Senate Bill That Includes Matthew Shepard’s Act Could Come Thursday « Equality Across America

Senate Bill That Includes Matthew Shepard’s Act Could Come Thursday « Equality Across America:

"Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 by Mark Reed

Rick Maze – Staff writer Navy Times October 21, 2009

Final action on the 2010 defense authorization bill could come Thursday, with a slugfest to decide whether the $681 billion measure will include a controversial hate-crimes provision.
Under procedures set up by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., the Senate will vote on a cloture motion that would cut off debate and bring the bill to a final vote.

To do that, Reid would have to get 60 votes in favor of his motion. Leadership aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity said they expect more than 60 senators to vote for the bill, even though there is strong Republican opposition to including the hate-crimes provision.

There are two reasons to believe that Reid will succeed. First, when the Senate was debating the defense bill in July, 63 senators voted on a similar cloture vote to keep the hate-crimes provision. Then two weeks ago, a key Republican, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said that he supports the bill even though he does not support the inclusion of provisions making sexual abuse, assaults and murder a federal crime if the person committed the act because of the victim’s race, color, religion, national origin or gender identification."

Climate Change Blog Action Day « Barbara Boxer Blog

Climate Change Blog Action Day « Barbara Boxer Blog:

"This past Friday was an international Blog Action Day, with blogs around the world joining to discuss the many ways that climate change impacts our lives. According to organizer Change.org, more than 13,000 blogs from 155 countries took part, taking on the many faces of the climate change issue. This day of action serves as an important reminder of the power of coordinated efforts.

As the chair of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Boxer has been a driving force in writing and shepherding the Kerry-Boxer Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, introduced earlier this month. The United States has an important global leadership role in addressing climate change; so it’s important that we take strong action now."

Early Obama adviser waiting to see on schools strategy | GothamSchools

Early Obama adviser waiting to see on schools strategy GothamSchools:

"An early adviser to President Obama on education issues, Christopher Edley, the dean of the law school at UC-Berkeley, today praised the president for following through on his promise to make schools a priority despite the tough times. But Edley said that whether Obama is pursuing the right education policies is unclear.

“The question is whether he is going to pick the right strategy to advance that,” Edley said, speaking on an education panel at the New York Public Library sponsored by the Wall Street Journal and Intel Corporation."

QEIA shell games amount to further education cuts

QEIA shell games amount to further education cuts

Analysis from CSBA's Governmental Relations Department
Published: October 20, 2009

Since July, when the state budget deal eliminated $450 million for the Quality Education Investment Act in 2009-10, there has been a significant amount of uncertainty regarding QEIA, the new program created to settle the California Teachers Association’s successful lawsuit against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over the level of funding owed to schools in 2004-05.
QEIA funding was to come entirely from the state’s general fund, without drawing down any dollars from Proposition 98’s minimum education funding guarantee. But, while QEIA money was zeroed out of the general fund this year, the program itself wasn’t suspended—instead, it’s currently funded with Proposition 98 dollars that should be available for other educational purposes. Lawmakers accomplished this maneuver by redirecting funds from the revenue limits of the nearly 140 districts with schools participating in QEIA and authorizing those districts to apply to the California Department of Education to backfill the revenue limit reduction with federal Title I and school improvement grants.
This provided the false assurance that the cut to QEIA-district revenue limits could be backfilled by federal dollars. In fact, it appears that may not be possible, due both to specific rules tied to those federal dollars and to the lack of sufficient funding from those sources.

As a consequence, there remains a need to backfill approximately $380 million—the amount under QEIA that goes to participating school districts. The Legislature attempted to address this issue in the final days of the regular session through state Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass’s Senate Bill 84. However, the governor vetoed the measure, citing his plan to use State Fiscal Stabilization Funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to backfill the cut.
In yet another complex shell game to restore the pending cuts to the revenue limits of QEIA districts, Assembly Bill X3 56 by Assembly member Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, would use SFSF and Title I set-aside and carry-over dollars, if available, to pay for QEIA for this year, with any remainder needed to fully fund QEIA likely coming from unspent dollars within Proposition 98. ABX3 56 was approved by the Senate last week and is awaiting approval by the Assembly.

The Title I revenues specified in the bill include $65 million from prior years that wasn’t spent and $100 million that is provided for use at the state level. Assuming this funding is available for this purpose, it would free up $165 million of SFSF dollars that should otherwise be available to all school districts to restore the cuts from 2008-09—but there is some uncertainty as to whether the Title I funds are available and, if they are, whether any savings realized from the SFSF will benefit school districts.
The only reason there is SFSF money available now is because—due to the severity of the education cuts approved in July—the governor asked federal officials to accelerate some of remaining SFSF funds available to California instead of waiting for the second round of SFSF distributions. This has the advantage of making additional money available now under the existing requirements, without the additional conditions or prerequisites that may be imposed on the remaining dollars.

It is important to emphasize that the $355 million now available is not new SFSF money; rather, this is money that all districts were expecting to receive, based on information provided last spring. Should all or part of these funds be redirected to backfill QEIA, it will amount to a further cut to education.

There is some positive news for QEIA districts. It is likely that the revenue limits for QEIA districts will not be cut, as was required by the July budget package. This is important, because some districts with QEIA schools were being required by their county offices of education to reduce their budgets by the amount of the expected revenue limit cut. And, remember, because of the elimination of this year’s general fund support, the program has been extended by one year, to 2014-15, to ensure the full amount owed under the settlement will be paid by the state.

Sen. Roland Burris Demands Public Option : NPR

Sen. Roland Burris Demands Public Option : NPR:

"Thirty Democratic Senators recently signed a letter declaring their support for a public option, as part of a sweeping overhaul to health care in the U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, a Democrat from Illinois, is among those lawmakers and says he will vote against any final bill without it. Burris' comments gained further momentum following a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, indicating that a clear majority of Americans now support the public option. The Senator explains plans to move his agenda forward."

The DC VOICE Ostrich

The DC VOICE Ostrich:

"D.C. education continues to receive only a fraction of the focus, participation, and public voice necessary at the Council level to ensure student development and success. So, as asked by Council Member Michael Brown during the October 16th Council Hearing on DCPS, is it time to “Reform the reform”?

In 2007 the D.C. Council gave full oversight of DCPS issues to the Mayor and the mayoral appointed Chancellor. An education committee was eliminated and the Committee of the Whole took charge of D.C.’s most pressing issue, public education.

The intentions are understood, but the actual benefits are debatable. While the previous committee consisted of five Council Members, the Committee of the Whole is chaired by the Council Chairperson and consists of all 13 Council Members. The urgency and interest from the full Council appeared to be the first step toward a 13 person commitment for reform, but as seen during the recent Council Hearing on October 16th, only a handful of Council Members are really involved. A mere 5 Council Members were present any significant portion of time during the 18 hour hearing.

With questions about erasures, fluctuating attendance numbers, a teacher union contract in limbo, RIFs, and accountability, at no other time than the present is the need for a proper governing voice on DC education issues more apparent."

Nevada City to host AMGEN prologue - The Sac Rag

Nevada City to host AMGEN prologue - The Sac Rag

As I predicted, Nevada City will be involved in the 2010 AMGEN tour. In fact, the prologue to the 2010 race might start in the wonderful foothill town, News10 reports. The prologue would end here in Sacramento which means lots of two-wheeled action for our fair city as well.

In addition the race has been moved to May. The announcement about the race layout will be made official tomorrow, and it looks like it is still uncertain whether Lance will compete since the Tour of Italy also takes place in May.

SCUSD Observer: Luther Burbank groundbreaking today

SCUSD Observer: Luther Burbank groundbreaking today

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Luther Burbank groundbreaking today
The $24.5 million Luther Burbank Regional Sports Complex will commence groundbreaking ceremonies today at 10:00 a.m., at 3500 Florin Road, Sacramento.

Home | The Root

Home The Root

How the (Dr. Cornel) West Was Won

Cornel West, distinguished professor in the Princeton Center for African American Studies, and author of bestsellers such as Race Matters (Vintage, 1994) Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism (Penguin, 2004) and Keeping Faith: Philosophy and Faith in America (Routledge, 1994),has a new memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud (Smiley Books) in stores now. In it, West describes his journey from “Mama’s child and daddy’s kid” to being one of the preeminent sociologists working today.

In Part 1 of this two-part interview, I sat down with West recently to talk art, politics, the first black President, as well as a memorable New York meeting between West, education activist Geoffrey Canada and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. We tried to stick to business, but ended up discussing Curtis Mayfield, Nina Simone, James Brown, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, KRS-One and the O’Jays. At least Dr. West didn’t rap.

First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks on Healthy Eating and Obesity to HHS

First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks on Healthy Eating and Obesity to HHS:

"There’s a smart debate going around the internet on food policy, the pleasure principle, and the role that first lady Michelle Obama can play in curbing the obesity epidemic that has swept the United States in recent decades. Obama made a big speech addressing the matter at the Department of Health and Human Services this week.

Her remarks—like her entire approach to food policy since moving to Washington—were casual, yet insistent, speaking not just to the federal employees but to all working families:

[M]any families are starting to feel like the cards are stacked against them. It's really hard to make sure that your children are healthy and happy and safe and well fed. And maybe it's because some of -- some folks are working on a tight budget, and they feel like they just can't afford the kind of nutritious foods that are being recommended. Maybe it's because folks are working long hours. Can I get an 'Amen' from HHS?"

USMayortime with Tom Cochran featuring Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson 10/26/2009 - Tom Cochran on Blog Talk Radio

USMayortime with Tom Cochran featuring Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson 10/26/2009 - Tom Cochran on Blog Talk Radio:

"Call-in Number: (347) 327-9924

Upcoming Show: 10/26/2009 1:30 PM

Host Name: Tom Cochran

Show Name: USMayortime with Tom Cochran featuring Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson

Length: 30 min

Description:
This show will feature Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson who will be discussing his focus on education, homelessness, and flood protection in cities. Listeners will also learn about the challenges of being a state capital city, as well as how Mayor Johnson’s mayoral life differs from his career as a former NBA player."

Listen to Tom Cochran on Blog Talk Radio

Fox News' Hemmer latest to advance made-up charge that Jennings knew of "statutory rape" case and "never reported it" | Media Matters for America

Fox News' Hemmer latest to advance made-up charge that Jennings knew of "statutory rape" case and "never reported it" Media Matters for America:

"Fox News' Bill Hemmer continued his network's attacks on Department of Education official Kevin Jennings by claiming that Jennings knew of a 'statutory rape' case involving a student but 'never reported it.' However, Hemmer ignored that Jennings' attorney wrote in a 2004 letter that the student was 16 years old, which Jennings' book appears to support, and that 16 is -- and was at the time -- the legal age of consent in Massachusetts."

Steve Barr's Answers for School Reform | Edutopia

Steve Barr's Answers for School Reform Edutopia:

"This might be the moment for Green Dot founder Steve Barr.

The Obama administration has set a goal of turning around 5,000 failing schools in the next five years, supported by an expected $3 billion in stimulus funds and $2 billion in the 2009 and 2010 budgets. Known in education circles and beyond as an aggressive agent of change, Barr has been in talks with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan about how to boost failing schools and whether Green Dot's methods can serve as a blueprint for fixing schools across the country.

It was these same failing schools that inspired Barr to start Green Dot. Having known hard times in his youth, including some time as a foster child, Barr was drawn to improving schools for disenfranchised youth."

Perfection may be President Obama's biggest flaw

Perfection may be President Obama's biggest flaw:

"If, as the saying goes, the perfect is the enemy of the good, then Barack Obama is his own worst enemy. That becomes clear in the upcoming HBO documentary 'By the People: The Election of Barack Obama,' which is the product of many months of behind-the-scenes access to Obama during the presidential campaign. It reveals that Barack Obama is pretty close to the most perfect person you will never get to know.

This is what he does not do in the course of the primary and general election campaigns: He does not lose his temper. He does not curse. He does not follow a pretty woman with his eyes or sneak a smoke. He does not dress sloppily. He is always calm and always good-natured and gets emotional only once - the day his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, the woman who in effect raised him, died in Hawaii. At a campaign event in North Carolina, he expressed his love and gratitude. He cried and, watching, I did, too."

Pleasing Wall Street is a Poor Excuse for Bad Decisions - Is the U.S. Killing Its Innovation Machine? - Harvard Business Review

Pleasing Wall Street is a Poor Excuse for Bad Decisions - Is the U.S. Killing Its Innovation Machine? - Harvard Business Review:

"Outsourcing, in and of itself, isn't responsible for the erosion of America's high tech infrastructure. The short-term thinking that led to a lot of bad outsourcing decisions is the root cause. And short-term thinking isn't a problem confined to the executive suite. It's a problem in Washington and in our society as a whole.

Managers who focus on maximizing short-term profits end up driving out things that generate long-term value — like R&D. They use all sorts of excuses when they make those decisions, including the need to please Wall Street and create shareholder value. But they're just excuses for poor thinking."

Bee argues for disclosure of public service pensions - Local - Modbee.com

Bee argues for disclosure of public service pensions - Local - Modbee.com:

"Attorneys made their arguments Tuesday in The Bee's lawsuit seeking information about the most lucrative public service pensions in Stanislaus County.

The newspaper filed the lawsuit in August after the Stanislaus County Employees' Retirement Association refused a Public Records Act request to disclose the names of retirees receiving more than $100,000 a year. The California Newspaper Publishers Association joined the lawsuit in Stanislaus County Superior Court.
StanCERA manages a pension system for employees of the county, Ceres, the courts and five special districts.

Judge Hurl Johnson presided over Tuesday's hearing and has 90 days to release a decision.
In recent times, public service pension funds such as the California Public Employees Retirement System, the State Teachers' Retirement System and many county associations have agreed to release information about top pensioners."

Sacramento Press / Mayor Johnson - Driving Under the Influence

Sacramento Press / Mayor Johnson - Driving Under the Influence:

"'People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives.' -- Theodore Roosevelt --
I would love to give Mayor Kevin Johnson the benefit of the doubt and call him a leader. But as time goes by, I see less of a leader and more of a driver.

Heck, with lessons, anyone can drive. With a GPS navigation system of special assistants, a campaign manager, volunteers and a spokesperson it certainly may appear the mayor is leading the way. But even with GPS and a car full of backseat drivers, people have gotten lost."

Parents More Comfortable Talking Drugs Than Science | Reuters

Parents More Comfortable Talking Drugs Than Science Reuters:

"Intel Survey Reveals Majority of Parents of Teens Find It Difficult to Help
Their Kids With Math and Science

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:

* The News: A recent Intel Corporation survey found that parents feel more
equipped to talk about drug abuse than math and science with their children.
* The Context: Despite a perceived importance of math and science for success,
and an overwhelming willingness to be involved, the survey results reveal that
parents, particularly those of teenagers, often find themselves with little more
understanding of these subjects than their children and without the necessary
resources to bridge this gap.

* Why It Matters: A strong background in math and science is increasingly
critical for American prosperity, security, health, environment and quality of
life. And yet, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress
report released last week, less than 40 percent of fourth- and eighth-graders
are proficient in math. Intel believes that to better engage America`s future
innovators, we need to understand and appreciate the role that parents play in
education and help them inspire their children to take an interest in math and
science."

5 US Children Die From Child Abuse Each Day - Family News Story - WSB Atlanta

5 US Children Die From Child Abuse Each Day - Family News Story - WSB Atlanta:

"A new report shows that child abuse and neglect kill more children in the United States than in any other industrialized nation -- five every day.

Deaths By State Faces Of Child Abuse

Every Child Matters Education Fund President Michael Petit wrote that the report should be a wake-up call.

'This is a report sure to sadden -- and perhaps to anger. How could it be otherwise when we look at the innocent faces of children whose lives were cut short by abuse or neglect?' wrote Petit.

The report, We Can Do Better: Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths in America, was released by the Every Child Matters Education Fund. It found that at least 10,440 American children died from abuse or neglect between 2001 and 2007. The report noted that the number of children killed could top 15,660, but poor record keeping could have missed many deaths."

Full Report:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/13504113/We-Can-Do-BetterChild-Abuse-and-Neglect-Deaths-in-America

Latino in America: Parent and Teacher Discussion Guide - CNN.com

Latino in America: Parent and Teacher Discussion Guide - CNN.com:

"Teachers and Parents: Watch with your students or record 'Latino in America' when it airs on CNN on Wednesday, October 21 at 9 p.m. EDT and Thursday, October 22 at 9 p.m. EDT. By recording the documentaries, you agree that you will use the documentaries for educational viewing purposes for a one-year period only. No other rights of any kind or nature whatsoever are granted, including, without limitation, any rights to sell, publish, distribute, post online or distribute in any other medium or forum, or use for any commercial or promotional purpose.

(CNN Student News) -- We strongly urge teachers and parents to preview this program before showing it to students. The program contains content, language and accounts that may not be appropriate for some students.

Program Description: The Latino population, now America's largest minority, is set to nearly triple by 2050. In fact, the U.S. now has the highest Latino population after Mexico. Their sheer numbers are shaking up America, reshaping schools, churches and neighborhoods and forcing a nation of immigrants to rediscover what it means to be an American. For two nights, CNN's Soledad O'Brien journeys into the homes and hearts of a minority group destined to change America. Is it the ultimate clash of cultures, or the ultimate melting pot? Witness the evolution of a country as Latinos remake America, and in return, America remakes them. Before and after viewing these programs, use our free Discussion Questions and Learning Activities to facilitate a conversation with your students."