Category Archives: Intentional Communities

Last weekend, Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinOn The Money Biden extends student loan relief Overnight Health Care FDA endorses first pill to treat COVID-19 Energy & Environment Advocates lookfor Plan Bclimate legislation MORE (D-W.Va.) threw a wrench into discussions of the Build Back Better (BBB) Act by indicating he does not currently support its passage imperiling the bills future and delaying the urgent funding it would provide to support families reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and take crucial climate action.

In response, the United Mine Workers of America (which represents, among others, West Virginias coal miners) issued astatementnoting BBB would provide critical support for workers as the inevitable decline of coal industry jobs continues, as well as create new opportunities for jobs in the clean energy-based economy, to which the world must transition quickly to prevent the worst impacts from climate change.

The U.S. coal industry has beendeclining for years;over the last decade, market forces such as low natural gas prices and rapidly expanding solar and wind energy (as well as the expanding use of automation in coal production) have turned coal mining into a shadow of what it once was. At the end of 2020, there wereonly 43,180 coal miners remainingin the United States, and communities fromWest VirginiatoMontanatoKentuckyare feeling the economic pain of coals decline (as well as itslingering pollution). As these workers many of whose families have spent years or even generations in this industry look toward the future, they deserve assurance that they wont be abandoned by their employers and left with no economic opportunities.

But a transition that supports fossil workers and communities is not going to happen on its own. We need intentional policies that invest in these workers and communities.

The hundreds of billions of dollars of investment in clean energy and climate actions included in the BBB bill will be a net win for the economy and American jobs; the Economic Policy Instituteprojectsthat it will support 3.2 million jobs over the 10-year budgeting period. The BBB act would ensure that federal investments go to communities that disproportionately bear the burden of pollution and those that are dependent on the fossil fuel sectors that are in decline.

The Build Back Better bill includes a range of provisions that would support miners in West Virginia and beyond. It would give a four-year extension to a fund through which coal companies support miners who have contracted black lung disease; without BBB, this fund will be cut in half on Jan. 1. The BBB act would make key investments in fossil fuel communities, including $5 billion for the Department of Energys Energy Community Reinvestment Financing Program to support low-carbon investments in energy communities, and $5 billion for the Economic Development Administration to develop regional economic growth clusters and award grants for economic development in energy transition communities and others with a history of economic distress. It would also provide additional tax incentives to encourage the building of clean energy and advanced energy manufacturing facilities in energy communities including those impacted by the closure of coal mines and coal-fired electricity generating units where they will generate local revenue and serve as a new source of employment for former miners. And it would penalize companies if they deny their workers the ability to unionize, thus helping to protect workers right to organize and collectively advocate for higher wages, better benefits and safer working conditions.

In addition, other climate provisions in BBB can help disadvantaged communities across areas historically dependent on fossil fuel production, such as the entire Appalachian region. Examples include investments in improving water infrastructure to provide clean drinking water, improving stormwater and wastewater infrastructure (including $225 million to help families struggling to pay their water and wastewater bills), and replacing lead water service lines. The BBB bill also includes environmental and climate justice block grants that can help clean up pollution from shuttered or abandoned fossil fuel sites and create a Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator, which will invest in clean energy projects across the country while delivering 40 percent of the benefits of investments to disadvantaged communities. These investments are long overdue and can go a long way to improve the public health and economic vitality of regions that have borne the brunt of fossil fuel pollution for decades.

Further, BBB provisions propose not just to create jobs in the clean energy future, but to ensure these newly created jobs are high-quality, support families and are accessible to a diverse and growing workforce. To access the full value of BBBs signature,emissions-reducing tax incentives, designed to drive the deployment of clean energy and electric vehicles, employers must meet wage and apprenticeships standards. Specifically, employers must pay wages that meet or exceed a locally determined, position-based floor during construction, and in some cases after. They must also ensure that a certain percentage of total labor hours support qualified apprenticeships.

We are already seeing what the collapse of the coal industry looks like when there are no protections in place but it doesnt have to be this way. Among its massive other benefits, passing the BBB act will help manage this essential economic transition to create a zero-carbon world without leaving coal miners and other workers behind.

Dan Lashofis thedirector of World Resources, United States. Follow him on Twitter:@DLashof

Devashree Sahais asenior associateat World Resources Institute, United States. Follow her on Twitter:@Devashree_Saha

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Build Back Better is crucial to boost climate action without leaving coal miners behind | TheHill - The Hill

Just a year ago, many Americans had probably never heard of the phrase critical race theory, but now it's everywhereexploding into the public consciousness and causing debates in communities nationwide, including in Ohio.

But why?

Some parents think it's sending students the wrong message about our nations history and future.

CRT claims that we're a nation founded on white supremacy, patriarchy and oppression, said Robin Blake, co-chair of Moms for Liberty Medina County. Whereas you know, when we look at the real birth of our country, the Fourth of July 1776, you know, we were told all men are created equal as the creator created us.

I know that critical race theory is just a means to take capitalism out of this country to move into communism. And by telling us like, okay, the kids up here need to be brought down here, said Jocelyn Coppock, co-chair of Moms for Liberty Medina County. Its equality. That's what this critical race theory is about bringing equality which is communism.

Moms for Liberty is a national nonprofit organization thats stated mission is to organize, educate and empower parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.

Blake and Coppock both oppose critical race theory and believe it's being pushed by both lawmakers and private citizens to sow division into communities.

You're teaching kids that you're different based on your skin color, and that's not what makes people different, it's their character. And that is a huge problem with critical race theory, said Coppock.

Educators we spoke with said many people dont understand what critical race theory is and where it is taught.

It was originally a class that was designed by a professor at a law school to deal with the impact of race on the development of this country, said Mwatabu Okantah, the interim chair of the Department of Africana Studies at Kent State University.

Reuters defines critical race theory as an approach to studying U.S. policies and institutions that is most often taught in law schools. Its foundations date back to the 1970s, when law professors including Harvard Law Schools Derrick Bell began exploring how race and racism have shaped American law and society.

Okantah believes the critical race theory controversy stems from some parents being uncomfortable with the content of those topics and their children learning them.

It seems to me when I listened to some of these people talking about critical race theory, their concern is if you teach this stuff to young white children, that they are somehow going to feel guilty and feel ashamed, said Okantah. Well, I've been teaching white students for 40 years and do some of them experience guilt? Yes. But how do we deal with it in class? I make it plain to my students you are not responsible for this. This is America's history.

No one is accusing the United States in this sense of being a racist country, but racism exists in the country. It's a country whose political economy was founded on chattel slavery and all kinds of consequences have accrued from that, said Okantah.

But is critical race theory actually being taught in K-12 classrooms? Coppock thinks so.

From what I understand from people on the state board, they are pushing this stuff. They're being sneaky about it, said Coppock.

News 5 reached out to the Ohio Department of Education which said it does not reference critical race theory in its learning standards or model curricula, although ultimately, local school boards have complete control over curriculum decisions.

I don't think there's been any change in the curriculum. The state standards are what they are, said Scott DiMauro, the president of the Ohio Education Association.

DiMauro has been a high school social studies teacher for 31 years and said he didnt know anything about critical race theory until he heard people who are opposed talk about it earlier this year.

I think there are some politicians and think tanks, particularly people looking at how to find issues, culture war issues that will allow them to get advantages in upcoming elections, said DiMauro.

He believes the debate is taking away from work being done statewide to ensure all students, regardless of background, get a high-quality education.

We have to be intentional about diversity, intentional about equity, intentional about inclusion, and unfortunately, under the guise of the critical race theory debate, those important efforts have been called into question, said DiMauro.

Coppock and Blake said they dont really want any changes to what schools are teaching children; they just dont want critical race theory in the curriculum.

I think just truth and just encouraging civil debate among all the issues, said Blake. I think sometimes kids are told, It's this way or no way. I just love debate. We can all agree to disagree as long as it's all for our mutual benefit I think.

We just don't want this this new stuff introduced to our children, because it's all about pushing an agenda, said Coppock.

However, Okantah and DiMauro think, instead, race needs to be a bigger part of the conversation in order to move forward together.

I think white people in America need to begin to talk to each other about the negative impact that racism has had in their lives. And I think if they engage in that conversation, that's when we will get beyond this, said Okantah.

Its not about assigning blame. It's not about pointing fingers, but it is about understanding the truth, understanding the whole picture of who we are as a nation, what has made us great, what our weaknesses are, and what are the things that we need to do to be better, said DiMauro.

Jade Jarvis is a reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Crisis in the Classroom: Decoding the critical race theory debate - News 5 Cleveland

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a package of legislation that will improve New York's response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This legislative package will take a major step forward in the State's efforts to increase vaccination rates and study the effects this pandemic has had on our economy and health care system.

"We need to make sure we learn the lessons of the pandemic so we don't make the same mistakes twice,"Governor Hochul said."These new laws will help us improve our response to the pandemic now, crack down on fraudulent use of vaccination records, and help us better understand the areas of improvement we need to make to our health care system so we can be even more prepared down the road."

Falsification of COVID-19 Vaccination Records

Legislation (S.4516-C/A.7536-B) adds clarification that a COVID Vaccination Card shall be considered a written instrumentfor purposes of the forgery statutewhichmakes the falsification of COVID-19 VaccinationCardsa class D felony. It alsocreates a new E felony of computer tampering in the third degreefor intentional entering, alteration or destruction of "computer material" regarding COVID-19 vaccine provisions. Individuals who misrepresent their vaccination history, not only jeopardize their own health, but the health of all those they come into contact with. This legislation ensures that as New York opens up and many businesses choose to rely on checking vaccination status, the falsification of vaccination records will not be tolerated.

Senator Anna M. Kaplansaid, With the omicron variant putting our community at greater risk and threatening the progress we've made recovering from the pandemic, countless employers, schools, small businesses, and communities are relying on genuine proof of vaccination status as a tool to keep their spaces safe from COVID transmission. It's never been more urgent that we protect this process from fraud so that the health and safety of the public isn't compromised by bad actors using fraudulent vaccination cards or passports. The 'Truth in Vaccination' law will serve as a strong deterrent to prevent people from lying about their vaccination status, protecting public health, and ensuring our economic recovery can move forward. I'm grateful for Governor Hochul's leadership in combating this crisis, and I'm thankful for my partnership with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz to get this critical law passed through the legislature."

Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitzsaid, "The data is clear on vaccination requirements they work. However, the remarkable ease at which it appears that New Yorkers could falsify vaccination records to feign compliance is astonishing. This new law will undoubtedly help prosecutors and other law enforcement hold people accountable for the damage they are doing to public health by undermining the efficacy of vaccination requirements in workplaces, businesses, restaurants, and more. Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing this legislation into law, and to State Senator Kaplan for her partnership leading this bill through the other chamber."

Improving Schools Access to the Statewide Immunization Database

Legislation (S.4962/A.5062) gives schools improved access to the statewide immunization database, requiring the Department of Health (DOH) to allow every school access to the immunization records for their students. Currently, schools that are not school based health-centers have read-only access to the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). This leads to schools having to individually search each of their student's immunization records andmanually downloading them into their database. With the recent surge in students five to eighteen getting vaccinated, allowing schools the ability to download their full roster of vaccination data will save hours for staff, and improve the infection response from schools.

Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick said, This new law allows school nurses to spend more time focusing on the health of the kids in their care than on tedious bureaucratic tasks. I was proud to sponsor this bipartisan legislation to cut red tape and make sure that healthcare professionals in schools spend more time caring, and less time typing. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we need to make our healthcare and education systems more efficient, more compassionate, and more effective, and this law is an important part of the package of bills the Governor has signed to keep New York moving in the right direction.

Assemblymember Dr. Anna R. Kellessaid, School nurses have played a critical role in the health and mental well-being of school children over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. We owe it to our children to ensure nurses are caring for them and not bogged down with data entry. Nurses spent thousands of hours manually inputting students records. This law allows nurses to focus on students not data. This is particularly vital as students struggle with heightened levels of mental and emotional issues related to the pandemic, which, especially in young children, often present as stomach aches, pain, and headaches. School nurses have been on the front lines of this crisis and I am grateful to Governor Hochul for signing this bill today and relieving some of their burden.

DOH to Conduct Medical Care Study Related to the Pandemic

Legislation (S.6375/A.5713) directs the Commissioner of Health to conduct a study of the delivery of ambulatory care and other medical care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.The commissioner will then make recommendations to improve the delivery, quality, accessibility, and cost of the full range of ambulatory health care services required by the community. The findings and recommendations will then be published on DOHs website. This bill will help to improve medical access for New Yorkers, especially those in public hospital deserts that rely on ambulatory care more heavily. A similar study was conducted in 2017, so this is an opportunity to see how the pandemic has affected our medical care system.

Senator Diane Savinosaid, There are no public hospitals located on Staten Island and several other areas throughout the state, resulting in public hospital deserts. This study of ambulatory health services in the state in response to the COVID -19 pandemic will help provide a roadmap to where state resources are and where they need to be. I commend my colleague Assemblyman Charles Fall for bringing this issue to that forefront and I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this bill into law.

Assemblymember Charles D. Fall said, Since there are no public hospitals located on Staten Island and in certain parts of New York State, many residents rely on community-based health care for a wide variety of medical services, including physicals, injury related and illness diagnosis and care, rapid lab tests and screening, pediatric care and women's wellness needs for some of the most vulnerable residents. As we continue to address this pandemic and its variants, which continues to wreak havoc on our daily lives, we need to make sure that residents continue to receive their healthcare needs. Having residents who may be elderly or lack reliable transportation to travel to another facility during heightened federal and state protocols is detrimental to the well-being of all New York residents, especially those residing on the North Shore of Staten Island. I want to thank Senator Savino for championing this bill in the Senate.

DFS to Conduct Study on COVID-19 Impact

Legislation (S.6070-A/A.7324-A) directs the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to conduct a study on impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on underbanked and underserved areas, small businesses and minority- and women-owned business enterprises getting loans. Minority and low-income areas were hit especially hard by the pandemic, so this legislation will provide State government officials on how banking was effected in these communities and what solutions there are to create more accessible banking.

Senator Sanders Jr.said, Because minority and low-income communities were disproportionately impacted by the COVID19 pandemic it is important for policymakers and the public to understand the impact of banking or lack of banking may have had on these communities. We need to study and learn what we can do to support these communities in the future when it comes to the banking sector.

Assemblymember Khaleel Andersonsaid, I am encouraged that Governor Hochul has signed my bill (A-7324A/S-06070A) into law, which will shine a light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in unbanked and underbanked communities. Banking is an essential tool for promoting financial health for residents and increasing access to capital for small businesses and MWBEs, particularly in Black and brown communities across New York City and State.

As Chair of the Subcommittee on Banks in Underserved Communities, I am committed to helping rebuild banking infrastructure in historically under-resourced communities. I commend the Governor for prioritizing this critical study to promote economic recovery for residents and small business owners in Black and brown communities statewide who struggle with access to credit and capital."

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Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Improve State Response to COVID-19 Pandemic - ny.gov

CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Blackbaud(NASDAQ: BLKB),the world's leading cloud softwarecompany powering social good, today shared ways it is giving back through its global corporate social responsibility (CSR) program through the end of this year. As a company that has been committed to social good since it was founded 40 years ago, Blackbaud's vision is to power an Ecosystem of Good that builds a better world. With its remote-first workforce approach, Blackbaud has implemented several new ways for employees to get involved and give back, whether virtually or in-person.

"Regardless of location or role, the people of Blackbaud are all about giving back, with a particular focus on intentional action in the communities where they personally live and work," said Rachel Hutchisson, vice president, global social responsibility, Blackbaud. "As a company, we join in that spirit through many acts of generosity and service, whichalong with our commitment to ESGare at the heart of who we are as a business serving social good."

Blackbaud's recent contributions and activations to help good take over include:

Over the past year, Blackbaud has made bold commitments to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) program, establishingan ESG steering committee, andreportingon new metrics. Blackbaud alsojoined the United Nations Global Compacta voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices.

Blackbaud was recently recognized on Newsweek's list of America's Most Responsible Companies for its ESG and CSR programs and was also named aU.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Citizens Award winner. Earlier this year, Blackbaud was named a Diversity Championby the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Learn more about ways that Blackbaud gives back in the most recent Blackbaud Social Responsibility Report.

About Blackbaud Blackbaud(NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world's leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good communitynonprofits, higher education institutions, K12 schools, healthcare organizations, faith communities, arts and cultural organizations, foundations, companies and individual change agentsBlackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through cloud software, services, expertise and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and CRM, marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility, school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, payment processing and analytics. Serving the industry for four decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit http://www.blackbaud.comor follow us onTwitter, LinkedIn,Instagram andFacebook.

Media Inquiries [emailprotected]

Forward-looking Statements Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding expected benefits of products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.govor upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.

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Blackbaud Shows Continued Commitment to Giving Back Around the World - PRNewswire

By Dennis W. Pullin

It was a year ago this week that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived at New Jersey hospitals like a much anticipated holiday miracle.

We had visions of finally ending the unsettling pandemic that had gripped us with fear for the better part of 2020.

With awe and respect for the science that ushered in Americas most historic vaccine drive, we stored the early precious vaccine vials in special freezers and referred to them as liquid gold.

I recall that, in the beginning, securing a vaccine appointment was like scoring seats to the hottest concert or sporting event in town. Our call center phone lines crashed at one point, never designed to accommodate so many people wanting a health appointment at once. It was promising and exhilarating.

As we headed into 2021, we were hopeful to be on our way to stopping the spread of this virus and the unconscionable loss of life.

As I reflect on all that has transpired this past year, I find it well worth pausing to celebrate the countless number of lives that have been saved by the courageous efforts of our health care providers and the remarkable impact of these safe and effective vaccines. For this, we truly can be grateful.

Sadly, however, today we face nearly the same daunting surge of hospitalizations as we did a year ago. Only this time, our health care workers are depleted in numbers and wearier in spirit. Many are asking how it is possible that we have a safe and proven solution to the sickness and death, yet, are still in such a state of alarm. Too many Americans remain unvaccinated and, perhaps worse, unfazed by the consequences of their decision.

The future of the COVID-19 pandemic is in our hands, literally. Its not just about whether health care workers keep showing up or whether most people take the right precautions. The future depends on all of us and what we do collectively for ourselves, for our families, for our colleagues and our communities. Its not an either/or moment; its an all-in-together moment.

I have come to learn that the heartlessness of this virus is that there is no real relief. The virus can endure and keep targeting people. It can change and get stronger. Its here to stay until we decide, through our own actions and sense of collective responsibility, to finally stop it. No one is exempt from COVIDs potential devastation and therefore everyone is vulnerable.

The COVID vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety evaluation in U.S. history. The risk vs. benefit equation is clear, and our best path forward to our new normal or next possible is for each of us to be vaccinated.

I know many are looking forward to the holidays and anticipating fun family gatherings and overdue reunions with friends and colleagues. As you think about finding the best gift to bring, I implore you to think beyond what to get and, instead, consider what to do. Perhaps the greatest present we can give those we love is to show up vaccinated a demonstration of an intentional community-centered, life-saving action.

Lets use this season to rewrite the ending of this public health story once and for all. Roll up your sleeves so you can reach out your arms and embrace the new year with renewed hope in humanity.

Dennis W. Pullin is president and CEO of Virtua Health. To date, the South Jersey health care organization has administered almost half a million COVID-19 vaccine doses.

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A holiday miracle that comes in a vial | Opinion - nj.com

Transformational. Historic. Once in a generation. Thats how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has been framed by leaders across the country, including here in Colorado.

Now that funding is starting to be dispersed to Colorado, if we arent intentional and proactive, this funding could maintain the status quo, or even worse, increase the serious, negative impacts our current transportation system has on public health, access to economic opportunity, and the environment.

Colorados Department of Transportation is set to receive federal funding and plug it into existing avenues, like CDOTs 10-Year Plan, which reads like a menu of transportation proposals where highway projects are the entrees and public transit, biking, and walking improvements are side orders.

READ:Colorado Sun opinion columnists.

Doubling down on highway projects will only make life worse for Coloradans, especially for poor communities and communities of color which are most heavily impacted by air pollution, burdensome household transportation costs, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

For too long, weve widened Colorados highways on the misguided assumption that one more lane will fix it. The results? More driving, more fatalities on our roads, and more toxic air pollution.

The benefits from the historic investment in transit under the new federal infrastructure law will be overshadowed by the negative impacts of expanded highways unless we choose a different way forward one that will not only decrease the negative impacts of our current transportation system, but also improve Coloradans quality of life and repair communities who have long taken on the heavy burden of these environmental hazards.

We applaud CDOTs recently adopted Greenhouse Gas Pollution Standard Rule and are hopeful that it will make it easier for government agencies to make decisions that represent a fundamental shift in our transportation system to meet the needs of the moment and the needs of the futureequity, climate, and safety.

We have a few ideas about how Colorado can do that.

First, Colorado should ensure that every dollar that is eligible to be used for public transit projects is allocated for it. Programs like the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, Highway Safety Improvement Program can fund transit projects and, under limited circumstances, even the National Highway Performance Program can be used for transit.

If we are going to meet the transportation needs of a growing state, increase access to opportunities for low income Coloradans, reduce the number of traffic fatalities and achieve our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we must use as much funding as allowable for public transit. Funding new highways moves us in the wrong direction and prevents us from being able to meet those needs and improve the lives of Coloradans.

Next, even though it is not mandated by the infrastructure law, Colorado should commit to a fix-it-first approach with any funding spent on highways.

According to CDOT, more than 100 of Colorados bridges are in disrepair. We must first ensure that our existing infrastructure is safe for people regardless of their choice of transportation. Spending money on new infrastructure while bridges remain in a questionable state of repair all while people walking and biking along CDOTs main streets experience unsafe conditions would be irresponsible, if not negligent.

Lastly, Gov. Polis, CDOT and state leaders should explore opportunities to best capitalize on the momentum from this infusion of federal funding. For this to really be transformational for transportation in Colorado, leaders should consider opportunities at the state level such as providing consistent operating funding for transit agencies and dedicated funding for Indigenous communities to help them build expertise related to transportation and land use so they can take advantage of these new investments. If Indigenous communities are to have a chance to be meaningful contributors to any kind of dialogue with government officials, they first need some relief from the consuming worries of poverty.

The federal infrastructure package includes historic amounts of funding, but where it is spent is what will determine whether its truly a once-in-a-generation opportunity, or whether its just more of the same. Were calling on Gov. Polis and CDOT to think beyond the status quo with this funding. We must get this right in Colorado. Our future depends on it.

Molly McKinley, of Denver, is the policy director of Denver Streets Partnership. Katara Burrola, of Denver, is environmental justice organizer for Mi Familia Vota. Laura Hickernell, of Niwot, is Colorado organizing manager of Mothers Out Front.

The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Suns opinion policy and submit columns, suggested writers and more to opinion@coloradosun.com.

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Opinion: Shift Colorado's transportation priorities away from asphalt and toward mass transit - The Colorado Sun

I am very aware that we are one of the few, if not the only, queer spaces in this neighborhood, says Erin Detroit Vesey, the chef, owner, and chief community-maker of Detroit Veseys, a new multi-purpose all-day space in the former House of Machines at 2028 E. 7th Street. I dont think it was intentional to be the only queer space in the Arts District, it was just how things ended up.

Throughout a sprawling conversation with Vesey at her new restaurant, event location, and community-centered gathering space in the Arts District, topics wind from Veseys work with the cycling non-profit event Aids LifeCycle (a multi-day charity ride that rolls from San Francisco to Los Angeles) to mocktails, drag shows, and Valley pizza parlors. One theme runs through it all: this is just how things ended up. Vesey has spent a lifetime in the restaurant industry, working mostly at mid-level spots from Lincoln in Pasadena to Dune to Silver Lakes Mixto, and feels a deep and personal connection to several different core LA communities, including cycling. Vesey is also queer, and sober, two groups underserved by the hospitality community at large in Los Angeles. I thought it might be cool to mash all of those things I love into once space, says Vesey, adding with a laugh: And it seems like there is a need for it outside of my own personal gain.

Both [cycling and queer] cultures have specific times where you often go and do things, says Vesey, who had spent loads of time at the former House of Machines before the pandemic, ending cycling rides with friends and taking in evening shows. I wanted to figure out how to make that work for an all-day, sober situation. On November 28, the first-time owner/operator formally kicked open the doors, offering a mostly breakfast and lunch menu filled with staple LA options like a breakfast burrito (available vegan), a burger, and a fried chicken sandwich. There are nods to Detroit as a dining town too, like Sanders chocolate, cheese curds, and Faygo sodas, and plans to install a new alcohol license to serve cocktails next year alongside quality mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks for the sober crowd, of course. But ultimately, Vesey knows, her restaurant is less about the food and more about the people who will inhabit it. Opening a restaurant like this... anybody can make this menu. I want to offer space for people to feel comfortable, and not like theyre being judged for not being queer enough, or sober enough, or too sober, or they dont ride the right kind of bike.

To that end, Detroit Veseys large space will offer a variety of programming options in the coming months, from indoor bike parking and cafe tables for laptoppers to down espresso while answering emails to live music events, art exhibitions, and drag shows. Daily bike rides and weekend drag brunches are also planned for 2022, as is a supper club for unhoused youth in Downtown. Itll be a private, sliding-scale meal, says Vesey, and well work with a nonprofit to provide [unhoused youth] with an outfit and a meal for the night. Pre-pandemic, Vesey never planned to have or to be leading any of this. Its just how things ended up.

Detroit Veseys has already been open a month or so, though its garnered almost none of the attention of big-name projects like the incoming Yangban Society around the corner or Guerrilla Tacos at the end of the block. Vesey says shes fine with that; the slower roll-out has allowed her to meet people individually, to grow with her customers while finding her footing as an owner, an overseer, and a gatherer of people and ideas. Most people arent from those communities, says Vesey, theyre just from the neighborhood or whatever. But I think that just being welcoming to people is helpful. Maybe its giving them an experience that they havent had, whether its a sober experience or a queer experience. A colorful mural on the side of the building, painted by friend Nathan Rapport, may offer some sense of the businesss queer connection from the outside, says Vesey, but its not about being any one singular thing, or having any one cultural focus.

The proof is in the pudding, says Vesey. I can talk about community all I want, but until you show up and experience it youre not going to know. I just have to show people that we really are for anyone who walks through the door.

Detroit Veseys is now open at 2028 E. 7th Street in the Arts District, keeping daily hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday-Tuesday) or 9 p.m. (Wednesday through Sunday).

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Detroit Vesey's Is a New Kind of Inclusive Space For Los Angeles - Eater LA

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The City of Tucson was named one of 60 finalists in the U.S. Economic Development Administrations (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge. More than 500 applicants from across the country competed for the Phase One funding of $500,000.

The award is a required first step in the competition for additional funding of up to $100 million in Phase Two. The City of Tucson is the lead applicant in a regional collaboration of under-coordinated industries to create the next growth cluster to serve our arid regionsustainable agriculture, water resources, and clean energy. The Southern Arizona Coalition for Climate Adaptation and Resilience is the embodiment of Mayor Romeros vision for a national epicenter of climate adaptability. The White House is looking at Tucson and Southern Arizona to lead on climate and equity. This grant funding can seed our future if we think regionally, said Mayor Romero.

Congressman Raul Grijalva stated, The City of Tucson is leading the way for a sustainable future. This project will create good-paying jobs for working people and help us tackle the growing threat of climate change. I am proud to support this coalition and their efforts to make our community more equitable, competitive and resilient.

EDA challenged applicants to create a significant regional partnership that would bring together a variety of organizations, both public and private, to identify a strategy for developing and supporting industry-sector growth unique to the region. Applicants were also required to demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion in their proposals. The Citys initial proposal included support from 11 coalition members, 9 municipalities, tribal governments, 22 industry partners and countless additional regional assets conclusively demonstrating that now is the time to leverage momentum, gather joint resources, and make a transformative moonshot to propel our regional economy, and environment, in a new direction. The proposals unique value proposition is in its existing collection of assets, intentional equity-based framework, and the development of a reproducible model for communities to organize around climate challenges at an international scale.

Barbra Coffee, the citys director of Economic Initiatives thinks this is what made the Southern Arizona Coalition proposal stand out. We took the equity framework requirement very seriously when considering our approach, said Coffee. Rather than simply suggest projects that a small coalition of partners thought might be beneficial to the entire region, we decided to create a process to allow widespread community participation in the identification of and selection of the projects that will ultimately be outlined in the Phase Two proposal for funding.

Phase Two proposals will be due in March and must outline implementation plans for 3 to 8 projects that support the industry sector. The coalitions proposal identified five components in which projects would be supported that have the potential to create jobs, increase wages, reduce unemployment in vulnerable communities, and attract high-growth industries. Each one of the primary coalition members will coordinate the review of project proposals from the community in the areas of:

Equity partners also include the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, and Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.

This was truly a regional collaboration, said Startup Tucson CEO Liz Pocock. It was amazing to see partners in our region move so quickly to come together around a shared goal in order to start this conversation. As we move forward, we plan to broaden the dialogue even more so that others currently working in these areas, or that want to work in these areas, can join the efforts and the programs can impact communities that have experienced the hardships of a pandemic and decades of disinvestment.

The University of Arizona is proud to partner with the City of Tucson and other members of the coalition to support use-inspired research, development, and innovation within Southern Arizona. And as the states designated land grant university, we look forward to working within our community on such a timely economic development award, said Elizabeth Betsy Cantwell, senior vice president of research and innovation at the University of Arizona. Tucson is the epitome of a resilient community, and we have tremendous assets that we can leverage to bring quality jobs to Southern Arizona.

For more information on the Southern Arizona Coalition for Climate Adaptation & Resilience, go to ConnectTucson.com and sign up to receive future notifications of meetings and important deadlines.

About the City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives

The City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives coordinates the Citys economic development programs for the purpose of attracting jobs and investment to the City of Tucson. It also offers local small business and entrepreneurial assistance and encourages workforce development to foster a long-term sustainable and diverse local economy. For more information or to contact the Office of Economic Initiatives, visit ConnectTucson.com.

About Startup Tucson

Startup Tucson is 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to transform our regions economy through entrepreneurship and education. Startup Tucson executes this mission by providing education and culture-building programs and events to grow a high-impact entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem. You can find information about the organization here http://www.startuptucson.com. For questions or comments, please reach out to Liz Pocock directly at liz@startuptucson.com.

About the University of Arizona

The University of Arizona, a land-grant university with two independently accredited medical schools, is one of the nations top 50 public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report. Established in 1885, the university is widely recognized as a student-centric university and has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. The university ranked in the top 20 in 2019 in research expenditures among all public universities, according to the National Science Foundation, and is a leading Research 1 institution with $734 million in annual research expenditures. The university advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships as a member of the Association of American Universities, the 66 leading public and private research universities in the U.S. It benefits the state with an estimated economic impact of $4.1 billion annually. For the latest on the University of Arizona response to the novel coronavirus, visit the universitys COVID-19 webpage.

About the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge:

The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is one of EDAs many programs aimed at building strong regional economies and supporting community-led economic development. EDA was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding under the American Rescue Plan to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. For more information about EDAs American Rescue Plan programs, visit http://www.eda.gov/ARPA/.

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City of Tucson Awarded Phase One Build Back Better Challenge Grant from the Economic Development Administration - Signals AZ

The Soul City Community Market is hosting a holiday-themed bazaar Saturdayfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to encourage shopping with local small businesses this holiday season.

Vendors will be selling a range of products including body oils, candles and crafts and live entertainment will be provided by singer/guitarist Xavier Sumter. Vendors include Just Unwind, Tubbys Taste, Ms.Ps Gluten Free, Thank God 4 Raw Vegan Treats and Balm Yard.

The bazaar is a way of bringing people to Chicago Avenue to let them know what is to come and to build a stable presence within the community, said Mel Newman, onsite manager for the Soul City Community Market.

Soul City Community Market was birthed from a collaboration between Liz Abunaw, owner ofForty Acres Fresh Market, and Morris Reed, CEO ofWest Side Health Authority.

The building, a former Salvation Army, was acquired by Morris and Abunaw in 2020 and will become Forty Acresfull-service grocery storeby the end of 2022. In the interim, the space at 5713 W. Chicago Ave. has been made available for local businesses to come in and sell their products via the Soul City Community Market.

The idea behind it is during the summer months, we usually have farmers markets where all of these different resources are available to the community to come out and support local businesses but also to buy products at a lower cost, said Jaidalyn Rand, director of public health initiatives at Westside Health Authority.

So the idea was for us to use this space, because right now its just an empty space until renovation begins, to expand outdoor farmers markets indoors.

Beyond the holiday season, small businesses in Austin, a community that has survivedyears of disinvestment, are in great need of patronage from residents of Austin and beyond.

A stronger economic network can be built when dollars circulate within a community, said Tina Augustus, executive director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

That will require taking out the time to research and see who are the small business owners, minority business owners [in the community] Its all about being intentional with how you shop, Augustus said.

According to theAustin Quality of Life Plan, published in 2018, $159.5 million gets spent outside of Austin by local residents on retail and food.

Dedicated Austin small business owners and community leaders are working to change that.

Typically, small businesses spend their money locally, so theres a compounding impact. If you buy from a local shop, theyre also likely buying from local suppliers local vendors using locally -based business services, Abunaw said.

On top of that, sales tax is very real, and a portion of sales tax stays where its spent. So purchasing locally also helps fund your local municipality just by something you do every day anyway, your normal consumption patterns.

Supporting local businesses is also a way to bring community members together through casual interactions.

Your local businesses are more than just transactional, theyre where you see your neighbors, theyre where you run into your acquaintances, where you run into coworkers. That act of people just pinging off each other creates far more cohesive communities and that all comes with local shopping, said Abunaw.

The holiday bazaar will be Soul City Community Markets last event of the year but there will be weekly food-focused markets starting January 8th.

In addition to the vendors that will be present at the bazaar, here is a list of local businesses to consider supporting this holiday season and beyond:

Avanti Elegant Boutique

Bitoys Sweet Treats

Chicago Eats Sports Bar

Chubbys Char House

Forty Acres Fresh Market

Gone Again Travel and Tours

L & E Vienna

L. May Creations private event space

MacArthurs Restaurant

Maverick Leather LLC Handcrafted leather dog accessories

Naimah Thomas greeting cards, mugs, Afro-centric works

NuBginNs Natural Hair and Wellness Center

Schweet homemade Chicago cheesecake

The Flower Pot & Basket Shop

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Support local businesses this holiday and beyond - AustinTalks

Dr. Pam Hedgpeth Executive Director, Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts| Springfield News-Leader

Public school educators are currently caught in a game of political football, despite the fact that their tireless work is nonpartisan. These professionals are focused on educating children while caring for their health and safety during an ongoing pandemic.

Unfortunately, recent political games are leaving school districts with impossible choices, deepening divisions within our communities and prompting distractions to the learning process. We must call out the political gamesmanship for what it represents: a thinly veiled attack on the very foundation of public education.

I am honored to lead the Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts (GOCSD), which represents 75 school districts and over 125,000 students in southwest Missouri. GOCSD is striving to help community leaders, politicians and other patrons to be intentional in recognizing and valuing the work of public schools.

Schools in southwest Missouri are the hub of our communities, providing a sense of enormous pride. Most educators chose this great profession because of their passion for supporting children. They need our support, and they deserve to be celebrated.

For the first time in my 40-year career, I worry for the future of public education. Sadly, the current toxic climate is beginning to weigh on many of our dedicated educators. A recent survey indicates half of teachers in Missouri have considered leaving the profession.

More: Greene County health leaders urge masks in schools after Missouri's attorney general orders to stop mandates

Unfortunately, teacher salaries in our state remain among the lowest in the country while ongoing litigation, edicts and unrealistic expectations undermine the work. This perfect storm is harming the effort to retain professionals and recruit a new generation of educators.

Last week, the attorney generals letter instructed schools to no longer rely on local public health authorities for guidance. That letter challenges the local control of school boards to make the best decisions for their communities. Public health agencies have unique expertise that schools have long tapped to ensure students and staff are safe from contagious and infectious disease.

Our school leaders and school boards, working in collaboration with local health officials, have demonstrated a commonsense approach to educational policymaking and have a proven record of success. Our children need our school leaders/boards and health experts to work together to make the best local decisions.

More: Local health departments in Missouri halt 'all COVID-19 work' after court ruling, AG letter

In the midst of a novel coronavirus, educators remain focused on maintaining a safe learning environment, ensuring students are prepared for college and/or a career. Thousands of southwest Missouri educators go above and beyond to meet the most basic needs of students, providing the food, clothingand emotional support that are essential to learning. This is the beauty of public education.

Now is the time for friends of public schools to become more vocal. We need to send a clear message of support and denounce the recent divisive actions and rhetoric, which make it more difficult to educate children. We must not be intimidated into silencebut, rather, boldly share support for our local public schools. Far too much is at stake.

Dr. Pam Hedgpeth is the executive director ofGreater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts.

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Opinion: Friends of public education, its time to speak up - News-Leader