http://www.bhbanco.org/

The number to call to MDOC OFFICE is-1-517-241-7238, (Sandy Simon, Assistant to the Director-Heidi Washington.
Reverend Pinkney is requesting everyone to please write letters to him at:
Marquette Branch Prison
Rev. Edward Pinkney N-E-93 #294671
1960 US Hwy 41 South
Marquette, MI 49855

Funds are needed for the continuing campaign to have Reverend Pinkney be released from prison.Please send checks to BANCO, c/o Mrs. Dorothy Pinkney,1940 Union ST, Benton Harbor, Michigan.

http://www.bhbanco.org/

http://www.stopfbi.net/

Stand with Rasmea and fill the appeals courthouse in Cincinnati!  Buses and carloads attending from Chicago; Ft. Wayne & Indianapolis, IN; Cleveland, Youngstown, Columbus & Cincinnati, OH; Florida; Milwaukee & Madison, WI; Grand Rapids, Flint, Dearborn & Detroit, MI; Minneapolis; and more!

As her defense attorneys have said since the beginning of this ordeal, “You [Rasmea’s supporters] provide public testimony when you rally outside the courthouse and then file in to fill the courtroom.  Public testimony of not only the power of Rasmea’s positive influence on her friends and colleagues, and the people she organizes, but public testimony also of the fact that she did not receive a fair trial and that there are people who are going to hold the system—prosecutors and judges—accountable.” http://www.stopfbi.net/

While in Cincinnati, we will organize a support rally in front of the courthouse at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, and then fill the courtroom immediately thereafter, as Rasmea’s defense and the prosecution each present their oral arguments to a three judge panel.

When and Where
WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 2015. Rally outside the courthouse at 8 AM EDT.  Oral argument for the appeal starts at 9 AM EDT.

WHERE: U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse Rm 540
100 E. 5th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

More information: http://www.stopfbi.net/

http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/

Scott Walker is wasting no time enacting bad legislation since his failed Presidential campaign. We wanted to provide a quick update on some of the corrupt bills making their way through the legislative process this week.

Assembly Hearing on Civil Service Changes

Scott Walker’s plot to overhaul the civil service makes its way to the Assembly, with a public hearing by the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations on Thursday. Working people continue to sound a warning bell that this bill opens up the civil service to patronage and corruption. These fast-paced changes to the civil service were developed behind closed doors, in secret, without the input of workers, and will hurt all taxpayers by making it easier to hire applicants and promote individuals with political connections.

Make your voice heard by testifying at the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations public hearing on AB 373, relating to the state civil service.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

9:31 AM

412 East

You can also send a message to legislators, asking them to keep politics out of the civil service, by clicking here.

Your messages and calls have already had an impact on this legislation. An amendment introduced this week would shortened the newly extended probationary period for new hires. The amendment calls for a 1 year probation period instead of the originally proposed 2 years (the current probationary period is 6 months).

Dismantling the Government Accountability Board AB 388/SB 294

Instead of working to create jobs and raise wages for working people, Republicans are turning their attention to dismantling the state’s nonpartisan, ethics board – the Government Accountability Board. The Senate and Assembly will have a joint hearing Tuesday on a bill that would split the watchdog agency into two, weakening its oversight ability. The GAB is charged with investigating campaign finance violations and overseeing state elections. It will also play a vital role in implementing new Voter ID requirements in a fair and consistent way.

Changes to the independent GAB are an attack on good government and would only expand corruption. The Republican bill comes in response to the John Doe criminal investigation into coordination between Gov. Scott Walker’s 2012 recall campaign and outside advocacy groups.

Campaign Finance Bill (AB 387/SB 292)

Seeking to cash-in on special interest dark money and campaign contributions from wealthy individuals, Republicans have introduced a bill to eviscerate current campaign finance regulations. The bill would double the amount that individuals can donate to state and local candidates, and automatically adjust the limit for inflation (just think if they did that for workers’ wages!). For Governor, an individual under the new law can donate up to $20,000, previously it was capped at $10,000. The bill allows for political parties and legislative campaign committees to make unlimited donations to candidate committees as well as receive unlimited contributions, with the only exception a $12,000 per year limit cap on PAC contributions.

Enacting this legislation would make Wisconsin the Wild, Wild West of campaign finance. By putting our democracy up for sale to the highest bidder, Republicans are hoping to buy power and control.

As Scott Walker’s poll numbers plummet, the legislature would be wise to focus on creating good, family-supporting jobs instead of pushing partisan politics. As we continue the fight for fair wages, worker rights and democracy, we will keep you informed of any and all legislation that impacts working people and good government. It is important that working people come together to have a strong and meaningful voice both at work and in our communities across Wisconsin.

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President

Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-wisconsin

The truth about the live-saving services of Planned Parenthood is this: it provides to millions of women and men, many poor and people of color, who would otherwise go without needed health care.Don’t let Wisconsin legislators defund Planned Parenthood!

http://stopmpstakeover.com/

On Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30pm, an MPS school board committee will vote on whether to allow Carmen High School, a privately run charter school, to occupy part of the Pulaski High School building. Please call your school board representative this weekend to let them know that we oppose this proposal because:

• Pulaski students deserve better. MPS needs to take the time to create a meaningful plan that will benefit Pulaski students. Community, parents, and staff must be engaged like they’ve done at other schools, such as Bay View.
  
• Privately run charter schools sharing a building with public schools doesn’t work. Public school students get to see the charter school’s resources up close, but they’re not allowed to access them. How is this a partnership if there is no collaboration and two separate campuses? (Click here for details.)
  
• As a privately run charter, Carmen has external funding and big donors. They should use those resources to renovate a facility of their choosing – not prey on our public school buildings.

Please call your school board representative this weekend (click here if you do not know who your representative is).

STOP THE MPS TAKEOVER!! 6-9-15 — at Story Elementary. [Photo: Joe Brusky]