The SWOP crew returned safe and sound from 3 days in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday. We attended the Pushback Network’s 2nd National Convening, “Pushing Back, Moving Forward”. A group of 10 staff, board, and members came together with the SAGE Council to represent the New Mexico Pushback State Alliance. We taught, learned, shared, and strategized with other community organizers from around the country. Read More
Sixteen Kentuckians with KFTC and our allies at KY Jobs With Justice have been in Nevada for the last several days at a big convening of the PUSHBACK Network. Over 160 members and staff from PUSHBACK ally organizations gathered to make connections between our various grassroots base-building organizations so we can learn from eachother, particularly around voter empowerment campaigns to educate and mobilize voters in our respective states.
It’s an honor and a privilege to be here and to share with this group. It’s about meeting people and really coming together to build the world we want to see. – Tayna Fogle, Kenton County
Workshops included pieces on the US Census, inter-generational organizing, integrating voter work with issue work, fundraising, green jobs, voter list management, and tax and fiscal policy. There was also a strong emphasis on peer-to-peer learning – making connections between organizations and members to lead to more exchanges and learning in the future. Read More
Supporters of a public option in health care reform legislation rallied in western Las Vegas on Saturday.
Demonstrators, who gathered at the intersection of Fort Apache and Russell roads, called on lawmakers to pass sweeping reforms of what they characterized as a broken and inefficient heath care system.
“Nevada has one of the highest rates of uninsured in the country and that affects every Nevadan. It’s a tremendous drain and its a tremendously inefficient waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce, D-Las Vegas. “Everyone should be insured and everyone should have access to health care.”
The rally spotlighted Democrat-backed efforts to pass a comprehensive health care reform bill. House Democrats this month introduced a bill that would establish a public health insurance program to compete with private plans, and Senate Democrats are considering similar proposals. Read More
