. The suggested e-mail
message to the Senate at the NCHLA Grassroots Action Center
specifically urges Senators to vote for Senate Amendment 1520.
VCC urges us to contact your U.S. Representative by e-mail, phone, or
FAX letter:
--Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your
Members’ local offices.
--Send an e-mail through NCHLA’s Grassroots Action Center at
http://actions.nchla.org/Core/core.aspx?APP=GAC&AID=970&IssueID=25200&SiteID=-1.
--Additional contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at:
www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
VCC Suggested Message: "Please co-sponsor and support the Respect for
Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). The Obama
administration’s decision to mandate coverage of sterilization and
contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes
passage of this measure especially urgent. Please ensure that the
religious liberty and conscience rights of all participants in our
nation’s health care system are respected.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--III. B. NETWORK REPORTS SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF EXTENSION OF
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE/PAYROLL TAX RELIEF, AND THANKS YOU FOR YOUR
ADVOCACY
The Catholic social justice advocacy network, NETWORK, is very pleased
that on Friday, February 17, both the House and the Senate passed H.R.
3630, the bill to extend, until December 31, 2012:
--unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed,
--the payroll tax reduction for workers,
--elimination of the drastic cut in the repayment rate to doctors who
treat Medicare patients, and
--Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The bill was sent to President Obama to sign into law this week.
It did not include the provision that NETWORK opposed -- cutting the
Child Tax Credit for immigrants.
Thank you for your advocacy on this – you made a difference!
More information on this bill is at www.networklobby.org/UI-payrolltax.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE -
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
To contact your senators and representative, go to
http://actioncenter.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ac_homepage or
http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/ and enter your zip code.
(Both sites have links to additional information about issues.)
You can also reach your senators and representative by calling the
Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.
To contact the President, go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/bio/?id=20004&lvl=F.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IV. INTERNATIONAL--NO INPUT.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[NOTE: We encourage you to forward this e-mail to others you think
would be interested. Persons wishing to subscribe may email
elise...@gmail.com.]
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "St. Charles Social Justice Advocacy" group.
To post to this group, send email to StCharles-
Advo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to StCharles-Advocacy
+unsub...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/StCharles-Advocacy?hl=en.
I. LOCAL
--NO INPUT
II. STATE
--II. A. URGE YOUR STATE DELEGATE AND SENATOR TO SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT
AVOIDS “CUTS-ONLY” TO NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES
--II. B. URGE YOUR DELEGATE TO VOTE FOR SB 484 WITHOUT AMENDMENT
--II. C. OPPOSE DIVERSION OF MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE FUNDS FOR VIRGINIA TO
NON-HOUSING PURPOSES
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. VIRGINIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE (VCC) URGES SUPPORT FOR
LEGISLATION TO PROTECT RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE
--III. B. NETWORK REPORTS SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF EXTENSION OF
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE/PAYROLL TAX RELIEF, AND THANKS YOU FOR YOUR
ADVOCACY
IV. INTERNATIONAL
--NO INPUT.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. LOCAL—NO INPUT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
II. STATE
--II. A. URGE YOUR STATE DELEGATE AND SENATOR TO SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT
AVOIDS “CUTS-ONLY” TO NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES
The northern Virginia Catholic social justice network, SALT (Social
Action Linking Together) reports that that its partner, Better Choices
for Virginia, is still analyzing the House and Senate cross-over
budget proposals. However, SALT quotes the following as Better
Choice’s initial “take” on these proposals.
"Unfortunately, the proposed House and Senate budgets simply continue
the cuts-only approach that is hurting working families and slowing
our economic recovery. Virginians need an economy that works for
everyone and lawmakers that listen to our priorities: a balanced
approach to the budget that includes new revenue so we can invest in
our future. Instead of taking a balanced approach that includes
reforming costly tax loopholes, both Chambers have resorted to
borrowing and accounting gimmicks."
Some examples:
-- Proposed education funding remains below 2007 levels
-- 4500 low income seniors across Virginia will lose health care
coverage under these proposals
-- The House "pays" for part of its budget by just assuming VRS is
going to earn a lot more money than even the VRS trustees think they
will - then spending that money now in its budget.
-- The Senate, as expected, does not raid sales tax revenues for
transportation and, in fact, indexes the gas tax to inflation
-- The House raids sales tax money for transportation meaning hundreds
of millions permanently lost from education, healthcare, public
safety, etc.
--The Senate would add new debt to the Commonwealth's already high
debt levels, borrowing over $470 million new dollars
-- Rather than take a balanced approach that includes reforming
corporate tax loopholes and giveaways, the House proposes spending
Virginia's share of the national mortgage settlement, money that was
intended to help relieve homeowners who were victims of the big banks
foreclosure practices.
-- The Senate proposes over $125 million in spending for corporate
"incentives"
Please urge your delegate and senator to oppose a “cuts-only” approach
to the budget that will hurt the most vulnerable, and to support a
balanced approach to the budget that includes new revenue as well as
spending reductions.
Find your legislators at the “Who is my Legislator” icon on the
Virginia Assembly Website, accessed by the link in the contact
information given at the end of the “State” section of this email.
--II. B. URGE YOUR DELEGATE TO VOTE FOR SB 484 WITHOUT AMENDMENT
SB 484 – a top Virginia Catholic Conference priority – requires an
ultrasound to be performed prior to an abortion and offers the woman
the opportunity to view it if she so chooses. Some are urging that
the bill be amended during the House floor debate. The VCC asks us to
urge our state delegates to vote for SB 484 without amendments.
Click on the following link (http://www.capwiz.com/vacatholic/issues/
alert/?alertid=61025351&type=ST) to view a pre-drafted (but editable)
message that could be sent to your Delegate to urge him or her to vote
for SB 484 with no amendments. [After clicking the link in the
previous sentence, you will need to scroll down and click “Send
Message” in order for your Delegate to receive your message.]
The VCC explains that much of the media attention has focused on the
transvaginal ultrasound technique. Many media accounts are not
telling the whole story, however. Providers of abortion admit that an
ultrasound (including a transvaginal ultrasound in some cases) is
necessary to determine the age and size of the unborn child to ensure
the health of the mother. In addition, seven (7) states have laws
that require an ultrasound for each abortion and require the abortion
provider to offer the opportunity to view the image: AL, AZ, FL, LA,
NC, OK and MS. Thus, Virginia would not be breaking any new legal or
medical ground by passing SB 484.
SB 484 also does not mandate or cosmpel anyone to have any
ultrasound. A woman, once told that the ultrasound is required
prior to the invasive abortion procedure, can choose whether to
consent.
--II. C. OPPOSE DIVERSION OF MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE FUNDS FOR VIRGINIA TO
NON-HOUSING PURPOSES
SALT reports that the proposed Senate and House of Delegates budgets
have one thing in common: neither body saw the need to direct the $69
million in Mortgage Settlement Funds to housing. SALT and the Virginia
Housing Coalition say that only one thing can change the course now—
let your senator and delegate, and the governor,know that this money
should be spent on housing!
After five months of downward movement, foreclosures are rising again.
Virginia's rate of foreclosure is the highest of the mid-Atlantic
states, homelessness is rising, rents are rising, record numbers of
homeowners are "underwater" on their mortgages. To make matters worse,
Federal housing assistance is being cut - funding for the HOME program
has fallen almost 50% in the last two years.
Economists, business leaders, and policy makers all agree that re-
starting the housing market is essential to our economic recovery. The
money from the National Mortgage Settlement Agreement should be spent
as it was intended, to rebuild homeownership and help Virginians who
have been devastated by the housing crisis. Examples of how this $69
million should be used in Virginia include:
--Down payment assistance for first time homebuyers
--Housing counseling for new homeowners and foreclosure prevention
--Rehabilitation of vacant and abandoned properties
--Development of affordable housing
--Preventing homelessness through rapid re-housing
Click on the following links to send a pre-formatted (but editable)
message to your senator and representative and to the governor, to
urge them to spend the $69 million where it should be spent: on
housing.
1. Click here http://www.capwiz.com/phonehome/issues/alert/?alertid=61009356&type=ST
to send a message to your Delegate and Senator.
2. Click here https://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm
to send a message to the Governor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR GOVERNOR, AND STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
- To contact Governor McDonnell, use the following link:
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm or
The phone number for Governor McDonnell is (804) 786-2211.
- Find your senator at http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembershipHome?OpenForm
- Find your representative at http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView,
OR
Go to “Who's My Legislator” icon on the General Assembly website at
http://legis.state.va.us to find or confirm who your delegate or
senator is, and his or her contact information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. VIRGINIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE (VCC) URGES SUPPORT FOR
LEGISLATION TO PROTECT RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE
A VCC alert reports that during the week of February 27, the Senate is
expected to vote on the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act in the
form of an amendment to Transportation Authorization Bill (S. 1813).
For this purpose Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), the primary sponsor of S.
1467, has introduced Senate Amendment 1520. The suggested e-mail
message to the Senate at the NCHLA Grassroots Action Center
specifically urges Senators to vote for Senate Amendment 1520.
VCC urges us to contact your U.S. Representative by e-mail, phone, or
FAX letter:
--Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your
Members’ local offices.
--Send an e-mail through NCHLA’s Grassroots Action Center at
http://actions.nchla.org/Core/core.aspx?APP=GAC&AID=970&IssueID=25200&SiteID=-1.
--Additional contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at:
www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
VCC Suggested Message: "Please co-sponsor and support the Respect for
Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). The Obama
administration’s decision to mandate coverage of sterilization and
contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes
passage of this measure especially urgent. Please ensure that the
religious liberty and conscience rights of all participants in our
nation’s health care system are respected.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--III. B. NETWORK REPORTS SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF EXTENSION OF
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE/PAYROLL TAX RELIEF, AND THANKS YOU FOR YOUR
ADVOCACY
The Catholic social justice advocacy network, NETWORK, is very pleased
that on Friday, February 17, both the House and the Senate passed H.R.
3630, the bill to extend, until December 31, 2012:
--unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed,
--the payroll tax reduction for workers,
--elimination of the drastic cut in the repayment rate to doctors who
treat Medicare patients, and
--Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The bill was sent to President Obama to sign into law this week.
It did not include the provision that NETWORK opposed -- cutting the
Child Tax Credit for immigrants.
Thank you for your advocacy on this – you made a difference!
More information on this bill is at www.networklobby.org/UI-payrolltax.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE -
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
To contact your senators and representative, go to
http://actioncenter.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ac_homepage or
http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/ and enter your zip code.
(Both sites have links to additional information about issues.)
You can also reach your senators and representative by calling the
Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.
To contact the President, go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/bio/?id=20004&lvl=F.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IV. INTERNATIONAL--NO INPUT.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[NOTE: We encourage you to forward this e-mail to others you think
would be interested. Persons wishing to subscribe may email
elise...@gmail.com.]
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "St. Charles Social Justice Advocacy" group.
To post to this group, send email to StCharles-
Advo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to StCharles-Advocacy
+unsub...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/StCharles-Advocacy?hl=en.
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