JOBS POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
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Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the “Waters of the United States” Rule [UPDATED]
Almost a year after the announcement of its review, the Trump administration has formally suspended the “Waters of the United States” Rule. This suspension paves the way for this Administration’s version of the pollution regulating rules. The original Obama rule was up for implementation, and the documents filed on January 31…
Nominations for the EPA, NOAA and Environmental Policy Advisor Positions [UPDATED]
Over the last few weeks, Trump has submitted nominations for various environmental positions within the government. With these nominations, many are worried that the administration has the manpower it needs to roll back green energy initiatives and replace them with coal and fossil fuel programs. There have been four nominations…
Trump’s 2019 Budget Proposal Slashes Health and Welfare Program Funding
On Monday, February 12, President Trump released a 2019 budget proposal. The proposal calls for massive cuts to social welfare programs such as food stamps, housing subsidies, and health insurance. Trump’s proposal would cut food stamp funding by almost 30% over the next decade. Part of these cost savings would come…
Congress Kicks the FY2018 Budget Can Down the Road As Trump Releases FY2019 Goals
The US government shut down, again, for only a few hours last Friday while Congress worked overtime hashing out another Continuing Resolution that funds federal operations through March 23, along with a 2-year spending bill, both signed into law by Trump on the morning of February 9. The shutdown had little effect during…
Trump Administration Presents Nuclear Posture Review
On February 2nd, the Trump administration released a Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) which revealed an eager attitude towards the development and use of nuclear weapons. Highlighting the dangers posed by North Korea, Russia, China, and Iran, the review called for a vast renovation of our nuclear arsenal. While new nuclear…
White House V. Justice Department
The past month has been incredibly tumultuous for both the DoJ and FBI, who have long been criticized and antagonized by the president, and have more recently aroused conservative outrage over a highly divisive memo accusing top Justice Department officials of surveillance misconduct. The memo, commissioned by controversial…
Trump Signs Executive Order to Keep Guantanamo Bay Open
One of the revelations drawing criticism from President Trump’s January 30th State of the Union address was the announcement that he had signed an executive order requiring the Guantanamo Bay military prison to be kept open indefinitely. Signaling a departure from US policy for the past decade, new inmates will also be brought…
Department of Education Prepares to Pilot FSA Payment Card Program
The Department of Education released a Pre-Solicitation Notice in January that gives details on a new payment card program for federal student loan excess fund disbursements. Starting this spring a pilot program with approximately 100,000 students will test this new system. Under the pilot program, federal student aid (FSA) would…
U.S. Department of Justice Closes Legal Aid Unit
On February 1, 2018, numerous media outlets reported that an office of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) – was reassigning its personnel and that other services were being rolled back significantly. According to its website, the office was established in March 2010 to “address the…
Stream Protection Rule
Approved Legislation
Approved on February 16, 2017
Summary
President Trump signed a bill nullifying the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s Stream Protection Rule (SPR). The rule, issued in the closing days of the Obama-era, revised existing regulations that were enacted more than 30 years ago and was created in order to reflect advancements in science, technology, and coal mining operations. Changes were intended to minimize adverse impacts of coal mining on surface water, wildlife, and ecological health in order to protect biological resources and reduce human health and climate change-related risks. Trump and Republican lawmakers claim the legislation will save jobs and revive the American coal industry. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Chris Wood, president of Trout Unlimited, argues in a New York Times op-ed that the SPR is necessary to help reduce the devastating effects of acid mine drainage on water health and on the commercial fishing industry which supports over 800,000 jobs (more than five times that of the coal industry). A January 11th report from the Congressional Research Service clarified the health and environmental benefits of the SPR: stream restoration requirements would protect wildlife and reduce human exposure to contaminants in drinking water, while forest restoration will increase carbon storage and reduce emissions, reducing risks for human health and climate change. The report also noted that while the SPA would reduce coal-related employment by 260 jobs per year an average of 250 jobs would be created from compliance activities yearly. It is also widely accepted that the decline of the coal jobs has less to do with regulations, stemming primarily from mechanization, cheaper alternative energy sources, and weakened demand. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Trout Unlimited – A national non-profit dedicated to the conservation of clean water and associated upland habitats for fish, wildlife, and people.
- Southern Environmental Law Center – A non-profit legal group specializing in environmental protection (clean energy, healthy water, wildlife, etc.) in the Southeast US.
- Clean Water Action – An environmental advocacy group focused on canvassing and gaining support for political issues and candidates.
- League of Conservation Voters – An American political advocacy organization that supports a pro-environment agenda through voter education, voter mobilization, and direct contributions.
This brief was compiled by Conor Downey. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact conor@usresistnews.org.
Protections for Transgender Students
Rescinded Protection Guidance
Issued on February 10, 2017
Summary
President Donald Trump has rescinded protections for transgender students established by the Obama Administration which previously guarded a transgender student’s right to use the bathroom or locker room of their choice under federal anti-discrimination law. Top officials from the Department of Education and the Department of Justice produced a letter establishing their disagreement with the previous administration’s interpretation of Title IX, stating that the guidance is to be disregarded and taking the position that states and districts should be able to make their own policies in regards to this matter. LEARN MORE
Analysis
President Trump’s controversial Education Secretary Betsy Devos reportedly resisted signing the letter for fear of the potential harm it could cause. Although many states publicly stated their continued commitment to their transgender students, Sarah Warbelow, legal director at the Human Rights Campaign believes that the statement made by the White House, in this case, encourages bad behavior. James Esseks of the ACLU argued in a statement that while this action was devastating, the Supreme Court did say it would decide which interpretation if Title IX is correct regardless of the letter during a case to be heard in March. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- GLSEN – An organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ students grades k-12. In addition to information on rights of transgender students, GLSEN offers many programs to help organizers engage school communities.
- American Civil Liberties Union – Provides a comprehensive brief of the rights guaranteed to transgender students under Title IX, as well as the opportunity to file a complaint through their office.
- Human Rights Campaign – Works to educate the public on the issues faced by the transgender population and provides a wide range of resources for the group and their family members.
- Transgender Law Center’s League of Resistance – Building upon their existing efforts, the league aims to “harness community power” to fight what lies ahead.
This brief was compiled by Cindy Stansbury. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact cindy@usresistnews.org.
State Voter ID Laws
Proposed Texas State Legislation
Introduced February 22, 2017
Summary
The Texas state legislature recently revealed voter ID legislation amendments that aim to satisfy recent court rulings that determined that its current voter ID law had a discriminatory effect against minority groups. The new proposal contains a feature that would permit a voter without any of the currently accepted seven forms of ID to still cast a ballot if they showed an alternate form of identification and “reasonably” claimed that they have been unable to get one of the accepted forms of photo ID. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Even with the proposed additions to the Texas voter photo ID law that are aimed at complying with recent court rulings challenging it, the law itself still creates obstacles for people to vote. According to a fact sheet prepared by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) voter photo ID laws are enforced in a discriminatory manner and often result in minorities being questioned about their ID more often than white voters. The effect of these voter photo ID laws is that it tends to reduce voter turnout from minority communities. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- American Civil Liberties Union – The ACLU is a nonprofit organization that works to preserve and defend individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all citizens. The organization invites donations and offers a platform for citizens to take action on numerous issues and to stand up for what they believe is right.
- Brennan Center for Justice – The Brennan Center for Justice is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that fights to improve American democracy and its system of justice. The organization is a good resource on pressing legal issues and also hosts symposiums and information panels.
- Advancement Project – The Advancement Project is a multi-racial civil rights organization that aspires to create community-based solutions and strategic initiatives to promote equality and justice. They provide tools and resources on their core issues of voter rights, immigrant justice, and educational opportunities.
- Project Vote – Project Vote’s mission is to make sure that every eligible citizen is able to register, vote and cast a ballot that counts. They provide resources on all legal issues related to voting and provides a comprehensive bill tracking tool that analyzes all legislative bills related to voting.
This brief was compiled by Rod Maggay. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact rod@usresistnews.org.