PNN Newsletter: Time to Canvass, Make "Good Trouble" Calls, More
- tim621396
- May 2
- 5 min read
PNN’s mission is to engage, educate and empower our neighbors to make our City a better place to live. Here’s what’s coming up in each of these areas:
Engage: Write an Education Letter, Support POWER Act
Educate: Testify on Budget at City Hall, Word Scramble
Empower: Get Ready to Canvass, Join Our Call Squad
__________________________________________ PNN Actions ________________________________________
Get Ready to Canvass!
We have recently made our Endorsements & Recommendations. Now we plan to canvass in support of those candidates - District Attorney, City Controller, Judges - and ballot measures.
We believe that, in the face of 24/7 media noise, neighbors can be a trusted source of information. They share the same physical location, face many of the same issues and concerns, and hold many of the same values.
We will be conducting our usual Buddy Canvasses (dates will be announced soon) in NW Philly, and we will also be offering an opportunity to canvass your neighborhood this spring.
We will cut the turf for you and provide you with door hangers, and a brief training on what you'll be saying at the doors of your neighbors.
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"Good Trouble" Phone Banks for Medicaid & SNAP
May 7th, May 20th and May 22nd, Locations Upon RSVP
We had another great phone bank on Wednesday to pressure freshman Members of Congress to protect Medicaid and SNAP benefits and were joined by State Representative Tarik Kahn (photos here).
As you are aware, the Trump Administration’s is planning to cut Medicaid and SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) to pay for tax giveaways to his billionaire pals. Congressional Republicans want to cut $1.5 trillion from these programs.
This would be devastating to many in the Keystone State, where 3 million people are enrolled in Medicaid (23% of pop.) and another 2 million in SNAP (15.4%). That's 64% of people living in nursing homes, 39% of children; 47% of adults with disabilities.
This is unconscionable.
So, we are ramping up our "Good Trouble Phone Banks where we can make the biggest difference. Our goal is to call constituents in swing districts to pressure their GOP Members of Congress to break ranks with the Trump regime. If we can accomplish this with just three MOCs, we'll be able to shut down MAGAs relentless assault on our nation.
We use an auto-dialer that lets us pass constituents directly to the MOC. It's easy to use and we give you personal instructions. If you would like to become part of our "Good Trouble" Call Squad, let us know by clicking below.
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Call Our Senators from Home
There are also a few calls you can make right now. Call Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick and leave a message telling them to vote to STOP any cuts to Medicaid or SNAP.
Calling makes a difference. It builds pressure on the Senators. And your one call represents 100 people who feel the same way you do, but didn’t call.
Be polite and personal. Identify yourself and leave your phone number. Use the sample text provided or feel free to put it in your own words:
Hi, my name is _________________________.
I live in Philadelphia and I can be reached at [Phone].
I am calling to ask Senator [Fetterman/McCormick] to stand up for regular Americans and vote to STOP cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to pay for tax giveaways to billionaires and corporations. Millions of Pennsylvania residents will be hurt by these cuts. Thank you.
Here are their numbers. Also feel free to leave them a written message:
Dave McCormick: 202-224-6324; https://www.mccormick.senate.gov/contact/
John Fetterman: 202-224-4254: https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/contact/
_________________________________ Actions with Our Allies ________________________________
Budget Public Testimony
Tuesday, May 13th & Wednesday, May 14th, City Council Chambers
The Alliance for a Just Philadelphia is going on the record at the budget public testimony on May 13th and 14th! The Alliance, of which PNN is a full member, is demanding a People’s Budget that works for ALL Philadelphians.
We will reject the austerity measures being proposed in this budget and demand that instead we invest in safe healthy homes, worker protections, public spaces, mental health care, immigrant support programs, and schools.
If you would like to take part in the public testimony (scheduled for 10am-12:30pm and 1:30-4pm on May 13th and 14th in Council Chambers, Rm 400) then let us know by clicking the link below.
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Get Paid to Canvass
PNN is working with our allies at Straight Ahead and Free the Ballot for targeted paid canvassing in various parts of the city. The pay is $30/hr and you are required to have a reliable smart phone and go through training to learn the conversation and record the results. If you are interested in this work, click here to send an email with your interest.
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Support the POWER Act
Thursday, May 8th, 9AM, City Hall North Apron
Join our allies at National Domestic Workers Alliance in support of the POWER Act (Protect Our Workers - Enforce Rights) at City Hall on Thursday, May 8th. The rally will start on the North Apron at 9AM and then head into City Hall to Room 400 for the Council vote. This important legislation that will codify protections for city's 740,000 domestic workers against retaliation from bad bosses. Let's help them pack Council Chambers!
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Write to Support Shapiro's Education Budget
Governor Shapiro's public education proposal for FY 2025-26 is a significant and positive step towards continuing the process of achieving adequate and equitable public school funding in the state, and responding to the Commonwealth Court ruling that the current funding system is unconstitutional. The governor, in January, proposed a budget that would include $526 million that the state has historically underfunded. $137 million would go to Philadelphia if that budget is approved.
It is important to ensure that our local schools have what they need to educate students in our community. That is why our allies at PA Policy Center have supplied us with a Letter-Writing tool that targets state elected officials encouraging them to support the Governor's FY 2025-26 Public Education Proposal. At the bottom of the letter, there is a place to sign your name.
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Haywood Co-Sponsors SB131 for Fair Districting
Kudos to State Senator Art Haywood for co-sponsoring SB131. This legislative proposal aims to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to create an independent redistricting commission. Specifically, the bill proposes a joint resolution that would repeal provisions relating to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission and establish an Independent Redistricting Commission. It also outlines redistricting criteria that will assure fair boundaries are drawn for our elections.
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Word Scramble
ANCISOOTTNUIL
Hint: Relating to an established set of principles governing a state.
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This Week in History
May 4, 1970 – Kent State Murders. The Ohio National Guard open fire on anti-war protesters at the university, killing four and wounding eight. Famous musicians wrote a song about it.
May 5, 1961 – First American in Space. Navy Commander Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. became the first American astronaut to travel into space.
May 6, 1935 – WPA Created. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order creating the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was just one of many Great Depression relief programs created that put more than 3 million Americans to work.
Thanks for your activism!
Tim Brown, Organizing Director
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