Al Franken's Blog, page 47
July 30, 2014
African-American community leaders launch grassroots campaign for Al
Alexandra Fetissoff, Communications Director
ST. PAUL [07/30/14]— Today, Sen. Al Franken’s re-election campaign announced the launch of “African Americans for Al,” a grassroots group of more than 150 influential community members coming together to talk to voters about the hard work Al is doing to fight for economic justice and greater opportunity for all Minnesotans.
The group kicked off their launch at the 31st annual Rondo Days and will continue with events in communities across the state to engage, mobilize and empower voters ahead of November. Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter, State Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, State Sen. Jeff Hayden, State Rep. Rena Moran and civil rights leader Dr. Josie Johnson will serve as co-chairs.
“There are too many jobs that sit empty in America because people don’t have the skills they need to fill them. Senator Franken’s work to support partnerships between businesses and community colleges to give people the skills they need to fill these jobs is critical to improving our communities,” said State Sen. Hayden.
“Senator Franken’s commitment to making sure thousands of Minnesota families have access to quality health care has been an important step toward making our communities even better. Our work is far from over, and that’s why we need to make sure Senator Franken is re-elected in November,” said State Rep. Moran.
“Senator Franken works hard every day to make life better for Minnesotans, whether that’s tackling the achievement gap, fighting for college affordability or working to put an end to the foreclosure crisis. We need him fighting for our families in the Senate,” said Commissioner Carter.
“Senator Franken saw the devastation that happened in communities all across Minnesota during the 2008 financial collapse. His dedication to protecting Minnesota families and taking on Wall Street and the credit rating agencies for their shady practices is why we need him fighting for us in the Senate,” said State Sen. Champion.
“Senator Franken is a strong supporter of civil rights, including people’s fundamental right to vote which he believes is critical for our democracy. I look forward to working with my community and making sure Senator Franken is re-elected in November,” said Dr. Johnson.
Sen. Franken has worked side by side with leaders in the African American community on key issues, such as working to bring more resources to job training programs, fighting for college affordability, raising the federal minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance for millions of Minnesotans and Americans and fighting the foreclosure crisis.
Take ownership of this grassroots movement — join African Americans for Al today.
The post African-American community leaders launch grassroots campaign for Al appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 28, 2014
“It only made sense”
Sara Cederberg, Digital Director
Stepping up to volunteer isn’t easy — especially when you have a family to take care of and a demanding job.
But for Carol G., logging several hours at her local field office in St. Paul is worth it. You can find her at the greeter’s table, where she gets visitors signed in with a big smile and directs them to where they need to be — usually a canvass training or phone bank.
“I’ve seen how much Al cares, both in the Senate and here in Minnesota. He takes the time to shake as many hands as he can at local parades, and gives thoughtful pause to everyone’s opinions. He’s fighting for families — not the special interests. Those are the qualities I value in someone who represents my community.”
When asked why she was spending a sunny Saturday inside, she was quick to respond.
“Al’s worked so hard for Minnesota — it only made sense to return the favor and work hard for him.”
It’s easy to join Carol as a volunteer in the St. Paul office, or in an office near you — just click here to sign up.
The post “It only made sense” appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 25, 2014
The Hill: Ethanol mandate: Going up?
White House adviser John Podesta has indicated the administration plans to raise the amount of ethanol and other biofuels that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said Thursday.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed draft on blending volumes, which was released late last year, cut the amount of biofuels that refiners would need to mix into their fuels. The plan represented the first time the agency had lowered the target from the previous year.
While the primary focus of Thursday’s meeting between Podesta and Senate Democrats was on biodiesel volumes, Franken said the adviser mentioned that the final blending mandates would likely be higher than what the EPA had initially proposed.
The post The Hill: Ethanol mandate: Going up? appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 24, 2014
Star Tribune: Insurers to pay premium refunds
Insurers will refund about $330 million in premiums to 6.8 million consumers across the country in the coming weeks as a result of the Affordable Care Act. About $523,000 of that will funnel into Minnesota businesses, according to federal data to be released Thursday.
The payments come as insurance companies comply with a provision of the federal health law that requires them to spend at least 80 cents of every dollar on medical care. If marketing or other administrative costs eat up a larger share of premiums, insurers have to give consumers some of their money back.
All of Minnesota’s rebates come from insurance policies sold by Connecticut General Life Insurance Co., better known as Cigna, for plans sold to businesses with more than 50 employees. Last year, the insurer paid out $451,500 in rebates to Minnesota businesses.
In a statement, Cigna spokesman Phil Mann said the insurer based its 2013 premium rates in Minnesota on our past claims experience as well as expected claims and utilization, which is standard practice in the industry.
“We have a fairly small large-group employer client base in Minnesota, which raises the relative volatility associated with how claims ultimately emerge,” he said, “and, in the end, the actual claims of our Minnesota clients generated a rebate.”
The federal report doesn’t make clear how many Minnesota businesses will receive refunds. Payments cover premiums on about 1,900 workers and are worth an average rebate of $522 per family.
Typically, the money goes to the organization and not to individual workers. Companies must reinvest the rebates in action that improves the health coverage of the workforce, such as wellness activities or “premium holidays.”
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., who sponsored the provision, said in an e-mail that he was pleased to see cost-saving measures play out.
“Minnesotans’ health care premium dollars shouldn’t be spent on marketing or huge bonuses for executives — they should go toward paying for actual care,” he said.
The post Star Tribune: Insurers to pay premium refunds appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 23, 2014
8 Reasons To Apply For A Team Franken Fall Internship
Sophie Stillman, Digital Intern
The reviews are in: #TeamFranken interns are having the best summer ever, and they want you to know why you should join our team this fall.
1. We’re no longer just learning about campaigns and politics in a classroom — we get to experience them firsthand.
2. We’re rolling up our sleeves and gaining real campaign experience – not just fetching coffee.
3. There are so many elements that go into building a campaign, and each one is just as important as the next.
4. We’re learning the “do’s and don’t’s” of campaigning — from digital to field.
5. We turn everything into a competition…and we mean everything.
6. Even though we work really hard, we always manage to have fun.
7. Team Franken is like one big happy family.
8. We’re working hard for Senator Franken, who works even harder for the people of Minnesota.
Make it a fall you won’t forget. Apply for an internship with Team Franken today.
The post 8 Reasons To Apply For A Team Franken Fall Internship appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 22, 2014
Northland News: Workforce Development Bill to help close skills gap
Nationwide, 3 million jobs aren’t being filled because workers don’t have the skills to fill the positions. President Obama signed a measure on Tuesday to help reduce that skills gap.
It’s called the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and it passed with support from both political sides.
Senator Al Franken (D-Minn) says the bill will give each state flexibility to create a streamlined workforce development system.
The post Northland News: Workforce Development Bill to help close skills gap appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 20, 2014
Weekend plans?
Josh Nussbaum, Field Director
Did you see Al’s email this morning? We’re gearing up for our biggest weekend yet — here’s why:
Dear Josh,
Do you have plans next weekend?
If not, I’ve got some for you — it will be 100 days out from Election Day and our field team is hosting a 100 Days Out Weekend of Action. There will be events throughout the state starting Saturday. And you can spend some time giving them a hand.
Have weekend plans already? Cancel them.
We are 100 days out from this election. Your time is one of the most valuable things you can give to a campaign. It’s also one of the most rewarding — and yes, fun — things you can do with your weekend.
You get to meet great progressives who believe in the same cause. You get to talk to your neighbors about the importance of this election. And maybe, just maybe, there will be food.
So forget the pool. Tell your friends the BBQ is off. And sign up to help out at our 100 Days Out Weekend of Action.
Thanks,
Al
P.S.: You don’t have to cancel plans. You can still have the BBQ. There are lots of events going on around the state — and you can pick where you go and for how long. Just sign up today and a coordinator will set you up with a time slot that works for you.
The post Weekend plans? appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 19, 2014
Star Tribune: Troops, families gather in Minneapolis to reconnect
Hundreds of military members and their families from across the country attended a Minneapolis event Saturday to help them better adjust to life before and after overseas deployments.
It’s part of the many efforts nationwide to help troops reintegrate into life back home.
“As a soldier, when I go to deploy, it’s Friday. When I come home a year later, it’s Saturday … but all these life events go on,” said Bryan Taylor of the Fort McCoy, Wis.-based 88th Regional Support Command, which put on the reintegration conference.
Saturday’s program was mostly for Army Reserve soldiers and their families, who came from 66 units across 36 states. And for the first time, they hosted a public official — U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., and his wife, Frannie, who thanked the veterans and their families for the difficult separations that they endure in order to serve their country.
The post Star Tribune: Troops, families gather in Minneapolis to reconnect appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 17, 2014
New TV ad highlights Al’s fight to improve food safety
Matt Burgess, Campaign Manager
Today we released our latest TV ad that focuses on the hard work Al is doing for Minnesota. The ad highlights Al’s success in getting a law passed to make sure tainted food can be tracked and taken off the grocery shelves immediately.
The 60-second ad — titled “Proud” — is now running statewide. It features Jeff Almer, a Minnesotan who lost his mother suddenly after she ate peanut butter contaminated with salmonella. Her death occurred during several fatal E. coli and salmonella outbreaks nationwide.
After the outbreaks, Sen. Franken worked hard and helped pass a food safety bill. The legislation included a key Franken-backed provision to improve the traceability of tainted foods. This law helps trace contaminated food so it can be recalled by the Food and Drug Administration and immediate removed from grocery store shelves. The Food Safety Modernization Act was signed into law in January 2011.
Almer’s story is particularly tragic, since before the Franken-backed law the tainted peanut butter that led to his mother’s death sat on the shelves for months because the FDA was unable to quickly track and recall the contaminated food.
The ad ends with Almer telling Minnesotans, “It actually makes me laugh because my mom was a staunch Republican, and the fact that I was using her story and working with Al Franken. I think she would say, ‘You know, I’m proud of you for what you did. And thank you for helping others.’”
The post New TV ad highlights Al’s fight to improve food safety appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
July 15, 2014
National Journal: In Net Neutrality Push, Democrats Aim to Make the Internet a Utility
Sen. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, collected signatures for a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission to regulate the Internet like the telephone system.
Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Al Franken of Minnesota, as well as independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, have signed on, aides confirmed. The lawmakers have planned a Tuesday morning press conference with Internet advocacy groups on net neutrality.
In the letter, the senators argue that stronger authority is necessary to enact net-neutrality rules that prevent broadband providers such as Comcast from manipulating traffic to favor giant corporations.
“Consumers and businesses cannot live without this vital connection to each other and to the world around them. Accordingly, it would be appropriate for the FCC to reclassify broadband to reflect the vital role the Internet plays in carrying our most important information and our greatest ideas.”
The post National Journal: In Net Neutrality Push, Democrats Aim to Make the Internet a Utility appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
Al Franken's Blog
- Al Franken's profile
- 651 followers
