Middle Class Task Force

From the White House Blog

Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 11:17 am

A strong middle class = a strong America

The mortgage crisis. Wall Street. The loss of millions of jobs. In this economic crisis, the middle class is getting hit from all angles.

That’s why the President created a Middle Class Task Force and asked his right hand man, Vice President Joe Biden, to lead it.

The Vice President lays out the goals of the Task Force in an op-ed appearing this morning in USA Today, which you can find on the Task Force’s new site.

Even though the middle class has been pummeled by this crisis, there are steps we can take to make sure the recovery doesn’t just benefit the wealthy, like past expansions. This time around, we’re going to grow the middle class, improve quality of life, and expand the American dream to millions of people who have shouldered the costs of our economy but not reaped its gains.

So take a look at the new website of the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families to learn more, and be sure to leave your comments and ideas.

Comment on the The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

If you would like to read the full text of the legislation and comment:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/LillyLedbetterFairPayActPublicReview/

Obama Signs Equal-Pay Bill – washingtonpost.com

Obama signs bill making equal-pay lawsuits easier
By PHILIP ELLIOTT
The Associated Press
Thursday, January 29, 2009; 12:33 PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/29/AR2009012900343.html

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama signed an equal-pay bill into law Thursday before cheering labor and women leaders who fought hard for it and the woman whose history-making lawsuit gave impetus to the cause.

Obama, choosing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act as the first bill to sign as president, called it a “wonderful day” and declared that ending pay disparities between men and woman an issue not just for women, but for all workers.

With Ledbetter standing by his side, Obama said she lost more than $200,000 in salary, and even more in pension and Social Security benefits that she “still feels today.” He then signed the measure that effectively nullifies a 2007 Supreme Court decision and makes it easier for workers to sue for discrimination by allowing them more time to do so.

“Making our economy work means making sure it works for everyone,” Obama said. “That there are no second-class citizens in our workplaces, and that it’s not just unfair and illegal _ but bad for business _ to pay someone less because of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion or disability.”

Inaugural SmarTrip Cards and One-Day Passes

Metro’s commemorative Obama Inaugural SmarTrip cards and One-Day passes are now available for advanced sale on Metro’s Web site at http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/store/

Obama Commemorative SmarTrip® Card

Obama Commemorative One-Day Pass

New DC Idealist Blogger

Hi! I’m Kathryn. I’m a new blogger on this site, so let me introduce myself.

I came to D.C. “temporarily” in 1978, fell in love with the city and have been living here ever since. Some things have changed a lot. For example, there are high-end condos and interesting small restaurants where there used to be Mom n’ Pop storefronts and run-down apartments.

Some things haven’t changed. There are still homeless people on the streets and lines at food pantries and soup kitchens. That concerns me. So you’ll be hearing more from me about issues affecting homeless and other poor people and what we can do to improve their lives.

For the past 25 years or so, I’ve specialized in public policy communications—research, analysis and writing on a wide range of issues for nonprofits, government agencies, a Member of Congress and private-sector businesses.

I also provide communications support, on a voluntary basis, to the Advocacy and Social Justice department at So Others Might Eat (SOME). What this says about me and what I’ll be blogging about is that I believe our governments, at all levels, need to address the systemic causes of homelessness and poverty and that they’re most likely to do this if we, who vote them into office (and can vote them out), tell them it’s what we expect.

 

Change.gov Is Up and Running

The official website for President-elect Obama’s transition team.

the electorate has spoken loudly and clearly….

Mr. President-Elect: Barack Obama

for local election results, visit the DC Board of Elections and Ethics

Highlights: Obama Victory Speech – washingtonpost.com

more about "Highlights: Obama Victory Speech – wa…", posted with vodpod

absentee voting? call and confirm

yesterday, i had the most interesting/disturbing conversation on the phone with someone from my local “Supervisor of Elections” office.

long story short….they told me that they had ALREADY RECEIVED MY BALLOT!!!

i don’t remember voting yet!

after calling again today, they told me they will be sending me another ballot!

lesson of my story: if you’re an absentee voter, or just voting by mail, please call your local Elections Office and check your status! who knows, maybe they already “received” your ballot too!

D.C. Gun Ban Is Out, But Regulations Stay

From Metro section of the Washington Post

The D.C. Council unanimously approved emergency legislation last night that ends the strictest handgun ban in the country and voted 12 to 1 to approve the transfer of almost $125 million to renovate schools by fall — two major issues that showed the council’s complex relationship with Mayor Adrian…
(By Nikita Stewart and Bill Turque, The Washington Post)