April 13th, 2020 by MUUSJN
New Federal Tax Rebates Starting Next Week
BUT People on SSI or VA Benefits MUST File for Taxes to Get Rebate People on Social Security or Who Filed Taxes Electronically Will Automatically Get a Rebate But Low Income, Vets Receiving Disability Payments Will Need to File Information With IRS to Get a Rebate
CALL YOUR MICHIGAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS:
1-202-224-3121 (Congressional Switchboard)
Click HERE for Our U.S. Senators and Representatives
TELL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
- Thank the Dept. of Treasury for doing the right thing for Social Security (SS) beneficiaries;
- Tell Treasury & SS Administration to FIX THE GLITCH: Send rebates directly to SSI and VA Disability recipients without requiring them to file their taxes;
- People on SSI or veterans on VA Disability may not know they MUST file in order to get a rebate and may not have access to a computer to file electronically;
- Direct payments are critical to the survival of poor and disabled persons;
- Vote to include this reform in the next COVID-19 relief bill (the CARES ACT #2)
Introduction
The U.S. is in the midst of a health and an economic crisis that resulted in passage of a $2.3 trillion economic stimulus bill called the CARES Act. This act is meant to benefit both consumers and businesses. Direct economic relief to consumers, through tax rebates, should not create a hardship forthe most poor and people with disabilities, due to a glitch in the way the program is administered.
What You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Tax Rebates
- As soon as April 15th, 50 – 70 million Americans will begin receiving extra money ($1,200 individual/$2,400/couple and $500 for each child under age 17) directly deposited in their bank. These people gave their bank account to the IRS and filed their taxes electronically. If your income is above $75,000/individual or $150,000/couple your rebate will be reduced.
- As early as April 20th, a second group of people may start getting checks. These are people on Social Security retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SS survivors or Railroad Retirement benefits. Without filing, they will receive a rebate directly deposited in their bank.
- The last wave of tax rebates will involve mailing tax rebate checks to people who filed their taxes, but not electronically, in either 2018 or 2019. Mailing checks creates a risk of mailbox theft.
- If you have not yet filed your 2019 taxes, the IRS will use information from your 2018 return to calculate your payment. You still have until July 15, 2020 to file your taxes.
- Low income taxpayers (including people on Supplemental Security Income). veterans receiving VA disability payments and others will need to file on-line at: www.irs.gov. They and “non-filers” will “fall through the cracks” if they don’t know their rights.
- “Non-filers”, who did not file their taxes because their income was below $12,200/year ($24,400/couple) in 2019 and didn’t plan to file or who were otherwise not required to file for taxes, can file on-line on www.irs.gov to make sure they get their coronavirus tax rebates. Non-filers will need to provide: full name, current mailing address, email address, date of birth, valid Social Security number, bank account type and routing number if you have one.
- The IRS is rolling out another on-line tool to apply for a tax rebate called “Get My Payment”. that is supposed to be available by April 17th. Go to www.irs.gov for more information.
- Click HERE for more information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “Guide to COVID-19 economic stimulus relief” (April 10, 2020)
CONCLUDING REMARKS
People on SSI (a program for very low income persons) and people on VA disability assistance receive federal funding just like people on Social Security. They too should be able to benefit from direct depositelectronic benefit payments. For some people, this will require them to open a bank account. However, our national response to the COViD-19 crisis will be more humane and efficient if we extend direct deposits to the most vulnerable in our society. These are the people who most need the money and who are most likely to spend it — keeping keep our economy going.
SOURCES:
- Justice in Aging alert “Seniors: Covid-19 Updates”, 4/4/20
- Detroit Free Press “50M to 70M Americans Can See Checks Next Week”, Susan Tompor, 4/8/20
- Detroit Free Press, “Never File a Tax Return? Take Note: IRS has a new tool to get your stimulus money”, Susan Tompor, 4/10/20
- Slide Presentation on “Fix the Glitch” campaign, by American Association of People on Disability (Washington D.C.) April 2020
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS), (www.irs.gov, “Get Coronavirus Tax Relief”, “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Information”; “Get Info on Economic Impact Payment”, 4/11/20
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “Guide to COVID-19 economic stimulus relief”, 4/10/20
April 6th, 2020 by MUUSJN
(the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act)
MORE ACTION NEEDED IN THE FUTURE
Largest Fiscal Relief Bill in History Adopted March 27th
Will Protect Families, Businesses, Hospitals & States
But Not Enough to Protect All People
This Friday, March 27th, the House passed and the President signed the $2.3 trillion CARE (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), the largest financial relief bill in history. The purpose of this major economic package, which got high levels of support from both Democrats and Republicans, was meant to protect families, businesses, hospitals and states in the middle of an unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. On March 18th, the $104 billion “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” was adopted by Congress. In the last few weeks, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared an emergency and issued several executive orders, including restoring water shutoffs; closing Michigan schools, restaurants and non-essential services. We’ve been called to stay at home and maintain a social distance from others to help control the spread of this deadly virus. Through a social justice lens, this email attempts to provide an outline of what’s in this massive bill and start to think about other policies that are needed to sustain our communities. (See pie chart at bottom of this email to see how the dollars are being allocated.)
FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR JUST RELIEF AND STIMULUS
A group of about 500 progressive organizations, including the Center for Popular Democracy, Indivisible, MoveOn, SEIU, Sierra Club and the Sunrise Movement, agreed on five “Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus” to contribute to a just recovery. These principles are:
- Health care is a priority for all people, no exceptions;
- Provide economic relief directly to people;
- Rescue communities and people, not corporate executives;
- Make a downpayment on a regenerative economy, while preventing future crisis; and
- Protect our democratic process while protecting each other.
For more information on these principles and organizations that signed on to them, click HERE.
CARE ACT PROVISIONS AND GAPS IN PROTECTING PEOPLE’S LIVES
(Click HERE for an overview of bill provisions from the Coalition on Human Needs)
- JOBLESSNESS – The Act expands unemployment compensation: 4 months of $600/week added to the State’s UI benefits. Includes self-employed, part-time and gig workers;
- CASH – Provides one time rebates of $1,200 per adult up to $75 K/individual. Poor people who didn’t file for income tax in 2018 and 2019 don’t qualify though some can still file for 2019. Some student loans can be deferred to 9/30/20 but no direct relief for student loans.
- NUTRITION AID – $15.5 billion for SNAP; 8.8 billion for child nutrition; $450 million for food banks; $200 million for Puerto Rico; and $100 million for Indian reservations.
- PAID LEAVE – The “Families First” Act provided 2 weeks of emergency sick leave and extends family and medical leave for workers of companies with less than 500 employees who need to stay home with children but NOT to care for family members with disabilities.
- HEALTH CARE – The CARE Act extends provides $150 billion to help hospitals and other health care providers, but it doesn’t extend COVID-19 treatments for everyone.
- HOUSING – Provides funds to fight homelessness, help with rental, heating and cooling bills. But it didn’t do enough to prevent more homelessness, foreclosures and evictions.
- CHILD CARE & CHILDREN’S SERVICES – $3.5 billion for more child care and $750 million for Head Start. Considerably more will be needed.
- AID TO BUSINESSES: The bill includes $500 billion to prevent business collapse. This very large sum is intended to protect workers. Executive bonuses, stock buy-backs and shareholder dividends are prohibited (as advocates demanded) but this can be waived. $32 billion in relief for airlines that can only be used for employee wages and benefits.
Click HERE for a summary and background on the bill published March 27, 2020 on Roll Call
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director of the Coalition on Human Needs, wrote:
“The situation we are in is very grave…Congress has taken important steps, but this is only the beginning, sadly. We are all in this together– maybe socially distant, but morally and economically connected. If we cast aside any of us — whether incapacitated, homeless, immigrant, poor — it will hurt us all. Congress may have disbursed, like all of us, but we still must work together to get out of this”.
Some of the estimates for the actual cost for this massive bill are still being calculated. However, the above Roll Call article indicates that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers say that more legislative responses to the Covid-19 virus will be necessary. This means that advocates for health care workers, the unemployed, the poor, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ persons, immigrants and the homeless will have much more work ahead of us
March 21st, 2020 by MUUSJN
National Emergency: Next Steps
Urge Our Senators Today to Strengthen the CARES Act (SB 3548)
(the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act)
Senators Negotiating Massive Coronavirus Economic Aid Bill This Weekend
Vote Possible on Monday
This weekend, Congress is negotiating a major economic package that both Democrats and Republicans agree is needed to avoid a recession and great suffering of the American people. Unfortunately, our nation’s leaders have been slow to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which is now having a major impact on businesses, our health systems, our schools and the health and economic well being of people of his country. This email will providesan update on two pieces of legislation put together quickly to respond this crisis:
- The $104 billion “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” signed by #45 on March 18th.
- The massive, $1 trillion+ CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act (S. 3548) introduced on March 19th by Sen. Mitch McConnell. We need your help to promote ways to STRENGTHEN this important bill.
THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
THANK YOU to people who responded to MUUSJN’s first email and urged their Senators to adopt the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (HR 6201) without including #45’s six month payroll “tax cut” that would have undermined funding for our Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds. This Act is a first step toward supporting U.S. families by providing most workers with paid two weeks of paid sick leave for workers in companies with less than 500 workers; free testing for coronavirus; expanded unemployment benefits; expanded funding for Medicaid; and expanded food assistance. Click HERE for a summary of this Act.
THE CARE ACT & PRINCIPLES FOR PROTECTING PEOPLE’S LIVES & THE ECONOMY
Reportedly half of the $1 trillion+ CARE bill would provide financial relief for large (e.g.,airline industry and cruise ships) and small businesses being harmed by the coronavirus crisis. The other half was to put money in people’s pockets so they can take care of basic needs and stimulate the economy. An important part of those consumer benefits include cash payments from $600 – $1,200. The lowest amount of this payment is for people who are too poor to pay taxes.
Click HERE for principles drawn from the Coalition for Human Needs and other sources:
- DIRECT INCOME PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH GREATEST NEEDS: People who are too poor to pay taxes should also get $1,200 in cash payments.
- EXPAND PROVEN WAYS TO BOOST THE ECONOMY: Unemployment Insurance and SNAP Low income people are more likely to spend dollars and stimulate the economy.
- STRENGTHEN CONSUMER PROTECTIONS: Every worker should be eligible for paid sick leave. Implement a nation-wide halt to evictions and foreclosures. Call for a national moratorium on shutoffs of electricity and water. Waive unaffordable student loans.
- EXPAND FUNDS TO STATES FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND ON-LINE SERVICES.
- ATTACH CONDITIONS TO AID TO BUSINESSES: Limit employee layoffs. Comply with health & safety regulations. Don’t use federal funds to boost corporate salaries and support stock buy-backs.
Call Our MICHIGAN Senators TODAY:
Senator Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822
Senator Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221
Tell Them:
- Support a CARE Act that strengthens support and protections for consumers;
- Call for a moratorium on water, electricity, mortgage foreclosures and evictions; and
- Assure that financial assistance to businesses is not used to boost corporate salaries or support stock buy-backs.
Thank you for taking action!
What We Need to Do to Stay Healthy
Most of you have heard this many times already, but older persons with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to becoming infected with the coronavirus and passing it on to others. For more information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on ways to avoid becoming a victim of coronavirus, click HERE.
March 18th, 2020 by MUUSJN
Call or Email Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Call: 517-335-7858 (constituent services)
Click HERE to send an email
TELL HER: Make Sure Detroit Families Have Access to Water for Drinking, Bathing & Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus
(World Water Lobbying Day in Lansing was cancelled due to the Coronavirus threat. But the Fight Goes On!)
Everyone in Michigan must have access to safe, affordable drinking water service and sanitation to combat the spread of diseases including COVID 19, coronavirus.
On February 28th, members of the People’s Water Board (including MUUSJN) signed a petition/letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer urging her to call for a moratorium of water shutoffs, to restore water service to all residents where water has been turned off and to implement an income based water affordability plan as a longer term solution to stopping the spread of water related diseases which spread when households are deprived of water. Various sources indicate there are 9,500 households without water in Detroit. Low income people in other Michigan communities also have no water due to inability to pay their water bills.
On March 9th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued one of several declarations in the middle of the coronavirus crisis that called for turning the water back on in the City of Detroit. WE THANK GOVERNOR WHITMER FOR THIS PRACTICAL, HUMANE RESPONSE. On March 11th the City invited people to call 313-386-9727 to request that their water be turned back on.
PROBLEM SOLVED? NOT AT ALL!
- The City has a conservative estimate of 2,800 homes that need their water restored. Water activists believe the number is closer to 9,500 homes. As of March 14th, only 73 homes (about 18 homes per day) have had their water turned back on.
- Other than using a flyer and press announcements, it not clear how the people who need water are being notified by the city. The “Water Restart Plan” flyer identifies people as eligible “if their water service was recently interrupted due to non-payment” or was given a notice “you are at risk of service interruption”. This leaves a large number of people who’ve had their water turned off for months and even years.
- At Detroit’s current rates of water restoration, it could take almost 1.5 years — if workers toiled seven days a week — to turn the water back on in all Detroit households.
- We don’t have that much time to allow people to begin washing their hands and preventing the spread of coronavirus! On March 14th, the Detroit Free Press reported that a teacher at Osborn HIgh School (with 800 students & staff) was confirmed to have the coronavirus. This can’t wait!
CALL ON THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE ACTION
The Peoples’ Water Board recently sent a LETTER to the Governor that makes several recommendations for addressing the Detroit water/coronavirus crisis:
- In line with the Governor’s declared State of Emergency, deploy federal and state resources to address plumbing problems and help more widely distribute information about water restoration;
- Help set up a system of water stations in Detroit where residents can get gallon jugs of water;
- At these stations, provide hand sanitizers, disinfectants and paper towels to help with cleaning;
- Direct the Michigan Department of Human Services to expand benefits of the State Emergency Relief (SER) program to include more resources, less restrictions and quicker responses; and
- Extend the moratorium on shutoffs indefinitely until the Detroit Water and Sewer Department can confirm it has reached EVERY disconnected home;
- Ban future shutoffs on vulnerable households, e.g., those with infants, children, pregnant women, elders and persons with disabilities; and
- Enact a statewide, low income based water affordability plan based on a household’s ability to pay.
CALL OR EMAIL THE GOVERNOR
517-335-7858 (constituent services)
Click HERE to send an email.
TALKING POINTS:
- Coronavirus has created a health and economic crisis for Michigan, Detroit & other communities.
- People without water aren’t able to flush toilets, clean their homes or wash their hands.
- The City needs to more effectively respond to the Governor’s emergency declaration of a moratorium on water shutoffs and that water be restored for ALL of Detroit’s people.
- The Governor is urged to address recommendations from the People’s Water Board.
- Thank the Governor for her leadership.
We’re all in this together!
Water justice is one the priorities of the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network. This statewide interfaith social justice network also works for women’s and LGBTQ rights, racial justice, immigration and environmental justice, gun violence prevention and election reform.
March 17th, 2020 by MUUSJN
National Emergency
Urge Our Senators to Vote for
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act — WITHOUT AMENDMENTS
Senator Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822
Senator Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221
Houses Passes “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”
We’re in a National Crisis
It’s almost impossible to mistake that our country is in the middle of a national crisis. All states, except West Virginia, have cases of the coronavirus. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared that all Michigan K-12 schools will be closed starting on March 16th. She also ordered limits on who can visit our state’s care and juvenile justice facilities and public meetings. Thousands of events have been cancelled or postponed to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. We are being urged to frequently wash our hands and get tested if we have coronavirus symptoms (see end of this action alert). Schools, religious places of worship and public facilities are being closed. Workers have been told to stay home if they are sick or may be required to care for their children if their kids can’t go to school. Wall Street experienced massive sell offs as stocks plummeted with the disease’s impact on major businesses.
During the first week of March, Congress almost unanimously passed an $8.3 billion supplemental appropriation package to: support vaccine research; assist state and local governments in disease prevention and public health efforts; support small businesses affected by the pandemic; etc. On Friday, President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency, freeing up money and resources to fight the outbreak.
Early Saturday morning, on a bi-partisan basis, the U.S. House adopted a coronavirus relief package called “The Families First Coronavirus Response Act” that dedicates billions to assist impacted families. The Act will provide more paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, free testing, expanded Medicaid for states; and more money for Food Stamps. Click HERE for more information.
The good news is that Pres. Trump’s “solution”, a payroll “tax break”, was NOT included in this relief package that was vigorously negotiated by Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. No matter how seductive it might seem for workers to keep more money in their paycheck, this proposal would undercut the future of Social Security and Medicare by diverting premiums workers and employers pay into these systems.
Although #45 supports the House coronavirus Response Act bill, he’s been pressuring Congress to institute a nine month payroll “tax holiday”. He’s said that withholding these payments (into Social Security and Medicare) would be essential to any recovery package. He’s written, “Only that will make a big difference”. For more information, click HERE.
CALL TO ACTION
Senator Mitch McConnell cancelled a planned recess so Senators can act on this issue. A vote on the Families First Coronas Response Act may come as soon as 3 p.m. Monday, March 16th.
Call Our U.S. Senators and tell them:
- It’s urgent that we protect people of all ages from the ravages of coronavirus;
- I oppose undermining Social Security and Medicare with a “payroll tax cut”;
- Vote YES on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act without amendments.
Thank you for taking action!
What We Need to Do to Stay Healthy
Most of you have heard this many times already, but older persons with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to becoming infected with the coronavirus and passing it on to others. For more information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on ways to avoid becoming a victim of coronavirus, click HERE.
March 11th, 2020 by MUUSJN
Click HERE for the Senate Appropriations Committee List
Click HERE to get the name of your Michigan Senator
During Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s January 29th State of the State message she supported several important “Healthy Mom’s, Healthy Babies” initiatives that could increase the survival rates of Michigan women and their babies. Michigan’s death rates of mothers and their infants are unacceptable. The death rates for infants and their mothers is about three times greater for African American and Native Americans. The good news is that Michigan has a plan to reduce these death rates.
The Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition, a group organized by MUUSJN that includes over 16 women’s and LGBTQ organizations, urges the public to call Michigan Senators to support this life saving $37.5 million investment to protect mothers and their children.
MICHIGAN MOM’S and INFANTS ARE AT RISK
- Michigan ranks 30th in the nation in terms of maternal mortality & 38th in infant mortality;
- Detroit’s maternal death rate is three times the national average and pregnant African American women are 4.5 times more likely to die than non-Hispanic white women;
- In 2018, 723 Michigan infants died before reaching their first birthday. That’s a rate of 6.6 deaths per 100,000 live births;
- African-American mothers experienced a three times higher death rate for their babies compared to white moms; and
- Native American infants died at a rate of 2.6 times white infants.
- Infant death rates were highest among women below the age of 20. (Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Vital Records & Health Statistics)
THE GOOD NEWS
Forty-four (44) percent of pregnancy related deaths were preventable, according to the Michigan Maternal Mortality Surveillance Committee. The Governor’s proposal is an important plan for reducing excess deaths of mothers and their children.
THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL
The Governor has proposed a $37.5 million package of investments in her FY 2021 budget for Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies to improve care women need to have a healthy pregnancy. Less than half of these funds come from Michigan’s General Fund. It includes:
- Expand health care coverage for low income new moms from 60 days to one year;
- Expand mothers’ access to mental and behavioral health services;
- Expand evidence based home visits for high risk mothers;
- Partner with providers and universities to address health disparities; and
- Let a woman pick birth control works for her.
Click HERE for more details
TAKE ACTION
This proposal is expected to be voted in the Senate Appropriations committee chaired by Senator Jim Stamas. Click HERE for a list of the Appropriations Committee that includes Senators’ Districts, phone numbers and emails. Please contact these three Senators and YOUR Senator, especially if your Senator is on the Appropriations Committee:
Sen. Jim Stamas (Midland), Chair: 1-855-347-8036; SenStamas@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Jon Bumstead (Newago), V. Chair: 1-855-347-8034; SenJBumstead@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Curtis Hertel (Lansing), Minority Chair: 1-855-347-8023 or SenCHertel@senate.michigan.gov
Talking Points:
- We all win when we can protect the health of women and their babies;
- Too many Michigan mom’s and their babies are dying;
- 44% of pregnancy related deaths can be prevented;
- I urge you to fund the expansion of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program.
February 28th, 2020 by MUUSJN
Fair & Equal Michigan Campaign–Let’s Put LGBTQ Rights on 2020 Ballot –Why & How to Get Involved
EVERY MICHIGANDER SHOULD HAVE AN EQUAL RIGHT TO SUCCEED
A growing coalition of community organizations, faith communities, businesses, LGBTQ organizations, and elected officials in Michigan are coming together to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ Michiganders. This month, this coalition launched a Fair and Equal Michigan campaign to put a proposal on the 2020 ballot to amend the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect the rights of people based on their gender identity (who they are) and their sexual orientation (who they love).
According to an April 2019 Quinnipiac poll, 92% of Americans do NOT think that “employers should be allowed to fire someone based on their sexual orientation or sexual identity”. Currently, 21 states have provisions in their laws to protect their LGBTQ residents. Leaders from Michigan companies, e.g., DTE Energy, Herman Miller, and Dow, Inc., who want to hire and retain their best people, are backing the petition drive. 40 Michigan communities have adopted ordinances to protect the rights of their LGBTQ citizens. Mayors from the following communities have endorsed this campaign: Kalamazoo, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ferndale, Traverse City, Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
The MUUSJN Board of Directors voted to support this campaign. We encourage and will support people from Unitarian Universalist and other faith groups statewide to collect signatures on Fair and Equal Michigan petitions. MUUSJN is Working with Inclusive Justice, an interfaith LGBTQ welcoming and advocacy organization, to engage various faith groups in taking this campaign over the top. Now volunteers are needed to help gather 500,000 signatures by the end of May 2020.
Click HERE for ballot collection guidelines.
Campaign Contacts and training are available throughout Michigan:
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Contact Raphael Mojica, (810) 875-1129, raf@fairandequalmichigan.com
CENTRAL MICHIGAN: Contact Egypt Otis. 810-286-5432, egypt@fairandequalmichigan.com
WESTERN MICHIGAN: Contact Brad Langerak, 616-485-3024, brad@fairandequalmichigan.com
NORTHERN MI: Statewide Volunteer Director: Alex Cross, 203-841-9458, alex@fairandequalmichigan.com
Petitions can be mailed to you or you can pick them up at these locations:
- Grand Rapids, 301 Fuller Avenue NE. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Lansing, 1375 S. Washington Ave., Saturdays 8:30 to 10 a.m. by appointments til March 4th
- Detroit, 7375 Woodward Ave.9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed 11 a.m. to 12 and 6-7 p.m.)
UU’s are encouraged to request petitions from Randy Block and to return signed petitions to him so we can hold ourselves accountable to do our part on this campaign. Call or text me at 248-224-5572. I will assure that your signed petitions are turned in to the campaign. Please let me know if you have started or plan to encourage people within your faith or community group to get involved with this campaign. With permission of the church, congregation or community group you can collect signatures at an information table. You could also collect signatures outside a post office or near a Secretary of State so long as you don’t block the entrances.
February 28th, 2020 by MUUSJN
Human Rights Campaign Hosts LGBTQ Voting Town Halls
In Ferndale, Pontiac, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids
You are invited to attend a Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Voting Rights Town Hall in the one of four Michigan communities:
Message from Christina Rissman, HRC Michigan Lead Organizer:
Join us at one of these events next week to connect with other folks passionate about equality in our communities and meet HRC’s new fellows in your county!
02/24 – Ferndale, @ Affirmations. 6pm. https://www.mobilize.us/hrcmi/event/234331/
02/26 – Kalamazoo, @ Stetson Chapel. 6pm. Partnered with OutFront Kalamazoo, speakers and open mic opportunities! https://www.mobilize.us/hrcmi/event/236084/
02/26 – Pontiac @ Liberty Bar. 5:30pm.Karaoke after speakers!https://www.mobilize.us/hrcmi/event/231915/
02/27 – Grand Rapids @ City Built Brewing. 6pmhttps://www.mobilize.us/hrcmi/event/234452/
Looking forward to seeing y’all there and to working with you in the continued fight for equality!
Christina Rissman | she/her/hers |Regional Organizing Lead, Michigan | HRC Rising | Human Rights Campaign |
The Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) Board of Directors voted to make Get Out the Vote (GOTV) a priority during 2020. Voting is not just political, but a moral action. UU’s uphold the right of every person to have their voice heard. Elections have consequences for our environment, for people of color, women, LGBTQ people, immigrants and low income families.
February 23rd, 2020 by MUUSJN
Call Our Senators & Your U.S. Representative
1-202-224-3121
Click HERE for List of Michigan Members of Congress
Urge Them to Say NO To President Trump’s Unfair, Cruel Federal Budget!
President Trump’s FY 2021 budget, introduced this month, is unfair and it’s cruel. It funnels more tax cuts to the wealthy, expands Pentagon spending over the next 10 years, and makes deep cuts in programs that benefit poor and middle income families. This budget provides a blueprint for Trump Administration priorities:
- Trump’s first round of tax cuts are due to expire in 2025. His second round of tax cuts, described in his 2021 budget, would begin in 2026 and would boost the cost of his tax giveaways from $1.9 trillion over 10 years to $3.1 trillion over 13 years (2018 – 2030), The richest 1% will get tax breaks averaging $24,000 per year compared to an average of $460 a year for the lower 60% of Americans. (Source: “Trump’s Groundhog Day Budget”, Americans for Tax Fairness, 2/11/20. Click HERE for more information.)
- This budget preserves the pentagon’s FY 2020 $741 billion spending at current levels. However, it uses some of its Overseas Military Operations “slush fund” along with cuts to 50 pentagon medical facilities, to cover other expenses such as the proposed “Space Force”, maintaining “readiness accounts” and a 3% military pay hike. After 2021, pentagon spending will rise 2% a year. (Source: “Highlights of President Trump’s 2021 Budget Plan”, Washington Post, 2/10/20. Click HERE for article.)
- The President’s cruel cuts to domestic programs would increase income disparities, particularly for people of color. Here are highlights to proposed domestic spending cuts:
- $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, which will lead to millions of people losing their health care. Medicare cuts would chiefly be to reimbursement for hospitals and other health care providers, rather than Medicare recipients, according to the Washington Post article;
- $180 billion in cuts to food and nutrition assistance (“Food Stamps”) affecting millions of needy people and $1.7 billion in cuts to school meals for low income children;
- $170 billion cut to student loan programs, which put college out of reach for many Americans;
- $75 billion in cuts to two disability programs mostly serving low-income populations struggling to survive: Social Security Disability Insurance and and Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
- Cuts to public housing of 43% and eliminating housing vouchers for 160,000 low-income families;
- Slashing funding for federal departments and agencies: Environmental Protection Agency (27%); Housing and Urban Development (15%); Transportation, including infrastructure (13%); Labor (11%); Health and Human Services (9%); and Education (8%).
(Sources: Americans for Tax Fairness & the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (Click HERE for “Trump Budget Would Increase Hardship and Inequality”, CBPP, 2/10/20)
Call your U.S. Representative and your Senators and tell them:
- The Trump administration’s proposed 2021 budget is unfair and cruel;
- It extends massive tax cuts for the wealthy;
- It expands Pentagon spending over the next 10 years; and
- Cuts essential benefits for millions of Americans;
- Vote NO on this budget!
Thank you for taking action. The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network has 3,000 activists throughout Michigan. Please take a stand for social and economic justice!
February 3rd, 2020 by MUUSJN
National & State UU’s Planning to Get Out the Vote
Click HERE for “UU the Vote” Resources from the Unitarian Universalist Association
The Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) Board of Directors voted to make Get Out the Vote (GOTV) a priority during 2020. Voting is not just political, but a moral action. UU’s uphold the right of every person to have their voice heard. Elections have consequences for our environment, for people of color, women, LGBTQ people, immigrants and low income families.
The national UU organization, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), launched an ambitious campaign called “UU the Vote”. This email provides an an update on what the UUA and what MUUSJN are doing to encourage people in our communities to understand what’s at stake and assist people to get ready to vote in 2020.
The UUA is holding a webinar at 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 6th on IRS non-profit regulations and electoral work. An attorney will discuss how congregations can act boldly on behalf of our values while remaining compliant with 501 (c) 3 regulations. The author of “The Real Rules”will answer commonly asked questions about civic engagement and electoral work. Click HERE to register and for more information.
On January 28th, 28 people from 12 Michigan UU Congregations got on a MUUSJN UU the Vote conference call to share what they’re doing and to learn about MUUSJN and UUA plans. Here are highlights from this call:
- Susan Leslie, UUA Advocacy and Witness Director – Susan provided background on its “all hands on deck” UU the Vote campaign that includes: voter registration and mobilization; combating voter suppression; “open door” congregation policy that indicates UU’s would make their space available to community organizations doing GOTV work; holding values based issue conversations; and providing space for weekly spiritual sustenance for people doing the work. Over 770 people, including 29 people from Michigan, got on this UU the Vote webinar. Susan said $500 Get Out the Vote grants are available to UU congregations from the UU Funding Program.
- Scott Reilly, Chair of a MI ACLU People Power group that meets at Northwest UU Church in Southfield, told about his group’s campaign to sign up 8,000 people to get their names on a “Permanent Absent Voter List”. When put on this list, clerks will send an Absentee Ballot application prior to each election on an ongoing basis. Click HERE for a copy of simple sign-up form. This tool can be used on Sunday mornings or at public meetings. Michigan’s new “no reason” absentee voter policy makes this possible. To contact Scott go to: GOTVmetrodetroit@riseup.net or go to his website: www.gotvmi.org
- Denise Hartsough, member of People’s Church of Kalamazoo and leader with the League of Women Voters (LWV), reported that local LWV’s have grants to do voter education. She said that the LWV has been a good partner with local groups that want to do GOTV.
- Carrie Hatcher, a member of the UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, told about a WAVE project that allows individuals to learn about voting habits of their neighbors. She suggested the value of having personal conversations (“deep canvassing”) with people who may be turned off to voting as a way to help them see the connection between voting and affirming their values.
- Julia Pulver, a member of Birmingham Unitarian Church who is running for State Senate, told about GOTV plans at her congregation that include: to “Beyond Voting” conferences that will include speakers on current events topics and, in the Fall, programs with candidates talking about the views on issues. Julia and Jane O’Neil are coordinating these activities that will be open to the public. They hope other UU congregations will collaborate with these activities.
- Randy Block, Director of MUUSJN, said the Network is working to support GOTV actions in all Michigan UU congregations. He’s partnering with three organizations to encourage LGBTQ communities to vote: the Human Rights Campaign; LGBT Detroit; and Inclusive Justice. Randy hope funding will become available for MUUSJN through the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM) and other sources to do GOTV activities in Michigan.
The next MUUSJN GOTV conference call will be held in March. To get on a list for this call or to share your GOTV ideas and questions, email randyblock@yahoo.com or call/text 248-224-5572
