alliance4action Newsletter
August, 2020
 

alliance4action will be undergoing some changes in the near future. Our world has changed in so many ways since the Covid-19 crisis.  It is no longer safe to hold large meetings.  As we look to future programming, we will be providing internet-based options.  For the next few months, our priority is the upcoming elections and we will be providing opportunities for you to hear from our candidates and links to get further information.  We will strive to provide programs that relate to our action groups. Check our website (https://alliance4action.org) and Facebook page (https://facebook.com/alliance4action/) for specific information.   As always, if you have suggestions for programs or other comments, write to us via the “contact us” form on our website.
 
Thank you for your understanding and please stay safe and well.
  
Polly Daly, Chair, Leadership Team

a4a August General Meeting
(by ZOOM, of course)

Celebrate 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage
By Maureen Brooks

Sunday, August 16, 2:00 p.m.

Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83012886445?pwd=ZzhuSmFXMnl4M3QwbGhkUnlJZWFndz09

alliance4action Treasurer’s Report
 
Balance as of June 30, 2020   $3,789
Maggie Sievers, Treasurer

Report from our Ballot Initiatives Signature Gathering Event
 

On June 19^th the alliance4action hosted a new drive-thru method for signing four ballot propositions to be added to the ballot in November.
 
More than 20 volunteers lined the parking lot at the Good Shepherd Church in masks, sanitizing clipboards and delivered petitions to voters in their vehicles.  More than 800 signatures were obtained for petitions on Investing in Education, Criminal Justice, Health Care, and the Marijuana Initiative.
 
These signatures, once notarized, headed to Phoenix and helped to join the huge response that will allow all four initiatives to be viewed by the voters on Election Day.  All four initiatives turned in far more signatures than required.  Unfortunately, several of them are being challenged in court.
 
alliance4action will sponsor a non-partisan ZOOM discussion in September for all who are interested in the specifics of all ballot initiatives.

Ann Striker

 
Health Care
The a4a Health Care Action Group meets, via Zoom, on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 1 pm.  We are educating ourselves on the policies and politics of health care, trying to keep updated, and always checking facts.  We are studying the proposed Arizona ballot initiative on surprise billing and pre-existing conditions protection.  We will send ACT NOW recommendations to the total a4a group periodically.  For more information or to join our group, contact Laurie Jurs at [email protected]. 
 
Education
The Education Action Group has not met in person, but we do share information pertaining to supporting public education at the state and local levels and supporting candidates and policies that share our values.  Additionally, we are concerned about student debt and loan forgiveness.  At this moment the plan for reopening schools in a manner that is safe for students and teachers is of great concern.
Please contact Polly Daly at [email protected] if you would like to join us.
 
Immigration
The a4a Immigration Action Group continues to proactively advocate for positive immigration laws and regulations as well as fair and humane treatment of asylum-seekers.  We write letters to the editor, contact our federal and state representatives and candidates, and we urge all a4a members and our contacts throughout the country to do the same.  During the pandemic we continue to meet the 2^nd and 4^th Fridays of the month (9 am AZ time), and welcome new or returning members to our discussions.  If you wish to join us or have questions, contact Gail Frank at [email protected].
 
Climate
Group members lobbied via Zoom with staff of Sen. Sinema and Rep. Grijalva for support of climate change legislation.  We are participating in activism from home to improve voter turnout for progressive environmental policies using www.environmentalvoter.org.  To receive notices of upcoming a4a Climate Group actions and events send a message to [email protected] with "Add to email list" on subject line.