Unemployedworkers.Org Will Deliver Petition to Congress! Please Sign Now!

This coming Wednesday, Nov. 30, we'll be delivering our Petition to Congress to Renew Federal Unemployment Insurance for 2012.
  
Already, tens of thousands of Americans have signed our Petition.

Will you take just a minute to read and sign the Petition to Congress now?

At an event on Capitol Hill Nov. 30, with Members of Congress and unemployed workers, we'll be joined by our friends from USAction.org and MomsRising.org to deliver our combined online Petition to Congress signatures.  Right now, those signatures total well over 30,000.

In the next 72 hours we hope to add many thousands more.
Please take a minute to read and sign the Petition to Congress now.

The federal unemployment insurance programs that are the primary lifeline for eligible long-term jobless workers are set to expire Dec. 31 -- unless Congress acts to renew them for 2012.

These programs are just as vitally needed now as when they were enacted in 2008 and 2009.  The extensions of federal unemployment insurance have helped more than 17 million unemployed job-seekers in the last three years.  

And recent Census data show that these critical benefits kept more than 3 million Americans from falling into poverty in 2010 alone.

Please read and sign the Petition to Congress to Renew Federal Unemployment Insurance for 2012.

If Congress fails to act, nearly 2 million unemployed Americans will be cut off from this emergency lifeline in the month of January alone.  Millions more would be cut off in subsequent months -- more than 6 million during 2012.

Indeed, if Congress fails to act, it will have devastating consequences not only for millions of Americans and their families, but for our fragile economy and struggling communities across the country.  The Economic Policy Institute recently estimated that allowing the extensions of unemployment insurance to expire would result in the nation losing more than a half a million more jobs.

Please Sign the Petition to Congress.  Tell them to renew federal unemployment insurance through 2012 now!

Tell the Leaders and Members of Congress that they must act now to renew federal unemployment insurance through 2012, and take additional steps to help avert layoffs, create good jobs, end discriminatory job market practices that exclude the unemployed, and get real help to long-term unemployed workers including those who have exhausted unemployment benefits.

Sign the Petition to Congress Now!

Many thanks.   And please share the Petition widely!

The UnemployedWorkers.Org Team
Mitchell, Chris, Maurice, Judy, Christine, Rebecca, Mike, Rick, George, Claire and Norman

www.Unemployedworkers.org

Mick Mulvaney: The Ultimate Koch

South Carolina's tea is a little tainted, folks.

Mick Mulvaney is owned by corporate interests. And despite what he tries to sell to the people in his home state, he's too busy doing the deeds of those who have bought him.

Koch Industries is just one. Here are a few snapshots. The column to the right of the date is the money amount.

You can download an Excel spreadsheet detailing the numbers behind the iWatch News and Center for Responsive Politics report HERE.

Tea Party Freshmen Made Turkeys Out Of People

Don't just take it from me. I have always stated the obvious. These elected cronies people fell in love with in 2010 are nothing more than scam artists.

On her website, Rep. Diane Black asks constituents to join advisory panels in her Tennessee district. “I believe the best ideas to solve our nation’s problems will come from people like you,” Black writes, “not Washington bureaucrats and special interest groups.”

Black is one of the new Republicans who rode a wave of anti-Washington sentiment into town in 2011, a self-identified member of the tea party wing that has been cast as a new kind of conservative— fiery, unwilling to compromise and determined to downsize the government. But while many say Black and her companions have created a split in the Republican Party, it is not visible among the companies and interest groups that are donating to members of Congress.

You can download the full set of PAC contributions to Tea Party Caucus Freshmen here: http://bit.ly/uUJOAk

Read the full report by Center for Public Integrity staff writer Aaron Mehta and Center for Responsive Politics senior fellow Bob Biersack here.

Who is November's Scoundrel of the Month?

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, but here in Washington, the turkeys have been on parade all month. We’ve caught politicians gobbling up corporate dollars, others cooking up lies, and even a presidential candidate offering a half-baked attempt to subvert our election laws. Thankfully, you can call out this boorish behavior by naming one of them CREW’s Scoundrel of the Month!

November’s nominees:

	Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH): One of the Most Corrupt Members of Congress, Rep. Schmidt accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in free legal services from lawyers hired by a special interest group. She also may have lied to congressional investigators about the matter.	[ VOTE ]
	House Committee Leaders: More pay-to-play games in Congress. Our research revealed that chairs and ranking members of many House committees are raking in campaign cash from the very industries they are supposed to be monitoring and regulating. How often do you think these members bite the hands that feed them?	[ VOTE ]
	The Super Committee: The brief three month existence of the super committee turned out to be a boon for its members and a bust for Americans. Committee members’ PACs saw a 62% increase in contributions when compared to 2009. Americans saw a 0% increase in the effectiveness of Congress.	[ VOTE ]
	Herman Cain: He may want to be a different kind of candidate, but he still has to play by the rules. We caught Mr. Cain’s presidential campaign taking in $40,000 in illegal corporate contributions from the Wisconsin-based Prosperity USA, Inc. We've asked the FEC to take a closer look.	[ VOTE ]
	FEC Commissioners: And speaking of the FEC, there’s yet another scandal at the already dysfunctional agency. This time we uncovered how the three Republican commissioners are working in conjunction with right-wing activists. It’s time for President Obama to step in and clean house at this thoroughly inept agency.	[ VOTE ]

Who will earn a place on the wall of shame alongside the likes of Rupert Murdoch, Sen. David Vitter, et al? Cast your vote between now and noon eastern time Monday the 28th and we’ll announce the winner on our Twitter feed (so make sure you’re following us).

Thank you for your support,

Melanie Sloan

MegaVote: SC 1st, 11/21/2011

Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations House: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 House: Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations House: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States Editor's Note: The Senate and House are in recess this week.

Recent Senate Votes

Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations - Vote Agreed to (70-30) The Senate gave final approval to this "minibus" spending bill that combines the 2012 fiscal year Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation-HUD appropriations bills. The bill also contains a continuing resolution to keep the rest of the government funded through December 16. The president signed the bill into law the next day. The nine remaining annual appropriations bills may be combined into one bill after the Thanksgiving recess. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (272-154, 7 Not Voting) This House bill would allow citizens with a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun across state lines. The bill's future in the Senate is unclear. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations - Vote Passed (298-121, 14 Not Voting) The House passed the conference report for this "minibus" spending bill that combines the 2012 fiscal year Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation-HUD appropriations bills. The bill also contains a continuing resolution to keep the rest of the government funded through December 16. The Senate passed the bill later in the day, clearing it for the president. The nine remaining annual appropriations bills may be combined into one bill after the Thanksgiving recess. Rep. Tim Scott voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States - Vote Failed (261-165, 8 Not Voting) The House fell 23 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass this balanced-budget constitutional amendment. Under the terms of the August debt limit law, both chambers are required to consider a balanced-budget amendment by the end of 2011. The Senate is expected to consider the proposal in December. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Tim Scott's Miserable Excuses In Regards To The Georgetown Port

A lot of people - and even Tim Scott himself - have used plenty of excuses in dealing with the dredging of the Georgetown port.

A notable excuse used is he's only been in office for a limited time. However, the port issue has not. Henry Brown had it in the same office before Scott was elected.

And since 2003, a major beating of the drum has been constant.

Dredging for last year was funded at $3.2 million, after an emergency allocation of $500,000 from Congress needed to make the steel mill viable when it was up for sale.

In 2003, Congress gave $3.3 million for dredging and $2 million in 2002, a reduction from the $5.7 million approved in 2001, Gregory said.

“That dredging of the port is very important to the operations of the facility,” said Jack Hutchison, acting economic development director in Georgetown.

“If we don’t have that, there is a chance the port will close down. I think that if it stays in the budget, that is very good news for Georgetown.”

Tim Scott Appears To Have Sat On Georgetown Port Dredging Even With Knowledge Of Potential Business

It appears Tim Scott may have sat on knowledge publicly provided to him that would have made the case to expedite the dredging of Georgetown's port.

In January 2011, a story was written on Scott by The Hill about his meetings with potential Republican presidential candidates. However, the major news comes from the comments section.

In February of this year, Schronce tells Scott in a public comment he has signed contracts with people ready to go as soon as the port is dredged. Schronce even says he can show them to Scott. And since then, nothing has been done to get the port dredged immediately.

So, what gives? Why is the port not being dredged? Why are people who want to provide work being held up?

Citizens Will Challenge Haley's Order Monday

The SC Progressive Network announced today it will challenge Gov. Nikki Haley's order against protesting on the State House grounds after 6pm this Monday.

"We are urging citizens who believe that our First Amendment right to petition our government doesn't end at sunset to join us at the State House from 6 to 7pm, Monday, Nov. 21," said Network Director Brett Bursey. "We will peacefully protest on the grounds, and are inviting legislators to join us in taking a stand for free speech in South Carolina."

The Network is a 16-year-old statewide coalition of advocacy organizations and grassroots activists that promotes democratic reforms, including reducing the influence of money in politics. "We do not believe that money is free speech, that corporations are people, or that the Occupy Wall Street protests don't have a clear message," Bursey said.

Network Co-chair Virginia Sanders said the the prohibition against protesting after 6pm reminds her of Columbia's old Jim Crow practice of running the last bus to the black communities before dark. "The governor is saying that if I work until 5pm, my opportunity to protest her decisions will last about 15 minutes," Sanders said.

Sanders' remembers 1961, when 187 black students were arrested for protesting racial segregation on the State House grounds. The US Supreme Court threw out the conviction, ordering that the state could not "make criminal the peaceful expression of unpopular views."

Participants in Monday's protest will not be arrested unless they refuse to leave after being ordered to do so by the Bureau of Protective Services. Neither the Governor's office, the Dept. of Public Safety or the Bureau responded to repeated requests Friday for clarification of the new limits on First Amendment expression on the State House grounds. "It's my guess that they don't have a clue how to enforce an illegal order," Bursey said.

"If I can't stand on the State House grounds with a sign that expresses my opinion about how our democracy has been hijacked by corporate interests, I'd rather be in jail," he said.

A 'Lesson Learned' Will Not Stop Nikki Haley From Repeating Similar Behaviors

A 'lesson learned' admitted by South Carolina Governor (in training) Nikki Haley is news only because she was caught.

SUMMERVILLE -- Gov. Nikki Haley said she learned a lesson from criticism over the cost to the taxpayers stemming from her trip the Paris Air Show last summer.

The S.C. Department of Commerce spent about $158,000 on Haley's economic development mission to Europe in June, a trip that included five-star accommodations and a party at the Paris Ritz.

And the comments you read below show just how much she's not capable of learning.

The Post and Courier first reported these expenses, and when Haley appeared before the Kiwanis Club here Thursday, an audience member asked her about it.

"That was a working trip. It was very productive. If I need to go again, I will go again," Haley said.

"What I will tell you is in the future I will question Commerce on who else is going and how much they are spending," she added. "That was my lesson learned from that."

That's right. Our governor flies blindly. Does she really expect us all to buy that nonsense. I mean, do you really believe she doesn't have the slightest idea of who travels with her?

If the trip was so productive, then show us.

"There is a method to the madness," she added. "I am selling the state the only way I know how."

Yup. Selling us out.

Unprecedented tool developed for small businesses to find and compare health insurance plans

Updated website describes local plan benefits, pricing for first time

A greatly expanded website to give small business owners an unprecedented detailed review of their health insurance plan choices was announced today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Just in time for 2012, this powerful new tool allows small business owners to compare the benefits and costs of health plans and choose those that are best for their employees. For the first time ever, it will allow small businesses to research locally available products in an unbiased manner and foster a more transparent and competitive marketplace.

“This new information will help business owners navigate what has traditionally been a complicated and confusing decision,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  “Both owners and their employees can feel more confident that the plans offered will be the best to suit everyone’s needs.”

In addition to the market being difficult to analyze, small businesses do not fare as well large employers when negotiating health care prices, on average small businesses spend 18 percent more for the same health insurance coverage.  This new tool brings needed transparency to the marketplace, which will help ensure insurance companies will compete for business on the basis of price and quality.

The tool is located on www.HealthCare.gov, which was created under requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act, the new health care law of 2010.  The website is the first of its kind to bring information and links to health insurance plans to one place, and to make it easy for consumers to learn about and compare their insurance options.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services worked to define and collect detailed benefits and premium rating information from insurers across the country to develop the site.

The new information added gives small business owners access to the following:

• Insurance product choices for a given ZIP code, sorted by out-of-pocket limits, average cost per enrollee, or other factors.
• A summary of cost and coverage for small group products that shows the available deductibles, range of co-pay options, included and excluded benefits, and benefits available for purchase at additional cost.
• The ability to filter product selection based on whether the plans are Health Savings Account eligible, have prescription drug, mental health, or maternity coverage, or allow for domestic partner or same sex coverage.

More than 530 insurers have provided information for more than 2,700 coverage plans across all states and the District of Columbia.

“Tens of thousands of small businesses from across America have already logged-on to www.HealthCare.gov to see what health coverage options are available to them,” said Steve Larsen, director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. “The new, unprecedented ability to search at this level of detail will bring the marketplace into better balance by giving insurance purchasers the power of information.”

In addition, the website provides extensive information about consumer rights, tips for how to navigate the market’s complexities, and details on how the Affordable Care Act provides new protections for beneficiaries.

To access the small business Insurance Finder, go to the home page of www.HealthCare.gov and click on the blue tab at the top of the page.

For more information, visit www.HealthCare.gov, or access the HHS Facebook page or Twitter account.  To download a www.HealthCare.gov Insurance Finder widget visit www.HealthCare.gov/stay_connected.html.

S.C. 7th District: What 'Frontrunner' Matters?

The Sun News asks who's the frontrunner in the newly created 7th District in South Carolina.

The number of candidates to formally announce their candidacy for the Horry County-anchored 7th Congressional District seems to be growing by the day, and there’s plenty more names out there generating whispers and conversation about their intentions.

So, at this stage of the game, is there a frontrunner?

My take? Who cares.

The Republicans who have come out are not interested in representing people or doing what needs to be done for the common good. They are not obligated to make jobs priority or better public education.

No, they are like the rest of greedy Republicans: All about the power.

It's a new seat. A new job for a Republican, as they see it. A chance to build a dynasty. Screw you, people of the 7th.

And when you people in this state doped up on Fox News and WRNN's far-right radio shows, what do you expect? A well educated voter base? Not hardly.

No "frontrunner" matters. Only Republicans matter. And, frankly, once you elect one... you cease to matter, too.

Something special happened in Colorado

Something special happened in Colorado a few days ago: One of our volunteers called up an '08 supporter in Denver, and they had the millionth conversation of this campaign.

The person on the other end of the line had never volunteered before. But as a result of this call, he decided to attend an event in his area to connect with other volunteers in his community. Over the next 12 months, he could start dozens, maybe hundreds, more one-on-one conversations with voters. And they'll start conversations of their own.

That will all have started with this one conversation. This is how we build this campaign.

Messina recorded a message reporting back on what this means, and why our opponents won't have this kind of grassroots enthusiasm. You're going to want to take a look at this one.

Watch his message -- then say you'll be part of getting to the next million.

While we are all excited about this 1 million milestone, right now, we're training our eyes on the next million conversations.

Some of these conversations will be with supporters who have always believed in the President. Others might be with folks who haven't engaged with us for a while. It's on all of us to reach out to these people -- and you don't have to wait for a phone bank or a canvass to do it. You can start making calls right now.

When I think about 1 million conversations, I can't help but think back to March 2007, when I began organizing for then-Senator Obama's campaign.

Back then, a lot of people seemed to think that winning a presidential campaign always came down to big-dollar donations and big-name endorsements, period. They counted out our style of grassroots organizing -- said it wouldn't get people to the polls.

We didn't listen to them. We built our organization person by person, one conversation at a time -- and that strategy didn't just get us votes. It was how we won in key states around the country, and how we elected this president.

We've got to do that again. Because this time around, the stakes are even higher, and there are still just as many folks on the other side who don't believe in grassroots organizing. They're counting you out right now. They think you can't -- or won't -- take individual action to help build this organization.

You can start proving them wrong with the conversations you're about to have.

Watch Messina's message, then commit to volunteer in the months ahead, and start some conversations of your own:

http://my.barackobama.com/1-Million-Conversations

Thanks for everything you've done -- and everything you're about to do.

- Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director
Obama for America

South Carolina New Democrats Present Common Ground Conference This Saturday

The momentum is shifting.

It was just a few months ago that pundits and politicians of all stripes seemed dead-set on leaving the ordinary families to silently suffer the impact of the worst recession of our lives, while the special interests who crashed the economy skipped away with impunity.

But around the country, the middle class is rising up and making our voices heard.

The moment couldn’t be better for our Common Ground conference. It will be an opportunity to meet and share ideas – and work together to build a new shared agenda for an economy that works for all of us.

The Common Ground conference is coming up – Saturday Nov 19th in Columbia.

If you haven’t registered yet, click here to sign up. There’s still time.

If you’ve already signed up, click here to share the event on facebook and invite your friends.

Too often our elected officials only hear the voices of the CEOs, Wall Street banks and wealthy corporate campaign backers.

But it’s time to make our voices heard. It was the special interests that drove the economy off the cliff, but it’s the ordinary working class and middle class families who are paying the price. Lost jobs. Foreclosure. Lost opportunity. Poverty.

But something’s in the air: it’s time for change. The Common Ground conference is our opportunity to build something big, together.

Click here to register now.

If you’ve already signed up, click here to share on facebook, or just forward this email to friends and family.

See you in Columbia on the 19th.

South Carolina Dems Say Mitt Romney Undermines Veterans' Healthcare

Last week, Republican Presidential Candidate, Mitt Romney said he believed veterans should be required to use a voucher system for their healthcare.  When asked what happens if the voucher doesn't cover all the medical costs, he responded, "who knows."

 

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair, Dick Harpootlian, responded to Romney's inability to do what's best for the people that fight for our rights by saying:

 

Mitt Romney has been a conscience objector in the fight to help our veterans. Romney has been telling his Tea Party cronies that we should cut all benefits like Medicare, education and and even medical care for the people that fight for our country. A man with no concern for the health of our service men and women isn't fit to command a chain gang, let alone be Commander in Chief.

 

 

Democratic Governors Association Says No To Medicaid, Medicare Cuts

Cut $500 billion from Medicare. Cut $185 billion from Medicaid. Cut $100 billion from other health programs. And – even though it makes no sense – give the super-rich $670 billion in tax cuts.

That's how congressional Republicans want the "super committee" to reach the $1.2 trillion in deficit cuts required by the debt ceiling deal last summer. The only shared sacrifice they seem to believe in is sacrifice by seniors and the poor.

It's absolutely disgusting.

The super committee's deadline is only eight days away. They need to know that Americans will not accept deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. We're telling the super committee NO on deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare – and we need you to stand with us.

Click here to tell the super committee to reject deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. The deadline is eight days away and YOUR voice must be heard!

I'm against it, you're against it, and the latest polls show that more than 80% of Americans are against it. But these Tea Party Republicans aren't going to listen unless they start hearing from us loud and clear.

GOP governors even wrote to the super committee, urging them to cut Medicaid for our most vulnerable citizens. It's outrageous.

If states have to take on more of the burden for Medicaid, that means deeper cuts in education and other services people rely on.

And let me repeat – they want to make the cuts while giving another handout to billionaires.

That's why we need you to send a message to the Republicans on the super committee immediately.

Don't let them get away with it. Click here to tell the super committee to reject deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. Hurry – the deadline is just eight days away!

Thank you,

Mark Giangreco
Democratic Governors Association

Tarryl Clark: Put Our Priorities First - Now!

Over 800 of you signed on to our petition urging Chip Cravaack to stop blocking important projects like the Northern Lights Express (NLX) rail project that will get people back to work now, and build the infrastructure we need to create good jobs for years to come. We will be delivering the petition with all of its signatures to his office in Duluth later this week.

All of your support is inspiring – it’s the energy that will create the change we need in this district. Chip Cravaack has been a tool of the Tea Party since the very beginning and is hell bent on moving us backwards.  We need your energy and support to build the movement needed to call the Congressman out on his priorities.

We need to make sure that Tea Partiers like Congressman Cravaack are not allowed to return to Congress.  In just over a year, they have done nothing but attempt to roll back any and all legislation that would help our families and communities. 

Your support is the first step to sending the Congressman packing and making sure that the priorities of all Americans are focused on – not just the heads of corporate boards that Cravaack is a rubber stamp for.

It is time for Congress to focus on jobs instead of tax cuts for corporations. These are our priorities and Congressman Cravaack needs to hear this loud and clear from us. I am committed to building the organization and grassroots movement that is key to winning back Congress, but I cannot do it without your help and your contribution today is one more step in accomplishing our goal.

Sincerely,

Tarryl

P.S. Our families cannot wait while Congress drags its feet, we need jobs now! Projects that upgrade our infrastructure like the NLX will get people back to work now and help create good jobs for years to come.

Action Alert: Call-In Day On Taxes This Wednesday

As the deadline approaches for the Congressional Super Committee to come up with a proposal to reduce the deficit, it’s critical that we keep the pressure on lawmakers to keep sensible and responsible revenue proposals on the table.

That’s why 20 Patriotic Millionaires are visiting Congress tomorrow to urge members to raise their taxes.

Please add your voice and join our national call-in day on Wednesday, November 16th.

Call your Congressional representatives through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and tell them:

• Increase tax rates for high incomes. No budget cuts until we raise revenue from those who have benefited the most and have the greatest capacity to pay. 
• If you are an upper income taxpayer: Tax me! I support proposals to raise taxes for wealthy households like my own.

The decisions Congress makes in the next few weeks will have profound implications for public investments and our economy for many years to come. Now is the time for us to speak out.

Thanks for your commitment to tax fairness,

Chuck Collins, Alison Goldberg and Ann Manning

Sheheen: DHEC board decision is a costly blunder to South Carolina

Last week, I was appalled by the decision of Governor Haley's DHEC board to allow the dredging of the Savannah River by Georgia.  Their ruling is a costly blunder and disaster for our state’s environment and our future economic growth. Selling out on protection of our sensitive natural habitats and our own economy is a mistake that will cost us dearly in jobs and natural resources.

I have called on the DHEC Board members to resign immediately and Governor Haley should replace them with knowledgeable individuals who will represent the best interest of our state and who are not campaign contributors to the Governor.

I am also requesting that state Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell convene an investigatory committee to review whether or not the DHEC board was improperly influenced.

Finally, I call on Governor Haley to disclose immediately all contributions she received from persons or corporations residing in the state of Georgia during the last six months.

Haley and her DHEC board should be ashamed.

Please join me and call Governor Haley at 803-734-2100 and demand she do the right thing. We need to remind our elected leaders that South Carolina comes first.

Very truly,

Senator Vincent Sheheen

$1 Billion

State insurance regulators are threatening to gut the new rule in the health reform law that keeps insurance premiums in check. This rule, called the medical loss ratio (MLR), requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of your premiums on medical care instead of using it to pad their profits and pay millions to their CEOs. State insurance commissioners are holding a secret meeting tomorrow to decide whether they want to force a vote to rob $1 billion in rebates from consumers.

Click here and send a message to your insurance commissioners today. Tell them: You work for us, not the insurance companies - hands off the MLR.

It’s no surprise that the Wall Street run insurance companies are trying to kill any rule that cuts into their excessive profits. That’s why they're pressuring your state insurance commissioner to change the law to let them take $1 billion of your money. The truth is that the medical loss ratio works and has already lowered premium rates for some Connecticut residents by 19 percent!

Fight the insurance companies’ army of lobbyists today. Help us put an end to the insurers’ business as usual. Tell your insurance commissioner - hands off the MLR.

Health insurance companies continue to make record profits, and their CEOs have collected more than $1 billion in personal compensation in the last decade while the majority of Americans are barely getting by. Fight this greed-driven corporate power today.
 
In Solidarity,

Melinda Gibson
Health Care for America Now

Local Attorney Enters South Carolina House District 108 Race

Jarrod Ownbey, of Mullins Law Firm, P.A., has officially announced his candidacy for the South Carolina House of Representatives District 108 seat currently held by Rep. Kevin Ryan (R). Ownbey will run as a Democrat for the District that covers a portion of Georgetown and Charleston Counties. 

Mr. Ownbey, along with Randall K. Mullins, represents approximately 60 depositors in the Bahama Island Resort and Marina cases currently pending in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Common Pleas. Ownbey has been a member of the South Carolina Bar Association for almost 5 years and is additionally licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

“I hope to build upon the progress made by former Rep. Vida Miller (D). I have to first commend her on her service and dedication to the people of this District,” Ownbey said. “It is imperative that we return to that level of leadership in order to improve the lives of the people of District 108; and in doing so, we need to first focus on creating and sustaining jobs and giving our educators the tools necessary to provide our youth with a competitive education.”

Mr. Ownbey, 32, resides in Pawleys Island with his wife Stacy and their three daughters. He is a 2006 graduate of the Appalachian School of Law, located in Grundy, Virginia and a 2002 graduate of the University of South Carolina, Spartanburg campus. Ownbey, originally from Spartanburg, SC, relocated to Georgetown County in 2008. 

For further details or comment, please contact Jarrod Ownbey at (843) 272-8902; (843) 467-6694; or at Ownbey4SCHouse@yahoo.com. Mr. Ownbey can be reached via facsimile at (843) 272-3075.

MegaVote: SC 1st, 11/15/2011

Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Motion to Proceed; Net Neutrality disapproval Senate: Motion to Proceed; Cross-border air pollution rule disapproval Senate: Government Contractor Withholding Repeal Act Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Energy-Water, Financial Services, State-Foreign Operations appropriations House: Government Contractor Withholding Repeal Act House: Coast Guard authorization House: Balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution House: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011

Recent Senate Votes

Motion to Proceed; Net Neutrality disapproval - Vote Rejected (46-52, 2 Not Voting) The Senate rejected a move to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission’s "net neutrality" rule from taking effect on November 20. The rule will prohibit broadband service providers from blocking content or applications. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Motion to Proceed; Cross-border air pollution rule disapproval - Vote Rejected (41-56, 3 Not Voting) The Senate rejected this move to nullify an Environmental Protection Agency rule on cross-state air pollution targeting emissions from power plants. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Government Contractor Withholding Repeal Act - Vote Passed (95-0, 1 Present, 4 Not Voting) The Senate voted to repeal a requirement that government agencies withhold 3 percent of payments to government contractors. The chamber amended the bill to give tax credits to companies that hire unemployed veterans. The House is expected to take up the amended bill after the Veterans Day recess. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

Energy-Water, Financial Services, State-Foreign Operations appropriations - H.R.2354 The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill combining the 2012 Energy-Water, Financial Services, and State-Foreign Operations appropriations bills. Government Contractor Withholding Repeal Act - H.R.674 The House is scheduled to take up the amended version of the bill to repeal a 3 percent withholding requirement on government contractor payments. The Senate amended the bill to include tax credits for companies hiring unemployed veterans. Coast Guard authorization - H.R.2838 The House is also scheduled to work on this three-year Coast Guard authorization bill. Balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution - H.J.RES.2 The House may also take up this balanced-budget constitutional amendment. National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 - H.R.822 This House bill would allow citizens with permits to carry concealed firearms in their home states to carry the firearm in other states.