Disability Caucus Reacts to New Capitol Police Policy

March 4, 2012
For Immediate Release

                          PACD Disability Caucus Reacts to Capitol Police Actions

On Wednesday, the administration of Governor Tom Corbett instituted a new policy that will ban visitors from access to the hallway outside his office suite when major rallies are being held at the Pennsylvania Capitol. State Capitol Police setup barricades today in front of the elevators that would lead to his office. While it is unfortunate that Governor Corbett wants to hide from the voters he serves, it is even more unfortunate that this policy went into practice on the same day of a rally being held by a disability rights group.

Disability Caucus Chairman Chuck Black released this statement following the announcement of this policy: “As the Chair of the PACD Disability Caucus & a concerned voter of PA, I am absolutely stunned that Capitol Police have setup barricades in front of a bank of elevators that would lead to his office on the same day of a rally being held by people who would be directly be impacted with the closing of elevators. This is a sad day for Pennsylvania when our Governor wants to avoid being held accountable by the disabled. We deserve the same access as all citizens, and his office should have announced this policy way in advance before any rally was scheduled”.

The Disability Caucus opposes this policy, and urges Governor Corbett to stick to his campaign promise of transparency. They stand with all of the disability rights advocates who were at the Capitol today, and will be exploring partnerships with those groups to fight this policy.

PACD Women’s Caucus Responds to HB 1077

February 26,2012
For Immediate Release

Women’s Caucus Responds to HB 1077

Pennsylvania Republicans are seeking to dismantle the rights of women.

HB 1077, ironically called the “Women’s Right to Know” act, is nothing but a boldfaced attack on reproductive choice; it’s backers have made it clear they believe that the women of Pennsylvania are incapable of understanding their bodies and their choice without first undergoing an invasive, unnecessary medical procedure.

Lisa Eisenberg, the Chair of the PACD Women’s Caucus, said “The passage of this bill would be a travesty not only because of its implications for the women of this state, but for all Pennsylvanians; it would set a dangerous precedent in which legislators, rather than medical professionals, can dictate care.”

The Pennsylvania College Democrats Women’s Caucus calls on all of those who care about the rights of women and would seek to preserve the safe, private relationship between doctor and patient to oppose this bill, and to call their representatives in the Pennsylvania State Assembly and encourage them to join us in advocating for the preservation of choice in Pennsylvania.

PACD Chapters Speak Out Against Corbett’s Proposed Cuts to Education

Students, Democrats Denounce Corbett Plan for Higher Education Cuts

Students from Penn State and Temple Universities joined with Democrats Monday to criticize Governor Tom Corbett’s proposal to cut funding for colleges that depend on state aid.

“With these cuts, we can cut programs, we can cut majors, we can hire fewer faculty, we could reduce our pensions, but it’s going to make our schools a much less desirable place to learn, and to teach, and to research,” said Penn State student Mallory Reed.

Corbett’s 2012-2013 budget proposal would stack 30 percent cuts on top of last year’s 18 percent funding reduction for the four state-related schools: Penn State, Temple, Lincoln University, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Temple senior Elliot Griffin said her alma mater can’t deal with the cuts by simply reining in its spending.

“Temple University has cut over $70 million in spending, and still we’ll be forced to increase tuition,” said Griffin. “What that means for students is that we’re taking out bigger loans, and students are working full-time jobs.”

The 14 colleges owned by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, such as Clarion and Slippery Rock Universities, would see about 20 percent less state aid this year after experiencing similar cuts last year. The PASSHE budget would drop from $503 million to $330 million over a two-year span if Corbett’s proposal passes the Republican-dominated state legislature. The line item for state-related universities would wane from $688 million to $368 million over that same time period.

State Senator Daylin Leach (D – Delaware) called that approach an “apocaliptically bad policy direction.”

“This is not a cut. This is an abandonment,” said Leach. “This is a policy decision to stop caring if kids go to college in Pennsylvania.”

Leach said he’s hopeful that House and Senate Republicans will reject the governor’s proposal.

“The governor wanted a 52 percent cut last time, and he got significantly less than that, although still a substantial cut. So, he’s trying to do what he couldn’t do in one year in two years, essentially,” said Leach. “I’m hoping the same Republicans who pushed back last time will push back again.”

The Governor’s office has not returned calls from Essential Public Radio for comment.

–By Noah Brode

January State Council Call Minutes

1.    Attendance

a.   Dickinson College

b.   Temple

c.    Penn

d.   Juniata

e.   Shippensburg

f.     Pitt

 

g.  Penn State

2.   Welcome

3.   Convention Update

a.   March 30 to April 1^st

b.   University of Pittsburgh

c.    Beginning to fund raise and confirm agenda

4.   Caucus Position Announcements

a.   Erich Reimer

b.   Names below have been appointed

 

Labor:
Chair – Jake Sternberger, Dickinson
VC – Billy McGee, Temple

Women’s:
Chair: Lisa Eisenberg, Temple
VC: Irma Zejcirovic, Ship

LGBT:
Chair: Christina Daas, Pitt
VC: Holly Genevese, Temple

Disability:
Chair, Chuck Black, Ship

VC: Vacant – if you’re interested in working as the Disability Vice Chair, send an email to mchialastri@pacollegedems.com

5.   CDA update

a.   This Wednesday at 10 pm CDA Communications Call with OFA team – http://www.facebook.com/events/241573465922090/

b.   Quarters for Change

                                              i.     CDA’s project to raise money

                                             ii.     Looking for small monetary donations (affordable for College Students)

                                           iii.     Various prizes are given out for donations – learn more at http://collegedems.com/quarters-for-change/

c.    Winter conference in Chicago March 10^th

                                              i.     Registration fee only $10  – http://collegedems.com/events/winter-conferences/

6.   Chapter Spotlight: Shippensburg

a.   Chuck Black, Stand With Ship

                                              i.     Working to get a voter poll place close to campus, if your chapter is facing a similar issue, you can contact Chuck at cb1700@ship.edu for some tips and advice on the process!

 

7.   Rally in Harrisburg for Higher Education for State Related Schools

a.   Tuesday, January 31, 2012

b.   Penn State, Temple, Pitt, and Lincoln

c.    Contact Elliot Griffin Elliot.griffin@temple.edu