Tag Archives: Ballots, Bills and Laws

The Punjabi American Heritage Society announces the passing of resolution ACR 267 to declare month of November as Sikh Appreciation and Awareness month in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- California Assembly members gave a standing ovation and warm welcome to Sikh American guests at the California State Assembly (August 21, 2018), says The Punjabi American Heritage Society. The Assembly unanimously passed resolution ACR 267 declaring the month of November as Sikh Appreciation and Awareness Month.

Similar resolutions have been passed by the California Assembly since 2010 to honor the diversity of the state of California and recognize the contributions of Sikh Americans over the last one hundred plus years.

Despite these efforts, Sikhs have faced many hate crimes and there is an urgent need for ongoing educational efforts to bring about increased awareness to put an end to these crimes.

The Punjabi American Heritage Society would like to express gratitude to Honorable Assemblyman James Gallagher for recognizing PAHS members and other Sikhs on the floor of Assembly (names included in Video clip).

We would also like to thank Honorable Assemblymen Ash Kalra, and Jim Cooper for introducing and co-authoring this resolution. We humbly request all schools, colleges and universities to have educational events during the month of November at their campuses to end ignorance and prevent bullying and hate crimes against fellow Americans.

About The Punjabi American Heritage Society:

Based in Yuba City, California, The Punjabi American Heritage Society was founded in 1993 with the purpose of promoting friendship and understanding with other communities and helping our younger generation getting connected to their roots. The Punjabi American Heritage Society is a nonprofit, non-political and secular organization. Sutter County has a 10 percent population with Punjabi roots.

More information: https://www.punjabiheritage.org/.

*Web photo caption: Dr. Jasbir S. Kang, Sukhjit K Kang, Gurjus Singh, Keerith K. Singh, Hardeep K. Singh, Ahdeesh K. Singh. www.send2press.com/wire/images/18-0823-PunjabiAmerican-696x522.jpg

California Assembly members gave a standing ovation and warm welcome to Sikh American guests at the California State Assembly (August 21, 2018), says The Punjabi American Heritage Society. The Assembly unanimously passed resolution ACR 267 declaring the month of November as Sikh Appreciation and Awareness Month.

Related link: https://www.punjabiheritage.org/

California Moves to Kill Free Speech and Health, says Wellness Activist Dr. Harte

CORTE MADERA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Dr. Don Harte, noted chiropractic activist and former Libertarian State Senate candidate, is issuing a dire warning against SB 1424, designed to create a medical thought police in California.

"This bill, first and foremost, is a direct assault upon the 1st amendment," according to Dr. Harte. "This proposed bill sets up 'fact-checkers' to determine if and when any information disseminated on the internet is, in fact, fact."

Dr. Harte goes on: "The bill is proposed by State Sen. Dr. Richard Pan, vaccine extremist. Sen. Pan has already, successfully, interfered with parental rights and informed consent by his previously passed bills, AB 2109 and SB 277. These bills have essentially destroyed any rights of parents to choose not to vaccinate, or fully vaccinate, their children. But he wants more."

"It is known that Dr. Pan is a tool of Big Pharma, and has financially benefitted from such. As anti-vaccination forces in this state have not given up the fight," according to Dr. Harte, "it is obvious that this anti-free speech bill is designed to quash any discussion of the dangers of vaccination, and any information related to vaccination."

Dr. Harte adds, "Dr. Pan revels in the increased vaccinations rates due to his previous bills, but he says nothing about the widespread, growing damage of serial vaccination to the children of California, including autism, Type I diabetes, Crohn's Disease, life-threatening allergies, asthma, etc. It is painfully obvious that he is working towards quashing any present and future dissent towards his evil totalitarian agenda."

Dr. Harte goes on: "News Flash: The State of California is part of the USA, and, as such, is subject to the U.S. Constitution. The 1st Amendment, guaranteeing freedom of speech, cannot be abrogated by these petty tyrants in Sacramento, who act as shills for Big Pharma."

"Furthermore," says Dr. Harte, "there is, currently, a tremendous misunderstanding of what science is. There cannot be science without questioning. There are those, including Dr. Pan, who believe that Medicine should never be questioned. These medical extremists claim that their position is for the good of society. So said Hitler and Stalin. Both of those evil men had scientists actively creating false science. They both had medical doctors assisting them, acting out their sick falsehoods, damaging and killing hundreds of thousands."

"Let me present myself as California's first 'speech criminal,'" Dr. Harte declares. "This liberty-deficient government of the state of California is in no moral, scientific or legal position to dictate what is fact and what is not."

About Dr. Don Harte:

Dr. Don Harte, former medical student, is a principled, traditional chiropractor serving Marin and the Greater Bay Area since 1981. He is an activist in the struggle for free speech for chiropractors. Dr. Harte was named 2006 "Chiropractor of the Year" by the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA). He has served on the Boards of the WCA and the Council on Chiropractic Practice. His articles have been published in OMNI magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Chiropractic Journal and Journal of the California Chiropractic Association.

More information: https://www.chirodrharte.com/

Follow Dr. Harte on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harteofchiropractic

Dr. Don Harte, noted chiropractic activist and former Libertarian State Senate candidate, is issuing a dire warning against SB1424, designed to create a medical thought police in California. "This bill, first and foremost, is a direct assault upon the 1st amendment," according to Dr. Harte.

Related link: https://www.chirodrharte.com/

In Michigan, a Battle between Veteran Asbestos Cancer Victims and the Asbestos Industry

LANSING, Mich. /ScoopCloud/ -- Two weeks ago a bill HB 5456 titled Asbestos Claim Transparency, drafted by the National Chamber of Commerce and Asbestos companies was pushed into Michigan with promises of campaign donations, says Goldberg, Persky & White P.C. Today, Michigan's Commanders Group (Congressionally Chartered Veterans Organizations) filed their resolution in opposition to the bill.

The group includes American Legion, American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Marine Corps League, Noncommissioned Officers Association, Polish American Veterans, Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Legal advocates claim HB 5456 - seeks to delay if not deny compensation from the responsible corporations to victims. "Since we already have transparency by law in Michigan this transparency titled proposal is designed with one goal in mind - to run out the clock on asbestos victims in Michigan so they die before their cases even make it to court," said Attorney Lane Clack of Saginaw.

"People who were unknowingly sickened by asbestos deserve justice, and the companies responsible for poisoning them should be held accountable."

In Lansing today, Clack said that legislation - Asbestos Claim Transparency HB 5456 - passed by the Republican controlled Michigan House of Representatives last week would penalize Michigan residents who are sick and dying from asbestos exposure, many of whom are veterans, and would be an unwarranted giveaway to big companies that made products with asbestos.

"An estimated 10,000 - 15,000 Americans die each year from asbestos-related diseases and people are still getting sick. Dozens of countries have banned asbestos, but it is not banned in the United States," said Clack. "As companies continue to import hundreds of tons of asbestos into the U.S. each year, workers, first responders and others continue to be exposed, especially when buildings are renovated or demolished. HB 5456 puts onerous burdens on victims and asbestos trusts, but does nothing to protect innocent Michigan workers from exposure to asbestos. And don't forget, this is a veterans' issue. Forty percent of all Michigan asbestos victims are veterans. That's why many of the major veterans groups oppose this bill."

Asbestos was once widely used in a number of industries that employed many people in Michigan, including construction, steel, pulp and paper production and the auto industry. Michigan has a higher-than-average mortality rate for asbestos-related diseases, according to AsbestosNation.org.

Michigan Veterans are disproportionally afflicted with asbestos-related diseases. While they make up 8 percent of the U.S. population, they account for roughly 30 percent of Americans who contract mesothelioma, a cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, stomach and other organs caused only by asbestos.

Legal experts with the Michigan Association for Justice, point out the bill makes no sense in Michigan. Michigan already has "Transparency" by Court Order and Michigan juries already consider fault of all bankrupt asbestos companies; MI has had apportionment by Statute since the 1990's.

Clack said, "Since the Republican majority in the House of Representatives rolled over like puppy dogs for the Asbestos Companies and the Chamber, the bill now moves to the Senate. It is now left to the Senators on the Senate Competitiveness Committee to decide which side they are on - either Michigan Residents, Veterans and First responders or the Asbestos Companies and their lobbyists."

Senate Competitiveness Committee Members are:

* Mike Shirkey (R) Committee Chair, 16th District - (517) 373-5932
* Jim Stamas (R) Vice Chair, 36th District - (517) 373-7946
* David Robertson (R) 14th District - (517) 373-1636
* John Proos (R) 21st District - (517) 373-6960
* Rebekah Warren (D) Minority Vice Chair, 18th District - (517) 373-2406.

Anyone in Michigan who has been exposed to asbestos should call your State Senator and the Senators on the Committee above immediately. Ask them to oppose the Asbestos Industry Bill.

https://www.gpwlaw-mi.com/mesotheliomalawfirm

"The very essence of civil liberty certainly consists in the right of every individual to claim protection of the laws whenever he receives an injury." Marbury v. Madison (1803) (John Marshall).

Suggested royalty-free image for this story: https://unsplash.com/photos/xOUs1VJnIP0

Two weeks ago a bill HB 5456 titled Asbestos Claim Transparency, drafted by the National Chamber of Commerce and Asbestos companies was pushed into Michigan with promises of campaign donations, says Goldberg, Persky & White P.C. Today, Michigan's Commanders Group (Congressionally Chartered Veterans Organizations) filed their resolution in opposition to the bill.

Related link: https://www.gpwlaw-mi.com/

Michigan Veterans File Opposition to Asbestos Bill

LANSING, Mich. /ScoopCloud/ -- Michigan's top Mesothelioma legal expert on behalf of hundreds of Michigan Veterans with asbestos disease, Goldberg, Persky & White P.C., today issued the following statement and alert in response to passage of HB 5456, the so-called "Asbestos Bankruptcy Transparency Act," out of the Michigan House of Representatives Republican controlled "Competitiveness" committee on a straight party line vote.

The bill, better entitled "delay 'til they die plan," would shield corporations from being held accountable for deadly asbestos-related diseases like Mesothelioma and delay justice for victims:

The asbestos industry's ongoing nationwide campaign to avoid accountability to those they harmed has reared its ugly head in Michigan. This bill would impose burdens on asbestos victims, including active and retired service members, the civil justice system, asbestos bankruptcy trusts, and taxpayers. It would force victims and their families to jump through several expensive and time-consuming hoops before being allowed to move forward with a claim in state court.

Those suffering from mesothelioma, on average, have 12 to 18 months to live. Asbestos victims do not have extra time or money to spare. Unfortunately, the asbestos industry is seeking to take advantage of this fact. Their goal: To delay and deny until victims die.

Michigan ranks 12th nationally for mesothelioma and asbestos deaths, and 40 percent of asbestos victims in the state are veterans. Hundreds of asbestos exposed Veterans in Saginaw, Detroit, Muskegon, Escanaba, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Alpena, Port Huron and other industrial cities will be disproportionally put at risk. Veterans were extensively exposed to asbestos products not only during military service but in their civilian work at Michigan's automobile plants, steel mills, paper mills and in construction trades.

It is wrong to give asbestos companies new ways to stonewall their victims, especially those that served their country. This injustice is magnified by the fact that this legislation is unnecessary in Michigan as state law already requires transparency. Asbestos victims must provide asbestos defendants with copies of all claim forms six months before trial, and juries are already compelled to assign responsibility to bankrupt defendants under existing Michigan Law.

Asbestos victims deserve justice. It is unconscionable that Michigan lawmakers would pass legislation to allow the same out-of-state corporations and their front groups who hid the dangers of asbestos for decades and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths to avoid accountability. Once again our elected representatives should be fighting for asbestos victims and their families - not those who harmed them.

We urge all Michigan veterans to immediately call their state senator and representative and urge them to oppose HB 5456.

Learn more at:
https://www.gpwlaw-mi.com/mesotheliomalawfirm
https://www.gpwlaw-mi.com/

Michigan's top Mesothelioma legal expert on behalf of hundreds of Michigan Veterans with asbestos disease, Goldberg, Persky & White P.C., today issued the following statement and alert in response to passage of HB 5456, the so-called 'Asbestos Bankruptcy Transparency Act,' out of the Michigan House of Representatives Republican controlled 'Competitiveness' committee on a straight party line vote.

Related link: https://www.gpwlaw-mi.com/

City of La Mesa offers Official Proclamation in Support of Ferret Legalization for California

LA MESA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Mayor Mark Arapostathis and all members of the La Mesa City Council issued a proclamation on November 9 urging the California State Legislature to pass ferret legalization legislation, non-profit Legalize Ferrets announced today.

You can read the official proclamation at http://www.legalizeferrets.org/

The original request was for La Mesa to declare itself a ferret sanctuary city. The idea drew support, but many people objected to the term "sanctuary." The request was made to declare La Mesa a "ferret friendly city."

Ferret owners were aided at first by city councilwoman Kristine Alessio who has had experience with Savannah cat legalization issues and knew what ferret owners are facing in a hostile Fish and Game Commission and apathetic California legislature.

"We were also aided by city councilman Bill Baber who sympathized with us for facing another useless and outdated law backed up by an out of touch state agency," said Pat Wright of Legalize Ferrets.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis was an outstanding ally of the ferrets and recommended a proclamation.

Wright added, "We are also grateful to City Councilmen Guy McWhiter and Colin Parent who agreed with the absurdity and cruelty of California's anti-ferret law and signed on to the proclamation."

California ferret lovers continue to be rejected or ignored by California legislators but are achieving support from cities around California. Culver City has already put the ferret issue on their city council agenda and ferret lovers are next set to ask the Encinitas city council.

Now that we have this proclamation we are set to ask cities around California to adopt the ferret friendly resolution.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pat Wright
LegalizeFerrets.org
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
619-757-7426

Mayor Mark Arapostathis and all members of the La Mesa City Council issued a proclamation on November 9 urging the California State Legislature to pass ferret legalization legislation, non-profit Legalize Ferrets announced today.

Related link: http://www.legalizeferrets.org/

Ferret Owners Hopeful as California Fish and Game Commission Consider Issuing Permits for Ferrets

LA MESA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Legalize Ferrets, a California organization that continues to advocate for ferret legalization in the state, has a watchful eye on The California Fish and Game Commission this month. Why? The commission is set to consider issuing permits for ferrets during its April 26, 2017 meeting in Van Nuys, Calif.

Currently, ferrets are legal in 48 states - California and Hawaii are the exceptions. But ferret lovers are hopeful that California is ready to join the ranks.

"Previously, the commission rejected a proposal to remove ferrets from the prohibited species list," Pat Wright of LegalizeFerrets.org says. "It said doing so would remove ferrets from its jurisdiction and that ferrets could pose a threat to wildlife."

However, prior to 1985, the commission had issued permits for neutered male ferrets. So, ferret advocates countered the recent proposal rejection asking it to revisit its previous position. The commission agreed to study and hear the proposal.

California ferret lovers have submitted an open letter to the commission which highlights the commission's two objections and provides ferret advocate responses.

The commission's first objection that eliminating the ban would eliminate the commission's control is countered through a response suggesting that permitting would enable the commission to maintain their jurisdiction. Secondly, concerns over threats to wildlife are countered through letters submitted from all 50 states, and a few Canadian provinces, that report no instances of ferrets attacking or harming wildlife.

In fact, Wright shared that a ferret was recently confiscated in Arroyo Grande. It had gotten out and a neighbor turned it into local animal control.

"After a big deal and lots of tears the ferret was returned to the owner and she was given 30 days to get rid of it. This is just another example of the futility of the ferret ban," Wright says. "There's not a single documented case of feral ferrets in the United States. It's time that California ferret owners have protection from confiscations and possible euthanasia of their pets."

To read the open letter to the California Fish and Game Commission and to learn more about LegalizeFerrets.org, visit: http://www.legalizeferrets.org/.

* PHOTOS FOR MEDIA:
(1) Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0404s2p-ferrets-300dpi.jpg
(2) Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0404s2p-ferretday-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: LegalizeFerrets.org is advocating to make ferrets legal in California.

Media Contact:
Pat Wright
of LegalizeFerrets.org
+1-619-757-7426
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org

Legalize Ferrets, a California organization that continues to advocate for ferret legalization in the state, has a watchful eye on The California Fish and Game Commission this month. Why? The commission is set to consider issuing permits for ferrets during its April 26, 2017 meeting in Van Nuys, Calif.

Florida Justice Association Blocks Insurance Lobby Attacks On Consumer Rights

BRADENTON, Fla., April 15, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Bradenton personal injury lawyer, and Florida Justice Association board member, Bernard F. Walsh took note of the successful effort by Florida Justice Association members to block extreme reduction in personal injury claim awards.

The two bills, Senate Bill 1474, proposed by republican Senator Garrett Richter of Naples serving Florida District 23, and House Bill 1271 proposed by Republican Representative Jay Fant serving Florida District 15, sought to severely limit the amount of damages an injured party can be awarded in a personal injury case.

Both SB 1474 and HB 1271 similarly attempted to limit personal injury compensation amounts to the amount paid to the medical provider under the medical providers original bill. Both SB 1474 and HB 1271 had additions that explicitly stated any amount that differs from the amount remitted to the provider would not be recoverable in a personal injury case. Additionally, both bills included sections on injured parties who were insured by either Medicare or Medicaid further restricting the amount that can be awarded by a jury to an injured claimant in a personal injury law suit.

However, HB 1271 went beyond just severely limiting the amount of damages that may be awarded to an injured claimant by attempting make inadmissible any individual contract between a medical service provider and licensed insurance provider. This would have the effect of making it more difficult for plaintiffs attorneys to prove liability or bring to light other pertinent information vital to a personal injury claim.

Attorney Bernard F. Walsh, Florida Justice Association Board Member and Founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board had this comment on the recent legislative session, "If HB 1271 or SB 1474 had managed to pass, it would have been a devastating blow to the rights of Florida's citizens. As a personal injury attorney I have witnessed first hand how serious injuries from accidents have life changing effects on the injured and their families. Under these bills, it would be completely unrealistic to assume that someone who has suffered multiple serious injuries such as TBI, spinal cord injury, or other trauma, would be adequately compensated for their injuries, never mind the loss of income, pain and suffering, and overall reduction in the victims quality of life. Thanks to the FJA's tireless efforts, no legislation has passed that significantly hurt the consumer and accident victims in Florida. I am looking forward to working with the FJA on the next legislative session."

About Attorney Bernard F. Walsh:

A highly experienced AV rated attorney and founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board, Bernard Walsh is an active member in multiple legal organizations including the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Florida Justice Association, the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Bernard Walsh is an active member of the Manatee and Sarasota Sheriff's Advisory Boards, the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council and the One Hundred Club for Law Enforcement in Manatee.

Partner at the Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law firm of Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh, Bernard Walsh has helped hundreds of Floridians get fair compensation for injuries. Additionally, Bernard Walsh has won one of Florida's largest motorcycle accident recoveries and has an AV Preeminent® rating on Martindale-Hubbel®, a doctors and attorneys ratings website and is a Superb rated attorney with Avvo.com.

Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh
5291 Office Park Boulevard, Bradenton FL, 34203
Local: 941-752-7200

More information: http://www.GetMejustice.com/.

Twitter: @GetMeJustice

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/florida-justice-association-blocks-insurance-lobby-attacks-on-consumer-rights-2016-0415-05.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Shapiro Goldman Babboni and Walsh :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.