Public Policy
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations whose goal it is to influence the debate Washington.
Featured Stories
The Psalm 119 Association Becomes an ECFA Accredited Organization
SAINT PETERSBURG, Florida, Jan. 18 -- The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability issued the following news release:
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- The Psalm 119 Association Accredited by National Financial Accountability Organization
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The ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) announced the accreditation of The Psalm 119 Association of Saint Petersburg, FL.
ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship(TM), including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising.
The Psalm 119 Association joins a growing
... Show Full Article
SAINT PETERSBURG, Florida, Jan. 18 -- The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability issued the following news release:
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- The Psalm 119 Association Accredited by National Financial Accountability Organization
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The ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) announced the accreditation of The Psalm 119 Association of Saint Petersburg, FL.
ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship(TM), including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising.
The Psalm 119 Association joins a growingnumber of Christ-centered churches and ministries across America, supported by over 14 million donors that have earned the right to display the ECFA seal. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.
"We are pleased to accredit a ministry committed to engage in worldwide Bible teaching," said Dan Busby, president of ECFA.
Founded in 2013, The Psalm 119 Association (http://wkministries.com) connects people with the Author of the Bible through the teaching of the Bible.
[Category: Religion]
Oxfam America Issues Statement Condemning Use of Force Against Migrants Crossing Into Guatemala
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 18 -- Oxfam America issued the following statement by Vicki Gass, senior policy advisor for Central America and Mexico, in response to the use of force and tear gas by the Honduran National Police against people seeking to cross to Guatemala at the Corinto border crossing:
"Oxfam strongly condemns the use of force and tear gas by the Honduran National Police to prevent migrants from crossing into Guatemala. The use of force against unarmed and innocent people seeking a better life is inexcusable. Oxfam urges all governments to respect the rights of people on the move
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 18 -- Oxfam America issued the following statement by Vicki Gass, senior policy advisor for Central America and Mexico, in response to the use of force and tear gas by the Honduran National Police against people seeking to cross to Guatemala at the Corinto border crossing:
"Oxfam strongly condemns the use of force and tear gas by the Honduran National Police to prevent migrants from crossing into Guatemala. The use of force against unarmed and innocent people seeking a better life is inexcusable. Oxfam urges all governments to respect the rights of people on the moveincluding the right to leave their countries of origin, uphold the principle of non-refoulement as required under international law, and defend the right to asylum. Honduras has an obligation to abide by the Central America-4 Free Mobility Agreement, which provides for the free movement of citizens of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala between those four countries.
Unable to live safely in their own country, these migrants are seeking opportunities for themselves and their families to survive and thrive. Rather than criminalizing and demonizing them, the US and governments in the region must address the root causes forcing these families to flee and must protect people in transit, in the shelters, and in the event of their potential return. The governments should remember that repression such as that on display at the Guatemala-Honduras border, besides violating the rights of migrants, has been totally ineffective in resolving the structural problems that the Central American countries face.
This latest caravan demonstrates that these Central American countries do not meet the conditions and requirements to be considered a "safe third country" for those seeking asylum in the US; they cannot guarantee the safety of their own citizens, let along process asylum petitions or protect asylum seekers on their soil. In Honduras, for example, 15 women were assassinated in just the first 14 days of 2020. The bilateral agreements signed between the US and each of the countries in the region, including Mexico, lack legitimacy and violate the rights of asylum seekers. Oxfam calls upon the authorities of all countries to publically disclose the contents of the Asylum Cooperation Agreements (ACA).
Poverty, gender-based and gang violence, pervasive corruption, consecutive years of drought and limited public investment in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala are all known drivers of forced migration. Until these structural issues are addressed, people will continue to flee. Rather than continue to pursue self-serving political agreements at the expense of innocent women, men, and children seeking safety and protection, we urge the Trump administration and governments in the region to instead prioritize addressing the issues at the root causes of forced migration from Central America."
NGOs Call for Action from Customs to Block Import of Palm Oil Produced Using Forced Labor
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- Rainforest Action Network issued the following news release:
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- New evidence of forced labor against Procter & Gamble's joint venture partner, Malaysian company FGV
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This week, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) announced it is suspending certification bids for the non-certified units of FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) -- one of Malaysia's largest palm oil companies and a joint venture partner of Procter & Gamble -- as well as re-imposing the RSPO's suspension of FGV's mill unit Kilang Sawit Serting. This comes after the RSPO's Complaints Panel reviewed
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- Rainforest Action Network issued the following news release:
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- New evidence of forced labor against Procter & Gamble's joint venture partner, Malaysian company FGV
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This week, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) announced it is suspending certification bids for the non-certified units of FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) -- one of Malaysia's largest palm oil companies and a joint venture partner of Procter & Gamble -- as well as re-imposing the RSPO's suspension of FGV's mill unit Kilang Sawit Serting. This comes after the RSPO's Complaints Panel reviewedsix audit reports from the company and found significant evidence of ongoing forced labor.
In August 2019, International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF), Rainforest Action Network (RAN), and SumOfUs filed a formal complaint with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), seeking to stop the importation of palm oil products produced by FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) under the Tariff Act of 1930, which prohibits entry of goods into the United States if there is reasonable cause to believe they contain materials made with forced labor. ILRF, RAN, and SumOfUs are calling for U.S. Customs to immediately issue a detention order on all imports of FGV products and to direct port managers to block the release of FGV products into the United States.
"There is no more time for delays," said Judy Gearhart, Executive Director of the International Labor Rights Forum. "The evidence of forced labor across FGV's plantations is overwhelming, and the U.S. government has an obligation to ensure that goods made with forced labor don't end up in the hands of American customers at the expense of workers around the world."
"Procter & Gamble and a long list of well-known brands and agribusiness companies have been knowingly profiting from FGV's forced labor practices for years," said Robin Averbeck, Agribusiness Campaign Director for Rainforest Action Network. "It's abhorrent that palm oil workers have continued to live in forced labor conditions simply so these companies can make increasing profits by paying illegally low prices for palm oil. This has to stop now. These companies must publicly cut ties with FGV until it addresses forced labor and other labor abuses on its plantations."
"Palm oil workers deserve to have their rights respected and global consumers deserve to know that the products they buy are not tied to forced labor, deforestation and other abuses," said Fatah Sadaoui, Campaign Manager for SumOfUs. "More than 260,000 people from around the world are calling on U.S. Customs and all companies tied to FGV to take urgent action now, the people and the planet can't wait any longer."
Along with Procter & Gamble, the list of companies connected to FGV includes Bunge Loders Croklaan, Cargill, ADM, AAK, Louis Dreyfus Company, Sime Darby, Colgate-Palmolive, Ferrero, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg's, L'oreal, Mars, Mondelez, Nestle, PepsiCo, Reckitt Benkiser, Clasen Quality Chocolate and B&H Distribution.
[Category: Environment]
Moms Demand Action Criticizes Trump Administration for Enabling Schematics for Downloadable Guns to Be Posted Online
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a campaign of Everytown for Gun Safety, issued the following news:
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- Trump Administration Finalizes Rule to Spread Access to Downloadable Guns, Even After Court Found Prior Action to Be Unlawful
- Downloadable Guns Will Enable Anyone--Including Terrorists, Convicted Felons, and Domestic Abusers--to Download Schematics Online and Create Their Own
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Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, released the following statements criticizing the Trump administration for
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a campaign of Everytown for Gun Safety, issued the following news:
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- Trump Administration Finalizes Rule to Spread Access to Downloadable Guns, Even After Court Found Prior Action to Be Unlawful
- Downloadable Guns Will Enable Anyone--Including Terrorists, Convicted Felons, and Domestic Abusers--to Download Schematics Online and Create Their Own
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Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, released the following statements criticizing the Trump administration forfinalizing a rule that enables schematics for downloadable, untraceable guns to be posted online.
"The Trump administration just made a dangerous and baffling decision," said Nick Suplina, managing director for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. "For years, the State Department worked to prevent these deadly designs from going public. Allowing unfettered access to gun schematics will enable convicted felons, terrorists, and domestic abusers to create untraceable guns with ease and put public safety at risk."
"Gun violence is a uniquely American crisis. Yet instead of making it harder for the wrong people to get guns, the Trump administration just made it easier," said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. "Americans overwhelmingly support common-sense legislation that keeps guns out of the wrong hands, and it's past time that our leaders--including the president--stopped playing politics and started saving lives."
The Trump administration's decision to shift oversight of downloadable guns from the State Department to the Department of Commerce, thus enabling the Department of Commerce to issue licenses allowing the publication of downloadable gun schematics online, comes after a federal court found the administration's previous attempt to allow the posting of schematics unlawful. In its decision, the court found that the administration had failed to provide any rationale for the sudden change in the State Department's previous determination that downloadable guns endanger Americans by making it easier for terrorists and criminals to obtain these weapons. With the filing of this final rule, the administration has now moved forward with the formal shift in oversight despite the court's ruling and the American people's overwhelming opposition to downloadable gun schematics being posted online, therefore enabling anyone--including convicted felons and domestic abusers--to download schematics and print their own untraceable guns.
Since downloadable gun schematics were first posted online in 2013, they have begun to show up in the hands of criminals. In February of 2019, a Texas man was sentenced to eight years in prison after officers caught him with a partially 3D-printed AR-15 rifle and a list of lawmakers' addresses in his backpack, despite being banned from owning a firearm due to a violent altercation with a live-in girlfriend. According to the Congressional Research Service, the 3-D printer that a criminal would need to create such a weapon could cost less than $150.
After the initial announcement in July 2018 that downloadable guns would be released online, there has been an outpouring of opposition from state attorneys general, elected officials, and Americans across the country:
* Law enforcement officials and military veterans urged the State Department to protect public safety by blocking the publication of these schematics;
* Everytown's supporters made 24,851 calls and sent 164,436 messages to the State Department;
* The Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the attorneys general of nineteen other states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit to bar the government from lifting its prohibitions on companies distributing computer code for downloadable guns. The attorneys general's legal theory was largely based on a motion initially filed by Everytown Law and other leading gun safety organizations in Texas federal court.
* Everytown filed an amicus curiae brief in support of the attorneys general.
The attorneys general were successful in their lawsuit. The court found that the State Department failed to give thirty days' notice to the congressional foreign relations committees as required by 22 U.S.C. Sec. 2778(f)(1). The court further found that the agency action was arbitrary and capricious for two reasons:
* "The agency failed to consider aspects of the problem which Congress deemed important before issuing the temporary modification and letter on July 27, 2018."
* The Department of State had previously determined that downloadable guns would be "a threat to world peace and the national security interests of the United States and would cause serious and long-lasting harm to its foreign policy," and the court found that "the agency failed to identify substantial evidence in the administrative record explaining a change of position that necessarily contradicts its prior determinations and findings regarding the threats posed by [downloadable guns] and the need to regulate [them]."
Experts are available to provide more information on downloadable guns and the litigation.
[Category: Sociological]
Drug Policy Alliance Issues Statement on Introduction of New Mexico Cannabis Legalization Legislation
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Jan. 18 -- The Drug Policy Alliance issued the following statement by State Director Emily Kaltenbach in response to New Mexico's cannabis legalization legislation (S.B. 115):
"Having worked towards cannabis legalization in New Mexico for the better part of the last decade, we are excited by the possibility for New Mexico to become the 12th state in the country to legalize and regulate cannabis.
Senator Ortiz y Pino and Representative Martinez's legislation (include hyperlink when it is ready) puts local communities and New Mexican families first. Many of the bill provisions
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SANTA FE, New Mexico, Jan. 18 -- The Drug Policy Alliance issued the following statement by State Director Emily Kaltenbach in response to New Mexico's cannabis legalization legislation (S.B. 115):
"Having worked towards cannabis legalization in New Mexico for the better part of the last decade, we are excited by the possibility for New Mexico to become the 12th state in the country to legalize and regulate cannabis.
Senator Ortiz y Pino and Representative Martinez's legislation (include hyperlink when it is ready) puts local communities and New Mexican families first. Many of the bill provisionsreflect DPA's priorities, including creating equity in the marketplace, reinvesting back into communities most harmed by prohibition, protecting the medical cannabis program, safeguarding children, and establishing strong consumer protections.
New Mexicans want to do legalization the right way. That starts by: protecting our children and our environment; making sure our roads are safe; putting medical cannabis patients first; and reinvesting back into communities most harmed by prohibition. This legislation invests in substance use disorder treatment and education, prioritizes local small businesses over out-of-state, national marijuana conglomerates, and incentivizes young New Mexicans to stay in the state by training students for this new industry.
Legalizing cannabis for adult use is an opportunity to grow New Mexico, keeping us true to our values and the things we care most about: the wellbeing of our children, community health, a clean environment and the future of our state."
Highlights of the bill include:
* Dedicating new revenue to funds to support: public health education about the use of cannabis and how to keep cannabis out of the hands of young people; substance use disorder treatment; housing; job training; and, education programs statewide.
* Automatically expunging cannabis possession convictions.
* Creating a licensing model that puts medical cannabis patients first and incentivizes (and requires) adult-use licensees to serve medical patients at the same counters as recreational patients.
* Eliminating the gross receipts tax for medical cannabis sales.
* Creating a medical cannabis subsidy program for low income patients.
* Mandating the development of a plan to help communities and small businesses access capital needed to start and grow NM-based businesses.
* Allowing for "micro business" licenses that will help small family farms and entrepreneurs enter the market with lower capital costs.
* Supporting tribal owned businesses.
* Working with local community colleges on certifications/training to ensure that zip code or income is not a barrier to accessing industry skills.
* Protecting our state's natural resources, including mandating a plan by license holders to demonstrate how they will utilize energy and water reduction opportunities, including: drip irrigation and water collection; natural lighting and energy efficiency measures; and renewable energy generation.
* Mandating that license holders demonstrate that they have a legal right to a commercial water supply, water rights or another source of water sufficient to meet the water needs of their business.
* Strong consumer protections including rigorous testing standards, childproof packaging, labeling that does not appeal to children and that includes a warning of possible adverse effects of consumption and the contact information for the New Mexico poison and drug information center.
* Strict advertising rules.
* Decriminalizing the personal growing of a few plants by removing felony criminal implications for low-level personal production.
* Allowing persons with previous controlled substance convictions to participate as licensees and/or workers if they are otherwise eligible.
In a statewide poll conducted in November, 73% of New Mexicans supported cannabis legalization. Support reached 90% among Democrats, and 81% among Independents. And fully 49% of Republicans supported cannabis legalization in the poll.
[Category: Law/Legal]
Carl B. Camras, M.D., Memorial Lecture Celebrates Glaucoma Awareness Month
OMAHA, Nebraska, Jan. 18 -- The University of Nebraska Medical Center issued the following news release:
Steven Gedde, M.D., director and vice chair of education at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, was the guest speaker for the Jan. 16 Carl B. Camras, M.D., Memorial Lecture in Omaha. The talk was attended by area ophthalmologists. Dr. Geddes also spoke to UNMC resident physicians on Jan. 17. The talks coincide with January's Glaucoma Awareness Month.
Dr. Gedde, a professor of ophthalmology, has lectured nationally and internationally and authored or coauthored more than 300 articles,
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OMAHA, Nebraska, Jan. 18 -- The University of Nebraska Medical Center issued the following news release:
Steven Gedde, M.D., director and vice chair of education at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, was the guest speaker for the Jan. 16 Carl B. Camras, M.D., Memorial Lecture in Omaha. The talk was attended by area ophthalmologists. Dr. Geddes also spoke to UNMC resident physicians on Jan. 17. The talks coincide with January's Glaucoma Awareness Month.
Dr. Gedde, a professor of ophthalmology, has lectured nationally and internationally and authored or coauthored more than 300 articles,book chapters, and abstracts. He has been listed among America's Top Doctors, Best Doctors in America, and Florida Super Doctors.
The lecture was part of the Truhlsen Eye Institute Distinguished Lecture Series and was hosted by the UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
Dr. Gedde received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed his residency training in ophthalmology at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, where he also served as chief resident. He did a glaucoma fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and has served as the residency program director there since 1999.
Since 2017, Dr. Gedde has served on the board of directors of the American Glaucoma Society and the American Board of Ophthalmology. He has served on the editorial boards for Ophthalmology, Journal of Academic Ophthalmology, EyeNet, Ocular Surgery News, Ophthalmology Management, and EyeWorld.
He is a recipient of numerous awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology.
Sponsored by the UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the inaugural Carl B. Camras, M.D., Memorial Lecture was established by the department and is supported by the University of Nebraska Foundation through the Carl B. Camras, M.D., Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology. Dr. Camras was known as a compassionate and consummate professional. He died in 2009 at the age of 55.
Dr. Camras, who served as chairman of the department from 2000-2009, came to UNMC in 1991 as a tenured professor of ophthalmology. A native of Chicago, Dr. Camras devoted more than 20 years of his career to looking for a better drug to treat glaucoma, which led to the discovery of one of the most effective drugs for treating glaucoma. Throughout his career, Dr. Camras received numerous awards for teaching and research and frequently was recognized as one of the best physicians in the U.S.
[Category: Health Care]
AFP: Trump Administration Calling on States to Prioritize Occupational Licensing Reform
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- Americans for Prosperity issued the following news release on Jan. 17:
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) praised the Trump administration for releasing its "Principles on Workforce Freedom and Mobility," which calls on state governments to prioritize occupational licensing reform during the legislative session and issues recommended principles to remove barriers to work. As 2020 legislative sessions get underway, AFP believes embracing these principles will help expand access to fulfilling work and critical services for millions of Americans.
AFP's Vice President of Economic
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- Americans for Prosperity issued the following news release on Jan. 17:
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) praised the Trump administration for releasing its "Principles on Workforce Freedom and Mobility," which calls on state governments to prioritize occupational licensing reform during the legislative session and issues recommended principles to remove barriers to work. As 2020 legislative sessions get underway, AFP believes embracing these principles will help expand access to fulfilling work and critical services for millions of Americans.
AFP's Vice President of EconomicOpportunity Portfolio Russell Latino issued the following statement:
"Every American deserves the opportunity to pursue fulfilling work and support their families, but outdated and unfair occupational licensing laws serve as a real barrier to many reaching their full potential. Americans want to get to work, but too often our laws make it so difficult for them to do so. The Trump administration is taking an important step forward for American workers and we urge state lawmakers to follow their lead and empower people to pursue the professions of their choice."
Background:
The Trump administration called on state governments to act on occupational licensure reform and issued six principles it believes are critical for good reform.
1. States and territories should eliminate unnecessary occupational licensing regulations.
2. States and territories should ensure that all occupational licensing regulations, including those currently in force, are the least restrictive necessary to protect consumers from significant and substantiated harm, ensure worker safety, and promote competition.
3. States and territories should ensure that occupational licensure boards consider the negative effects of any proposed regulation on consumers and job seekers.
4. States and territories should recognize the occupational licenses of other States and territories for those individuals who hold a license in good standing and who have not been subject to any complaint or discipline related to their license.
5. States and territories should eliminate requirements that needlessly prevent individuals with a criminal record from earning a living in a field unrelated to their criminal conviction.
6. States and territories should take immediate action to ensure that military spouses who accompany their spouses on permanent change-of-station orders are not adversely affected by occupational licensing regulations.
In the 1950s, about one-in-twenty Americans required a license to work. Today that number is one-in-four.
Occupational licenses are ostensibly intended to protect consumers from harm, butresearch and historical observations suggest licensing laws have negligible and even negative effects on health and safety. Instead, occupational licenses serve entrenched interests by insulating them from competition.
An Obama White House report also found that: "Licensing laws also lead to higher prices for goods and services... Moreover, in a number of other studies, licensing did not increase the quality of goods and services, suggesting that consumers are sometimes paying higher prices without getting improved goods or services."
AFP is partnering with activists around the country to reform outdated and protectionist licensing laws. Just this week, AFP-IA launched the "Let Iowa Work" campaign, led by Mr. William Burt who is working to legalize mobile barbershops and roll back burdensome occupational licensing. View Mr. Burt's story here. (https://americansforprosperity.org/let-iowa-work/)
[Category: Sociological]
