On the federal budget: What are the next steps for progressives?

"Progressive Strategies for the Upcoming Budget Battle" will be the theme for the Progressive Democrats of American (PDA) Tucson Chapter's second membership meeting on Monday, April 25, 2011.

Both the People's Budget-- sponsored by the Congressional Progressive Caucus-- and Rep. Paul Ryan's Road to Ruin... er... "Path to Prosperity" right-wing extremist budget were voted on in the US House of Representatives a week ago. Since the Republicans hold the majority, Ryan's budget passed on a strictly party-line vote and the People's Budget was defeated on a strictly party-line vote.

Now what? Senator Harry Reid and President Obama have both said that the Ryan budget-- which targets Medicare and Medicaid for dramatic changes, guts social programs, cuts taxes for the wealthy, and leaves the military budget untouched-- is a non-starter.

With both parties so far apart, what will be the progressives' strategy going forth? Join PDA Tucson for a talk about budget strategies by Congressman Raul Grijalva. On the agenda with Grijalva will be a presentation entitled "Budgets and Deficits and Debt, Oh My!" by Andrea Witte of Connect the Dots for Democracy and MoveOn.

PDA Tucson also will give an update about the issue organizing teams (IOTs)-- small groups that are working on PDA's seven core issues: clean and fair elections, global warming/environment, economic and social justice, accountability and corporate personhood, immigration reform, healthcare for all, and end the wars/redirect the funds. The PDA Steering Committee is looking for volunteers to lead three of the IOTs--immigration reform, end the wars/redirect the funds, and accountability and corporate personhood.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and be held at the Hotel Tucson at St. Mary's Rd. and Granada; doors open at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. Suggested donation: $5.