WASHINGTON – Human Rights Campaign announced the endorsement of Ken Britt for the Georgia House of Representatives. Britt currently serves as a member of the Georgia Democratic Party State Committee and is an Ambassador for the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

“HRC enthusiastically endorses Ken Britt for Georgia House District 56,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Ken has a lengthy record of community service and political activism, as well as the experience gained during more than 30 years in executive-level law firm administration. Serving in the Georgia House of Representatives will allow him to continue his work on important issues like equality, economic development and access to quality affordable health care.”

Solmonese says Britt has an impressive track record of leadership on progressive community and political issues. In addition to his work for the state Democratic Party, Britt was recently appointed as a Community Liaison to Congressman John Lewis’ 2012 reelection effort. Both his former employer and AID Atlanta, one of the largest AIDS service organizations, have named community service awards for Britt.

"Ken's ability to represent diverse constituencies and reach across the aisle to achieve consensus is needed in the Georgia General Assembly. When Ken is elected, the people of Georgia District 56 can rest assured that their interests will be well served,” Solmonese said.

“I am honored by the support of the Human Rights Campaign,” said Britt, “especially because it has been a model of grassroots action in diverse communities. I appreciate HRC recognizing my experience and passion, the strength of this campaign and, particularly, the needs of the 56th District."

Source: HRC press release

Two-term Governor, Gary Johnson, says both parties are indistinguishable from one another. Both are keeping America broke. Both are keeping America at war. Both have trampled on the Constitution. And both are stooges to the same big money players that never change behind the scenes. It's time to put our differences and our parties aside and come together as a nation for the good of all. We The People are ready to LIVE FREE.

http://youtu.be/2X3QRSIXgns



GOV. GARY JOHNSON:
IF REDUCING MARIJUANA PENALTIES IN NY MAKES SENSE, LEGALIZATION MAKES EVEN MORE SENSE

New York, NY - Calling NY Gov. Cuomo's proposed reduction of penalties for simple possession of marijuana "a welcome bit of sanity," Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson today applauded the proposal, but repeated his call for legalization of marijuana as a better solution to the burdens marijuana prosecutions place on the courts and law enforcement.

Johnson is in New York for a series of media appearances, including The Daily Show Tuesday night. As governor of New Mexico, Johnson gained national attention in 1999 as one of the highest ranking elected officials in the nation to call for the legalization of marijuana.

In a statement released in New York, Johnson said, "It is encouraging that the governor of one of our largest states is facing the reality that we are clogging our courts and packing our jails with Americans whose 'crime' is the individual choice to possess and use small quantities of marijuana. I would strongly suggest, however, that 'decriminalization' doesn't really solve the problem. As long as we hang onto the the failed notion of prohibition, the cartels and criminal infrastructure that thrive on supplying U.S. demand for pot will continue to prosper.

"Legalizing and regulating marijuana, as we do with alcohol, will not only take a great deal of profit away from the cartels, but put us on a path toward treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal issue. Prohibition didn't work the first time, and it clearly isn't working today."

General Assembly Approves Strip Club Tax to Fund Rape Treatment, Prevention Services

From The Office of State Representative Sara Feigenholtz

CHICAGO – The Illinois House approved a measure Thursday to raise as much as $2 million for rape and other sexual assault treatment and prevention services as well as law enforcement training on rape and assault response.
 
The legislation, sponsored in the House by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and an initiative of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, creates a surcharge for strip clubs that offer or allow alcohol.
 
“State funding for sexual assault services has been slashed 28% over the last five years,” said Feigenholtz. “This measure helps close this funding gap to ensure that rape crisis centers can keep their doors open and continue to serve survivors of sexual violence and assault.”
 
Club owners could choose from two fee options: they could pay a flat fee based on annual gross receipts or instead choose to pay a $3 per patron fee.
 
“There is a correlation between sexually oriented businesses that combine nude dancing and alcohol that help promote the objectification of women that leads to sexual and domestic violence,” Feigenholtz said. “This is a common sense way to help provide vital services to survivors.”
 
The fees would only apply to adult entertainment venues that feature both live nude dancing and alcohol. There are no such venues in the city of Chicago.
 
House Bill 1645 has been approved by both chambers of the General Assembly and awaits consideration by the governor. For more information, please contact Feigenholtz’s constituent services office at (773) 296-4141 or sara@staterepsara.com.