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A Brief Exploration of Potential Campaign Finance Reforms
We have recently explored several of the core issues surrounding campaign finance that undermine accountability and transparency in our elections. After learning about (i) the disproportionate impact of very wealthy Americans on policy outcomes, (ii) the Citizens United case and consequent rise of super PACs and dark money, and (iii) the challenges with regulating online political ads, it is easy to be disheartened and feel pessimistic about the possibility of change. But the truth is, many Americans of diverse political ideologies support campaign finance reforms. If we work together, small acts of advocacy could go a long way in encouraging elected officials to make change happen. In this final piece, we’ll…
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Call to Action: Support Child Tax Credit in Bipartisan Tax Bill January 2024
Our efforts to strengthen American families with an enhanced child tax credit have reached a critical milestone. Congress needs to hear from you now, as they will vote soon on this important bill. Please call or write your representative and senators. On January 19, 2024, the House Ways and Means Committee approved H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Workers and Families Act of 2024, with a vote of 40-3. This bipartisan proposal cuts taxes and red tape for businesses, promotes innovation, creates jobs, and slashes fraud. In addition, 15 million kids from low-income families will be better off through improvements to the child tax credit. Enhancing the child tax…
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Greenwashing Explained (and What You Can Do About It!)
You may have noticed that many consumer products have a little tree or recycling logo on the packaging. Do these symbols indicate that products are good for the environment? Are companies using these graphics or other âgreenâ jargon as a deceptive advertising tactic to draw customers to their products? Youâre wise to be skeptical â marketing a company or product to seem more environmentally friendly than it truly is has become a widespread practice. It even has its own name â greenwashing. Greenwashing can take many forms. In some cases, companies use misleading language or imagery to make products or services seem more environmentally friendly than they really are. Sometimes…
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Thank Your Members of Congress and Ask for More Support of the Afghan Adjustment Act
Many of our Afghan neighbors are still in limbo In July 2023, a large bipartisan group of legislators reintroduced the Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R.4627/S.2327). While this movement continues to grow, the allies of those who fought alongside and supported our troops in the 20-year Afghan War are still waiting for the family reunification, safety, peace of mind, and permanency this bill could provide. Write your members of Congress now to thank them for their support and urge swift action to end this agonizing state of legal limbo for so many. Following the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, more than 130,000 Afghans were evacuated. Almost half of those…
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MWEG Op-Ed: ‘Pin the Blame on the Other Party’
“In recent years, the approach by Congress to immigration seems to be a never-ending game of ‘Pin the Blame on the Other Party.’ At face value, the faults of the immigration system are not mutually obvious, and the solutions are not agreeably attainable. One partyâs approach to immigration may be criticized as idealistic. The otherâs tactic is viewed as draconian. Meanwhile, the immigration system remains frustrated, and the extended support agencies, economy, and general public suffers.” Click here for the full text of this Fulcrum op-ed written by Rachel Bonar, the Nebraska chapter coordinator for Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
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Joint Statement for the Senate Finance Hearing on Paid Family Leave
At our 2023 conference, Mormon Women for Ethical Government members overwhelmingly expressed interest in paid family leave as a child and family policy priority they would like to support. Recently, our children and families advocacy committee has had the opportunity to do some national advocacy work in this area. MWEG has a seat on a national leadership council of faith-based organizations of various religious traditions that meets monthly to discuss child and family policy and build our collective common policy interests and knowledge. As a group we have been discussing national paid family leave policy and meeting with members of the House and Senate who are on a working group…
