Rally to Protect Your Personal Data!
The Trump administration's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has given Elon Musk and his crew unrestricted access to too much of our personal data - a massive invasion of privacy that puts our Social Security numbers, health records, and financial information at risk of data breaches, mass surveillance, and more. Now he wants our tax information - data that not even IRS commissioners can see.
We are not powerless! Join BAM, Indivisible Mandarin, St. Johns Indivisible, and other local groups in objecting to these power plays at a peaceful rally in front of the Tesla dealership on Wednesday, February 26th at noon. The site is located at 11650 Abess Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32225. Find more information and sign suggestions here.
The rally is part of the nationwide action --- Musk or Us --- organized by Indivisible to push back on administration efforts to dismantle the federal government, and demand accountability from elected officials. Presidents' Day protests were held last week throughout NE Florida, in addition to unsuccessful attempts to meet with Congress members John Rutherford and Aaron Bean (click links to see media coverage).
Stop Cuts to Medicaid, Food Assistance & Taxes for Wealthy
The U.S. House is expected to consider a 10-year budget package this week that includes a range of spending cuts and other proposals that would increase hardships for individuals
and families nationwide and in Florida by taking away health coverage, food assistance, and other supports while extending tax cuts for wealthy Americans and adding to the federal deficit.
The budget proposal aims for $2 trillion in spending cuts, with Medicaid its largest target. The program, which provides health insurance mostly to poor Americans in a partnership with states, is the country’s largest insurance program, covering around half of all births and two-thirds of all nursing home bills. Forty percent of children --- and 8 in 10 children living in poverty --- depend on the program for access to health care. Medicaid expansion was a key component of extending coverage for low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Achieving proposed House budget targets will also likely involve cuts to the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) which enables more than 41 million low-income people to afford a nutritionally adequate diet.
The U.S. Senate passed its budget resolution last week, which omits the tax cuts in the House bill, among other differences. Congress is developing the budget under a process called “reconciliation,” which allows for the faster consideration of a bill by limiting the types of provisions that can be included, limiting debate on the bill, and allowing a bill to pass the Senate with a simple majority of 51 votes rather than the 60 usually required. Because the GOP controls both the House and Senate, reconciliation would allow Republicans to enact a bill without any Democratic support. While it may seem like a done deal, a number of GOP members have a lot at stake. Act now to stop these cuts!
Take five minutes today to call (use the Capitol Switchbard to connect to their offices - 202.224.3121) or email FL Rep. John Rutherford, and Sens. Rick Scott, and Ashley Moody. Tell them not to cut Medicaid and SNAP! Find talking points here.
Only have three minutes? Use this Action Network form!
More Things To Do!
Florida Advocacy 101 - Learn the tools to become a legislative advocate! Join Rachel Grage tonight (Monday, February 24) at 6 p.m. for a virtual training. RSVP here for ZOOM link.
National Organizing Call for FL Special Elections - Also on Monday, February 24 @ 7:30 p.m., join the FL Democratic Party for an "All Hands on Deck" virtual meeting and find out how you can support two must-win U.S. House seats in Florida's upcoming special election. Register here.
Statewide Indivisible Florida Task Force Monthly Call - Find out what's happening with Indivisible affiliates across the state by joining the monthly SWIFT call on Tuesday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m. RSVP here for the link.
February 28 Economic Boycott - The People's Union USA is calling for a nationwide consumer boycott on Friday, February 28, urging Americans to halt all purchases for 24 hours in protest of rising prices and corporate practices. Find out more here.
Just for Fun! Name the Gulf - Gulf of Resistance? Gulf of Democracy? Gulf of Autocracy? You can decide by naming your own Gulf with MapQuest. Let us know what you come up with!
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