Action Items: Week of March 6

1.  Tell Lindsey Graham that, yes, now.  We believe there is a reason now.  Or sooner, sooner is good too. We will also accept sooner than now.

At Lindsey Graham's town hall Saturday, he was asked frequently about Trump's tax returns.  He mentioned passing legislation that would require presidents to release their returns beginning in 2020 and that "we can subpoena his tax return" but "I will do that when I believe there's a reason to do that."

Even if there were not a myriad of other reasons to subpoena Trump's tax returns, accusations of Russian interference with the election and Trump's continued involvement with Russian business and politics provide as clear a reason as anybody should need, particularly since Graham has promised to investigate the Russian connection many times.  Call him and tell him we want those returns NOW.

Senator Lindsey Graham
DC Office: (202) 224-5972
Midlands Office: (803) 933-0112

"Hi, I'm _____ and I'm Senator Graham's constituent from ________.  I'm calling to ask when Senator Graham is going to subpoena Trump's tax returns.  There was a reason to do it months ago, so I want to know when to expect it."

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/sen-graham-feels-heat-s-c-town-hall-crowd-jeers-n729191

2.  Stand up for public education

H.R.610 is a bill that would do a lot of things, all of them disastrous for disadvantaged children.  (Because if you're going to hit somebody, it's only common sense to make sure it's somebody who can't hit back, right?)  Essentially it would strip the Education Department of all powers except to award block grants to states for vouchers.  That means all the federal requirements which protect the most vulnerable children would be gone.  It isn't expected to pass, but this is the direction the current administration and the Republican party want to take schools in.  Call your representative and tell them to vote against not just H.R.610 but against any efforts to defund and deregulate public schools.

Representative James Clyburn (6th District)
DC Office: (202)225-3315
Midlands Office: (803)799-1100

Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District)
DC Office (202) 225-2452
Midlands Office: (803) 939-0041

"Hi, I'm _____ and I'm Representative _____'s constituent from _______.  I'm calling to urge him to vote against H.R.610 and against any bill designed to defund public schools or to allow the most vulnerable children to slip through the cracks.  I think every child has a right to a good public education in America, with enough to eat and enough support for children with disabilities and hardships." 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/02/27/devos-favors-private-school-vouchers-but-new-study-says-they-dont-offer-real-edge-over-public-schools/?utm_term=.fddccd27f76f
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/610

3.  Fill the room for 12 months of contraception

On March 8 at 9 AM, join WREN at the Blatt Building to show your support for the 12 Month Supply of Contraception bill, which would require private insurance providers and Medicare in SC to allow women to get a year's worth of birth control at once.  This is International Women's Day, which some people are taking off from paid and unpaid labor as a Day Without a Woman and others are celebrating in a variety of ways; here's one you can choose.  The Facebook event is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/146925115826645/

4. Make your voice heard for greenways!

The Gills Creek Greenway will be a wonderful bike thoroughfare and public recreation area that enhances the quality of life for many Columbia residents.  It needs your support!  Some in the affected neighborhoods are fighting the greenway's construction.  There are a few things you can do to show your support for more green spaces, more free places for people to be active, and more foregrounding of our city's waterways:
 - I don't usually suggest online petitions, but since this one is local it may have more impact.  It also has a few links with more information about the project.  Sign here: https://www.change.org/p/daniel-rickenmann-support-the-gills-creek-greenway?recruiter=11354178&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
 - E-mail info@richlandpenny.com and your county councilor about your support of the greenway.  Search here for your council district.  http://rcgov.us/OnlineServices/VotersandDistricts.aspx
 - Call your councilor and let them know you support the Greenway.