Thursday, February 1, 7:00 p.m.
Plumstead Township Building
5186 Stump Road (0.4 mi east of 611 on right)
Plumsteadville, Pa. 18949
Democratic candidates who will speak
Gary Gilman for Judge of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas
Mardi Harrison for District Judge, Doylestown
Diane Marseglia for County Commissioner
Donna McKillop for Judge of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas
Sandra Miller for County Commissioner
Steve Santarsiero for County Commissioner
Andy Warren for County Commissioner
Fred Viskovich for County Treasurer
Larry Glick will attend for Congressman Patrick Murphy. Our meetings are open to all. Bring your questions and concerns.
Update on our activities
Flood issues–national and local
Who: Jeanne & Mike working with Steve Kanstoroom (DC flood expert & citizen activist, www.femainfo.us). We’re working with Congressman Murphy (& Doug Platz)
Goal: To get changes in the language of FEMA regulations clarifying accountability in the way WYO insurers deal with flood claims. Last fall this was worked through Mike Fitzpatrick’s subcommittee and also with Gov. Rendell and PEMA.
Military Commissions Act
Both Murphy and Casey said, before the election, that they supported passage of the MCA. We must lobby to get their support for changes to this law or overturning it.
Goal: We want an unequivocal commitment from the US government to the principle of habeas corpus. We will introduce resolutions for endorsement by local municipalities and the county.
Together with Coalition for Peace Action (Rev. Al Krass) we co-sponsored two events on the status of Guantanamo prisoners with speakers from the Philly Public Defenders' office.
Single-payer healthcare
Lots of visibility with recent state plan proposals (MA, CA, PA). PDA supports HR 676.
Next month we will get an update from Chuck Pennacchio (Executive Director, Health Education & Legislative Progress Fund of PA), who is lobbying for PA-SB 1085, also a "single-payer" bill.
We support both efforts–our goal is universal coverage/single payer.
Verified voting
We support an auditable voting system; e.g., optical scans with voter-verified paper ballots. Update from Madeline Rawley of the Coalition for Voting Integrity.
Craig Kaufman will speak on current activities of PA Action.
