Good afternoon, We The People PA activists and advocates:
Welcome, We The People-PA activists, advocates, and supporters, to another edition of our biweekly eBlast! We bring you federal and state legislative news and ways to get involved!
Content Index
SPECIAL EVENTS
Support the Philly Wealth Tax People’s Hearing!
When we give handouts to the ultra-rich, it’s working families that pay the cost. If everyone paid what they owe, we could invest in the next generation and resource the city we deserve. The Philly Wealth Tax would require those who have the most to pay what they owe—the top 5% wealthiest Philadelphians would generate 70% of the revenue.
Tax the Ultra-Rich NOW! Fest in Philadelphia
The 99% PA, PBPC (PA Budget and Policy Center), and several of our partner organizations have decided to show our support for the Philly Wealth Tax. We’ve decided to bring our Tax the Ultra-Rich NOW! Fest efforts to bolster the People’s Hearing outside City Hall.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
State Update
The PA Senate is in recess until September 19, 2022. The House is back in session.
Check out our new video — AND — sign our petition and tell PA Republican legislators that it is time to put our priorities first, not those of wealthy corporations. It is time to give PA workers and small business owners the opportunities they need to take care of their families in this tough time and to make large, wealthy corporations finally pay what they owe.
Federal Update:
- The Biden-Harris Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan Explained: Are you wondering how and how much this historic act might help you? This is what the program could mean for you and what comes next.
- Inflation Reduction Act makes historic progress on many fronts. Health care lies at the heart of the Inflation Reduction Act, and the proposals to reduce costs and expand care are overwhelmingly popular with Pennsylvanians across the political spectrum. The Inflation Reduction Act will reduce racial inequities in health care, improve the health and well-being of seniors and people with disabilities, strengthen families, and save lives across Pennsylvania.
- Show your support for taxing the ultra-rich. The 99% Pennsylvania campaign is inviting individuals and organizations to add their names to a letter in support of proposals to tax the ultra-rich. The letter can be viewed here. This letter will be sent to the 20 members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation.
We The People Updates:
We’ve kicked things into high gear this election season. We’ve conducted our Candidate Training Series for state-level candidates. We’re also currently hosting virtual Candidate Forums in select districts, and next week we’re kicking off our Candidate Endorsers tour, virtually and in person. The kickoff event is this coming Monday, September 19, in the East Wing Rotunda of the Capitol Building where we’ll hold a press conference with some of our legislative endorsers.
The 2022 State of Student Debt in Pennsylvania: The Keystone Research Center has released a new report, presentation, and blog post: Why Pennsylvania Needs Student Debt Relief: A Look at our State’s Student Debt Crisis
The 2022 State of Working Pennsylvania report: The Keystone Research Center has released its annual State of Working Pennsylvania report. The report’s overall message: a tight labor market and new union organizing offer new possibilities for Pennsylvania workers. With smart and worker-friendly policies over the next several years, Pennsylvania could enjoy a return to shared prosperity for the first time in decades.
You can find the report and get your downloadable version right here.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED
PA Youth Voting Summit 2022, hosted by Campus Vote Project
The Campus Vote Project, the Community College of Philadelphia, and our partners are excited to announce our annual PA Youth Voting Summit, to be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at the Community College of Philadelphia! Can we count on you to make it?
This is the largest statewide event that engages high school and college students across PA in voting rights and elections work. Register here: bit.ly/PAVote22. Travel stipends are available upon request. Breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost.
CALL TO ACTION
We need a more just tax system to build an economy that works for all of us. Until the ultra-rich pay what they owe, it will be impossible for us to ensure that every worker and every family has the housing, child senior care, and health care they need to be full participants in our economy and common life. Sign this petition to tell Congress members they must act!
HELP US TO HELP YOU
Keeping track of the Commonwealth’s numerous groups and organizations can be a daunting task. To that end, we have launched an online form for you to alert us to any events, actions, social media, news, etc. that you’d like us to amplify!
https://forms.office.com/r/Ap2xwdHhmgYou can also DM us on our social media accounts or email Jay at Grandis@pennbpc.org.
SIGN OFF
We hope you found this week’s eBlast valuable, and we appreciate your support and the demanding work you all do in your own areas every single day. Keep on keepin’ on!
In Solidarity,
Marc, Nick, Vivienne, Jay, and the rest of the WTP-PA team
We The People – PA is a campaign working to ensure that all Pennsylvanians can thrive. We advocate for bold action from state lawmakers to keep our families safe during today’s emergency—and to build a stronger, healthier, and more just future.
