JRLC e-Xpress January 25

2010 Legislative Goals are now approved by the JRLC Sponsors. You can review it here. These goals form the basis for our advocacy this coming legislative session, especially for Day on the Hill, which will be held March 25. Register now.

Practicing Justice, Living Faith: Connecting Spiritual Life with Social Action

When: Thursday February 11, 2010 - 7:00 PM
What: An interfaith panel discussion among young adult leaders and activists in Minnesota
Where: Sateren Auditorium in the Foss, Lobeck and Miles Center, Augsburg College (625 22nd Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55454)

JRLC and the New Fire Movement are hosting this event to highlight the great work being done in Minnesota for social justice by young adults. This multifaith panel will discuss the connection between one's faith and working for social justice; how different faith communities approach positive social change; the variations in different traditions' approaches to justice; and each panelists' work for positive change in their communities. This event is co-sponsored by Minnesota Council of Churches and Augsburg College Campus Ministries.

Precinct Caucuses: We encourage everyone to attend precinct caucuses! The major political parties are convening caucuses Tuesday evening, February 2. The Secretary of State's website can help you find your caucus, and JRLC has three sample resolutions you might want to introduce that help move our legislative goals forward.

Rally and Action to save GAMC

WHEN: Thursday, February 4, 2010, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
WHO: YOU, and hundreds of others who want to protect the poor and vulnerable
WHERE: The Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul

In a matter of weeks, 35,000 Minnesotans will lose necessary health coverage with the elimination of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) UNLESS WE ACT. The 2010 session of the Minnesota legislature begins on February 4th and concerned Minnesotans will rally at the Capitol to protect the poorest and sickest Minnesotans - those who rely on GAMC for their health care coverage. Join with people throughout the state to call for justice, and to connect with your legislators to encourage them to Save GAMC!

Event on Impartial Courts: Citizens League Mind Opener:

WHEN: Impartial Courts, Monday, February 1 Doors open 5:30 p.m. | Program 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Macalester College, Weyerhauser Hall Board Room, 62 Macalester Street, St. Paul

Admission: $5 members, $10 nonmembers. Light appetizers provided. Register here. Featuring: Justice G. Barry Anderson, Associate Supreme Court Justice and Leo Brisbois, president, Minnesota State Bar Association. Our current system of electing judges puts the impartiality of the courts at risk. Minnesota has avoided high priced campaigns thus far, but Wisconsin had a judicial election costing $6.2 million in 2007. We can't wait for this type of big money campaign to come to Minnesota. As part of the Coalition for Impartial Justice, we are seeking to pass a ballot initiative at the upcoming session of the MN Legislature to give voters the opportunity in November 2010 to vote for a new approach to judicial elections that would minimize the opportunity for expensive, negative campaigns to elect judges.

This issue became even more urgent due to last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow corporate funding of campaigns. Note well this excerpt from Justice Stevens’ dissenting opinion: The consequences of today’s holding will not be limited to the legislative or executive context. The majority of the States select their judges through popular elections. At a time when concerns about the conduct of judicial elections have reached a fever pitch, see, e.g., O’Connor, Justice for Sale, Wall St. Journal, Nov. 15, 2007, p. A25; Brief for Justice at Stake et al. as Amici Curiae 2, the Court today unleashes the floodgates of corporate and union general treasury spending in these races.

A Benefit for Haiti: This is beyond our usual scope (but so is the tragedy) so we want to plug an event being organized this Saturday by our friend Cheryl Morgan-Spencer and Community Action of Minneapolis:

WHAT: A Benefit for Haiti, Saturday, January 30th, 2010
WHERE: International Market Square, 275 Market Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405
WHEN: Social Hour 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm
Program 7:30 pm until 8:15 pm
Music/Dancing 8:30 pm until 11:30 pm

Admission is $ 20.00 per person. This is an Adult venue. There will be a Cash Bar. Entertainment will be provided by the Twin Cities' own Maxx Band. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served. FFI, call Cheryl at 612-767-1713.