Arizona Iced Tea is not based in Arizona, and now they sure as hell want you to know that. The passage of SB1070 and the resulting backlash in the form of boycotts and outrage have made it a liability to be a business based in the state of Arizona. While most of the calls for boycotts focus on travel, conventions, and businesses currently based in the state, the real long-term economic damage will be from businesses that choose to avoid locating or expanding to Arizona.

Cities and states are constantly trying to provide economic incentives for businesses to set up shop in their communities because of the long-term economic benefits that these businesses will yield through new jobs and tax revenue. However, Arizona’s brand has suffered a critical blow. Association with the state has negative economic consequences that will cause most businesses to go elsewhere with their economic expansion. The economic consequences will not be solely the short-term revenue losses from relocated conventions, but the accumulated losses of the economic development that could have been.

Governor Jan Brewer and her Republican colleagues in the state legislature have turned the state into economic poison. Even if SB1070 is overturned in the courts and calls for boycotts are withdrawn, the risk that they will do once again something similar remains.

Without a dramatic change in political leadership in the state of Arizona, businesses will be wary of potential fallout from political decisions and avoid development in the state. The Republican leadership has cost Arizona jobs and revenue that will be felt for years to come.

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Yesterday students from across the state of New Jersey walked out of their classes and descended upon Newark to protest Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s education budget cuts.

The walkout and protest grew organically from the online efforts of Michelle Ryan Lauto, a Pace University freshman who attended high school in New Jersey, who used Facebook to propose the action. Students then used these same online tools to organize their own individual schools and collaborate on strategy:

They also used Facebook to trade advice on contacting newspapers and television stations to publicize their rallies, while Lauto logged on to urge students to keep their protests peaceful.

(…)

In Newark, students also turned to Twitter and text messaging to coordinate a walkout of thousands of students at schools across the state’s largest city.

The incredible organizing effort impressed some school board members:

Newly minted school board member Shavar Jeffries was on hand to support the students’ protest.

“I’m very proud of our kids for protesting in a peaceful, disciplined way,” he said adding that while the students were enthusiastic they maintained order. “They’re organized, they’re disciplined, they’re beautiful.”

(…)

School board member Nakia White also expressed her admiration.

“I think the social activism among our youth is incredible,” White said. “They’re absolutely defying the myth of apathy and not caring, and they’re standing up for what they believe in. They believe in education.”

Throughout the country Millennials have been self-organizing using online and mobile tools, from the student protests in California, the immigration protests in Arizona, and yesterday in New Jersey. As Republican policies hit young Americans harder the efforts will only increase. This level of engagement is a positive sign for the Democratic Party, both because of the energy and organizing as well as the further inclination toward the Democrats in reaction to these Republican policies. Young voter enthusiasm may not be the problem for Democrats that some say it is.

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Governor Jan Brewer and Arizona Republicans have devastated the state education system, passed “birther” laws, and legalized racial profiling.

Arizona needs a change. Our citizens should not have to live in fear or feel shame for the actions of our state government.

Support the Arizona Democratic Party to help remove these Republicans and put an end to their regressive policies.

ActBlue provides a unique way for you to make your voice echo in the corridors of power. Please support them with a 10% tip when you contribute.

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The recent vote to rewrite textbooks by the conservative dominated Texas State Board of Education has received a great deal of attention over the last few days. The lesson that we as progressives need to take away from it is one that conservatives internalized long ago: people that are elected to “downballot” races can have a lot of power in shaping the direction of our communities, states, and the country as a whole.

The textbook industry is dominated by a few large states. One of the most important is Texas. Since the mission of textbook companies is to sell books, they cater their content to the whims of those states that have large enough markets to make demands. What this means is that the Texas State Board of Education is really setting textbook standards for a large portion of the country.

In the past we have mostly focused on the big prizes: the White House, U.S. House and Senate, and governorships. Downballot races don’t get anywhere near the attention, especially outside their respective jurisdictions. As we now see, there are many students outside of the state of Texas that will be directly affected by what at its surface appeared to be a local election.

If you realize that the Texas State Board of Education ruling is not just a local issue and you want to help, here are some things you can do:

• Support the Texas Freedom Network, an organization that specifically fights the religious right’s attempts to hijack education.
• Follow Democratic candidates for the Texas State Board of Education like Rebecca Bell-Metereau (@voterebecca) and Judy Jennings (@VoteJudyJ). You can donate to these Democratic candidates via ActBlue.

Stand with Texas progressives to shift the control of the State Board of Education, and remember that these local races are local in name only and affect us all.

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Some young Kentuckians sent this to me and asked me to post it.

An Open Letter to the Young Citizens of the United States

Fellow Young Americans,

Here in Kentucky we pride ourselves in civility, hospitality, gentility and all the components of a polite society. As such, we are customarily compelled to extend to you our sincerest apologies for the actions of Kentucky Senators Jim Bunning and Mitch McConnell.

To you we say…Our Bad!

Senators Bunning and McConnell were elected to represent the values we hold dear here in the Bluegrass – honesty, fairness, opportunity and hard work. Nevertheless, they have abandoned our cause for the values of their financial and ideological backers – values that are destroying America – greed, privilege and radicalism.

We are sure many of you can relate. This seems to be a growing trend among the elected leaders of the GOP. You, too, are probably fed up with the Republican members of Congress who oppose any move towards rebuilding America, while making zero proposals of their own.

Last week was unfortunate for our Commonwealth. Senator Bunning again embarrassed us deeply with his one-man crusade to stop the extension of unemployment benefits for hundreds of thousands of Americans. Yet another disgraceful act among a distinguished career of disgraceful acts. His show of misguided demagoguery points to two concerns: the hypocrisy of his radical political philosophy (he has had no problem extending corporate tax breaks or paying for two wars on the national credit card) and a bad case of the crankies due to his general decrepitude.

As Senator Bunning grandstanded in the Senate Chamber, 200,000 of his constituents stood on the brink of further financial uncertainty. Mothers worried about how they would continue to provide food for their children. Families feared foreclosure. Individuals prepared to choose between sustenance and medication. Senator Bunning kicked those who were already down. Talk about constituent services!

In all honesty, Senator Bunning has never cared about the Kentuckians he represents. We should have been apologizing for this years ago. But is Senator Bunning really to blame? When children misbehave, whom do we hold responsible? The parents! Often this approach must be applied to our Senators as well.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has stood idly by while the members of his caucus work day in and day out against the interests of working families. Where was the Minority Leader during Senator Bunning’s procedural temper tantrum? Was he assuring his fellow Kentuckians that the Republican caucus would pressure Bunning to retreat? No. Did he display any sense of outrage or any concern for those who would suffer? No.

This is what happens when you raise a group of Senators to oppose EVERYTHING! Saying no becomes second nature. Members of the Republican Caucus are incapable of developing their own solutions to our national problem. God-forbid they ever utter the word “yes!”

Senator McConnell is no leader; he is a defender of the status quo. During the catastrophic George W. Bush Administration, Republicans catered to every whim of the nation’s elite. As a result, the tax burden was shifted to the middle class, jobs were exported overseas, and financial institutions were deregulated and allowed to prey upon venerable citizens. Mission Accomplished! No more work for them to do but defend their disastrous policies – regular people be damned! His greatest legislative accomplishment is his tenacious opposition of every reform designed to raise the quality of life in Kentucky, let alone the nation.

But why do they remain? Young Americans from across the nation are asking this question about their representatives. The answer is simple. We allow the obstructionists and radicals to define the terms and divide the ground each step of the way.

Senators McConnell and Bunning have no vision for their party, their home state or their nation. They have shown zero leadership. They do not represent the hardworking, honest people of Kentucky. Rather, they broker power and wealth for the elites on the backs (and dreams) of those too blinded by fear to see the truth.

Please accept our apology, on behalf of the good people of this Commonwealth. We vow to you today that we are learning our lesson on civic responsibility – votes have consequences! We understand that the 200,000 Kentuckians in danger of loosing unemployment benefits were lucky this time. We cannot afford for there to be a next time! We need your help!

Apologies aside, there is good news! Fortunately, Senator Bunning is retiring at the close of this Congress! (Feel free to take a moment to sigh with relief before continuing.) This fall we have a chance to reclaim Bunning’s seat! Now, consider the possibilities! For the future of this state and the nation, we must stop the Republican candidates vying to be nominated to defend his seat. Both of these men not only refused to confront Bunning during this most recent fiasco, but actually cheered him on like a delusional tea-bagging hero. It was shameful.

The Democratic candidates have a vision for Kentucky! They see a Kentucky where hard work is rewarded and every member of our community is valued. Kentucky Democrats recognize that we are each a few unlucky circumstances away from unemployment, disability or any other needed assistance. Kentucky Democrats know that the safety net, forged by progressives over the last half-century, protects us all! We, and our candidates, are committed to honest discussion about the issues facing each Kentuckian and every American. McConnell’s brand of fear mongering must end in 2010. Sending a Kentucky Democrat to the U.S. Senate would provide a clear message to Senator Do-Nothing and his lolly-gang of pessimists.

We are going to need your help! Please, come to Kentucky. Help us do what the Republicans will not – meet with our wonderful people. We will talk about the problems Kentuckians face and work on fair and equitable solutions. We must dispel misconceptions about health care reform and the economic stimulus. The people of Kentucky will listen. They will talk. And, when presented with honest discussion, they will choose optimism over fear, community over division and Democrats over Republicans!

Yours,
The Young People of Kentucky

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Last weekend Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli sent a letter to VA public colleges and universities encouraging them to drop discrimination bans against gays and lesbians.

In the wake of Cuccinelli’s homophobic actions, Virginia students have been using Facebook to take a stand against this attempt at discrimination and the Virginia Young Democrats are mobilizing against the repeal.

Here is VAYD President Sean Holihan addressing the situation:

The Virginia Young Democrats are taking part in a Facebook Day of Action using Facebook statuses to show opposition to the discrimination repeal and encouraging members to contact Governor McDonnell about the issue.

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This weekend Craig countered a Wall Street Journal article that falsely claimed the minimum wage increase is the main factor leading to increased youth unemployment. Unfortunately, Republicans in Arizona are running with this false argument in an attempt to drastically reduce the minimum wage for young adults.

This attempt is AZ House Bill 2639:

Legislation approved by the House Commerce Committee would set the minimum wage for anyone younger than 22 at 75 percent of what those 22 and older are required to be paid. With the state minimum wage at $7.25 an hour, that translates to $5.44.

Rep. Laurin Hendrix, the author of the bill, makes the following argument about how this is good for young people:

But that’s not all. Hendrix said once they have jobs — even jobs that don’t pay the full minimum wage — it will “get them in the habit of going to work and developing a work ethic that will be useful to them later in their lives.”

Translation: we are going to get these kids in the lifelong habit of working their asses off for scraps.

This measure is the handiwork of Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform, and Barry Aarons, one of Norquist’s lobbyists, was the only one to testify in favor of the bill.

In 2006 Arizona voters approved the creation of a state minimum wage tied to inflation despite the attempts of Norquist’s organization.

Even if the state legislature fails to pass this discriminatory policy, it won’t yet be dead:

Hendrix does have a backup plan. He convinced committee members to also approve HCR2043, which would send the question to voters in November.

The Young Democrats of Arizona sent out an action alert to their membership encouraging members to take action against the GOP effort:

Subject: Make Less Money?

That’s exactly what will happen if the Republican legislature has its way. House Bill 2639; introduced by a Republican Representative from Gilbert may be up for a vote next week. This Bill if passed and signed by Republican Governor Jan Brewer will cut the minimum wage for workers under the age of 22 by 25%.

Yes, this is a serious proposal. Republicans in the state legislature don’t think its hard enough for young Arizonans to pay their bills already.

Take action!

There is still time. You can make a difference, and hopefully stop this law from passing. Here is what you can do:

1. Write a letter to the editor of a local paper. We need to get the message out. Too many times bad legislation gets through because people don’t realize what is happening.

2. Call your legislators and make sure they know you oppose this bill.

3. Sign up to join a small group to meet with legislators. Legislators take meetings with lobbyists all the time; now they need to hear from everyday Arizonans!

Together we can make a difference. Take action today!

This measure, if passed, would be devastating to young Arizonans attempting to work their way through college as they face huge tuition and fee increases and even worse for those students entering the workforce immediately after high school.

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If anyone wanted to know what happens when Republicans control nearly every aspect of a state, here is a sample of what is happening in the Arizona government right now.

First, we are going to go and privatize our state parks.

How about publicizing the names of everyone who needs welfare support?

Or slashing Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance?

Despite the ban on restricting eligibility, hard-hit states like California and Arizona are considering proposals by their governors that would remove hundreds of thousands from the rolls once the federal financing ends. Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona, a Republican, has called for eliminating Medicaid coverage for 310,000 childless adults and ending the Children’s Health Insurance Program to help close a two-year budget gap of about $4.5 billion.

Let’s not forget trying to cut the minimum wage for young people.

They are also magically turning nuclear power into renewable energy.

Home values are still dropping, and some AZ motorists have resorted to selling ad space on their cars.

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Job: Field Organizer / Youth Organizer
Location: Varies – all over the commonwealth.
Compensation: $300 Weekly Stipend, Free Housing, Gas Reimbursement

When: Rolling start dates September 1st through 15th, end date November 7th

Why: Help the Democrats keep the governor’s mansion and take back the House of Delegates!

Benefits: Beef up your resume with only a ten-week commitment! Get paid for your activism.

The 2009-2010 year promises to be a critical one for the Democratic Party and the Virginia Young Democrats. We are prepared to meet that challenge and have a plan that will build volunteers for this and future elections. VAYD will be hiring 30 organizers to help our chapters and the campaigns turn out excited, young volunteers for the campaigns.

Play an important role in this year’s critical election. Submit your resume to vaydjobs@gmail.com.

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Garth Corriveau, the President of the New Hampshire Young Democrats, has filed to run for Alderman in Manchester’s Sixth Ward.

It’s great to see the leaders in the Young Democrats organization running for office, and I strongly encourage you to become a fan of Garth’s Facebook page.

While you are at it, you should also follow the New Hampshire Young Democrats on Twitter and become a fan of their Facebook page.

Good luck, Garth!

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