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OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE



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our STORIES AND FEATURES





The Inflation Reduction Act Will Save Families Thousands of Dollars




By Rachel Chang, Nicole Rapfogel, Emly Gee, Trevor Higgins, Will Ragland, & Seth Hanlon


The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last month, makes historic investments to address climate change and contains the most sweeping health care reforms in a decade. The policies in the law are monumental on a national scale, reducing the deficit by $300 billion and standing up programs to spur the transition to clean energy and lower prescription drug prices. The act also provides near-immediate, tangible benefits for American families by lowering costs for home energy, new vehicles, health coverage, and prescription drugs..
-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



The Collins-Manchin Bill Is a Good Deal for Democracy




By Alex Tausanovich


Last month, something potentially historic happened: A bipartisan group of senators announced a new bill that would help prevent the overthrow of a presidential election. The bill, led by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), would reform the Electoral Count Act of 1887 (ECA), the outdated statute that dictates the process for casting and counting presidential electoral votes.

The new Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act is not the first or only such effort. In February, Sens. Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Richard Durbin (D-IL) released their own proposal to reform the ECA. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



Debunking Myths the Gun Lobby Perpetuates Following Mass Shootings



The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Dobbs v

The gun lobby, led by the National Rifle Association (NRA), routinely deploys a series of common myths—designed to undermine legitimate arguments for commonsense gun reform—in the aftermath of high-profile mass shootings.1 These myths range from scapegoating mental health to “door control”2 in public spaces such as schools and are united by a set of dangerous and misleading arguments intended to increase gun ownership and decrease industry accountability. The myths play on fear and perpetuate misinformation to such a degree that they are drilled into the public consciousness as fact and can lead to reactionary policies that do little to deter gun violence.3 This fact sheet combats this misinformation and uplifts evidence-based solutions by debunking the myths that the gun lobby and conservative politicians frequently circulate following gun violence in America.

-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



The Health Care Consequences of Extreme Heat Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg



By Jill Rosenthal


Across the United States and globally, human-caused climate change is producing more severe weather, and there is no escaping the increase in extreme heat and its devastating impact. The health implications of extreme heat—brought on by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases that raise both average and extreme temperatures—include heat stroke, heart disease, and respiratory disorders such as asthma. These conditions can result in disability and death. As a result, extreme heat is killing more people in the United States than any other type of severe weather or climate disaster and disproportionately affecting low-income areas and communities of color.
-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



Defining and Defending Contraception Post-Roe



By Elyssa Spitzer


Abortion and contraception are distinct—medically, legally, and methodologically. Contraception is “any method, medicine, or device used to prevent pregnancy.” Abortion is “an intervention to end a pregnancy.” Nevertheless, some lawmakers at the state and federal level have begun attempting to conflate the two, suggesting that some forms of birth control are actually forms of abortion. In a world where people had access to full-spectrum reproductive health care—including abortion—the misclassification of contraception as abortion would be inaccurate but perhaps not dangerous.

-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



OCA Statement on Biden Student Loan Announcement



Washington, D.C. — OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates commends the Biden Administration on a big step towards cancelling student debt. The President’s student loan cancellation plan that was announced yesterday includes:
· $10,000 in individual debt relief for non-Pell Grant recipients
· Additional $10,000 relief for Pell Grant recipients for individuals making under $125,000 a year (or families making under $250,000) – this is not granted to graduate student loans · Individuals with undergraduate loans could cap their repayment plan to 5% of their monthly income
· And, a final pause on student loan repayments through December 31, 2022. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE


LOCAL NEWS



MADISON & DANE COUNTY in Wisconsin



County Executive Parisi Unveils Nearly $740,000 Emergency Initiative to Address Opiate & Fentanyl Epidemics



Madison Mayor's Blog: Prioritizing Affordable Housing, Climate Resiliency, and Strong Neighborhoods in My 2023 Executive Capital Budget



MORE NEWS/FEATURES



NCAPA Commemorates the 21st Anniversary of 9/11 and Recognizes Victims of Hate





Washington, DC — The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) issued the following statement remembering the 21st Anniversary of September 11th and all those who have been impacted. Today, NCAPA remembers the lives of all victims of the tragic events of 9/11. Our hearts go out to the communities who are mourning and commemorating their lost loved ones. We also extend our support towards members of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian (MASA) communities who have been detrimentally impacted by the rise of Islamophobia and xenophobia that arose from the events of 9/11. - READ MORE





STATEMENT: CAP Welcomes the Biden-Harris Administration’s New Public Charge Rule





Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a new rule that restores long-standing standards for “public charge” determinations that were radically changed by the previous administration. This rule seeks to ensure that immigrants are not afraid to access basic health care, food, nutrition, and housing services for which their families qualify. .--READ MORE


United States and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Partners Announce Negotiation Objectives





LOS ANGELES – Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai hosted counterparts from the 13 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) partner countries – representing over 40% of the global economy – at the first official in-person Ministerial meeting. The ministers had positive and constructive discussions, and announced a substantial milestone in their pursuit of a high-standard and inclusive economic framework. "Our first in-person meeting has been an undeniable success,” said Secretary Raimondo. “This week, 14 countries came together to chart a path forward that will create economic opportunity, improve labor conditions, and promote sustainability for all of our economies. Just as importantly, this ministerial gave us an opportunity to show that we can deliver concrete and tangible economic benefits for partner countries while pursuing an inclusive and high standard framework at the same time. I am proud of the progress we’ve made and I’m excited to continue building momentum in this effort.”.-- READ MORE


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Contact





heidipascual2016@yahoo.com