Week of March 20, 2017
First, let’s look at how your voices made a difference last week.
ALL WEEK
Monday, March 20
All day – Call SENATORS to Combat Donald Trump’s Arch-Conservative SCOTUS Pick
Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacant seat on the United States Supreme Court. Judge Gorsuch does not belong on the Supreme Court—and not just because Republicans stole this seat by refusing to hold a hearing (let alone a vote!) for Merrick Garland, President Obama’s supremely well qualified and moderate nominee. Judge Gorsuch is a staunch conservative out of step with the American people.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Community Event: Equality Texas – All in for Advocacy Day, Texas Capitol
Equality Texas, ACLU of Texas, Human Rights Campaign, Texas Freedom Network, and Transgender Education Network of Texas invite you to our All In For Equality Advocacy Day. This is an opportunity for YOU to ask state leaders to pass inclusive policies that protect all Texans, including our children; and end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Tuesday, March 21
All Day – Call your MoC to Save the Arts!
Today is National Arts Advocacy Day.
Call your reps TODAY and tell them that the arts are not optional — they are important to you and to the nation’s economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the creative industries generate $704 billion (4.2%) of the U.S. economy — greater than the contributions of the construction ($586.7 billion), transportation and, warehousing ($464.1 billion) industries — and provide jobs to 4.7 million Americans. The arts also bolster local economies by attracting the tourist dollar. They enrich our lives immeasurably, improve quality of life, and study after study shows that children who partake of arts education do better in math and reading, hone discipline and concentration skills, have greater cultural awareness, and learn foreign languages better.
Last week, President Trump released a non-binding budget resolution that proposed the elimination of 19 federal agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts. Congress must still put forward and pass their own budget legislation, which means there’s time to build and strengthen relationships with lawmakers and urge them to save the NEA and fund the agency at $155 million for fiscal year 2018.
A related issue is tax reform — there have been proposals from both sides of the aisle that would limit giving to charitable communities. The nonprofit sector is urging Congress to preserve the full scope and value of the tax deduction for all charitable gifts.
8pm – 9pm Indivisible Austin Conference Call – Fight back on ACA repeal!
Join us for our weekly conference call with our guest speaker Melissa McChesney, Healthcare Outreach Coordinator with the Center for Public Policy Priorities. She’ll discuss the specific impacts of the repeal bill to Texas. This call will help you be a better advocated when you call your House rep and ask them to vote NO.
Wednesday, March 22
11 am Coffee Meetup with Indivisible Austin. Get a free bumper sticker!
Epoch Coffee at the Village, 2700 W Anderson Ln #409, Austin, TX 78757
ACA Vigils: Don’t Take Away Our Healthcare
Let’s gather together in solidarity with dozens of other Indivisible groups across the state on Wednesday at dusk for a candlelight vigil. Bring a candle; we will have some extras…we will provide the light!
Show our representatives and our community that we do not condone stripping healthcare from millions of Americans.
Austin Citywide Vigil: 7:30-9 pm, University Medical Center Brackenridge, 601 E 15th St, Austin, Texas 78701
Western ATX Vigil: 7:30-9 pm, Baylor Scott & White – Lakeway, 100 Medical Parkway, Lakeway, Texas
Wilco/Round Rock Vigil: 7:30-9 pm, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, 2400 Round Rock Ave, Round Rock, TX 78681
TX17 Vigil: 7:30-9 pm, Rep. Bill Flores’ Austin Office, 14205 N. Burnet Rd Suite 230, Austin, TX 78728
Kerrville Vigil: 7:00 pm: Kerr County Courthouse, 700 Main St., Kerrville, TX
San Antonio Vigil: 8-9 pm, 500 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX
Waco Vigil: 7:30 pm, Rep. Bill Flores’s Waco Office: 400 Austin Ave # 302, Waco, TX (and again on Thursday, March 23, same time and place)
Thursday, March 23
All day – Trumpcare vote expected in the House – call your HOUSE representative!
6-8 p.m. – IATX Evening Meet-up & Bumper Sticker Giveaway
Cafe Express, 3418 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705, USA (map)
Friday, March 24
Plan a visit to your MoC’s office to provide feedback on their vote on Trumpcare.
Saturday, March 25
11am – 1pm District 25 Social at Black Star Coop
Black Star Co-op (map)