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APRIL 2022 ISSUE



EDITORIAL: OVER A CUP OF TEA



Life is a mixture of opposites



BY HEIDI M. PASCUAL

Part 1
There are times when my mind drifts away from everyday regular occurrences and activities that remind me that I am still alive while getting older and have to take care of precious life to prolong and enjoy it as long as possible. Today is one of those times.
When the pandemic hit in 2020 and several people known to me -- regardless of their status in society -- perished because of it, I realized that I don’t really have control of my existence on earth, regardless of how well I take care of myself. I have accepted that every single day of life is a gift that I shouldn’t take for granted, and choices are present for me to select what’s “good” or not for me or for others around me.
Then I also thought about the reality that life is full of opposites: black and white happy and sad enemies and friends night and day full and empty rich and poor war and peace. Yes, as we go through this journey, we all have tasted most of those realities. Let me tell you my story. At my age (70 years old), I have endured the negatives, enjoyed the positives, and kept hoping for the best. -- READ MORE​


our STORIES AND FEATURES





How State and Local Leaders Can Prepare for Future COVID-19 Surges



By Jill Rosenthal


With national data suggesting that the omicron variant is subsiding throughout the United States—and polls showing a new level of COVID-19 fatigue—public conversation has turned to “learning to live with Covid” and reaching a “new normal.” How the nation defines these terms and selects the data used to make decisions has implications for policymakers as they dial back public health measures while maintaining readiness to prevent future surges. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



5 Reasons Why the United States Can’t Drill Its Way to Energy Independence



By Jenny Rowland Shea, Sally Hardin, Miriam Goldstein, & Nicole Gentile


Vladimir Putin’s unjustified attack on Ukraine has upended the global fossil fuel market. The United States and its allies have responded with devastating sanctions, including a recent action from President Joe Biden to ban Russian oil, natural gas, and coal imports to the United States. Because international energy markets have been tied to fossil fuels for decades, this ban could result in higher gas prices for American households and supply disruptions for our European allies. The solution to this price crunch is a swift and urgent transition to clean energy—not more leasing, drilling, or investments in the same volatile fuel sources that are contributing to the current energy crisis. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



What the European Union and United States Need to Do to Address the Migration Crisis in Ukraine




By Nicole Prchal Svajlenka, Trinh Q. Truong, Zefitret Abera Molla, and Joel Martinez


As the United States and other countries formulate military and diplomatic responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they should also be focusing on how to protect the growing number of people who are being forcibly displaced because of the conflict. Since the invasion began, more than 500,000 people have fled Ukraine into nearby EU member states, including Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. That number will undoubtedly continue to rise.


The number of people in Ukraine who are vulnerable to displacement ranges widely—from 1 million to 5 million—and could be the largest forcible displacement in Europe in the 21st century. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



CAPAC Members Meet with President Biden and White House Staff to Discuss AAPI Priorities



From CAPAC


March 7, Washington, D.C. — Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) leadership met with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and senior White House officials to discuss policy priorities for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.


The CAPAC Members in attendance were CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), and CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33).: -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



AAPI Victory Alliance Held Press Conference to Present Focus Groups Case Study on Impact of Misinformation on AAPI Voters



WASHINGTON — On Monday, March 7th, the AAPI Progress and Education Fund, the 501c3 arm of the AAPI Victory Alliance, held a press conference presenting focus group findings on the impact of mis- and dis-information on the AAPI community.


The study consisted of five AAPI sub ethnicities—Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Indian American swing voters—in Texas, as well as a mixed-AAPI group of swing voters under 30. Conducted to uncover the impact misinformation has on AAPIs, the study revealed many key findings that will help social and political organizations better understand the similarities and differences between AAPI sub-ethnicities as well as the generational divide within the community. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE​



CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe into Racist Vandalism, Threats Targeting Wisconsin Black Family




(WASHINGTON D.C, 3/15/2022) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for a hate crime investigation into alleged racist vandalism targeting a Black family in West Allis, Wisc.


The tires of the family’s car were reportedly slashed, and a window was smashed. The perpetrator of the vandalism also left a hate note on the car threatening the family and using the n-word. The family’s car has reportedly been the target of similar vandalism five times this year. Police said they are conducting an investigation of the incident.

.-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



LOCAL NEWS



MADISON & DANE COUNTY in Wisconsin



County Executive Parisi : Dane County Partners with Operation Fresh Start to Develop Dane County Civilian Climate Corps



Madison Mayor’s Blog: Financial Assistance to Homeowners Impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic Now Available via Wisconsin Help for Homeowners Program



MORE NEWS



Employee Retention Credit





The recent IRS guidance on early termination of employee retention credit brought a lot of attention from small business owners who weren't aware of this valuable tax credit which became available on March 13, 2020. Many employers asked: “Are we eligible for this credit?” “How do we qualify for the employee retention credit? “Can we still claim this tax credit?”... etc. The most important answer is yes, if your business qualifies for this credit, you may still claim it. But first, below is a brief review of the employee retention credit:

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On the One Year Anniversary of Atlanta Spa Shootings, We Call for Reflection and Action





On March 16, 2021, eight people, including six Asian women massage workers, were killed at three spas in the Metro Atlanta area. As we mark the one year anniversary of this tragedy, we honor the victims, the survivors, and their families. We place their healing, care, and peace at the heart of our remembrance. We are grateful to the local and national communities of care that blossomed over the past year and that have centered the families of victims and survivors.



ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN VOTE (APIAVOTE) RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT BIDEN’S FIRST STATE OF THE UNION





March 1, 2022, WASHINGTON, DC - Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, issued the following statement after President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address tonight.


“Tonight, President Biden made two things clear: ending violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and fighting for voting rights remain high priorities for this administration. Despite the several challenges presented to the United States since he took office, we are pleased that our communities’ livelihood and our freedom to vote are at the forefront of his agenda.”



UNABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING?? There should be help. Social Security Disability and SSI - Programs designed to help individuals who are disabled from work. IF YOU APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND/OR SSI AND YOU ARE DENIED, THERE IS HELP! Call 1-800-254-7766



Become a Part of the Dane County Team!


We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums, retirement, and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee, and 6 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child (for further details visit www.countyofdane.com/emprel).


For current job openings go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyofdane

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Contact





heidipascual2016@yahoo.com