Citizens Connect

YouTube video by Rural Urban Bridge Initiative RUBI Monthly Briefing with Barbara Kingsolver

Anthony Flaccavento, exec. director of RUBI sat down with novelist Barbara Kingsolver. Their conversation about her book, Demon Copperhead, the opiod crisis, and the rural-urban divide, is an inspiring follow up to the RUBI talk we held in September. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZyD...

Letter to the Editor: Why Older People Protest - Chestertown Spy A recent news article about the No Kings rally on October 18th brought over 200 Facebook comments. Many comments ridiculed and mocked attendees for being

Why do older people protest in large numbers? Because we have seen how change happened in our lifetime.

Trump cancels solar power project in Nevada desert. It was expected to produce up to 6.2 gigawatts of energy, enough to power nearly two million homes.☹️

FWS Contingency Plan is public.

Key info:
- 4,655 of 7,001 employees furloughed
- NOTE: the last contingency plan (2023) there were >9,000 employees. We have lost that many staff!
- Refuges are closed but a provision exists to reopen
- Otherwise, similar to previous years
- no mention of RIF

YouTube video by More Perfect Union I Took Bernie Into Deep Trump Country. Can He Win Them Over?

Bernie Sanders meets with WVA voters. If you came to Citizens Connect RUBI event, you'll recognize points Anthony made in his presentation. Sanders is talking directly about things that people care about—hospitals closing, jobs, child care, veterans, drug addiction. Our times call for bold leaders.

Comptroller: 80% of public schools in need of ‘repair, renovation or replacement' - Maryland Matters Just 20% of the state's schools are in satisfactory shape or better, while the other 80% would need "repair, renovation or replacement" to get to that level, according to a report released Thursday th...

“This report should be a wake-up call; it highlights the urgent need to prioritize a state of good repair for Maryland schools, various ways that the state and local governments can control school capital costs, funding trends, and considerations for resource allocation.”

ACIP members are questioning whether the hepatitis B vaccine should continue to be universally administered to children at birth.

Fact: Implementation of universal birth dose hepatitis B vaccine is the most effective strategy to prevent childhood infections.

Maryland joins Northeastern group to help form regional public health policy Maryland joined coalition of Northeastern states and New York City to protect “broad vaccine access,” among other public health initiatives.

ESI members joined forces on an email campaign urging Dr. Seshamani, the MD Health Secretary, to join the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. And per @thebaltimorebanner.com this evening, MD has joined this important alliance along with CT, NY, ME, MA, PA, DE, NJ & RI! Great news! #MDIndivisible

Moving beyond resistance to actions that build trust are critical for bringing communities together and inspiring people to vote for candidates who will act in their interest. Anthony Flaccavento, Rural Urban Bridge Initiative describes the steps at our Citizens Connect meeting in Chestertown, MD.

Thanks to all who came out to our event with Anthony Flaccavento from RUBI. He provided a very thought-provoking look at why progressive and moderate candidates are losing votes from rural and working class voters. We’d love to hear your feedback here.

Maryland charities concerned over funding, as OPM pauses Combined Federal Campaign - Maryland Matters An Office of Personnel Management decision to put a hold on the Combined Federal Campaign -- the charity drive that collects tens of millions of donations a year from federal workers -- has Maryland c...

The Combined Federal Campaign has raised more than $9 billion for charities since it was founded in 1961. OPM is pausing the CFC indefinitely and without cause. How will this affect local charities in Maryland?

What are the root causes of polarization between rural and urban communities? What can be done to encourage conversations and find common ground? Please join us for the next meeting of Citizens Connect on September 15th, 5-7PM in Chestertown MD.

Former US Congresswoman Liz Cheney issues urgent call to Democrats: “stop fundraising and start fighting” In the US, as political tensions reach a boiling point and democratic norms continue to erode under what many now

Dems, Independents and anti-maga Republicans. There are some good action items here. We need a Project 2029 for starters.

National Parks Nationwide Are Suffering Significantly From Staffing Shortages, Leaked NPS Report Shows This summer, Americans streaming into their national parks are being greeted not just by mountains, rivers, and wildlife but by unmanned entrance stations, shuttered doors, and “Reduced Hours” signs.

“Losing a quarter of the Park Service’s permanent workforce has made it nearly impossible for some parks to operate safely or effectively,” said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the NPCA.

Letter to the Editor: Citizens Connect Meeting a Success - Chestertown Spy Dear Editor:

Our recap of the Eastern Neck meeting and take action items ran in The Chestertown Spy today. We hope it will generate more support for the refuge.

Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge needs your support. Some things you can do soon will help sustain the refuge for future generations.

Thanks to everyone (75 people!)who came out to our first Citizens Connect meeting. We learned why Eastern Neck is so important for Kent County’s economy, recreation, and environment. Farmers, hunters, fisherman, tourists, and nature lovers cherish this beautiful resource. Fed cuts could close it!

After weeks in ICE custody, Maryland pastor embraced by family in emotional homecoming Daniel Fuentes Espinal, the Maryland pastor arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in late July, is finally free and back with his family in Easton.

After weeks in ICE custody, Maryland pastor embraced by family in emotional homecoming

Wonderful news! #MDIndivisible

'A Disgrace': CFPB Union Rips Court for Allowing Trump Assault on Consumer Agency | Common Dreams The CFPB Union president slammed an appellate court ruling that allows President Donald Trump to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The CFFB protects consumers from losing $millions due to unlawful commercial practices. Congress created this bureau and it is being gutted by the Trump administration. Why are the separations of power, stated in the US Constitution, ignored in this ruling?

Gov. Moore: ‘I will not authorize’ National Guard forces in Maryland | CNN Politics Maryland Democratic Governor Wes Moore spoke with CNN’s Anderson Cooper about the potential deployment of federal troops in Baltimore after President Donald Trump said he is placing Washington, DC’s, ...

Gov. Wes Moore: "I'm angry, embarrassed, and heartbroken for our National Guard troops." Excellent interview on why he will never authorize the guard in MD for the reasons Trump has given in DC.

ESI members recently started faxing Andy Harris in addition to the other methods we use. AH is in the top 10 of the most faxed members of Congress for the past 30 days. We can do better though!

Use faxzero.com. It’s free! His fax number is 202-225-0254. Let him know what you think!

#MDIndivisible

Grocers warn SNAP cuts will wreck revenues, close stores, and starve vulnerable communities Maryland retailers warn that looming SNAP changes will harm their profits and have them potentially closing shop.

Trump & Republicans’ cuts to food assistance will harm tens of thousands of Marylanders as well as our local small businesses & grocers – all so they could pay (in part) for their billionaire tax cuts. In Donald Trump's economy, billionaires win and everyone else loses.

They were sent to CECOT by the Trump administration. For months, their families were left wondering whether they’d ever see their loved ones alive again.

Now that they’ve been released, three of the men and their families open up about their ordeal.

📽️ Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8IN...

Join @vanhollen.senate.gov and @alsobrooks.senate.gov for the Eastern Shore Community Town Hall on August 14 at 5:00.

Click the link to RSVP:
outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/E...

Citizens Connect will hold its first public meeting on the importance of Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge and threats to its survival due to recent Federal budget cuts. Monday, August 18th, 5pm in Chestertown, MD.