Saturday, September 29, 2012

How progressive is Tucson?


Tucson has a reputation of being Arizona's hotbed of liberal thought, old hippie ideas, great music, and eclectic art, but how progressive is Tucson?

Pretty darn progressive...

- Recently 341 Pima County residents were elected as precinct committee people (PCs). These volunteers represent the Democratic Party's ground game. They show up to walk, they make phone calls for candidates, and they donate to candidates and issues. Of the 341 newly elected PCs, 81 or 24% are affiliated with Progressive Democrats of America's (PDA) Tucson Chapter. This includes six of the eight people who serve on the PDA Tucson Steering Committee (some of whom are pictured here with other PDA state and national leaders.)

- Tucson's PDA Chapter is the largest in the state, and one of the largest in the country.

- PDA Tucson has sponsored or partnered with others to support public events related to the People's Budget 1,2,3 (as opposed to the military-industrial complex's budget), union bustingsingle payer healthcarepublic banking,open primariesclean elections and the end of Citizens' Unitedjob creation by promoting local business, the Robin Hood Taxcorporate personhood, theOccupy movement, immigration reform and the end of SB1070, and other Main Street issues.

- PDA Tucson is bringing progressive issues to local candidates through the Brown Bag Lunch Program.

- PDA Tucson is partnering with Tucson MoveOn and The Screening Room to create the first-ever Tucson Progressive Film Festival, October 26-28.
    If you want to learn more about this burgeoning progressive movement or be added to our mailing list, check out PDA Tucson's blog or Facebook page or the PDA national website.

    You can be the change you want.

    This post originally appeared on Blog for Arizona.

    Thursday, September 27, 2012

    'Women Ignited Now': Know the truth and stand up for your rights


    Join State Senator Paula Aboud for this important rally and discussion in support of women's rights. From the senator...
    Please join me in Tucson at the first stop on the "Women Ignited Now" statewide tour.  
    This rally begins a very important discussion for women and our allies. 
    Most community members don't fully realize the impact of the laws coming out of the Arizona Legislature.  
    My intention is to educate and inform folks about the extent of the Legislature's intrusion into the realm of women's rights, especially regarding women's healthcare decisions.
    Please join me on Friday, Sept. 28th at 5:00 pm at Pima College Downtown Campus, the Amethyst Room.   Enter the main building at the NW corner of Speedway at Stone Ave., 1225 N. Stone and enter the doors where the fountain is.

    Wednesday, September 26, 2012

    Tucson Progressive Film Festival: Buy advanced tickets on Pay Pal


    Lights! Camera! Progressive Action! 
    The Tucson Progressive Film Festival

    Oct. 26 - 28, 2012

    The Screening Room
    127 E. Congress St.
    Tucson, AZ  85701
    Price:  $8/film, $10/ individual day pass, $15/entire festival

    PDA Tucson, Tucson MoveOn, and The Screening Room are teaming up to bring you the first-ever Tucson Progressive Film Festival, over the weekend of October 26-28. Six films on topics ranging from corporate personhood and money in politics to environment will be shown over the weekend. With the festival pass, you get all five films for $15.

    You can buy advanced day passes or weekend passes (obviously the best deal) by clicking the Pay Pal "Buy Now" link below. Tickets also will be available for purchase at The Screening Room during the festival.

    RSVP to the Tucson Progressive Film Festival and keep up to date with festival news by "liking" PDA Tucson and the film fest on Facebook. 

    Options

    Wednesday, September 19, 2012

    PDA Tucson urges Barber to co-sponsor Robin Hood Tax legislation


    To: Congressman Ron Barber
    From: Constituents of Az CD-8
    Re: Important Legislation for Az CD –8

    Dear Congressman Barber,

    We are leaders in our community, and your actions on these issues will determine whether or not we support your reelection. We are working in a broad, national coalition called the Brown Bag Vigil campaign, organized by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and its partners. We've met at congressional offices nationwide each month since January 2010.

    House members should cosponsor, Senators should sponsor companion legislation:

    Financial speculation excesses crashed our economy. We urge you to cosponsor Rep. Keith Ellison's "Inclusive Prosperity Act" (HR 6411) to enact small tax on speculation aka a Robin Hood Tax which would increase revenues, limit speculation, help preserve the social safety net, make our tax structure much fairer, empower the middle class and kick start our economy.

    Our economy is not creating jobs in the quantity or quality needed. We desperately need leadership from the Federal Government to create jobs, and to train Americans. We urge you to support HR 870 / 4277 - Rep. Conyers “21st Century Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Training Act” and H.R. 2914 - Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s “Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act.” Osama bin Laden is dead.

    Our mission in Afghanistan is over, and we can't afford a war with Iran. We urge you to Join the Out of Afghanistan Caucus, cosponsor and support HR 780, Rep. Barbara Lee’s bill to fund the safe and orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan; and HR 4173, Rep. Lee’s "Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act."

    Healthcare is a human right. We urge you to cosponsor and support legislation to guarantee healthcare for all: HR 676, Rep. John Conyers’s bill to establish an improved and expanded Medicare for All program; and HR 1200, Rep. Jim McDermott’s American Health Security Act of 2011. Please provide us with the name and contact information of your staffer(s) responsible for the above issues.

    Thank you for your time and attention.

    PDA Tucson

    Sunday, September 16, 2012

    PDA Tucson
    Economic and Social Justice Issues Organizing Team
    September 15, 2012,
    East Room Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E. First St., 10 AM – noon
    Minutes
    Present:  Harvey Akeson, Marjie Baker, Leslie Hunten, Steve Lesh, Richard Brodesky

    1.0        Unfinished Business
    1.1     Progressive Film Festival, Oct. 26 – 28             Leslie

    Leslie reviewed the lineup of films and the subjects they cover.  She reported on our relationships with the Screening Room and Move On!  We will need about 200 people to come to the festival.  Members are anxious to help with publicity and to sell festival passes.  There will be an emphasis on post-film presentations and discussions. 

    1.2     Meetings with Officials and Aspiring Officials

    Richard reported on a warm interchange between Phil Lopez, Jim Hannley, Marc Armstrong of the Public Banking Institute and Steve Kozalchik, Ward 6 City Council Member. 

    Richard also discussed the meeting he, Jim Hannley, and Phil Lopes had with Elaine Richardson, Democratic candidate for Pima County Treasurer.            This meeting was quite positive, and Elaine had a good understanding of the issues. 


    1.3     Possibility of Collaboration with Rogue Theater

    Richard reported that he had met with Norma Davenport, President of the Rogue Theater, and with Cindy Meyer, the Managing Director, about collaborating in January during their run of Brecht’s “Mother Courage.”  The team is anxious to do so. 


    2.0        Discussion on Taxation

    We began to discuss collecting property taxes in Tucson and Pima County.  We returned to the idea of using eminent domain to capitalize a public bank.  And we broached the Financial Transactions Tax.  Richard reported that nationally PDA is asking members to support Rep. Ellison’s bill on the FTT, but we are not ready to do so.  We see this as a complex subject who will require more study and discussion. 





    Thursday, September 13, 2012

    Gentle Reminder

    We'll be meeting this Saturday, Sept. 15th in the East Room at the Ward 6 Council Offices, 3202 E. First St., from 10 AM - noon. 

    We'll be discussing recent developments in public banking and the Progressive Film Festival as well as taxation.  We'll begin with the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) or Robin Hod Tax. 

    You'll find a good overview here:
    See you on Saturday!

    Monday, September 10, 2012

    September Economic and Social Justice IOT Meeting

    PDA Tucson
    Economic and Social Justice Issues Organizing Team
    September 15, 2012,
    East Room Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E. First St., 10 AM – noon
    Agenda
    1.0        Introductions
    1.1        Welcome
    1.2        Approval of Minutes
    1.3        Agenda Modifications

    2.0        Unfinished Business
    2.1     Progressive Film Festival, Oct. 26 – 28             Leslie
    2.2     Meetings with Officials and Aspiring Officials     Phil, Jim
    2.3     Possibility of Collaboration with Rogue Theater Richard

    3.0        Discussion on Taxation