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Petition Tag - state
61. 17-year Voting Age for the State of California Primary 
It is more and more imperative now to enfranchise the youth of today.
For a long time now the moment of silence has been looked down upon in schools because people feel like it is both a waste of time and a way to enforce prayer/religion on people. The truth of the matter is it is neither.
The "moment of silence" is, as described by wikipedia, the expression for a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, and meditation. There are three options that a moment of silence allows students to do and only one of them is prayer. Students can think about what they plan to do that day and calm down before school starts. This provides students and teachers with a more efficient learning environment.
In conclusion, the moment of silence in schools is in no way enforcing religion upon students, because it provides students with many more options, and it is not an excuse for students to waste class time, because it calms classes down providing a more efficient learning environment.
63. Stop the Over-Development of Jekyll Iland
Jekyll Island is often referred to as the Jewel of Georgia. Since its original development, however, the buildings have become below standards. Developers see this as an opportunity to put in new Hotels. The problem is, These Hotels will be high rises, and will seriously affect the Environment.
The High rises will have many lights on during the night, which will seriously affect Logger Head turtles while laying eggs, and the when the babies hatch. They also wish to tear down the 4-H center, which has been an educational experience for almost every kid in the state.
It is wrong to develop a state park for money, and it will be a serious loss if one of our last barrier islands is developed.
64. Ordinance 08-13 in its present format is Unfair to Homeowners
Osceola County is proposing the introduction of a new Ordinance (08-13) which will not allow all landowners in communities to vote or stand for Board of Supervisors.
By only allowing US citizens with Osceola County registered voting access to vote or stand for election under Ordinance 08-13 and denying ALL landowners and full tax payers to vote, Osceola County is discriminating against us and dividing our communities, which will not be run fairly and equitably by and for EVERY landowner.
Indian Creek is 90% STR Homes, we feel as homeowners we should have an adequate voice in all aspects of the neighborhood.
65. Urine test for welfare checks
Like a lot of folks in this state I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit.
In order to get that paycheck, I am requited to pass a random urine test, with which I have no problem.
We the Scottish peoples should have the right to govern ourselves and become an independent state.
67. Reduce the Cost for State Conference
The Florida State University chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law International Fraternity will be holding a state conference for the Florida chapters from March 28th, 2008 - March 30th, 2008. The chapter will be charging its members $40 to attend the conference.
During the conference, those participating in mock trial will not be able to attend the dinner on Friday night, nor will they be able to attend the various activities and speakers on Saturday aside from the banquet and social, however they are still being asked to pay for all of the events. The members of mock trial are asking to pay only for the amount of the banquet.
Many members of the Leadership Board have also contributed a great amount to the conference and as a result are asking for a reduced rate of $20. The Executive Board may determine whom the "contributing members" of the Leadership Board are.
However, if a question results about whom is considered a "contributing member" of the Leadership Board, the Leadership Board reserves the right to call for a vote to decide.
68. Get rid of the 10 times rule and let people play
The law should simply state you can not pay cash, receive gift cards, or gift certificates, it should not say what points a person can take out and what or how much they can redeem with their point cards. It's not gambling it is for Amusement.
69. Seat Belts for All Public Transportation
This Petition is being put in place because of all the tragic events involving buses.
We have heard of so many people, children and adults being killed in accidents involving buses. Just recently I have experience the loss of a close friend in a very tragic buses accidents.
I know we cannot stop death but I truly believe if buses had seat belts we could limited the amount of people injured in these types of accidents.
70. Essential Conditions for Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan
Background can be found on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Pakistani_state_of_emergency
This is a statement from Boston area students, academics, professionals and citizens to voice their concern for the current constitutional and political crisis in Pakistan.
71. Substitute teachers should make at least 1/2 as much as regular teachers
Hi, I am a substitute teacher and am really enjoying what I do. However, I can’t help but feel that the job is seriously underpaid. I currently make between $70 - $80 dollars a day depending on the School District that I substitute for. I have some figures (they are only approximations).
Amount of education required for a Michigan teacher: 6 years
Average pay for a Michigan teacher: $56,000 a year.
Amount of education required for a Michigan substitute teacher: 4 years
Average yearly pay for a Michigan substitute teacher: $14,000
Lets say that a substitute teacher has roughly half the responsibilities of a real teacher. I think that is a fair assumption. A substitute does not have to grade papers or make up lesson plans (only teach them). So a substitute does not take their job home with them. A substitute is only working during school hours.
So a substitute has 2/3 the education of a real teacher, 1/2 the responsibility of a teacher
but gets paid less than 1/4 the pay of a real teacher? I personally think a substitute teacher is worth at least half of a real teacher. It’s no small wonder that there is a shortage of substitute teachers. The education to pay ratio for a substitute teacher has got to be the smallest of any job in this country.
I personally believe that every school district in Michigan (and this country) should be required to take the average of their teacher's salaries including benefits and then pay their substitute teachers exactly half that amount.
72. Bring An Cafe back to the UK
If we can get their attention by getting many, many signatures, maybe they will make plans for a tour in the UK, or maybe even make a tour out of going to Anime Conventions.
We may never know, but it's worth a try, isn't it? Sign, support & spread this petition & let's see if we can get An Cafe back to the UK!
73. Support Pull Tabs, Punchboards, and Tip Boards
To:The Honorable Members of The Indiana General Assembly And The Honorable Governor Mitchell E. Daniels
74. A Pledge for Additional Federal, State and Local Oversight of Job Corps Facilities
How can we not see the possibility of our youth rights being violated at these Job Corps Facilities.
It is our responsibility to put pressure on our federal government to force them to move these facilities out of rural areas or revamp their current policies of oversight. It is crucial that we do this, it's not enough to say what we've done, we must profess what we are doing! We cannot allow this to become another TYC, its simply not acceptable we seen problems leading up to the scandal and Job Corps bears a painful resemblence.
With youth living on a facility in a rural area were their away from the comfort of family life, in which state and local governments have no jurisdicition. Therefore little oversight takes place.
We must act, sign the petition below so that we may prevent another national tragedy!
75. Jasmine's Law
In Chicago Illinois On June 6, 2002 my beautiful grand-daughter Jasmine Vidol Mitchell entered the hospital, little did we know she would not leave alive, Jasmine passed on June 8, 2002, from blunt head tramua associated with "Shaken Baby Syndrome".
Jasmine's death was caused by her state licensed day care provider Versie Elaine Ramirez-Carr. We have recently learned this woman was released from prison, after being sentenced to Fifteen years. Correct me if I am wrong but this is 2007 she has not even served 1/2 of her time. As far as my family was concerned 15 years was not an appropriate sentence for taking the life of a child, rapists get more time than that.
We need help, as far as we know she is still licensed to care for children in the state of Illinois. At the time she was approved for the license she had a police record for gun charges, drug charges and was in violation of her probation. Has she never been granted a license in the first place, Jasmine would still be with us. I have provided her information below. If there is anyone out there who can help us start Jasmine Mitchell's Law please let us know. The main purpose of this law is to make sure candidates for child care provider licenses are carefully screened and follow-up screenings are provided to ensure no other family has to suffer the pain and injustice our family has.
We need someone to help our family since the justice system did not. To make matters worse my daughter's civil rights were violated, she signed up to be informed when Versie's parole hearing was due, needless to say the state failed yet again and she was not informed. The only way we had knowledge of this woman's release was by accident. My oldest daughter is attending college online and she was doing a story on capital punishment and decided to write her paper on Jasmine, to our shock and dismay we discovered this child killer had been released.
We, call on the U.S. Senate and House of Representative to pass a comprehensive Federal Law that would protect children from Child Abuse of any kind and would put more restrictive measures on those agencies whose job it is to protect children.
76. Support Megan Williams..This was a hate crime
Authorities decided Wednesday not to pursue hate crime charges in the kidnapping and weeklong torture of a black woman, instead going after the suspects, who are white, on state charges that carry stiffer penalties.
While federal civil rights or state hate crime charges remain an option, a state kidnapping count that carries a sentence of up to life in prison will provide the best chance for successful prosecution, officials said.
Six people face charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault and lying to police in the torture of Megan Williams, 20, at a remote hillside home in Big Creek.
State hate crime charges, which carry a sentence of 10 years, could come later, prosecutor Brian Abraham said. State sexual assault charges carry a penalty up to 35 years in prison.
The woman's captors forced her to eat rat droppings, choked her with a cable cord and stabbed her in the leg while calling her a racial slur, according to criminal complaints. They also poured hot water over her, made her drink from a toilet, and beat and sexually assaulted her during a span of about a week, the documents say.
All six remained in custody Wednesday in lieu of $100,000 cash bail each. Bobby Brewster is scheduled to appear before a Logan County Circuit Court judge on Monday to be arraigned on the kidnapping charge, according to court records. A date for his mother's appearance on the kidnapping charge has not yet been set.
Hate crimes --occur when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership in a certain social group, usually defined by race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation.
How is this not defined as a hate crime? If this type of behavior is being ignored in 2007, Imagine what can happen in the future if this is not handled properly now.
77. Stop Raising Smokers' Taxes!
Congress has singled out smokers for an unfair tax increase- and our representatives went along, voting to raise taxes on cigarettes $4.50 a carton.
That means more money for Washington- and less money in our wallet.
Your voice can make a difference. Tell our Congressmen to stop this tax increase while there is still time- because smokers are voters too!
78. SAVE WORKERS IN THE CEMENT INDUSTRY
SUPPORT THE STRUGGLE OF CONTRACT WORKERS AGAINST EXPLOITATION
BY HOLCIM IN CHHATTISGARH
Chhattishgarh is a mineral rich state that provides perfect opportunity to produce cement at most competitive prices. Raipur- Bilaspur belt provides the best location where both man and material is available cheaply. Government of Chhattisgarh gave lots of concessions with intentions that it will help in creating employment and contribute to the welfare of the people of the state. This resulted in mushroom growth of the cement industries in the area. Ultratech, Grasim, Century, Ambuja and Lafarge have come up with huge capacities in this belt. HOLCIM a Swiss based multinational has appeared on the scene by acquiring the ACC, AMBUJA etc.
Even though the natural mineral resources are exploited by those companies at a throw away prices, land forcibly acquired from the farmers at the cost of tears, Corporate cement companies are busy playing dirty games by not even respecting the rehabilitation package, as many of those land losers have been shown the exit door.
Very recently, it has come to light that few major companies have formed a cartel, resulting in abnormal hike in cement prices. Ten major cement producing companies are already served notices to that effect by the authorities.
As if this is not enough, the cartel is now busy to systematically exploit labours by squeezing them to exploit in a unified manner, which is a very serious matter.
Even "Cement Wage Board" agreement in force in the Indian cement industry which is the result of negotiations between the All India Cement Manufacturers Association and a group of central trade unions in the cement industry, which has been ratified from time to time, is not honored.
According to this agreement, contract labour is prohibited in the entire production process in the cement industry all over India, and even in the limited areas in which it is permitted - such as the loading and unloading of raw materials, contract labour are to paid at the same wage rate as regular employees.
Holcim, Lafarge, Century, and Ultratech have formed the Chhattisgarh Cement Manufacturers Association (CCMA). This Association has challenged the very jurisdiction of the State Government to make a reference in the first place, vide a writ petition before the Hon’ble Chattishgarh High Court, challenging the notification dated 31/12/60 bringing the cement industry under the purview of the MPIR Act, after more than 45 years! It is shocking to learn that the cartel has even managed to influence the concerned Respondent officer of the Central Government to support their case. If the CCMA succeeds in its conspiracy, it will intensify the attack against the already beleaguered working class of Chhattisgarh.
We appeal to all who feel strongly about this kind of exploitative stranglehold of big corporations - particularly foreign multinationals, to support the effort of the struggling contract workers in the cement industry in Chhattisgarh. Join the campaign against Holcim, Lafarge and Ultratech by exposing their misdeeds against workers, by signing the online petition and also declare your solidarity with Pragatisheel Cement Shramik Sangh C/o Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha Office. Labour Camp, Jamul
Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India
79. Free Salih !
Salih Abdullah #74-A-2614 has been incarcerated since January 21, 1973.
In determining whether to release Salih on parole, the New York State Board of Parole are required to consider and adhere to the "Legislative Mandate" pursuant to Executive Law ss 259i(2)(c)(a).
This has not been done in Salih's case; he has more than Satisfied all the requirements of the relevant Sub-sections of "Executive Law ss 259i(2)(c)(a) which actually qualified him for parole release years ago.
Whose interests are being served when parole is withheld or denied ? If you would like to see fair parole practices implemented for Salih and other New York State prisoners.
Please Sign this Petition.
80. Support UN Membership for Taiwan
Proclaiming once again the determination of Taiwan’s 23 million people to take their rightful place in the family of nations, President Chen Shui-bian submitted an application for membership in the United Nations to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on July 18.
In response, a UN Secretariat spokesperson told the press on July 23 that Taiwan’s application “could not be received and was, thus, returned” in keeping with “the one-China policy of the United Nations” enshrined in General Assembly Resolution 2758. This behavior is shocking, both for its arrogance and its ignorance.
The UN Charter and UN procedural rules unambiguously stipulate that the secretary-general shall immediately refer membership applications to the Security Council. The Security Council must deliberate the matter and make a recommendation to the General Assembly, whose members are to discuss the matter and vote on it. The UN Secretariat, however, has co-opted the UN member states’ deliberative and decision-making powers.
The UN chief’s action is disturbing also because he has grossly misconstrued both the nature of Taiwan’s membership application and the import of Resolution 2758. The application in no way constitutes a challenge to the right of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to represent China. Nor does the resolution imply that Taiwan is a part of China.
At a great price in suffering over the course of 38 years of martial law, the people of Taiwan have created a vibrant democracy, rated Asia’s freest country by Freedom House in its 700-page Freedom in the World 2006 report.
For this reason, and in order to underline the fact that Taiwan makes no pretense of vying for the right to govern China, President Chen’s application requests “the admission of Taiwan as a member of the United Nations,” not of the “Republic of China.” This follows the well-established precedent of employing names for participation in the UN and other international organizations that are different from domestically used, constitutional names.
Irrespective of the status of Taiwan, the Taiwan Strait is indisputably one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints. Given that China threatens to launch a war of annexation, has deployed a thousand missiles targeted at Taiwan, and refuses to talk directly with the democratically elected government in Taipei, it devolves upon the United Nations to fulfill its role of international peacekeeper in the region. At the very least, it should facilitate communications between all parties who have a stake in preserving peace in East Asia before a crisis situation develops.
UN organizations and officials must therefore cease allowing themselves to be intimidated by the totalitarian PRC government into making unwise decisions. In particular, they must stop kowtowing to its claim that Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China. Nor is Taiwan part of a “divided China” comprised of PRC and ROC segments.
The UN Charter mandates membership for all states. Taiwan indisputably is a sovereign state, having for nearly six decades fulfilled all of the criteria for statehood stipulated in the 1933 Montevideo Convention. Unlike the PRC, Taiwan is also a state in which sovereignty rests in the people, as prescribed by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Therefore, all nations that champion rule of law, freedom, and human rights are morally bound to support UN membership for Taiwan. We will never trade freedom for tyranny.
81. Expand public funding to Tasmania’s ambulance service
This Petition is made in response to the fact that Tasmanians will soon have to pay out hundreds of dollars to use an ambulance under the user-pays system which was announced as part of the state budget this year.
The bill will force the half of Tasmanians population who are not in private health to take out insurance or face a hefty bill when they call an ambulance.
Labor tried to introduce an ambulance levy in 1989 which was scrapped after public outcry. with enough public support we can stop it again.
Bandit’s inhumane death was brought to my attention by the following link:
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/95043?source=rss&dest=STY-95043
This article outlines a situation that occurred on 8/11/07 when an officer of the Chandler, AZ police department left his K9 in his police cruiser for 13 hours, resulting in the poor dog’s horrible death.
Claims in this article state that the police officer was at the very most negligent, and only if found otherwise will he face punishment. So, this officer will at the very most get a slap on the wrist for his ‘lost’ state of mind.
I am starting Bandit’s Petition in hopes that something more will be done for that poor innocent soul that needlessly died that hot summer day.
I, like many others find that officer Lovejoy’s negligence is not only hypocritical, but punishable as well.
Prior to January 1, 2007, Garden Ridge and some of the other units were operating Monday through Friday and weekend working schedules. The Units were operating with less staff, salaries were less and overtime for pay for staff was limited.
As regard to weekend staff, staff was able to provide more community activities for the residents and because of these activities residents were contented.
At the present time, as a result of changing to patterns, excessive overtime for pay is prevailing, more employees are quitting their positions, absenteeism now exists and in due time all this will directly affect the residents.
84. To Form the Town of River Springs, Oklahoma
In the River Springs Development and surrounding areas there are no large cities that are with in a 5 mile radius in the State of Oklahoma or any community services.
There nearest towns are under the population of 500 and are not able to offer any services to our area.
85. Protect RaoGhat Hills and the Mystical Tribals of Narainpur in Bastar District, Chhattisgarh
Raoghat needs to be protected if we have to save planet earth.
One of the Newpaper today stated that a MOU to plunder the Raoghat Hills will be signed at Delhi on 6th August,2007.
If at all this projects comes up it will be doomsday to the beautiful flaura and fauna and the rich culture and traditions of the Indigenous people residing in Bastar.
On 3rd july 2007 the Business Community of Narainpur District in North Bastar called for a "Bund"(closure) .The reason was the fight between the Business Communities of Narainpur and Antagarh District for the ownership of Raoghat Township once the Raoghat mines start.
This looks like a well planned conspiracy to divert the mind of the people from the real issues surrounding the RaoGhat Mines and the Rail Project.Is it because this project was rejected in the nineties by the Enviroment and Forest Ministry?Why the State Government feels that now when there is a worlwide concern to save Environment that they will get clearance from the Ministry?
Why are the sentiments of the Indigenous people being completely ignored?
Has anyone bothered to find out about the name "Rao Ghat"?According to the local belief Rao Ghat is home too the Creator of this world Lord "Raja Rao Natraj" and Goddess "Mata Maoli"(sister of Maa Danteshwari) and their family.
Not only the local people come here to worship daily but also they gather in large numbers throughout the year and take out "Jatra"(procession) of the God and Godess.Even lot of foreign tourist come here to enjoy the wonderful eco-system present at Rao Ghat.
So any mining at RaoGhat will be like destroying the God and Goddess of the Tribals thus will come under the SC/ST Atrocities Act of the Constitution of India.
Is the State Government planning a revolt by the Indigenous people so that they can kill and displace more tribals as they have been doing since the start of Salwa Judum??
Just because "Dalli Rajhara" mines are over Bhilai Steel plant now wants "Rao Ghat" mines.What will happen once the "Rao Ghat" mines are also exhausted?
Is it really the BSP which wants the mines or they are playing in the hands of Tata,Essar,Jindal and other Sponge Iron Units of Chhattisgarh? Afterall the "Bailadilla" mines in Dantewada District which belongs to the NMDC is now being allotted to the likes of Tata Steel,Essar Steel and other mining companies?
In the days of Global Warming,Tsunami and Weather Change do we really need to destroy the most beautiful and amazing eco-system still existing in RaoGhat?
Is BSP playing in the hands of Tata and Essar Steel?
Are we not worried that our future generation won't have fresh air to breathe or will there be a future generations at all???
The Locals in Raoghat area have strong belief in their God and Goddess and they feel that if RaoGhat is disturbed it will bring an end to the human race.
Is the State Government and the Government at the Center listening?May be the State Government and the Business Community for once should think about what they are leaving for the future generations and not their immediate gains....
As per the provisions of the Constitution of India, the resolve of the village council is supreme in Bastar District. No body can play with the resolve of the tribal village council. However, contrary to those provisions, state government is acting as the agent of the private industrial houses, did not bothered to educate the tribals about the importance of public hearing at a village council to manage the favorable resolve of the village council.
86. Add No Confidence Vote Legislation to Amend the Constitution
Other countries have a No Confidence provision in their laws in order to remove elected officials from office. I believe that this would be a benefit to the United States as well.
Currently, we have an Impeachment process that can be cumbersome, expensive and drawn-out.
A No Confidence Vote is a simple matter and can be written in such a manner as to provide for an orderly transition of power and in a way that the priviledge would not be able to be abused.
87. Stop Government Waste by Illinois Governor
Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of Illinois, refuses to live in the Governor's Mansion in Springfield and continues to reside full time in his Chicago home with his family.
There are no objections to strong family ties, however to maintain such a situation, the Governor uses a state owned plane to fly to and from Springfield on days when the legislature is in session.
The expense for such transportation is astronomical and needs to be curtailed. The State of Illinois is in deep financial trouble and cannot afford such luxuries for one individual.
88. Petition for expedition of background checks and issuance of U.S. visas
U.S.A introduced K category petitions for early family re-unions of fiance/fiancee and husband/wife but we people are suffereing alot due to unnecessary delays created due to inefficient security back ground checks and administrative processing.
89. Stop NY Fed Transfer of North Korean $25 Million
The Six-Party denuclearization talks with North Korea halted earlier this year, because the US froze $25 million of accounts in Banco Delta Asia in Macau. The funds were frozen by the US Treasury Department because the funds in the accounts were believed to be obtained by counterfeiting US currency and other illicit activities.
So far, the Bank of China and Wachovia Bank have declined requests from the US State Department to transfer these funds back to North Korea.
State's newest request is for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to transfer the funds back to North Korea. Lee Bollinger is a Class C director on the board of directors.
Apart from aiding a regime that is one of the world's most egregious human rights violators, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York transfer would also be in violation of: Section 311 of the USA Patriot Act, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, and Sections 1956-1957 of US Criminal Code, Title 18.
90. Voter approval required on all raises for the members of the Alabama State LEGISLATURE
WE demand that 70% of VOTER approval is required to enact ANY raises for the members of the Alabama State LEGISLATURE or ANY governing body in ALABAMA.