Labor/Economics/Business

Toll lanes (Lexus lanes) proposed for Beltway on MD side and I-270

Submitted by Luke on Fri, 03/29/2019 - 15:44

The MD State Highway Administration has announced a "traffic relief" plan for the Beltway and I-270 that has been reported elsewhere to include widening both roads and making all of the new lanes "variable-toll" lanes that are meant to ensure the wealthy can bypass traffic congestion. States have learned the hard way that widening roads doesn't reduce congestion, so the focus now is paid bypasses for the rich.

Environment/Food/Health
Labor/Economics/Business
Local News/Neighborhoods

Arlington approves funding package for Amazon in hearing disrupted by protests

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 03/17/2019 - 23:14

On the 16th of March, the Arlington County Board met to discuss a multi-million dollar giveaway to Amazon and Jeff Bezos for HQ2, possibly the richest man in the world. Protesters disrupted the hearing, calling affordable housing and similar priorities more important than Amazon. Disregarding the public dissent, the board voted to approve the funding package by 5 to zero.

Update 3-17 11:26PM:There is a report that Amazon may end up quitting Northern Virginia as they gave up in NYC, apparently they fear the wrath of the people more than bought-and-paid for politicians do.

Labor/Economics/Business
Local News/Neighborhoods

House Hearing Reviews Financial Transparency Legislation

Submitted by HannahJubilee on Wed, 03/13/2019 - 13:37

The House of Representatives is holding hearings on legislative initiatives to deter corruption and secrecy in the global financial system.

Elections/Legislation/Government
Labor/Economics/Business

Puerto Rico Debt Advisors Subject to Conflict Disclosure

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 02/20/2019 - 11:57

Washington DC - After an investigation into potential conflicts of interest in Puerto Rico's debt restructuring, the island's oversight board notes it will increase disclosure requirements for advisors. The investigation began in response to a debt consultant whose affiliate company holds Puerto Rico debt."It's critical that any groups who are hired to advise on Puerto Rico's debt crisis disclose if they also own debt or have a conflict of interest," noted Jubilee USA Executive Director Eric LeCompte.

Civil Rights/Equal Rights
Elections/Legislation/Government
Foreign Policy/Imperialism
Globalization/Anti-globalization
Human Rights
Labor/Economics/Business
Poverty

Puerto Rico Debt Deal Receives Court Approval

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/05/2019 - 13:59

Judge Laura Taylor Swain approved a deal to restructure $17 billion of Puerto Rico's $72 billion debt on Monday. Court approval was the last hurdle creditors and the island's oversight board needed for a plan to address sales tax backed debt or "COFINA" debt."We are worried that not enough debt is being cut and that Puerto Rico's people are carrying heavy austerity burdens," said Jubilee USA Executive Director Eric LeCompte, who monitors Puerto Rico's debt. "The math isn't adding up.

Elections/Legislation/Government
Foreign Policy/Imperialism
Labor/Economics/Business
Poverty

Judge Delays Ruling on Puerto Rico Debt Deal White House Opposes Island's Food Assistance Funding

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/18/2019 - 13:07

On Thursday, Judge Laura Taylor Swain delayed approval of a $17 billion debt deal between Puerto Rico "COFINA" creditors and the island's oversight board. Citing concerns that her ruling could alter Puerto Rico's constitution, the judge requested additional materials to review on Monday from the federally appointed oversight board."We are concerned that the plan under consideration doesn't cut enough debt," said Eric LeCompte who heads Jubilee USA and has monitored the island's financial situation since 2015.

Labor/Economics/Business
Poverty

Federal workers march on White House against Trump's shutdown

Submitted by Luke on Thu, 01/10/2019 - 20:36

On the 10th of January, thousands of Federal workers gathered in front of the AFL-CIO's headquarters, then marched on the White House demanding an end to Trump's lockout of Federal workers. Speaker after speaker denounced GOP Senator Majority leader Mitch McConnell for blocking any votes on bills to reopen the Federal government without caving to Trump's demand for a racist border wall.

Video highlights of the rally and short march

Labor/Economics/Business

The scene in front of the White House as locked out Federal workers march on Trump

Video: 2018-the year in activism

Submitted by Luke on Sat, 12/22/2018 - 22:03

Video-2018 in activism 18 min 25 sec

Anti-War/Peace
Civil Liberites/Constitution
Civil Rights/Equal Rights
Culture/Entertainment
Elections/Legislation/Government
Environment/Food/Health
Labor/Economics/Business
Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism
Right Wing

Sex workers and supporters hold Decrim Carnival 3 at Reeves Center

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 12/18/2018 - 00:25

Dec 17th was the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. In DC, the Decrim Carnival 3 was held in the Reeves Center on 14th st. Music and dancers performing dances similar to what they would do onstage (but fully dressed) alternated with speakers on the human cost of keeping sex work illegal. Physical assaults by violent men posing as customers go unpunished because sex workers know the police cannot be trusted and filing a report simply creates a second round of risk, this time from the cops.

Video-two dance performances and a speaker on why sex workers can't report assaults to the cops 4 min 13 sec

Gender/Sexuality/Identity
Labor/Economics/Business

Debt and Tax Policies Needed to Prevent Crisis Says Finance Watchdog Group

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2018 - 09:46

Financial institutions, experts and economists fear a new wave of financial crises hitting countries from Ghana to Italy. The IMF and World Bank warn that nearly 20 African economies are wrestling with debt crises and on Wednesday the European Union chastised Italy on its debt-laden budget."Growing debt crises and the inability of countries to meet the social needs of their people is very concerning," stated Eric LeCompte who serves on United Nation finance expert groups and is the Executive Director of Jubilee USA.

Elections/Legislation/Government
Labor/Economics/Business

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