Month: August 2018

ACLU

For nearly 100 years, the American Civil Liberties Union has worked daily in the courts, in legislatures, and in communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, Bill Rights and laws of the United States.

Action Together Network

We formed to meet the growing needs of the state groups so they could learn from each other and share resources. We are that resource. We stay connected to troubleshoot, build relationships, collaborate on projects and coordinate action. We are here to band together, to assist where needed and to change the landscape of our future. We are stronger together and we are the Action Together Network.

Daily Action

We follow the news cycles closely to determine where we can collectively make the greatest impact. The point of Daily Action alerts is to make civic engagement easy and logistically painless.

Indivisible

Our only goal is to help the real leaders on the ground who are resisting Trump’s agenda on their home turf. We hope you will take this document and use it however you see fit.

League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters is a citizens’ organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our government and engage all citizens in the decisions that impact their lives. We operate at national, state and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues, in all 50 states as well in DC, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

MoveOn.org

MoveOn is the largest independent, progressive, digitally-connected organizing group in the United States.

Our Revolution

Our Revolution has three intertwined goals: to revitalize American democracy, empower progressive leaders and elevate the political consciousness.

Planned Parenthood

The mission of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England is to protect the fundamental right of all individuals to manage their own fertility and sexual health, and to ensure access to the services, education and information to realize that right.

Southern Poverty Law Center

The SPLC is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.

Standing on the Side of Love

Standing on the side of love is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression. It is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association and all are welcome to join.

Women’s March 10 Actions / 100 Days

We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.

Saturday, August 11 and Saturday, October 13, CIVC will have two Voter Registration Pop-Ups set up.  One will be located at the Hannafords in Clinton, the other will be located at the Market Basket in Hudson.  Both Pop-Ups will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Each location will have voter registration forms and absentee ballot forms.  Both forms will be available in English and Spanish.  There will also be the ability for you to register online.

GOVERNOR: (Note: Governor & Lt. Governor candidates run together on tickets in the General Election.) Charlie Baker (R)* – (http://charliebakerma.com/) Scott Lively (R) – Pastor, Anti-Gay Rights Activist & ’14 Candidate – http://www.scottlively.net/ Jay Gonzalez (D) – Ex-State Finance Secretary, Ex-Health Care Executive & Attorney – https://jay4ma.com/ Bob Massie (D) – Minister, University Official, Social Activist, ’94 Lt Gov Nominee & ’12 US Sen Candidate – https://www.bobmassie2018.com/

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Karyn Polito (R)* – http://charliebakerma.com/ Quentin Palfrey (D) – Ex-US Commerce Dept. Official, Ex-Obama White House Aide & Attorney – https://www.quentinpalfrey.com/ Jimmy Tingle (D) – Comedian, Writer, Actor & Non-Profit Group Founder – https://www.jimmytingle4mass.com/ ATTORNEY GENERAL: Maura Healey (D)* – http://www.maurahealey.com/ Jay McMahon (R) – Attorney & National Guard Veteran – https://www.attorneyjaymcmahon.com/ Dan Shores (R) – Attorney, GOP Activist & ’14 US Rep. Candidate – https://www.danshores.com/ SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH: Bill Galvin (D)* – http://www.billgalvin.org/ Josh Zakim (D) – Boston City Councilor & Attorney – https://www.joshzakim.com/ Anthony Amore (R) – Museum Security Director, Ex-INS Agent, Ex-FAA Special Agent & Author – http://www.amore2018.com/stop_noncitizen_voting?splash=1 Juan Sanchez (Green-Rainbow) – Elder Care Center LGBT Outreach Coordinator – http://www.green-rainbow.org/juan_sanchez_for_secretary_of_the_commonwealth
STATE TREASURER & RECEIVER-GENERAL:Deb Goldberg (D)* – http://www.debgoldberg.com/ Keiko Orrall (R) – State Rep. & Ex-Teacher – https://votekeiko.com/ Jamie Guerin (Green-Rainbow) – Progressive Activist – http://www.green-rainbow.org/jamie_guerin_for_state_treasurerSTATE AUDITOR: Suzanne Bump (D)* – http://www.suzannebump.com/ Helen Brady (R) – Boston Symphony Orchestra Executive & ’16 St Rep Nominee – https://www.giveemhelen.com/ Dan Fishman (Libertarian) – Software Programmer & Frequent Candidate – http://www.auditmassachusetts.com/ Jed Stamas (Green-Rainbow) – Teacher & Peace Activist – http://www.green-rainbow.org/jed_stamas_for_state_auditor
U.S. SENATOR:Elizabeth Warren (D)* – https://elizabethwarren.com/ Geoff Diehl (R) – State Rep. & Businessman – https://diehlforsenate.com/ John Kingston (R) – Businessman, Philanthropist, Attorney & GOP Fundraiser – https://johnkingston.com/ Beth Lindstrom (R) – Ex-State Consumer Affairs Dir., Businesswoman, Political Consultant & GOP Activist – https://bethforsenate.com/ Shiva Ayyadurai (I) – Computer Systems Scientist, Businessman & Ex-Republican – https://shiva4senate.com/ John Devine (I) – Risk Assessment Consultant, ’16 State Rep. Candidate & ’14 US Rep. Candidate – https://twitter.com/johnjaypdevine Lou Gallo (I) – Retired Firefighter & Retired Army/USAF NCO – https://www.facebook.com/lougalloforchange/ Allen Waters (I) – Financial Consultant, Ex-Republican & ’14 State Sen. Candidate – https://www.allenrwaters.com/Ed Markey (D)* – Next Election in 2020 https://www.markey.senate.gov/U.S. CONGRESS:
District 1:Richard Neal (D)* – https://www.nealforcongress.com/ Tahirah Amatul-Wadud (D) – Attorney & Muslim-American Community Activist – https://tahirahforcongress.com/ Fritz Mayock (I) – Residential Appraiser & ’16 Candidate – https://www.facebook.com/fritz.mayockDistrict 2: Jim McGovern (D)* – https://mcgovern.house.gov/ Tracy Lovvorn (R) – Physical Therapy Clinic Owner – https://tracyforcongress.com/ Kevin Powers (R) – Businessman – https://www.kevinpowersforcongress.com/ Paul Grady (I) – Hydrogeological Contractor – https://www.facebook.com/Paul-V-Grady-for-US-Congress-Ma-District-2-240496019740090/
District 3: [ Niki Tsongas (D)* – Retiring in 2018.] Jeff Ballinger (D) – Labor Organizer – https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.ballinger.1 Alexandra Chandler (D) – Intelligence Analyst, Attorney & Transgender Activist – https://www.alexandrachandler.com/ Abhijit “Beej” Das (D) – Hotel Company CEO – https://www.dasforcongress.com/ Rufus Gifford (D) – Ex-US Ambassador to Denmark & Democratic Activist – https://rufusgifford.com/ Leonard Golder (D) – Attorney & Frequent Candidate – https://www.facebook.com/Committee-to-Elect-Leonard-H-Golder-1922260061367862/ Dan Koh (D) – Ex-Boston Mayoral Chief of Staff & Ex-Huffington Post Executive – https://koh2018.com/ Barbara L’Italien (D) – State Sen., Ex-State Rep., Ex-Andover School Board Member & Social Worker – https://teambarbara.com/ Bopha Malone (D) – Banking Business Advisor – https://bophaforcongress.com/ Juana Matias (D) – State Rep., Attorney & AmeriCorps Veteran – https://juanamatias.com/ Lori Trahan (D) – Business Consultant & Ex-Congressional Aide – https://loritrahan.com/ Rick Green (R) – Auto Parts Company Owner & Conservative Activist – https://www.rickgreenforma.com/ Mike Mullen (I) – IT Director – https://mullen2018.com/District 4: Joe Kennedy III (D)* – https://www.joekennedyforcongress.com/ Gary Rucinski (D) – Software Project Manager & Envinronmental Activist – https://www.garyrucinski.com/District 5: Katherine Clark (D)* – http://katherineclark.org/ John Hugo (R) – Retired Taxicab Company Manager – https://www.facebook.com/JohnHugoMA/ Louis Kuchnir (R) – Dermatologist & Physicial Chemist – https://www.kuchnirdermatology.com/professionalsDistrict 6: Seth Moulton (D)* – https://sethmoulton.com/ Joe Schneider (R) – Defense Strategy Consultant & Army Veteran – http://joeschneiderforcongress.com/ Mary Charbonneau (I) – Realtor – https://www.facebook.com/people/Mary-Charbonneau/100010140276073
District 7: Mike Capuano (D)* – https://mikecapuano.com/ Ayanna Pressley (D) – Boston City Councilor & Ex-Congressional Aide – https://ayannapressley.com/District 8: Stephen Lynch (D)* – http://www.stephenlynchforcongress.com/ Christopher Voehl (D) – Pilot & ’16 Milton School Board Candidate – https://electchristopher.com/ Brianna Wu (D) – Software Game Developer & Progressive Activist – https://briannawu2018.com/District 9: Bill Keating (D)* – http://www.keatingforcongress.com/ Bill Cimbrelo (D) – Constriction Executive, ’16 Candidate & ’12 US Sen Candidate – https://www.billcimbrelo.com/ Peter Tedeschi (R) – Investment Executive & Ex-Convenience Store Chain Owner – https://tedeschiforcongress.com/

The three questions below will appear on all ballots in Massachusetts for the November 6, 2018 State Election.

Where additional local or non-binding questions appear, they will be listed after these three questions.

Question #1 Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 2, 2018?

SUMMARY This proposed law would limit how many patients could be assigned to each registered nurse in Massachusetts hospitals and certain other health care facilities. The maximum number of patients per registered nurse would vary by type of unit and level of care, as follows:

•In units with step-down/intermediate care patients: 3 patients per nurse;
•In units with post-anesthesia care or operating room patients: 1 patient under anesthesia per nurse; 2patients post-anesthesia per nurse;
•In the emergency services department: 1 critical or intensive care patient per nurse (or 2 if the nurse hasassessed each patient’s condition as stable); 2 urgent non-stable patients per nurse; 3 urgent stable patientsper nurse; or 5 non-urgent stable patients per nurse;
•In units with maternity patients: (a) active labor patients: 1 patient per nurse; (b) during birth and for up totwo hours immediately postpartum: 1 mother per nurse and 1 baby per nurse; (c) when the condition of themother and baby are determined to be stable: 1 mother and her baby or babies per nurse; (d) postpartum: 6patients per nurse; (e) intermediate care or continuing care babies: 2 babies per nurse; (f) well-babies: 6 babiesper nurse;
•In units with pediatric, medical, surgical, telemetry, or observational/outpatient treatment patients, or anyother unit: 4 patients per nurse; and
•In units with psychiatric or rehabilitation patients: 5 patients per nurse.

The proposed law would require a covered facility to comply with the patient assignment limits without reducing its level of nursing, service, maintenance, clerical, professional, and other staff.

The proposed law would also require every covered facility to develop a written patient acuity tool for each unit to evaluate the condition of each patient. This tool would be used by nurses in deciding whether patient limits should be lower than the limits of the proposed law at any given time.

The proposed law would not override any contract in effect on January 1, 2019 that set higher patient limits. The proposed law’s limits would take effect after any such contract expired.

The state Health Policy Commission would be required to promulgate regulations to implement the proposed law. The Commission could conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the law. Any facility receiving written notice from the Commission of a complaint or a violation would be required to submit a written compliance plan to the Commission. The Commission could report violations to the state Attorney General, who could file suit to obtain a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per violation as well as up to $25,000 for each day a violation continued after the Commission notified the covered facility of the violation. The Health Policy Commission would be required to establish a toll-free telephone number for complaints and a website where complaints, compliance plans, and violations would appear.

The proposed law would prohibit discipline or retaliation against any employee for complying with the patient assignment limits of the law.

The proposed law would require every covered facility to post within each unit, patient room, and waiting area a notice explaining the patient limits and how to report violations. Each day of a facility’s non-compliance with the posting requirement would be punishable by a civil penalty between $250 and $2,500.

The proposed law’s requirements would be suspended during a state or nationally declared public health emergency.

The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2019.

A YES VOTE would limit the number of patients that could be assigned to one registered nurse in hospitals and certain other health care facilities. A

NO VOTE would make no change in current laws relative to patient-to-nurse limits.

Question #2

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 2, 2018?

SUMMARY This proposed law would create a citizens commission to consider and recommend potential amendments to the United States Constitution to establish that corporations do not have the same Constitutional rights as human beings and that campaign contributions and expenditures may be regulated. Any resident of Massachusetts who is a United States citizen would be able to apply for appointment to the 15-member commission, and members would serve without compensation. The Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the state Attorney General, the Speaker of the state House of Representatives, and the President of the state Senate would each appoint three members of the commission and, in making these appointments, would seek to ensure that the commission reflects a range of geographic, political, and demographic backgrounds. The commission would be required to research and take testimony, and then issue a report regarding (1) the impact of political spending in Massachusetts; (2) any limitations on the state’s ability to regulate corporations and other entities in light of Supreme Court decisions that allow corporations to assert certain constitutional rights; (3) recommendations for constitutional amendments; (4) an analysis of constitutional amendments introduced to Congress; and (5) recommendations for advancing proposed amendments to the United States Constitution. The commission would be subject to the state Open Meeting Law and Public Records Law. The commission’s first report would be due December 31, 2019, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth would be required to deliver the commission’s report to the state Legislature, the United States Congress, and the President of the United States. The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect. The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2019.

A YES VOTE would create a citizens commission to advance an amendment to the United States Constitution to limit the influence of money in elections and establish that corporations do not have the same rights as human beings.

A NO VOTE would not create this commission.

Question #3

Do you approve of a law summarized below, which was approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate on July 7, 2016?

SUMMARY This law adds gender identity to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination in places of public accommodation, resort, or amusement. Such grounds also include race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, disability, and ancestry. A “place of public accommodation, resort or amusement” is defined in existing law as any place that is open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public, such as hotels, stores, restaurants, theaters, sports facilities, and hospitals. “Gender identity” is defined as a person’s sincerely held gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not it is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth. This law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in a person’s admission to or treatment in any place of public accommodation. The law requires any such place that has separate areas for males and females (such as restrooms) to allow access to and full use of those areas consistent with a person’s gender identity. The law also prohibits the owner or manager of a place of public accommodation from using advertising or signage that discriminates on the basis of gender identity. This law directs the state Commission Against Discrimination to adopt rules or policies and make recommendations to carry out this law. The law also directs the state Attorney General to issue regulations or guidance on referring for legal action any person who asserts gender identity for an improper purpose. The provisions of this law governing access to places of public accommodation are effective as of October 1, 2016. The remaining provisions are effective as of July 8, 2016.

A YES VOTE would keep in place the current law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity in places of public accommodation.

A NO VOTE would repeal this provision of the public accommodation law.