As part of the escalation of tactics against mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, members of Alliance affiliate Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) joined Right to the City, ACCE and others to bring the fight directly to Fannie Mae at their regional headquarters in Los Angeles last week.Continue reading “Foreclosure Crisis: AJS Affiliates Fight Fannie Mae in LA, Meet with Congress in DC”
AJS Hosts Institute for Pragmatic Practice Symposium in Los Angeles
AJS convened our fourth Institute for Pragmatic Practice (IPP) Symposium in Los Angeles on September 6 and 7. IPP strives to create space for organizers, policy makers, community leaders and academics to come together and think through innovative strategy and approaches to current issue. Continue reading “AJS Hosts Institute for Pragmatic Practice Symposium in Los Angeles”
Make the Road New York Helps Unionize Exploited Car Wash Workers
Alliance for a Just Society affiliate Make The Road New York, along with their partners in the “WASH New York” campaign, New York Communities for Change, have been working with car wash workers across the city to speak out and stand up against the gross labor violations rife in this notorious industry. On September 8th, the workers at Hi-Tek Carwash & Lube in East Elmhurst, Queens made history by voting to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, making them the first car wash east of Los Angeles to unionize. Continue reading “Make the Road New York Helps Unionize Exploited Car Wash Workers”
Maine Small Business Owners Challenge Political Intervention by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Members of the Maine Small Business Coalition are challenging the political intervention of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce after it announced a $400,000 attack ad in the race for the open Senate seat in Maine left by the retirement of Olympia Snowe at the end of this year. The 3,400-strong MSBC had a clear message for the U.S. Chamber: go back to Washington.Continue reading “Maine Small Business Owners Challenge Political Intervention by U.S. Chamber of Commerce”
DREAMers can Finally Achieve their Dreams! Deferred Action Application Process Begins
Nearly one million young DREAM students are now eligible to apply for the “Deferred Action” policy, allowing them to work and live in the United States for up to two years without fear of deportation.Continue reading “DREAMers can Finally Achieve their Dreams! Deferred Action Application Process Begins”
Keeping the Fox Out of the Health Care Henhouse
In March 2010, Congress passed historic health reform legislation. It is now up to state lawmakers to implement reform in our state, including passing legislation to establish new health insurance exchanges through which individuals and small businesses can buy health insurance. Continue reading “Keeping the Fox Out of the Health Care Henhouse”
How Money in Politics Affects the 99% … And How the 99% Is Fighting Back
Since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its Citizens United decision in 2010, we have witnessed an unprecedented degree of influence by corporate interests in setting public policy in America. “How Money in Politics Affects the 99% … And How the 99% Is Fighting Back” explores the profound impact money is having on decisions that affect all of us.Continue reading “How Money in Politics Affects the 99% … And How the 99% Is Fighting Back”
Paul Ryan Nomination Has Huge Implications for Medicaid
The decision by the Romney campaign to tap Representative Paul Ryan for the Vice-Presidency will have implications for the health care advocacy community. This nomination is sure to make the debate over Medicaid a national debate, not just a state-by-state one.
This will happen because the Republican Campaign seems to be embracing the entire Ryan Budget. Here are some of the things that are in that budget: Continue reading “Paul Ryan Nomination Has Huge Implications for Medicaid”
Politicians Who Defend Bush Tax Cuts for Top 2% Have Explaining to Do
As members of Congress arrive home for their August recess, which starts this week, some of them have a lot of explaining to do about their recent votes on the Bush tax cuts. In particular, every senator and representative who stood in the way of ending special tax cuts for the richest 2 percent of Americans and restoring some much-needed fairness to the tax code owes his or her constituents an explanation.
Continue reading “Politicians Who Defend Bush Tax Cuts for Top 2% Have Explaining to Do”
The Value(s) of Medicaid: 47 Years Later
July 30th marked the 47th anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare. It’s hard to imagine that 47 years ago, these critical programs that we have grown to love and rely on, were controversial sticking points that were hotly contested for years prior to being passed through the legislature- similar to the Affordable Care Act; passed only 2 years ago. What is the commonality between these programs? They reach communities that are left behind by the money-driven health care system that has [dominated] our country. We are seeing first hand which members of Congress and Governors will come to bat for these communities when their very lives are at stake.Continue reading “The Value(s) of Medicaid: 47 Years Later”