{news} Fw: TAKE ACTION: Ensure human needs are met in the final recovery plan!

Wed Feb 11 00:03:50 EST 2009

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: AFSC Connecticut 
To: edubrule at sbcglobal.net 
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:09 PM
Subject: TAKE ACTION: Ensure human needs are met in the final recovery plan!


                                     American Friends Service Committee Connecticut  
                                 
                                In This Issue:  Feb 9 2009   
                                 
                                 .    TAKE ACTION: Ensure human needs are met in the final recovery plan!  
                                   
                                 
                                TAKE ACTION: Ensure human needs are met in the final recovery plan!  
                                 
                                TAKE ACTION: Ensure human needs are met in the final recovery plan!

                                The Senate and House have passed different versions of President Obama's economic recovery package. While the total cost is similar, there are significant differences in how the House and Senate would allocate the funds. Now Congress must resolve these differences in a conference committee made up of key members of both houses. 

                                Your help is needed to ensure that the final bill retains the highest funding for programs that provides the great benefit to people most in need. 

                                Call your U.S. senators and representative toll-free* today at 1-800-473-6711.

                                Tell them to make sure the conference negotiators:

                                * Retain the highest funding for programs that have the greatest benefit for the lowest- income people, including aid to states and housing programs.
                                * Remove the flawed "E-Verify" requirement.
                                * Remove $1 billion in funding for nuclear weapons. 

                                Click here to find your senators and representative and their direct phone number if the toll-free line is busy. Don't give up; many people are calling. 

                                Background: Last month more than 600,000 Americans lost their jobs. Every day we delay a final stimulus bill, another 20,000 people join them in financial crisis. Many states and communities are facing huge budget gaps and are cutting services when people need them most. The Senate stripped $40 billion in aid that states badly need for education, food stamps and other vital services. 

                                Restoring that money will create and preserve jobs, help communities, and boost the economy.

                                AFSC also is concerned about these provisions:

                                * Moderate and low-income housing: The House bill includes $4.2 billion to redevelop abandoned and foreclosed homes, as part of Neighborhood Stabilization grants. These funds were stripped out by the Senate and should be restored. 
                                * E-Verify: The House bill requires all entities receiving recovery funds to enroll in the currently voluntary E-Verify program for all new hires. E-Verify http://www.nilc.org/immsemplymnt/ircaempverif/e-verify-facts-2009-01-29.pdf is a flawed system that would cause workplace discrimination. It contradicts the legislation's purpose and sends the wrong message at a time when Congress should focus on helping workers get jobs, not keep them out of the job market.
                                * Nuclear weapons: The Senate version spends $1 billion on nuclear weapons-related activities, at a time when the Obama administration has pledged a commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons. 

                                Call your members of Congress toll-free* TODAY: 1-800-473-6711

                                Click here for AFSC's letters to Congress and more resources on the crisis. http://www.afsc.org/EconomicJustice/US/ht/d/sp/i/74311/pid/74311

                                *This toll-free number is provided by the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization which works for social and economic justice and peace (http://www.afsc.org/). AFSC welcomes groups to use the number in support of non-partisan work and without linking it to a website that silicates donations or actions, which may be used to support partisan lobbying or work. 
                                    
                                 
                                American Friends Service Committee
                                Connecticut Area Office
                                56 Arbor Street, Suite 213
                                Hartford, CT 06106
                                Phone: 860.523.1534
                                Fax: 860.523.1705
                                Email: connecticut at afsc.org  Visit AFSC CT Online  
                             
                       
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