Tag Archive for bill

Who is “Buying” that Law?

Wonder about the status of a bill in Congress or who’s paying to push it through? Go to www.MapLight.com.  There you’ll find out about bills in the news recently and read a snippet of what they’re about.  Click on the “Interest Groups” or “Companies” tab to see a chart of contributors and amounts they’ve paid. The “Contributions” page lets you find out how much a particular group has contributed to a specific legislator.

There’s a wealth of information on this website.  It’s one all voters should take a look at, especially before the elections.

Cut Your Heating Bill

45% of the total energy used in U.S. homes goes toward heating.  So it pays to let the sun in, seal drafts, use insulated window coverings, and replace your old furnace, which is probably only 65% efficient (or less) and might burn 400 more therms of natural gas than a new model that’s 95% efficient. It’s good for you AND for the Earth.

[For more easy, money-saving, Earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]

Zika Virus and Abortion

No, they aren’t that closely related. Yes, some women may abort if they discover their child  would be born with the conditions that that Zika-infection causes.  Actually, abortion is getting in the way of funding research to fight Zika.

Both Houses of Congress, after compromise (yes, Dems and Reps can compromise when they really try), a funding bill was agreed on–until one side of the aisle added some changes.  The main change, the main sticking point keeping that bill from passing and research flowing is one that blocks money from going to a Planned Parenthood affiliated clinic in Puerto Rico, supposedly to stop the spread of Zika. (I can only guess that the logic is that women are so happy to have abortions available to them that they have more unprotected sex, knowing that they can always get rid of their little “mistakes” growing inside them. !!!!!!)

I don’t understand a legislative system that can tack on semi-related–or totally unrelated–amendments and details. Roberts, of Robert’s Rules of Order, would be horrified.

And I can’t understand how our legislators can be off on vacation when they can be taking g measures to stop a disease that not only affects people in other countries but also is creeping into our own.

Come on, people!  Do the job we elected you to do!

 

 

Hope for Pregnant Workers

There’s hope for pregnant women.  They’re often fired from their jobs because of “unreasonable demands,” like taking bathroom breaks, needing to keep a bottle of water nearby, or having to get help with lifting heavy loads.  (These are actual cases.)

Today, Senators Bob Casey and Jeanne Shaheen are introducing their Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in the U.S. Senate.  It isn’t proposing that employers make major concessions, just the same reasonable ones afforded to people with disabilities.  It would be illegal to fire a pregnant woman for needing such small accommodations.

Since May, when Rep. Jerrold Nadler brought this bill to the House, it has gained 100+ co-sponsors, plus support from a variety of organizations– public health, business, women, workers, and religious.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

 

 

Newborn Receives his First Bill

NEWS FLASH…From ODonnell JustKidding News:

The baby boy born yesterday in-flight from San Francisco to Phoenix has already been introduced to the harsh realities of life.  Although his mom had paid for all the “extras,” like luggage, a snack, a pillow, and engines on the plane, she didn’t pay for her son’s ticket.  Her absurd excuse is that he wasn’t born yet.  But he DID ride the airplane, first inside her, then out on his own, the airlines argued.  By the time the new family made it home, Baby [Blank, to protect his identity] had received a personal bill from Southwest Airlines for his unpaid seat on the plane.  Welcome to the world of commerce, Little One!

[It could happen….]

Travel Smarts