Activistas

Stop Bitching & Start A... Blog??

It's hard to believe that Activistas isn't even 1 yet.  So while we can't exactly have a birthday party for ourselves, the New Year presents the perfect opportunity to reflect and, natch, dream for 2008.  Truth be told, this time last year the idea to host a blog where busy parents could find information  - and each other - to change the public policies that fail our families wan't even on the very back burner of our proverbial stove.  Nope, we were just bitching (in my case, to pretty much anyone who would listen): no paid maternity leave!  expensive childcare!  underfunded schools!  ugh!  would someone please DO something about these problems??

So what happened??  S-o glad you asked!!  One night of communal bitching.  And during it, the realization that not only did we all have complaints, but that we all had priorities, ideas, and that there were enough of us to actually create change if we tried.  And for that, a big thanks to Moms Rising and a good friend for pushing the idea of watching & discussing The Motherhood Manifesto.  While I confess to being less than wowed by the film, it got us to think long and hard about how we could do more than gripe.  How we could, as the bumper sticker reads: Stop Bitching and Start a Revolution.  OK, so a blog does not a revolution make, but in my mind, information, inspiration and the personal connections we are making through Activistas might just take us a step or two closer to where we think this state, this country ought to be.

Survey Says... Dem Candidates On Our Side

So maybe it seems like a no brainer: of course all Democratic candidates are gonna say yes, yes, yes, all you families need help.  Then we elect them, and, as is often the case, we get nothin'.  But at least this time they've all got wind of the fact that American families need help, are clamoring for it (loudly, if we have anything to say about it), and will vote on it.  That's progress, mamas.

We noted a few weeks back that TakeCare Net  (love them) had sent out a survey in October to all major Presidential Candidates (loads of organizations you recognize are involved with Take Care Net, including Moms Rising and 9 to 5).  Not surprisingly, the D's responded and the R's didn't.  And while they all generally supported the type of policies needed to support families (it's about time!!), there were some differences.  You can read all about them in the 12.27.07 press release and the results summary. 

Salem in 2.08: Safer Toys but No Paid Family Leave

While I am disappointed, I understand that the upcoming short session is just that, short.  It's not meant to solve complex or complicated problems.  The good folks in Salem mean to get in there and get out and get it all done (believe it when I see it!).  What that means to me is whatever they do hear will be drafted and prioritized well before the session begins.  Which is, uh, now.  Two issues on my mind, and quite possibly yours:

Paid Family Leave: Not in '08, mamas.  Disappointing but not unexpected.  It went very well and very fast in 2007, but proved to be controversial - especially near the end when people started calling it a tax that required more votes.  The good news is there are definitely plans to re-introduce it in the longer 2009 session. 

State Tax Credits: Get 'Em N-O-W!

Like most states, there are a host of tax credits available in Oregon.  With a very few days left in 2007, we thought you might want to grab one.  Maybe support your fave politician or cultural group, without spending a dime (of yours, that is). 

Political Contributions: Yes, mamas, not just big business and the private plane types can donate to political causes here in Oregon.  Good news, indeed, for this mama who often laments the plutocracy that money and politics has created in the good ol' US of A.  Now little ol' middle class me can get in on the action, too!  And for free, more or less.

City Club Discusses Children: Join 'Em

Like to talk?  Really think an issue through?  Does the idea of considering a topic without an agenda appeal to you?  Check out the City Club of Portland's upcoming discussion group, Children at the Center: Envisioning Schools, Families & Communities that Serve our Youth.  If you're looking for action,this ain't it.   But it presents an interesting opportunity to really think about 'key questions in education and human development.'  And, importantly, to connect with others in the Portland area that are thinking about, researching and working on issues related to children and how they can thrive. 

The Season of Giving: Adopt-A-Family Update

We did it!  We collected a LOT of food and gifts from 13 uM families on Sunday at Urban Grind NE (what a great spot) and delivered it to the Salvation Army today (thanks, Olivia!).  They, in turn, will pass it along to 'our family' on the 20th.  This was a true collective effort, bringing together uM families from all over Portland to give this mama and her three kids a little lift for the holidays.  We provided all the required food (and then some) and came through on even the hard-to-find gifts (4 stores for the v-smile!). Plus... the very generous gift certificates that readers and the blog gave for Old Navy, Freddie's, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.  And, of course, we met new friends.  Always a plus.

Volunteering & The Family: Kids Not Required

How to volunteer with your kids is a topic we've covered before here in Activista-land.  We've discussed Mercy Kits that kids pick out with you, where to distribute food on Thanksgiving, and how to locate that kid-friendly volunteer opportunity.  And while I like to think I'm the volunteering type (who doesn't?), what am I realistically going to do with two kids under 5 that's actually helpful?  My almost five-year-old son would do well at many volunteer activities, but adding a 21-month old into the mix sure reduces our options.  Which brings me to the recent events in our house.

More Scorecards: CDF Does Congress on Kids

Just when everything is starting to seem too complicated and insurmountable (ugh, maybe I should just stick to the laundry), I stumble across yet another scorecard that at least makes the 'who's voting for what' part of this activism thing easy.  Glad someone else has the time and inclination to sort it out and compile it all, because I sure don't!  The Children's Defense Fund does an annual Congressional Scorecard titled "Did Your Members of Congress Protect Children?"  Uh, I hope so - better check. 

Turns out that while we may have the shortest school year in the nation, at least we don't top the list in number of anti-children lawmakers.  Got to be grateful for the small stuff, mamas.  And bless Sen. Ron Wyden for scoring 100% - landing himself (and therefore us!) on the Best Senators for Children list.  Not surprisingly, none of the Oregonians in DC made the worst list (0% votes for children - as defined by the CDF).  As a group, our folks made neither the top 10 or bottom 10.  Happily, we ranked a pretty high 14.  Not so bad.  Sure wouldn't mind being on that top 10 list, though...

Update on Boeing Pollution Application

Today we received an important reminder that grassroots activism does work. We the people can step up to a challenge and prevail.

When information on Boeing's plans to increase pollution in NE Portland first came to light, much of the message from officials was that this was a done deal. Well, it wasn't.

Local residents made their concerns known and they made it clear that there was no acceptable excuse for Boeing not to take advantage of existing technology and a) expand its operations, while b) not increasing its emissions. Put simply, we are unwilling to allow Boeing to affect the health of families in Portland just so they could minimize their costs.

That simple message rang true and clear and got through. This is the official word from the DEQ today regarding Boeing's application to increase emission of pollutants:

"Today I have received a letter from the Boeing Company withdrawing its application for an increase in the VOC plant site limit of their airplane coating facility.  Boeing has elected to install controls and remain in compliance with the current plant site limit."

Thank you to everyone who picked up phone or pen or mouse and let their voice be heard. This could not have happened without you.

All-Day Kindergarten in PPS: Good, Bad, Illegal?

My, my.  And I thought this debate was about issues like equity, learning opportunities, and working parents' schedules.  Turns out it might just be illegal!  Yikes.  And while that seems, at first glance, like a bad thing, maybe it's not.  Maybe the silver lining is that this issue will finally get a good, hard, realistic look here in Oregon.  Maybe they'll consider key issues like:

• Public education should be free to all who attend - whether it's a 1/2 day or a 'full' day (not exactly) or 2/3 of a day.
• Both parents work in many, many families these days and the ol' 8-11 a.m. five days a week schedule makes working a full day a little, uh, challenging.
• Kindergartners have been in school for years before they arrive, most for more hours a day than kindergarten, so as for time spent being educated, it actually decreases for most kindergartners.
• Families need to know what will be offered for certain; the current PPS policy allows the full-day option to be canceled if too few families sign up.
• Title I schools don't charge for full-day kindergarten, the others do.  Equitable?
• What am I missing here?  Help, mamas, help!