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  2nd Quarter Benchmark Share Out

Posted by Diana Laufenberg in American Government - Laufenberg on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 8:22 am
1.  Go to D Band Voicethread.
2.  Register for an account.
3.  Add one image to the collective voicethread.
  • Choose one of your 12 items from the benchmark to highlight
  • Locate an image that best represents that item - you can use the flickr Creative Commons to find an image if you do not have one
  • Narrate your paragraph that accompanies that item from your benchmark
4.  Comment on at least two other 'pages' from the collective voicethread.  Ask a question.  Push back on their reasoning.  Affirm their position.  Be thoughtful

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Morgan Craig-Williams: Citizen Lobbyist: Study the Issues

Posted by Morgan Craig-Williams in American Government - Laufenberg on Monday, November 29, 2010 at 8:57 pm

                                         Screen shot 2010-11-29 at 9.34.59 PM

Ever look around your neighborhood and see trash scattered every where? Ever talk a stroll down you block and see dirty streets and sidewalks slewed with garbage?


Well in Center City, you walk around and see a trash can, or recycle bin at the beginning, end and middle of each block. Besides the abundance of trash receptacles, you also see street sweepers riding past cleaning the street.

52nd Market is a prime example, go to West Philly any day and you will see trash in the gutters and the whole situation is not visitor friendly. My question is. .  . . .If you have it it in Center City, where visitors come to view our history, why can’t we have it all over? Why is it that when I step a foot out off Downtown, the trash seems to increase?

I am lobbying for the trash clean up in Center City to be as rigorous in the more urban parts of Philadelphia.

My motivation to lobby this topic, is just what i see everyday, to and from school where ever I go.  There are places in Center City that are spic and span like South st. but many places in south Philly have  piles of litter just waiting to be picked up by sanitation. There is the City sponsored group called S.W.E.E.P that educates citizens about there responsibilities and duties that will help keep Philadelphia clean. I’m sure regular pedestrians would support my lobbying idea, for the simple fact that it’s there you too. There aren’t and laws for my lobbying subject, but I propose we do something about the trash, and make the clean up more rigorous.

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21 versus 18.

Posted by Devon Thomas in American Government - Laufenberg on Monday, November 29, 2010 at 1:54 pm


What is the status of your issue at the legislature? Is this a "good" year?

This issue is not currently being pursued by any legislation


Who is essential to the outcome?

The most essential person to this case will be whomever replaces Robert C Donatucci and their views on this issue.

Who else is working on this? Can you coordinate?

There are over 100 college professors seeking to lower the drinking age. We will try to coordinate with some of the college professors. We will also try to get in touch with the National Youth Rights Association, because they are also trying to lobby for this.


Who can you influence?
The local population of teenagers.

What is the time frame?
Anytime between now and the next legislation meeting.

When are key dates - meetings, committee hearings, deadlines, etc.

The liquor control board has no current scheduled meetings because of the death of Robert seeing as he was the head chairmen. As soon as they find a replacement, meetings will continue. That will be the best time to try and bring up our own points.

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Researching the Issue - Lobbying for Smaller Schools: Educating all of Philadelphia

Posted by Taylor Tomasco in American Government - Laufenberg on Monday, November 29, 2010 at 1:42 pm

Research the Issue

1. What is the status of your issue at the legislature? Is this a "good" year?*4 elected officials, and one committee have indicated support for our issue, that has a strong background with media attention. These officials have lots of power and can influence the decisions of many people and take this lobbying assignment to the furthest extent that it can go. Our opponents would be the larger schools who have a good reputation for being a larger school, without the separation of academies, or having pupils from alternative schools attending their successful institution. So far there have been no policies 2. Who is essential to the outcome?*These are the allies that we need on board in order to allow our points to reach a higher power in the world. These are the people who can make that happen:* Robert A. Brady* Michael Nutter* Johnny Irizarry* Denise McGregor Armbrister* The Lifeworks Alternative School.We also need the School Reform Commission’s meetings to allow the public to understand our views as we will attend these meetings and express this issue to all who attend. The officials who conduct these meetings can allow the issues to reach the higher powers above.3. Who else is working on this? Can you coordinate?*Amirah Burkett and Sinnea Douglas, other seniors at SLA are also lobbying on adequate education. We don’t all have the same exact focus areas but we can use each other’s findings to make a stronger debate, on why education has become such a prevalent issue in this futuristic society we live in today. We have already planned a meeting with the two of them to make an action plan.* Small academies and schools with a good basis or primary focus are ones who play a key role in helping us lobby for smaller schools. When the focus comes to these alternative schools, after we have influenced the public, we will use the influence these small schools/academies have on the public eye, and reach out to the alternative schools. This process will enable the students being taught there to branch out to receive a better education from a more focused curriculum. These students will be given a second chance to not only turn their lives around, but make a future for themselves in the process.4. Who can you influence?* With the help of some very influential figures in the realm of education, we will be able to convey our message across a broad range of schools. Varying from the alternative, public, private, catholic, and parochial, a good education needs to be provided to all students. No matter what the reason, all students need to have access to the same tools and resources to receive an equal education. *We also believe that there needs to be a higher authority addressing these concerns as well. If this concern reaches a level to which it receives national attention, we believe it should be worthy enough to be put in-front of the President Barack Obama, and The Department of Education Head Arne Duncan.5. What is the time frame?*Although our class, American Government, will only run until the end of our second quarter (Mid January) there isn’t really a time limit to this project.  Yes, we will not be required to lobby, research and influence, but lobbying isn’t really effective unless you have desire to do it. Hopefully we will have enough success so that we can continue to lobby for it in the future, on our own time.  If not, we could always pass it down for another group of seniors to tackle in the 2011-2012 school year.

6. When are key dates - meetings, committee hearings, deadlines, etc.,

Thursday December 2, 20102010 Meeting with Amirah and Sinnea about collaborating

Thursday December 2, 2010 Meeting with Bach Tong about his experiences

Wednesday December 8, 2010 @ 2:00 PM an SCR planning meetingWednesday December 15, 2010 @ 2:00 PM an SCR action meeting
Tags: Laufenberg, AMGOV, Lobbying, Taylor Tomasco, Cody Nichols
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Child Nutrition Act

Posted by Rumman Haq in American Government - Laufenberg on Monday, November 29, 2010 at 11:39 am

School Lunch Nutrition

Megan Doe and Rumman Haq



Mission:

We want to ensure that students in Philadelphia have access to healthy foods that will benefit their health and boost their performance in school. In addition to providing nutritious foods to all of the Philadelphia School Districts’ students, we strive to reduce ill diet related diseases and hunger. Currently in Philadelphia, according to City Council, one in three children rely on emergency food programs.

Supporters:


The School Breakfast Program, the National School Lunch Program (these are permanently authorized), and School Nutrition Association.

Opponents:

Lunch trucks that purpos ely park near schools and neighbor hood stores that only provide affordable “junk food.”

All current Child Nutrition Bills


Joe Sestak, current runner for US senate supported the “Student Breakfast and Education Improvement Act of 2009.” The act was created in effort to provide schools with at least 65% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. Today in Philadelphia public schools this is still seen.

The Child Nutrition Act has been renewed. In summary:
  • Supports Obama's fight in ending child hunger by 2015
  • An additional 1 billion dollars for every 10 years of the authorizing legislation
  • Applications regarding free or reduced lunch should be done on the computer to reduce "obstacles", "stigmas", and "unnecessary costs to the School District of Philadelphia."
  • Reduce obesity and diet related diseases
  • Ensure that all children have access to healthy and nutritious foods while protecting the needs of the citizens of Philadelphia


Representative: Congressmen Robert Brady (D)  
(District 1)
DC phone: (202) 225-4731
District office:
1907-09 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 389-4627
Fax: (215) 389-4636

Along with other public officials: Chakka Fattah and Allyson Schwartz.

In 2009, Robert Brady along with other Pennsylvania representatives introduced the  Paperless Enrollment for School meals Act of 2009. The bill allowed:

1) Allows schools or districts that agree to serve breakfast and lunch free to all students for 5 years to be reimbursed based on socioeconomic data rather than individual student applications.

2) Makes it easier for schools serving high-poverty areas to provide free meals to all children by allowing data-based eligibility. The school or district gets administrative relief in exchange for covering any costs that exceed federal reimbursements.


“Passing the bipartisan child nutrition bill is vital to children and families in Pennsylvania and across the country,” said Senator Casey. “Especially because of the economy, more children depend on these programs so they don’t go hungry.  More than one million children participate in the school lunch program in Pennsylvania with nearly 200 million lunches served each year.” according to (Politic PA)
The renewal of bill delayed:

“Congress has already passed two extensions for this bill, delaying renewal of the child nutrition programs for more than a year.  Another extension would cause kids to lose out on the strong reforms and $4.5 billion in resources already passed by the Senate. (Thehill.com)

House of Representative Bob Brady and our lobbying group have agreed on many political views in the past such as:National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2010.

Bob Brady was a big supporter of the health care reform earlier this year.
However, he may have supported the Nutrition cause in the past, we have yet to find information about his progress of the 2010 Renewal of the Child Nutrition Act.
Congress has put this bill on halt because of the economic crisis according to PA Senator Bob Casey. “We are currently facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.  The effects of this crisis are far reaching and will impact the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization debate. “  
Progress
The bill may not be great but at least it is a step into improving student health. However, Bob Brady has been a supporter of  child nutrition act, he has yet to speak or support the reauthorizing of the Child Nutrition Act 2010 which is still in the air because of our current economic crisis.

Rep. George Miller (D -- Calif.), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee that drafted the House's child nutrition legislation, released a statement commending the Senate for its "important step forward."

During this 2010 election, even though the bill has yet to be  reauthorized, candidates have not expressed how the feel about the issue. They tried to put a Food Safety Modernization Act to a vote  but the objection of Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who said he opposed considering the measure stating that it was not fully paid for.
We need to show our support for House passage of the $4.5 billion child nutrition bill that passed the Senate earlier this year. If the bill isn't on the president's desk soon, supporters will have to start over in the new Congress.
The reason why the bill is on hold because they want to improve the bill before it is passed however it is preventing those who can’t afford a good lunch. SNA President, Nancy Rice sent a letter to the Honorable George Miller, Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee on Thursday, September 23, 2010, stating the School Nutrition Association’s support for S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. It is anticipated that the House will likely vote on S. 3307 this week.
They should come to resolution of the act by the end of this month and people should write letters to their local legislation sponsors to pass the bill.

Sources:
http://www.brady.house.gov/
http://frac.org/legislative-action-center/cnr-priorities/current-child-nutrition-bills/
http://www.politicspa.com/casey-urges-passage-of-child-nutrition-bill/14120/
http://casey.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=e881bb5e-f7ac-43e8-8b6c-62cd319d44a1
http://www.brady.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=43&sectiontree=42,43
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Google doc update

Posted by Evan Cohen in American Government - Laufenberg on Monday, November 29, 2010 at 6:18 am

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1NqAK4rieo7OWGCxNPJUOsamnx_STEGhAF1Z30m-_rZA
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Blog Post #3

Posted by Alexis Montgomery in American Government - Laufenberg on Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 4:56 pm

As of the last 2 years, minimum wage is set at $7.25. By definition this isn’t really a “good” or bad year for the Minimum Wage Act of 2007, the plan was to raise the wages by 2008, its 2010… the government has done as much raising as they plan on doing, unless another act is created. Which is my new plan of action, as mentioned before, thought the wages have been raised, the amount is only enough to raise our poverty line a few points. Yes, some of the poor are eating, but how much? And what about the others? The Minimum Wage Act of 2007 is highly underpublicized, it seems as ifcitizens see it as “if I’m not scrounging like the poor, why worry about how much THEY make.” People with high salaries, generally pay it no mind because they aren’t paid hourly, and people who have salary jobs usually make more than those who make hourly pay. Therefore they cease to care about the “minimum” at which they aren’t making.

No one realizes how deep we are in the poverty hole. To pull ourselves out we must make change, whether it be little by little or large chunks. The attention of America’s well-known wall street stockholders, as well as our state legislators is needed. Convincing the legislators of the raise in the minimum wage would be needed, then the financial help of stockholders tax dollars is needed to get the pot boiling. My strongest influence would have to on legislators because they are the ones who would have to help me get the bill moving, the tax dollars will come by government enforced laws.

 

Based on the poverty levels rates, even if the wages were raised to $8.00, on a 40 hour work week for a family of 2 or 3, the poverty line is met. Are we that selfish that we cant raise our rates seventy-five cents more? The facts are there, its jus no one pays them any attention, id be happy to coordinate such a drastic difference in my states level of poverty. The really is no time frame, as long as change is constant, I feel I’d be making a difference.

 

There currently is no group or organizations helping to raise minimum wage, but maybe that’s where we can begin our change.. starting Minimum Wage Raise Supporters Organization (:

800px-History_of_US_federal_minimum_wage_increases.svg
800px-History_of_US_federal_minimum_wage_increases.svg
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Lobbying Assignment #3

Posted by Brianna Thompson in American Government - Laufenberg on Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 9:21 am

2.     Who is essential to the outcome?

People from the republican part are our key components in this assignment since most of them probably share the same views about how much of the money is being used on welfare and how its being used by it’s recipients as well. I’m not really sure on specific people at the moment since I don’t actually know if there is an open legislature on this topic.

3.     Who else is working on this? Can you coordinate?

I wasn’t actually quite sure what this question meant i.e. who else in school is working on this or who else of actual congress is working on this or other sources outside of school.

4.     Who can you influence?

I can influence my own household (full of people who can vote) as well as my peers who can spread the word to their families to educate them on the situation. I truly believe that the biggest obstacle will be getting people from the working class to be on board with this since welfare probably benefits them a lot more than republicans . 

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Blog post 3

Posted by Anthony Carter in American Government - Laufenberg on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 8:48 am

We do not have any specific elected officials that support this cause. But their is a ton of public support from people who report it and the SPCA. For every animal in danger, there is a news story on it. The people who are pretty much opposed to this are thous who could care less about a animals life. The was an ACT made for animals it was the AWA (Animal welfare act). We need an official who will listen but also for the SPCA to try hard in the animals defence. The biggest allies we have in this are the SPCA who have been helping animals for a while now. We can coordinate with the SPCA to help us talk to officials so we get animals better treatment. Everyone has the potential to be influenced since this is such a big topic the easiest to influence would be people who are willing to listen or people who are already trying to protect animals from such cruelty.   

No Animal should be treated like this.  


We need to protect animals like this dog from being abused, this is what influence us to notify the public and volunteer to help care and fight from there freedom and their love. These animals want to be love and we want them to love us.
It difficult to volunteer under the age of 18 but we are determine to find a location. There are many locations that people can choose to help like Morris Animal Refugee, SPCA, PAWS, Pet-smart, and some many others. Their are a number of points in which we could try to rally people with us. For example we could  try “writing letters to the editor”. See what we mean is a person could write to a news firm and ask them to help spread the word.They might just put a post in the paper if a person bugs them to death with it they may even us this blog it self. But a person cloud also write straight to the top at the government and they could be nice enough to give what they are writing a chance and actually state it at a meeting. “Phones and Faxes to the top” are basically just like.And are even more alike the letters because their all doing the same thing. They are asking to get to someone who has the power to help them get their point across. Same with an e-mail they have the same point making plan just go straight to the top and evade all the boring parts like the waiting. “Personal visits with the targeted decision maker.” that help because person good straight to the head, state his case, make it convincing, and see what the head person thinks.
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Blog post #3

Posted by Marshall Johnston in American Government - Laufenberg on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 8:20 am

Legislature status in the long run great. Status as of now, eh....not so great.

Many states across the nation are having internal battles to legalize medicinal marijuana. Since those who tend to support medicinal marijuana are fairly liberal and those whom oppose it are fairly conservative, we start to see lots of controversy in the states that tend to not vote the same way in each election; among those states is Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is abnormal if anything when it comes to democrat vs republican. Making up for a large portion of Pennsylvania’s population is Philadelphia. In the city of Philadelphia, over 80% of residents tend to vote democrat (liberal). Once you travel outside of Philadelphia, you start to see the republican numbers skyrocket. If all of Pennsylvania were like Philadelphia, then there would be no controversy around medicinal marijuana in this state.

What is the status of this issue at the legislature?

There are two main bills pending in the house and the senate that are fighting to approve medicinal marijuana; House bill 1393, and Senate bill 1350. Both bills basically state the same thing, they want medicinal marijuana to be approved. The reasons for this vary from the amount of money it would save to boost our economy, to the number of lives it could help and potentially save from terminal illnesses. The house bill was referred to the Health and Human Services departmenton April 30th, 2009. The senate bill was referred to the Public Health and Welfare department on may 4th, 2010.

Who is essential to the outcome?

Representative Mark B. Cohen is the democratic majority caucus chairman, he is largely backing this bill, along with senator Daylin Leach, the democratic legislator. A group called L.I.E.V.E. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, they are all ex-policemen/women or currently employed policemen/women whom get a first hand look at what banning marijuana does to our society. The biggest obstacle/opponent we have to get around is the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the ones who have the power to allow these bills to pass.
A link for almost all you need to know: http://www.phillynorml.org/medijuana/about/history
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Blog post #1

Posted by Marshall Johnston in American Government - Laufenberg on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 8:18 am

What is Medicinal Marijuana?


Medicinal marijuana is a topic that isn’t touched upon enough in our country. For many of Americas citizens, marijuana is a word that makes them jump. The ignorance around the so called “drug” makes many think it has some horrible effects on people who use it. When in truth, the side effects are hunger and sleepiness. Medicinal marijuana if used in the right cases can have dramatic positive affects in the process of fighting and curing certain deceases. According to Live Strong, a cause group that raises millions each year to help cure cancerous diseases, medicinal marijuana has uses such as, pain relief, decreased nausea, muscle relaxation, to treat glaucoma, and having an increased appetite. (http://www.livestrong.com/article/85963-benefits-medical-marijuana/)


Why is This Important to me?

To be honest, I’ve had my own encounters with marijuana, and I can say from a personal stand point that nothing bad happened to me. I didn’t become addicted,  I didn’t grow into a couch potato, it didn’t affect any of my relationships, etc. Many of the arguments against using medicinal marijuana are because of their fears of all of this happening. On sites such as abovetheinfluence.com, they say things like, “Heavy marijuana use impairs young people's ability to concentrate and retain information.” this is true, however when used moderately for medical purposes, these kinds of side affects rarely occur.

When I was seven years old, my mother died. She died from a mixture of scleraderma and lupus; one of the main contributors to why it got worse and worse was the fact that she rarely ate. She was given pills by doctors to try to arouse her appetite, but she would refuse to eat. If medicinal marijuana could have been used in cases such as this; it could have a great impact on many lives.


Who supports medicinal marijuana?

On the east coast, medicinal marijuana has three main supporters; senator Daylin Leach(district 17), senator Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. (district 1), and senator Jim Ferlo (district 38). Each of the three are liberal politicians and senator Daylin Leach sits on the Public Health & Welfare committee where the bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana was recently sent.

“act providing for the medical use of marijuana; and repealing provisions of law that prohibit and penalize marijuana use.”-
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2009&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1350
    
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