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Researching the Issue

Posted by Samuel Sirochman in AMGOV-003 on
Middle school athletic cuts have flown under the radar, besides one Philadelphia Inquirer article and the STARs Organization, there has been no attention on it. State legislators Mike O'Brien and Larry Farnese are both against the budget cuts. My opposition was mostly, Arlene Ackerman, who is no longer in power. Yet, the $1 million cut, was possibly the $1 million that Ackerman was paid to leave the district.

There has been no legislation written to fix this, mostly because it hasn't had any attention. If one is written it would most likely have to be done by a school district official. The stake holders are all the legislators that want to make a brighter future for Pennsylvania youth. I need to have Leroy D. Nunery II on my side if I want to have the budget cuts reversed. I honestly don't think anyone can oppose this, because the youth is the future and you see the obesity rates in the current generation of kids. The STARs organization, Sports Teaching and Reaching Students, is an organization that I can work with on this topic. The time frame for this is to fix the budget by August, so that it will be fixed for the 2012-2013 school year. 

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Lobbying Blog Post 3 - I Think We Need A New Congress

Posted by Rafiq Robinson in AMGOV-003 on
Originally this blogs' focus was directed to all the fat cats on wall street who did dirty deals that ultimately led to the 2008 recession. Although it is still in the back of my mind I feel that I need to refocus and accept that what is done is done. It is in the past and it is time to move forward into a new prosperous re-emerging economy, right? Wrong.

A lot of people are disappointed in congress, our elected officials, not because they failed but because this seemed like our budgets last hope and they failed. Now if they don't have an answer in a year they will cut a minimum of 1.2 trillion dollars evenly from all U.S. programs regardless of size(Welfare and other very important social services exempt). This has essentially turned into a war between the two sides(like it wasn't before) and sadly to say, a war where you can clearly see news sources take sides point and case. These two articles are just blatant examples of how at war the republicans and democrats are I think the first article says how the republican unwillingness to do something with taxes is the reason we failed. Excuse me if I am speaking too frank but I really don't care which side was the catalyst to the failure, the real problem is the failure itself and congress' inability to fix our problem.

Back to what I said before about congress inability to fix their own problems it is a solution to their incompetence and it is that we lobby for new elected officials. We as a people can say "my elected official is not doing their job, get him out of congress." As I partly expected after learning that Pat Toomey is on congress he is related to congress' inability to fix their financial problems. The super committee is a culmination of six democrats and six republicans who were sent in to balance our budget as a special task force. Now as cool as special task force sounds they failed just like our regular task force and pat toomey was on this so called super committee. Now with the things that I said about him previously and this recent failure I truly think that Pennsylvania would benefit from a change in our elected official. The only people who I can influence are concerned citizens and people who feel that repeated failure is not tolerable.

To end off this I rarely agree with Obama statements but when he said he will veto anything to try to get congress out of this mess the easy way is all I was looking for someone to say. I believe that he agrees with a reelection.


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Lobbying Post #3 - Curfew

Posted by Briana Stroman in AMGOV-003 on

Again, my issue is curfew, speaking on how teens will get accused on doing something bad. None of the representatives agree with me, but other philadelphians do. To the government, it may seem like good publicity, but to everyone else it's horrible. Nothing has happened, yet. But if the law gets more out of hand it wouldn't even be an teen flashmob anymore. It probably would be a city flashmob. The government is my opponent. Apparently, I don't have any type of power or authority to change things, but I know someone does.

The people I would have to go to are philadelphians, mostly parents. In my research, parents have more problem with this issue than teens, and it was directed to both groups. Then there's two different parent groups. There's the group that know their kids doesn't do anything, but yet they still get accused. Then there's the parents responsible for their kid's actions, but still have an attitude. I am more on the side of the innocent parents because those are the one who are most involved. The other parents would probably want to start some type of riot. Who knows.

The council members that was a part of this was Reynolds Brown, Miller and Green. All three agree with it, even my own representative of my district agrees with it. But they don't understand ALL of the outcomes.

I can influence teens and parents. Basically, we have two options. We can agree that the government will have a better way to determine where teens are going, or we can all disagree with the way it's being approached. That is my problem with the law. I felt that it was rushed a little. And they don't have a way to determine who's disobeying and who isn't.

I would like to apologize on my other blog post for wrong assumptions. On September 22nd 2011, it was introduced as a bill, which was directed to teens hanging out at City Hall and University City. Recently it was made an official law. It was actually a bill since 2007. By comparing the 2007 bill and the 2011 bill which is now an official law, it became more strict.


There are no meetings coming up on this issue just yet, but what I would like to do is to go to city council and have them listen to why I'm lobbying about this issue.

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Lobbying education reform 3

Posted by Elona Myftaraj in AMGOV-003 on
The status of my lobbying topic, education reform is not doing very well as of this year. There has not been much change between the committee and council members that support my topic. There has been a lot of talk but no real action with education reform. President Obama gave a speech in July of 2011 and again on september 23 2011, stating that his administration would provide relief from the no child left behind act, he directed secretary Duncan to move forward with plans to provide flexibility to states looking for greater relief under the law, this law was supposed to make sure that every child got an excellent education. 
         Even though this was set to take place, very little change to be seen. In fact there has been more negative change then positive. Because of the failing economy the Pennsylvania public schools with about $1.5 billion in education sector cuts and a 50% cut for state-owned/funded four-year colleges. This has caused many several schools such as Cardinal Dougherty to shut down. There has been a lot of talk and few meeting about education reform, but no real action has taken place to benefit education. 
           I also found several places during my search, places that I could visit in order to sit in on the meetings regarding education reform. At some of these place if and when I get a chance to speak I will bring up foreign education systems. What is working for the other countries such as Germany, South Korea, and Japan that is not working for the states. During these meeting I also wish to bring up the case of the feeling that the schools bring to kids, and whether we should change it. Whether we want the kids to fear or feel safe in schools, are all things to bring up.                                                                                                                      The representation of US schools in the world community is also of concern and something that should be discussed.  The fact that neighborhood schools in the states are in conditions compared to at times worse then jail is a growing concern. In the past being educated and able to attend school was a privilege and a dream for a lot of kids, now days it is seen as a nightmare waiting to end. Its time to change the views students have on school to a positive one. 

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 http://www.cardinaldougherty.org/ 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDs-QSwLls8&feature=fvst 

http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget11/summary/edlite-section1.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLzCBAFStm0

http://www.psea.org/general.aspx?id=7882 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrNTE7nNVkY

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/budget_reform/030811-education-slammed-in-pa.-budget-cuts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbGQjA9pH4I&feature=fvst

http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh6-cauZkzo

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/education-reform-2011-obama-5054121

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Lobbying Issue: Funding for Philly Youth Poetry Movement (Phase Three)

Posted by Chelsea Starks in AMGOV-003 on
Occupy-Philly-Health-And-Safety
occupy-philly-011
Occupy Philly
The status of my legislature seems to be in a "good" year because majority of my representatives (local) support PYPM so as a whole my lobbying issue seems to be in good standing. A policy has not yet been written for this issue because of other pressing issues such as the Occupy Philly Movement. Because in recent weeks, this movement has kind of taken over on the list of priorities and the city is trying to deal with it as best as they can non-violently and legally. As you can see in the photos below, the city has it's hands tied with this here Occupy Philadelphia.

The stakeholders in this issue right now  are Mayor Nutter and the city council members. The allies I have on board are Mayor Nutter and the city council members. Basically right now everything is kind of a waiting game because of all of the unrest so once that subsides and they handle the problem or come to a compromise with the protesters I can move forward.

The founder of PYPM, Greg Corbin, is helping me with this issue because he really wants PYPM to be more of a national maybe one day even global change but before thinking big we have to think small. We want to take more misguided youths off the street and allow them to express themselves in a more creative and productive manner rather than terrorizing random people just for the fun of it. The dates we have to look out for are the next city council meetings pretty much and see when the next session is.
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Lobbying Blog #3

Posted by Johniera McClain in AMGOV-003 on
​Johniera McClain
American Government

Blog Post #3 Lobbying: Street Clean Up 


 The status of legislature pertaining my lobbying topic is not necessarily well this year. As for the people in council that supports the lobbying topic, there has not been much done and said that supports the issue that apparently is at hand. Honestly, if contacted possibly that would change because there even is a Committee on Streets & Services that hold Chair, Vice Chair, and Members that are dedicated to help support the streets of Philadelphia and also try hard to prevent an unsanitary environment. The opponents that may thwart the succession of my lobbying topic would of course be the people of Philadelphia. Sadly, they may be the biggest opponents that I have although, if more legislation such as founded before (http://legislation.phila.gov/detailreport/?key=9190) (https://docs.google.com/a/scienceleadership.org/viewer?url=http://legislation.phila.gov/attachments/9251.pdf) the City of Philadelphia and their Philadelphians would be more submissive to keeping their city cleaner.

             Definitely the skateboarders in this issue would be the people of the Committee on Streets & Services. (http://www.phila.gov/cityCouncil/streets.html) Closer to me would be of course be the Vice Chair (Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez). She is the councilwoman of the 7th district in which I do reside in. She indeed would be someone that I would and need to move that would be a decision maker. The issue that I do have with the city, I believe is not necessarily a controversial topic. I think it is reasonably fair and agreeable. I do not think I would have many or even at all any allies.

             A peer of mine that would definitely be someone I could possibly coordinate in this issue would be a dear friend of mines names Rashaun WIlliams.(http://phreshphiladelphia.org/Phresh_Philly/Phresh_Philadelphia.html) He is one of the founders of Phresh Philadelphia. Phresh Philadelphia is a non-profit organizations which is developed and motivated behind three very important goals; Community Development, Community Clean-Up, and Community Empowerment. Rashaun is someone as well that I do know that is passionate about the similar issues at hand in Philadelphia.

           I can and in dire need to influence the people of PHILADELPHIA. With that, some things that I should do is go to the city council meetings and go right to them and get suggestions on what I could possibly do to help with the public contribution of Philadelphia, cleaning wise. Hopefully that may spark some ideas with legislation and help move people in authority engage on my lobbying topic. As of currently there are a City Council Meeting that can be attended on December 7th at 10:00 am that is the meeting of the Whole Council. (http://legislation.phila.gov/calendar/)

        There are not any specific time frames, although I know personally I will get some information that I gather and present it thus forth at the meeting of the whole council at their next meeting. 

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Kawashima v. Holder

Posted by Rashaun Williams in AMGOV-003 on
​The Case Issue
“Can filing a false tax return count as an “aggravated felony” for purposes of a statute that subjects an immigrant convicted of an “aggravated felony” to deportation.”
(Can immigrants who file a false tax reports be deported)

The Law’s being Challenged
An aggravated felony is when someone lies about over $10,000 and/or when the government losses over $10,000 in tax return money.
(Section 7201 of title 26  explains this)

The Law’s History
Immigration law allows the US government to deport anyone who has committed an “aggravated felony.” At first it only applied to crimes such as murder and drug trafficking, but congress has expanded the definition overtime.

What Happened
Akio and Fusako Kawashima, a Japanese couple falsely reported their income taxes. They’ve been citizens of the US since 1984 (27 years). In 1997, Mr. Kawashima filled a false corporate tax return and his wife helped him. It made them seem as though they made less money then they actually did which illegally exempted them from paying government of owed tax money. They lied, and it cost the government over $10,000 in tax revenue. Section 7206 of the tax code was violated due to these actions.

Kawashimas were convicted of a violation under Section 7206, the tax code, not tax evasion which violates Section 7201. Because of this, they weren’t deported. The government still started to deport them which would relate to Section 7206.

The Question to the Supreme Court
Do the Kawashimas fall under Section 7201 even though they violated Section 7206.

My Prediction
At 1st, I thought they were a lost cause, but they have an awesome lawyers, so now I think they might actually win and stay in America, but still face consequences for disobeying the laws under Section 7201.
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Lobbying Blog Post 2

Posted by Sekai Harris in AMGOV-003 on

Who represents me?

Tom Buford represents what I believe in as well as him.

How has my legislator voted on my issue in the past?

He is upon most of the legislators that voted against the policy for smoking.

What do you and your representative have in common?

We are both against smoking in a literal sense.

Biography(basic):

Residence: Nicholasville

Marital Status: Married (Carol Tweeddale)

Prev. Occupation: Bank Executive, Land Developer, Property Manager

Education: BS University of Kentucky, 1971

Birthdate: 05/23/1949

Birthplace: Nicholasville, KY

Religion: Disciples of Christ

District: 22

"Sen. Buford’s committee assignments include: the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, the Banking and Insurance Committee (chairman), the Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources (chairman), the Health and Welfare Committee (vice-chairman), and the Licensing and Occupations Committee.  Sen. Buford is also on the board of directors for the Kentucky Long Term Policy Research Center."







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Amber Altomare Lobbying Blogpost 2

Posted by Amber Altomare in AMGOV-003 on
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown is the only person who stood up against the law of 17- curfew at the hearing. She represents the 2nd District. Blondell is very "for the children." Everything she fights against is with children in mind and what would be best. I think it is great that she is there to represent children because they cannot represent themselves. I am grateful that she is there to represent children because most people in politics are about business but what business do children bring in? They have no one there to fight for them and can't fight for themselves because they have little rights and no voice. 
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Amber Altomare Lobbying Blogpost 1

Posted by Amber Altomare in AMGOV-003 on
I am lobbying for spending money to be used to create things that would entertain minors. My cause counters the new curfew law. I am against that law because I feel as though all minors should not be punished. There are plenty of well-behaved 17- people and they shouldn't be punished. Instead of this law, neighborhoods should be made in a way to give kids something to do so this wouldn't happen. I feel strongly about this topic because in the summer, I was stopped at 9:01 walking to a store where a friend's parents were and the officers threatened to bring us to the station, him being 18. Michael Nutter made this law and many others lobbied for. Against this law is councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. Blondell would be on my side and I would lobby against Michael Nutter. This bill just became a law. 
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