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PROTECTION FOR STATE RETIREMENT FUNDS
By Pew Trusts
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2017/11/basic-legal-protections-vary-widely-for-participants-in-public-retirement-plans
State and local pension plans hold over $3.6 trillion in retirement fund investments for participants and their beneficiaries, with returns on these investments accounting for an estimated 60 percent of the money paid out in pension benefits each year.
In recent decades, public pension funds, in a bid to boost returns, have shifted funds away from low-risk, fixed-income investments—such as governm...
CONFOUNDS THE SCIENCE
LYRICS to CONFOUNDS THE SCIENCE
(Written by Don Caron – Music by Simon & Garfunkel)
Hello darkness my old friend.
It’s time for him to tweet again,
but first he’ll have to check in with fox news
‘cause that’s the only place he gets his clues.
That’s how things get planted in his brain,
where they remain,
and it confounds the science.
The problem is he’s not alone.
He tweets to people on his phone
that global warming is a giant hoax
perpetuated by the liberal folks,
and he hires people that all think the same,
that play his game
and it ...
Most Influential Person in 2017? Women
One year ago, Donald Trump became our president. The day after that momentous event, women by the hundreds of thousands assembled to march in mass protest.
They sang, laughed, talked, and shared their elation and sorrows right there in the nation’s capital. Marchers in 161 other U.S. cities and towns and in 81 other countries joined their protest. With one voice, they announced their opposition to the new president’s implied and stated goals. They also denounced his obvious delight in bullying, and exploiting others. Whether it was financial, emotional, or sexual ...
CIRCLES OF FAITH
‘Circles of Faith’ launches first community dialogue Feb. 11
The Wausau community will have an opportunity to engage in conversations about faith and interfaith relations at a series of three “Circles of Faith Dialogues,” the first set for February 11 from 2-3:30 p.m. at Northcentral Technical College.
The discussion series, which will take place over the next three months, invites members of different religions to share personal experiences, stories and traditions of their faith with the group, encouraging discourse on the commonalities of religion and ...
February Events
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Luther’s Revolution: 500 Years of the Protestant Reformation
7 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church, 700 N. 2nd Ave., Stratford
Jeff Kleiman (UW-Marshfield/Wood County history professor) will discuss the influence of Martin Luther on Christianity and on European culture from a historical view.
Free (all donations appreciated)
Sponsors: The Larry and Elsie Lohr Fund, UW-Marathon County and Murco Foundation, Wausau, WI.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
NORTH CENTRAL ORGANIZING CO-OP
Celebrate the accomplishments of 2017
5:30 p.m.
The Labor ...
Why Not You?
(From Union Labor News, December 2017 You can follow Union Labor News on Facebook.)
It’s time for workers to run for office. Someone like you would be best.
Why? Because the culture wars are soon going to wrap up and we are going to need some common sense candidates with a track record of good judgment, friendliness, hard work, and community participation.
The Republican candidate for governor of Virginia embraced the Trump cultural agenda of division, distrust and dysfunction and was thoroughly trounced in a state that regularly elects Republicans. One of his ...
CITIZEN ACTION OF WISCONSIN UPDATE
North Central Organizing Co-op Update:
Between Christmas and the New Year, members of the Citizen Action North Central Organizing Co-op worked toward getting PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) resolutions passed in 7 counties, with 3 likely being voted on in the next 1-2 months.
This has involved co-op members, from Rusk, Vilas and Oneida counties designing talking points for business owners and elected officials making the case for PACE. These members have then reached out to their County chairs and supervisors about supporting it.
The 7 counties that are ...
CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
Senator Orrin Hatch had this to say in December about the Children’s Health Insurance Program (which he helped to create): “The reason CHIP’s having trouble is that we don’t have money anymore.” Senator Hatch voted for the tax bill that gives 83% of the tax cuts to the top 1% of Americans. Middle class taxpayers will see minimal tax relief for seven years. After 2025, taxes for the middle class will rise. Congressman Duffy also voted for this obscene bill.
The stop gap funding for CHIP which was passed December 21st will fund the program through ...
NEW ONLINE VIDEO LIBRARY
Be sure to look at the New Video Library starting up on the Grassroots North Shore website:
https://www.grassrootsnorthshore.com/vids
Currently we have five informational videos in our library- 1:30 to 4 minutes in length.
1) Women have a lot to lose.
2) The myth of the rich job creators
3) Why we have to regulate high capacity wells
4) How foreclosures affect Milwaukee
5) Fair treatment for rehabilitated felons.
We need your comments to help us decide how to grow this library. What topics are of interest to you? Would you pass videos on to friends ...
Somewhere to Begin
There is nothing like some good music to bring in the new year. Sitting by the fire, with a good hot toddy, I am reminded of a number of songs that provide encouragement in these dark and troubled times. These songs remind me that if changes are to come, there are things that must be done to make things better. This is a process – not an event - and has been going on for many years. We don't always win the battles but we have to keep trying. And we CAN do it if everyone would lend a hand. I'd like to share with you a few songs for the new year.
Let’s begin with ...
