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President Obama Signs Order To Increase The Minimum Wage

2/13/2014

Yesterday, President Obama signed a much needed order to increase the nation's minimum wage.

Starting in 2015, businesses will have to pay their workers a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour. This wage increase will apply to new or renewed federal contracts and subcontracts that provide the federal government with concessions, services and construction. This includes concession workers, nursing assistants caring for veterans, people who work for military bases such as food service personnel and ground keepers.

The President's order will also apply to disabled workers employed by federal contractors. Under specific certificate programs, these citizens can be paid less than the federal minimum wage. Employees who work for tips and employed by business with federal contracts will also benefit. Currently, they are paid a minimum wage of $2.14 an hour.

For more information, read full article at
http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/12/news/economy/obama-executive-order-minimum-wage/index.html?hpt=po_c2

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Win A Chance To Meet President Obama

2/9/2014

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Letter From David Plouffe

Friend --

If you care about health care reform, you need to be part of this:

We're at a defining moment for the Affordable Care Act -- the big enrollment deadline is just weeks away. OFA supporters are going to play a huge role in helping Americans get the facts they need to get covered.

This isn't about politics. It's about actually helping real people.

Today, I'm asking you to add your name -- say you'll help spread the word about getting covered.

There's a bonus: Anyone who simply says they'll pitch in will be automatically entered for the chance to meet President Obama backstage at an event in D.C. later this month.

The President started fighting for health care reform as soon as he moved into the White House. I watched him defy the pundits -- and a lot of his advisors -- over and over again by refusing to throw in the towel when it looked like we couldn't pass health care reform.

But the President will be the first to tell you that what ultimately got the job done wasn't because of something he did.

The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land today because millions of people like you came together and worked their hearts out for it. You talked to your neighbors, and you got the word out in your communities about why reform would make a world of difference for real people.

Because of that, Obamacare is helping millions of Americans today have the peace of mind that comes with being covered. That's real, and it's something the other side will never get to take away.

Today, millions more are eligible to sign up for coverage before March 31st.

That's why everyone who's ever had a stake in this fight should be part of this final push.

Add your name -- and you'll be automatically entered for the chance to get a thank-you in person from President Obama himself:

http://my.barackobama.com/This-is-Your-Chance

Thanks,

David

P.S. -- Yes, the chance to meet President Obama is real. And I can't think of a better way to say thanks for your help in the drive to get Americans covered. Add your name today.

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Department Of Justice To Extend New Benefits To Same Sex Couples

2/9/2014

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Last summer, the Supreme court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, and granted basic federal benefits to same sex couples in states that allow gay marriage.

This allowed the Obama administration to broaden those benefits through executive order, by implementing a series of new federal protections for same sex couples.

The new benefits will apply to all legally married gay couples including couples that do not live in states that recognize same sex marriage. Under the new DOJ Directive, same sex spouses will have the same rights as opposite sex couples in federal criminal trials. This includes the right not to testify against a spouse.

The directive will also extend federal death benefits and educational payments to same sex spouses of public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty.

Federal prison inmates will qualify for compassionate release or reduced sentences if they need to care for incapacitated same sex spouses. And inmates’ spouses will have the same visitation rights regardless of their sex.

Also, Same sex couples will be treated equally in federal bankruptcy proceedings. And, in Utah, same sex marriages will be recognized.

Read complete article at http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/doj-extends-gay-marriage-rights

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North Carolina’s Moral Monday Movement Kicks Off Rally in Raleigh

2/9/2014

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On Saturday, March 8th, North Carolina’s Moral Monday movement held a massive "Moral March" in Raleigh.

Thousands of activists from all races and backgrounds marched from Shaw University to the North Carolina State Capitol. There they held a rally protesting the right-wing policies of the North Carolina government.

Since taking over the legislature in 2010 and the governor’s mansion in 2012, controlling state government for the first time in over a century, North Carolina Republicans eliminated the earned-income tax credit for 900,000, refused Medicaid coverage for 500,000, ended federal unemployment benefits for 170,000, cut pre-K for 30,000 kids while shifting $90 million from public education to voucher schools, slashed taxes for the top 5 percent while raising taxes on the bottom 95 percent, axed public financing of judicial races, prohibited death row inmates from challenging racially discriminatory verdicts, passed one of the country’s most draconian anti-choice laws, and cut early voting and eliminated same day registration.

For complete article visit http://www.thenation.com/blog/178291/north-carolinas-moral-monday-movement-kicks-2014-massive-rally-raleigh#

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Heroin Use On The Rise

2/9/2014

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Heroin use is on the rise. In New York's Long Island, addiction counselors are seeing users as young as 12 years old, and many are from middle class families.

According to experts, the crackdown on prescription painkillers has contributed to more young people looking for cheaper and more accessible drugs. Proximity to major airports and transportation stations has made buying heroin much easier.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says U.S. drug poisoning deaths involving heroin went up 45% from 2006 to 2010. And the Drug Enforcement Administration says the amount of heroin seized each year at the southwest U.S. border increased 232% from 2008 to 2012.

For complete article visit http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/07/us/long-island-heroin-youths/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

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President Obama Signs Order To Increase The Minimum Wage

Win A Chance To Meet President Obama

Department Of Justice To Extend New Benefits To Same Sex Couples

North Carolina’s Moral Monday Movement Kicks Off Rally in Raleigh

Heroin Use On The Rise

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