Leigh Fifelski's Blog

Michigan's Iraq Tax

Leigh — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:45:05 EDT

While Michigan Republicans fight to roll back the state income tax increase that was raised last autumn to help balance Michigan’s budget, the Iraq Tax is ignored and continues to steal money from the pockets of Michigan families. And McCain’s commitment to stay in Iraq for another 100 years is not going to make it any easier on us.

In fact, had the hard-earned Michigander money George Bush and his buddy McCain poured into the Iraq war been instead invested in Michigan’s economy we could have seen 5,220,282 people with health care, 111,921 affordable homes, or renewable energy generation for 19,513,221 homes. And that’s just in Michigan. Oh, and let me say it again – Michigan’s budget could have been balanced – almost eight times - with the money that McCain and Bush continue to spend in Iraq and yet crazy right wing legislators continue this massive Iraq Tax driving up our national debt and crushing economic growth.

Right now Michigan families have spent about $13.9 billion to fund the Iraq War (oh wait it isn’t even a war anymore is it?) while people lose their homes, jobs, and the cost of oil continues to rise. So while State Rep. Dave Robertson, R-Grand Blanc, Rep. John Stahl, R-North Branch, and Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Shores talk about repealing the deal made during Michigan’s budget crisis to slightly increase taxes to help balance Michigan’s budget, they make no mention of the Iraq Tax which increases daily and has, according to the National Priorities Project thus far taken $34,000 from every family of four in Michigan and the nation.

So, if we really want to help Michigan residents out this tax season, end the war.

Sign the Petition to End the Iraq Tax.

Peace, Love, and Happiness,

Leigh

No Room for Hate in Old Town Lansing

Leigh — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:34:46 EDT

Having moved to Lansing recently, I was searching for local spots I could call my own and Old Town Lansing is one place I find myself returning to on an almost daily basis for fun, shopping, and a sense of feeling safe. So, you can imagine how I felt when I found out two young men had taken it upon themselves to spread hate across twelve buildings with an intolerable message - “Kill Gays”.

However, shortly thereafter, I was delighted to hear that they had caught one of the suspects. I was even more delighted when I saw how fast the community came together to let people know that this type of action would not be permitted in Old Town. What I am learning is that Old Town is so great because it has diverse businesses and opportunities for people of all ethnicities, gender preferences, and socio-economic classes. It is a place where community comes together not only for festivals and hip happenings, but when a community member needs them. It’s a place where neighbors call the police when someone is spray painting community buildings. It’s a place where the police answer these calls promptly.

I am proud to be a part of the Old Town Community both in my personal life and at work. Progress Michigan joined together with downtown businesses, community leaders, and the Old Town Commercial Association to let people know their voice can be heard and that together the ideals and diversity in Old Town will stand. Join others in standing up for Old Town and diversity at www.nohateinoldtown.com.

Peace,

Leigh

Protect People Not Exxon

Leigh — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:06:17 EST

For those of you who know me, you know that before I started working for Progress Michigan I worked at the Sierra Club. Well, I may have stopped working for them, but my heart is still committed to making sure people get the best environmental protections that they deserve and that polluters pay. So, when I read the news today and saw that the Supreme Court is considering repealing the punitive damages of the Exxon Valdez oil spill 19 years, lets just say, I became a little irritated.

If the Supreme Court decides that the Federal Appeals Court was wrong in its decision to award $2.5 billion in punitive damages then American citizens will have received a slap in the face. Once again, citizens will see that corporations are put ahead of them. Corporations will be told that they can walk away from a disaster without repaying those they harm. While the community members' livelihoods and the natural ecosystem is destroyed by the oil spill that affected over 3,000 miles of Alaskan shoreline and over 32,000 fishermen and business owners, Exxon Valdez continues to rake in billions in profits. Is this what the Supreme Court was really put in place to do - protect corporations?

Check out some coverage: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/washington/28scotus.html?hp

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802280326

Progressive Friday - A Success!

Leigh — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:19:12 EST

I don't know about you, but I had a great time this past Friday at Tavern on the Square! I met so many new people and saw some great familiar faces. It was great to see more than 60 people come out for our first Progressive Friday. For those of you who could not make it - hopefully you will come next time - which we will soon be letting you know more about.

I have to thank Tavern on the Square for letting us use their space and making sure everyone had a drink in their hand and food in their stomachs. I also want to thank Amanda for greeting people when I went to Mingle.

Hope to see you next time! Peace, love, and happiness.

Leigh

Friday is Around the Corner

Leigh — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:37:12 EST

With Friday around the corner, I cannot help but let you all know I am getting more and more excited because I will get to meet many of you at Progressive Friday!

Are you coming? Friday from 5 to 7 pm at Tavern on Square. Drink Specials! And don't forget about half-off Appetizers.

Anyway, I hope to meet and mingle with those of you coming! And for those who cannot make it... keep checking our site for more info!

Leigh

Feb 15 - Progressive Friday!

Leigh — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:02:59 EST

So, you wanna meet people who are on the same wavelength as you when it comes to the issues you care about? Want to talk about some ideas floating through your head and see what others are thinking? OR do you just want to get to know people a little bit better in the progressive community?

Well, join me and the folks at Progress Michigan and Michigan Young Progressives for a beer or other tasty beverage on Friday, Feb 15th from 5 pm to 7 pm. It's not going to be anything too formal, but I am sure you know as well as I do that some of the best ideas come out over a drink!

We'll be meeting up at Tavern on the Square. They have extended their drink specials an extra hour to those who will be joining us!

Got questions? Let me know - leigh@progressmichigan.org or give a call (517) 999-3646.

Peace, love, and happiness -

Leigh

Check us out on Facebook!

Leigh — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:25:08 EST

Have you checked out our facebook page yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

So, go on, click onto Progress Michigan's Facebook page! Become one of our friends, meet our friends, and get updated on fun happenings!

Peace, love, and happiness!

Leigh

Progess Michigan Internships Available

Leigh — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 11:17:11 EST

PROGRESS MICHIGAN Internship Announcement

Multiple Positions Available: Unpaid, For Credit Internship, 15-20 hours weekly

Progress Michigan Education is a first-of-its-kind organization that works as a communications team and media hub for the entire progressive community. Our mission is to create hard-hitting earned media that holds public officials and government accountable and assists in the promotion of progressive ideas. We use state-of-the-art web based new media to creatively build grassroots support for progressive ideas. Working from our Lansing office, Progress Michigan’s interns will work directly with the Campaign Coordinator, Online Campaign Coordinator, and Executive Director to engage citizens throughout the state on priority issues, build grassroots support for progressive ideas, and creatively engage the public through the use of state-of-the-art web based new media.

Responsibilities Include

Assist in coordinating multiple hard-hitting progressive issue and accountability campaigns in consultation with the Executive Director
Assist in the initiation and follow-through of earned media, internet and other communications
Assist in coordinating the logistics of major events, press conferences and fundraisers
Database entry
Assist in production of Web site content
Work with and help strengthen Michigan’s innovative online community of progressive bloggers

Qualifications:

Well-organized, self-motivated, and able to work cooperatively on multiple projects
Experience working with database programs such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Commitment to working with diverse people
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Additional Consideration will be given to candidates who have experience with the following technical skills:

Experience working with computers and online communications including but not limited to: social networking applications, and online advocacy tools such as facebook
Experience in blogging and knowledge of the progressive online community a plus
Experience working with Photoshop, Adobe Flash, HMTL, CSS, and AJAX a plus

To Apply: Contact Leigh Fifelski at leigh@progressmichigan.org or 517-999-3646

Progress Michigan: www.progerssmichigan.org

Job Posting: Campaign Manager for Clean Energy Campaign

Leigh — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:06:00 EST

The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter is recruiting a Campaign Manager for our Clean Energy Campaign. The Campaign manager will work statewide with a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals concerned about proposed new and expanded coal fired power plants throughout the state. Applicants must have at least 4 years experience running issues and/or electoral campaigns, a demonstrated ability work effectively in coalition settings, and a familiarity with energy issues. Please send resumes or questions by email (with a subject line reading “clean energy campaign manager”) to anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org no later than December 20, 2007.

Comments left for this blog post will not be answered. Please send all questions to anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org.

Clean Energy Now Launch

Leigh — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:53:10 EST

Hello, my name is Leigh and I am the campaign coordinator at Progress Michigan. On Tuesday, Progress Michigan, along with a coalition of 10 other groups, launched a campaign across the state to stop the development of any more coal fired power plants in Michigan. The launch consisted of nine press conferences from Detroit to Lansing to Grand Rapids to Bay City to Traverse City and some in-between. You may of heard some of our coalition members on the radio or seen them covered in your newspaper. The press conferences were a great way to let people know that we mean business and want to see Michigan become a leader in clean, renewable energy, not dirty outdated coal technology. Michigan's communities deserve better. Our citizens deserve clean breathable air, swimmable lakes, and good-paying jobs. And guess what - CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY is the solution to keeping everything we love about Michigan in great shape!

Another part of the launch was a petition. You can still check it out and add your name to the list. The petition will be sent to legislators asking them to stop any more coal fired power plants from developing in Michigan. It also urges them to instate a renewable energy standard of 20% by 2020 - which would encourage companies to to invest in manufacturing the renewable technologies like wind turbines and solar panels right here IN MICHIGAN! Which means more jobs and less out-of-state importation of energy materials - like coal. We are also asking legislators to enact a statewide, utility-funded energy efficiency program that would reduce energy consumption in the state by at least 1% each year! So, check out some of the news hits (see below), sign the petition, and stay tuned for more info to come!

Free Press

Lansing State Journal

WJR

WDET