Blog
A word from National Stonewall Democrats
If there's one thing we've learned since the 2008 election, it's that having a Democratic majority isn't enough. We need a pro-equality majority, and we need your help to get it.
ElectEquality is National Stonewall's election program for the 2010 election. They will be highlighting 10 amazing candidates, perform coordinated online and offline actions on their behalf, and even place full-time organizers with our chapters in their areas to increase LGBT turnout.
Which candidates will benefit from ElectEquality?
You get to help decide.
After reviewing voting records and endorsement questionnaires -- as well as the political realities of each race -- we've selected a shortlist of 30 pro-active, pro-equality candidates. But we need your help narrowing the list. The top five vote getters will automatically make the top 10. Then NSD will round off the list with candidates we love -- either because they're great progressives or they're in particularly tough races.
Visit
ElectEquality.org to let us know who you support. You get 10 votes to use as you please. Split your votes among ten great candidates, or support your favorite candidate with two, three, or even all of your votes.
The deadline for voting is midnight Eastern time on June 18th, so vote early (but not often -- multiple votes from the same email will be discarded).
This is an exciting program that is going to make a measurable difference on 10 races around the country. Let us know which 10 you think they should be:
http://www.electequality.org
Yours in the fight,
Michael Mitchell
P.S. The site has been live for a few days now, and word's already spread. Some of the campaigns are pushing hard to make the top 10 and have already racked up hundreds of votes. Your favorite candidates might really need your help. If you want others to support the candidates you're voting for, make sure to tweet about ElectEquality and share your votes on Facebook!
Excellent news from Governor Strickland!
Governor Strickland intends to add "significant other" to the administrative definition of immediate family. This will allow state employees the right to use paid time off such as bereavement and family leave for their "immediate family" which includes their "significant other" (definition below).
There was a public hearing this morning, at 8:30am, and then the rule will go to Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review in June.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 119.03, notice is hereby given that the Department of Administrative Services intends to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of amending Ohio Administrative Code Section 123:1-47-01. The proposed to be amended rule deals with the following subject matter: 123:1-47-01 Definition of Terms: To include the phrase "significant other" within the definition of the term "immediate family" and to describe what the phrase covers and to extend the definition of "probationary period" used for certain unclassified employees for purposes of step increases to also be applicable to vacation usage.
The Department of Administrative Services shall hold a public hearing on the proposed rule amendment on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 2793, on the 27th floor of the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower located at 30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio. At this hearing, any person affected by the rule may appear and be heard in person, by the person's attorney, or both, may present the person's position, arguments, or contentions orally or in writing, offer and examine witnesses, and present evidence that tends to show that the rule, if adopted or effectuated, will be unreasonable or unlawful.
(A) For purposes of Chapters 123:1-1 to 123:1-47 of the Administrative Code:
(39) "Immediate family" - Means an employee's spouse or significant other ("significant other" as used in this definition means one who stands in place of a spouse and who resides with the employee), parents, children, grandparents, siblings, grandchildren, brother- in-law, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, step-parents,
step-children, step-siblings, or a legal guardian or other person who stands in the place of a parent (in loco parentis).
A special thanks to Equality Ohio and Sue Doerfer for the tip.
