Save the Date: December 18 – How Congress Stole Christmas >>
Read how your voices are making a difference >>
On Thursday, Congress passed a short-term funding bill that keeps the government running until December 22. A more comprehensive bill is expected in the coming weeks.
While Democrats have stated their goal is to include DREAM and CHIP funding (more on those below), it remains to be seen if many members of Congress are willing to stand by that pledge.
Tell leadership of both parties: “A funding bill that neglects the health of children and the security of DREAMers is unacceptable. Vote NO on any spending bill that leaves children and DREAMers behind.”
Actions
Make sure your Alabamian friends are voting in the Special Election on Tuesday, December 12
The Special Election on Tuesday is critically important. If Doug Jones wins this Senate seat, that’s one more vote we can count on to stop the Trump agenda. Even if it’s awkward, contact all of your friends and family in Alabama and make sure they are voting on Tuesday.
Find Facebook friends in Alabama >>
Enroll in the ACA by Friday, December 15
Looking for coverage? Here’s what you need to know:
- Open enrollment for health insurance ends on Friday, December 15.
- 2018 health insurance plans will not be affected by any changes in proposed tax bills in Congress.
- There will still be a tax penalty if you don’t have health insurance in 2018.
Find out where to get enrollment help in your local community >>
Stand Up for DREAMers
Last week, Sen. John Cornyn introduced the SECURE Act, which purports to be a solution for DREAMers. It’s not. (Read the statement on the SECURE Act from United We Dream.) There are 138,440 DACA recipients in Texas alone, and each year they contribute $313,095,000 in state and local taxes. It’s up to your members of Congress to stand up to secure the futures of all DREAMers with a legislative fix: The DREAM Act. Tell Cornyn and Cruz to end the uncertainty and pass a clean DREAM Act now.
Demand your MoCs take the DREAMer Pledge >>
Tell Cornyn and Cruz to reauthorize CHIP
It is unconscionable that Congress would let health insurance expire for children and pregnant mothers. CHIP once had broad, bipartisan support, and the only reason it hasn’t been funded is because of Congress’s ineptitude, and its zeal for repealing the ACA. Call your MoCs in both the House and Senate and tell them to fund the CHIP program before more Texas children and pregnant women lose coverage.
Read: 30+ Texas Health Groups Send Urgent CHIP letter to Washington >>
Tell Cornyn and Cruz and your House rep to defend Net Neutrality
On Dec. 14, the FCC is likely to roll back net neutrality rules — despite the revelations that millions of comments in favor of the rollback sent to the FCC were fraudulent . This means that only Congress can save it, by introducing legislation to preserve net neutrality. Net Neutrality is a safeguard against autocracy. If we lose it, our Democracy suffers.
Read our explainer on why net neutrality matters and what you can do it about it >>
Thank Rep. Doggett for opposing Concealed Carry Reciprocity; Tell Sens. Cruz and Cornyn to also oppose
Last week, the House voted for something called “concealed carry reciprocity.” This means that gun licenses work the same way as driver’s licenses and are valid across state lines. Seems reasonable, right? It’s not.
Rep. Beto O’Rourke had a good Twitter thread on how this law affects Texans. Some highlights:
- Texas law requires safety training to qualify for a licence to carry. 18 other states do not.
- Texas does not issue a license to carry to abusive partners. 14 other states do.
- Texas doesn’t issue to violent offenders. 22 other states do.
- Texas doesn’t issue to people convicted of stalking. 21 other states do.
- We should hold those from out-of-state to Texas’ standards when they travel to our communities. We should not subject ourselves to the lowest common denominator in the U.S. because that will make Texas less, not more, safe.
Call Rep. Doggett and thank him for opposing this abominable law that overrules state law and makes Texans less safe. (While you’re at it, thank Beto too.) Call Senators Cruz and Cornyn and tell them you expect them to also oppose this bill when it reaches the Senate.
Call your City Council Member and ask them to vote NO on the police union contract — and show up on December 13
Join us, and partner organizations, as we attend the December 13th City Council Special meeting to encourage City Council to stand up to another police union contract that lacks accountability, stronger civilian oversight, and true transparency.
This is a chance for the City of Austin’s leadership to take a strong stance against a contract that is highly ineffective and very expensive. Contrary to some belief, if City Council chooses to boldly opt-out of this contract the road ahead is not at all uncertain. Saying “No” to the contract affords the City of Austin new and innovative ways to pursue paths to things absent in the contract and it would also allow MILLIONS of dollars to become freed up to allocate to other avenues of public interest.
Inform City Council it’s ok to stand up against the police union and faulty contracts!
City Council Contact Information >>
Austin Justice Coalition’s Complete Guide and Facts on Austin’s Police Association Contract >>
Facebook event for December 13 City Council Meeting >>
Events
Monday, December 11
7:30 p.m. The Tax Scam is Not a Done Deal. Join Indivisible’s policy and organizing teams to talk about the state of play in Congress, and how YOU can use your constituent power to turn the tide at 7:30 Central, on Facebook Live.
Tuesday, December 12
6:00 to 8 p.m. Phone bank for the Police Contract Vote. Join us at 1100 S IH 35 Frontage Rd (ADAPT of Texas office) to call supporters and active community members to ensure that people turn out to the vote on Wednesday.
7 to 9 p.m. Indivisible Cedar Park Monthly Meeting, Twin Creeks Country Club, 3201 Twin Creeks Club Dr., Cedar Park. At the smaller FAC building next to the swimming pool. We have a guest lined up who has many years of organizing experience. She will talk with us about our goals and plans as a group for 2018. Hope to see you there! Please contact Melissa Crijns with any questions: melissa.crijns@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 13
3 p.m. to ? Urge City Council: Vote NO to Another WEAK Police Union Contract, Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.
Thursday, December 14
6 to 8 p.m., OneTX holiday party, North Door, 502 Brushy St. Free and open to the public.
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