by admin | May 3, 2020 | USC Democratic Committee
USC Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes
Zoom Meeting – April 28, 2020
Mary McIntyre welcomed Zoom participants to the on-line meeting at 7:03pm.
Mary asked for approval of the minutes. Fran Campbell moved to approve, Maria Miller seconded. Minutes were approved.
Peg Babnik read the treasurers report. The Committee had a balance of $3,807.44, with two outstanding checks, which leaves a balance of $3,587.00 in the account.
Committee Reports
Communications
Mary said that because of social distancing, there will be no fundraiser. Peg Babnick said that perhaps in the fall we can have an activity. Mary said that the USC Democratic Committee high school scholarship is not going to happen this year.
Elections
Mary gave an update on the Department of Elections online meeting which ran one hour, fifteen minutes. Jason Fincke and Deb Allen also viewed this meeting. There were 90,000 requested mail-in forms, and 35,000 votes were processed as of last Thursday. Rich Fitzgerald would like to limit the number of polling places to one per township. They are currently waiting for the state to approve this request. There are 800,000 voters in Allegheny County. They are going to mail out applications for mail-in votes to everyone. Bernadette Fincke reported that 13% of Democrats in Upper St. Clair applied for the main-in ballot; very few Republicans applied.
Mary also spoke about the Zoom meeting for Joe Biden’s campaign, which was also viewed by George Bockosk, Deb, Allen, and Jason Fincke. Jason said that it was suggested that posters should be posted in windows thanking workers. George also commented about the posters, saying that Joe Biden’s name (at the bottom of the poster) was hard to read from the street.
Erin Urban reported that she attended a Zoom meting for Southwest Pennsylvania. They are going to have a letter writing campaign.
Mary reminded everyone that Sharon Guidi is organizing a calling campaign for her election.
There are few campaign signs because employees are not working. Mary does have Mike Lamb signs for distribution.
Jason Fincke named individuals that sent letters to all wards/districts. He thanked them and reported that there was terrific response.
Mary said that she receives calls to the Allegheny County Democrat Committee phones. She then sends out requested information.
Data Mining
Bernadette Fincke reported that Vote Builder is updated daily
New Business
Mary McIntyre reported that Don Williams 4-4 sent in his resignation at committeeman. Alex Cashman will be the new committeeman for 4-4.
Katie Mazzocco phoned in and said that she is on day 49 of COVID. She does not know if she is still contagious. She has had fevers, headache, nausea, stomach problems, cough, lung pain, and has been in the ER three times. Her first test was negative, but two weeks ago she tested positive. She thanked her husband Jesse for doing “everything.” The group asked if she needed anything, or could help in any way.
Mary would like to have Zoom meetings every two weeks on Tuesday at 7pm.
Deb Allen suggested that the Committee do some outreach within the community to show appreciation. She suggested pizza and drinks to say thank you to workers and get some positive PR. Bethel Park Manor Care was suggested. Blaine Aiken said that Terry’s father is residing at that location.
The meeting ended abruptly with Zoom closing at 7:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Descutner
by admin | Apr 29, 2020 | USC Democratic Committee
DOYLE REJECTS ‘OUTRAGEOUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE’ TRUMP BUDGET
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-18) released the following statement today expressing his reaction to President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal.
“The Trump Administration’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021 is a blueprint for disaster.
“President Trump has once again proposed devastating cuts in programs that are critical to America’s families. This budget continues his ongoing attacks against, for example, safety net programs, community development assistance, affordable healthcare, environmental protections, and high-quality education for all ages – and shows that he values scoring political points over actually promoting Americans’ security and prosperity.
“Less than a week after his State of the Union Address, President Trump has broken his promise not to cut Medicare and Social Security. His budget proposes slashing $480 billion from Medicare and $24 billion from Social Security over the next ten years.
“Last week, he touted his record on helping economically distressed areas, but his budget for next year would eliminate the Community Development Block Grant, eliminate EDA grants, and cut funding for the Army Corps of Engineers, which fixes our nation’s water infrastructure, by $1.7 billion.
“President Trump’s budget would also continue his crusade against affordable, high-quality health care by cutting $1.6 trillion from federal health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid. It would also limit lifesaving medical research, cutting programs at NIH by $3.3 billion and funding for CDC by $678 million.
“It would roll back landmark consumer protections and environmental programs – for example, his budget would cut funding for EPA by 25 percent, eliminate the NOAA Climate Competitive Research program, and slash the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program by $2.1 billion.
“President Trump’s 2021 budget plan would cut SNAP, the largest federal nutrition assistance program, by $182 billion over the next 10 years.
“His budget would cut funding for the Department of Education by 8.5 percent, cut student loan programs by $170 billion over the next 10 years, and eliminate afterschool programs.
“These are just some of the outrageous and irresponsible cuts he’s proposed.
“The bottom line is that President Trump’s budget wouldn’t make our country stronger, more sustainable, and prepared for the future; they would devastate American families and communities. I would adamantly oppose it – if it weren’t such a crazy non-starter that it was ‘Dead on Arrival’ in Congress.”
by admin | Apr 27, 2020 | USC Democratic Committee
Supporting PA National Guard Members on the Front Lines
On Tuesday, the General Assembly unanimously passed House Bill 1869, which expands the Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act to provide 100% compensation of income for first responders who are impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to perform their duties. I am extremely pleased to report that the legislation included an amendment that I helped draft which makes these same benefits available to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard while on state active duty who contract COVID-19 or are subject to quarantine. The legislation is now on its way to the Governor for his signature.
Thank you to my colleagues: Senator Katie Muth, for introducing the amendment to ensure coverage for Pennsylvania National Guard members, as well as fellow Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee Chair Senator Mike Regan for his bipartisan support.
Our Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families need our support, and I am proud that the General Assembly is standing with our men and women in uniform during this time of need.
