WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–March 25, 2014–The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today proposed rules to restore Clean Water Act protections to streams and wetlands whose status had been thrown into question by court rulings and Bush administration actions. Following public comment, these rules will ensure that protections against[Read More…]
Commentary
Earthjustice: Proposed Rule Will Help Clean Up America’s Dirty Waters
Rule will restore protections to the nation’s streams and wetlands Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 25, 2014. Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule to restore long-standing Clean Water Act protections to streams and many wetlands across the country. These protections, which stood for decades since Congress passed the Clean Water[Read More…]
Rejoice Not At The Death of Fred Phelps
Commentary By Gary Kopycinski "I take no solace or joy in this man’s passing. We will not dance upon his grave, nor stand vigil at his funeral holding ‘God Hates Freds’ signs, tempting as it may be. He was a tormented soul, who tormented so many. Hate never wins out[Read More…]
As Winter Finally Melts, What’s Next?
The last of this winter’s ice I was tripping over all winter. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski) Commentary By Gary Kopycinski There it is. The beast. Broken, defeated, at last. This lonely piece of ice is all that remains of the endless mountains, the glaciers (it seems), I was tripping over all[Read More…]
The Most Powerful Painting I Have Ever Seen… And How it Freed Someone From Prison
NEW YORK—(ENEWSPF)—March 18, 2014. My good friend and colleague, Anthony Papa, found his passion for art while serving a 15-to-life sentence in Sing-Sing. Papa painted hundreds of pieces while behind bars, but one of them stands out and is the most powerful painting I have ever seen. Papa’s self-portrait, “15[Read More…]
Center for American Progress’ Julia Gordon on the Johnson-Crapo Housing Finance Reform Draft Bill
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 17, 2014. Last night, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs released a 442-page discussion draft of legislation to overhaul the nation’s housing finance system. The draft bill would wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and replace them with a system under which the government[Read More…]
CAP Experts on HHS Taking Action to Remedy Insurance Discrimination Against Same-Sex Spouses
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 14, 2014. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, released new guidance clarifying that the Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from discriminating against same-sex spouses who wish to purchase health coverage as a family. The announcement comes in the wake of cases from states[Read More…]
Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on Senate Unemployment Insurance Deal
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–March 13, 2014. If the Senate acts swiftly and responsibly it looks like 2 million jobless Americans may be closer to getting relief in the form of emergency unemployment insurance. We will have to look closely at what a final deal looks like and whether it adds additional burden[Read More…]
SEIU: Expanding Overtime Pay; Another Step Forward for Workers
WASHINGTON, DC –(ENEWSPF)–March 13, 2014. After President Obama announced an executive order that would expand overtime pay to more workers, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) issued the following statement: “Today’s action by the President is one more step in the right direction for workers[Read More…]
ACLU: Holder Endorses Proposed Reduction of Drug Sentences
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–March 13, 2014. Attorney General endorsed a proposal to reduce prison sentences for certain nonviolent drug traffickers during testimony before the U.S. Sentencing Commission today. The proposed change would reduce the average sentence for drug traffickers by 11 months. The commission will vote on the proposal next month. “Our country’s[Read More…]
