Obamacare Could Save Augusta's Taxpayers

AUGUSTA, GA - About $20 million per year cost to keep insured 2,200 employees, about $9,000 per employee annually, just to cover medical plan. An on-site clinic could save around $1million annually on taxpayer money, according to a Wells Fargo Insurance Services consultant who recommended to the Richmond County Commission to approve HealthStat as the on-site clinic provider for city employees. The Affordable Care Act once implemented could eventually provide savings to taxpayers, was said.

Oldest Black Church Recognized by the White House

AUGUSTA, GA - Augusta had five black churches before the end of Civil War, in an era when formalized assembly of African Americans was frowned upon, if not illegal, in most parts of the South.  In addition to Springfield, Thankful Baptist, Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal, Central Baptist, and Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Churches all had their own buildings.

Lake Aumond Dredging Delay: Blame the Feds

AUGUSTA, GA - Phil Lee voice concerns about delay in the dredging of Lake Aumond and Hiers Pond.  The Augusta Richmond County Commission answers: Blame the feds, call your senators, we don't have an answer. 

Greens Call on Deal to End Torture

Call on Georgians to Join One Day Solidarity Fast
ATLANTA, GA - Eighteen months after Georgia Department of Corrections employees brutally suppressed a non-violent work stoppage led by inmates in as many as eleven of the state's 34 prisons, it is believed that the "Hidden-37" have been in solitary confinement ever since. The Georgia Green Party today called on Governor Nathan Deal to end the torture; and on Georgians to join hunger striking Georgia inmates in a one day solidarity fast.

Fast, Furious and Curious

The same day that the Department of Justice went after some of the responsible of the world economy turmoil, Eric Holder was declared in revolt with Congress for the Fast and Furious program. Four more global banks are being investigated for the alleged financial market manipulation that led to fines of $453 million against Barclays Bank, British Treasury chief George Osborne said Thursday, causing stocks in those groups to plummet. For many the action of Congress is trying to stop Holder of digging so deep in the investigation that might hurt several legislators.

Obamacare on Life Support

"Nothing in our opinion precludes Congress from offering funds under the ACA to expand the availability of health care, and requiring that states accepting such funds comply with the conditions on their use. What Congress is not free to do is to penalize States that choose not to participate in that new program by taking away their existing Medicaid funding." US Supreme Court, 5 to 4, ruling on the Affordable Care Act.

Parking Deck: Double Taxation for Richmond

AUGUSTA, GA - UPDATE - The Richmond County Commission did not consider City Administrator Fred Russell’s "Motion to approve the Reynolds Street Parking Deck Construction, Operating and Reciprocal Easement Agreement, Reynolds Street Parking Deck Management Agreement, Conference Center Parking Lease and Assignment of Parking Deck Management Agreement, and to authorize the Mayor and Clerk of Commission to execute same." Russell pulled off the motion from the agenda at the last minute.

US Congress and Supreme Court as Death Panels

While Congress is preparing to take a long vacation until November 6, leaving the business of the country in limbo, 5 justices of the US Supreme Court could kill the Affordable Care Act - Obamacare - in a ruling expected tommorrow. The inaction of Congress on the jobs bill and students loans and the decitions taken by the Supreme Court place both government institutions in contempt with the American people.

Supreme Chaos on Immigration

"The Court may have decided today, but we decide in November"

WASHINGTON, DC (Amy Hinojosa) - The Supreme Court of the United States today struck down 3 of 4 major provisions of the Arizona SB 1070 law that criminalized immigrants. Unfortunately, one major provision was upheld requiring police to check the immigration status of anyone stopped, detained or arrested. Of most concern with the mixed ruling is the potential for abuse of American citizens and immigrants through racial profiling.  Questions remain regarding the definition of what constitute reasonable suspicion and how law enforcement officials in Arizona will react.

Single-Payer Now More Than Ever

As many of you know, I have been a national advocate for decades for single-payer health care for all. In that capacity, I have been working side-by-side with groups like Progressive Democrats of America, the National Nurses United (NNU), and many other committed activists on behalf of single-payer health care. So, on the eve of what could be an important U.S. Supreme Court decision -Thursday- on health care, I have happily agreed to become a member of PDA's National Advisory Board.

Parliamentary Coup in Paraguay

ASUNCION, PARAGUAY - Ousted Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo branded the country's new government illegitimate on Sunday and called for a return to democratic rule following his sudden impeachment two days ago, reported Reuters. 

Scammers Targeting Students

9 Things To Do while is being awaited the USCIS implementation of Deferred Status for Dreamers

1. Sign up for updates on the new program.

2. Read and spread the word about what this ‘new’ Obama immigration policy means and who is eligible: English | Spanish 

¡Es la clase media, estúpido!

Stanley Greenberg ha trabajado para Clinton y Mandela entre otros políticos de relieve y es el fundador de una de las firmas encuestadoras. En un análisis sobre las próximas elecciones de Estados Unidos, basado en el comportamiento de la economía en distintos países y su impacto en la reelección, concluyó que para que un presidente se reelija la economía de su país debe crecer por lo menos un 4%. 

Augusta Pride 2012

AUGUSTA, GA - City officials estimated 10,500 for attendance. This was the third year in a row that has surpassed what people thought it could be the event. "It is a great day to be out", one said.

Charter School in GA as Power Grabbing Strategy

Georgia’s legislature voted to add the Georgia Charter Schools Amendment on the voting ballot in November. If passed, the referendum would create a state constitutional amendment that would clear the way for the outlawed Georgia Charter Schools Commission, giving it the power to create charter schools—even those rejected by local school boards. The renewed John Milledge Elementary School could become a charter institution.

The Obama Tsunami

ATLANTA, GA (GALEO) - Certainly, the month of June has been very active on immigration and election matters. The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials  applauds the welcome move by the Obama Administration to provide temporary relief for potentially tens of thousands of Georgia DREAM'ers.

Divestment From Caterpillar

The Asian Americans Report

A century ago, most Asian Americans were low-skilled, low-wage laborers crowded into ethnic enclaves and targets of official discrimination. Today they are the most likely of any major racial or ethnic group in America to live in mixed neighborhoods and to marry across racial lines. When newly minted medical school graduate Priscilla Chan married Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg last month, she joined the 37% of all recent Asian-American brides who wed a non-Asian groom.

Denying Economic Development in Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA - A west Augusta neighborhood association lobbied to stop a new luxury apartment complex from being built and the Augusta Richmond County Commission unanimously denied to approve a rezoning request. The question is: Develop or not develop? Another question is: Don't we want jobs, more tax revenues and the likes?

Health Care Law Expands Community Health Centers

Obama Administration awards grants to support 219 communities, serve an additional 1.25 million additional patients, create over 5,000 jobs

DETROIT, MICHIGAN (By Sherice Perry Dillard) - At Covenant Community Care today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced awards of new grants made possible by the health care law to expand community health centers. The grants awarded to 219 health centers will help expand access to care for more than 1.25 million additional patients and create approximately 5,640 jobs by establishing new health center service delivery sites. 

Hispanic Coalition in Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA - The Hispanic Advisory Council was formed to represent Hispanic serving organizations and meet once a month to collaborate for the purpose of sharing information, networking, and creating opportunities to better serve the Hispanic community across all sectors within the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). Paul Balducci is the chair and Doris Gonzalez and Maria del Valle the secretaries. The coalition meetings take place at the Enterprise Mill, downtown.

Finally: Districts Lines for Augusta

In an order issued today, U.S. District Judge J. Randal Hall declined to incorporate the changes requested by parties in the federal lawsuit filed after local officials failed to agree on a district plan. He also set qualifying to begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 6 and end at noon Aug. 8 for candidates running for commissioners and Board of Education seats.

Alivio para estudiantes indocumentados en EE.UU

WASHINGTON— La Secretaria de Seguridad Nacional, Janet Napolitano, anunció hoy que con vigencia inmediata, ciertos jóvenes que entraron en los Estados Unidos siendo niños, que no presentan un riesgo para la seguridad nacional ni para la seguridad pública y que cumplen con varios criterios claves serán considerados para recibir alivio contra la deportación o contra el inicio del proceso de deportación.  Podrán ser elegibles a recibir la acción diferida durante un período de dos años, sujeto a renovación, y serán elegibles para solicitar la autorización de empleo.

Relief Provided to Immigrant Students

Washington, D.C. June 15, 2012- A new policy initiative will aid immigrant students who want to live and work in the United States without fear of immediate deportation. The Deferred Action Process being implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will allow students under the age of 30, who were brought to this country as minors and have been here for more than 5 years, to have the opportunity to apply for a Deferred Action Process and work authorization that could allow them to stay in the United States.

TSPLOST: Penny-lty for Georgians

On July 31, 2012, Georgians registered voters will say no or yes to the tax increase for all purchases made in the state. The TSPLOST referendum (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sale Tax) — is one of the most important economic development opportunities in our state’s history, according to the official propaganda. If passed in all regions, it would pump up to $19 billion in direct investment into the state’s economy over the next 10 years while connecting communities, reducing congestion and improving road safety. Do not be fooled by the name. This transportation tax nothing have to do with mass transportation or public transportation services at all.

DREAM Activists to Obama: Change What?

ATLANTA, GA - DreamActivist Georgia along with community members and supporters will rally outside the Obama for America campaign office demanding that his administration stop the deportation of DREAM Act eligible youth by signing an Executive Order.

Roundtree 'OK' to Run for Sheriff

AUGUSTA, GA - The Richmond County Board of Elections dismissed a challenge filed against the qualification of Richard Roundtree to run as a candidate for Sheriff of the Richmond County Sheriff Office.

First Southeast Summit on Immigration

ATLANTA, GA (GALEO) - As the Supreme Court prepares to rule on Arizona's immigration law and as more states in the Southeast debate passing their own immigration laws, prominent figures in the region will convene June 11 at a downtown hotel in Atlanta to discuss the importance of immigrants and immigration to the region's economic and cultural vitality. Key stakeholders from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee will begin to develop a common understanding of the value of immigrants and immigration to the Southeast and to the country as a whole, and to renew calls for federal action.

Israeli Occupation and Apartheid are Numbered

45 years ago this week, Israel occupied the Palestinian West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip. For more than two generations, the now four million Palestinians there have lived under Israel’s brutal military rule.

Cuban-Americans on "Sexual Tourism"(?)

It must be "Kick the Weak Week" in the U.S. Congress. How else could one explain why Representative David Rivera's bill, to rescind the residency status of Cubans living in the U.S. if they visit the island, could receive the dignity of a hearing in the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Enforcement Policy? This is a uniquely bad piece of legislation.

XXI Century Civil War Started in Wisconsin

Scott Walker survived historic outrage in this state to become the first governor in the nation’s history to survive a recall election. Bursting turnout by unionized workers angry over the loss of collective bargaining rights under Walker and by urban residents who felt abandoned by Walker’s funding priorities, was in the end smothered by support for Walker from suburbs, small towns, and rural areas.

Always Rising Up

The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, also known as the June Fourth Incident in Chinese, were a series of popular demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China beginning on 15 April 1989. The protests ended with military suppression on 4 June.

Columbia Co. School Board on Trial

 MARTINEZ, GA - David Dekle, a republican trial attorney with over 21 years of experience, is running for the District 1 seat of the Columbia County Board of Education.  The seat is presently held by Wayne Bridges who is not seeking re-election.

Institute of Public and Preventive Health