You’ve Registered to Vote: Now What?

Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash

This guest edition is brought to you by motivote.

You’re passionate about politics and civic engagement. You’re registered to vote, you call your representatives to voice your concerns, and you talk with your friends and family about why elections matter. But how do you make sure your network actually turns out and VOTES on Election Day? 

Enter motivote. We’re a new, digital platform helping voters more effectively hold themselves and their friends accountable for voting in US elections. And today, we’re taking you through a civic workout on how to effectively turn out your friends and family on election day. 

Read More →

Kids in Custody

Photo by Juan Pablo Arenas from Pexels

The system for detaining immigrant children and teenagers has been straining to deal with the number of minors Trump administration policy has pushed into it. Children live in government custody not just at the southern border, but all over the US, including in places like Chicago. Children who turn 18 while awaiting placement with a sponsor are sometimes sent instantly to jail. The government has been slowto reunite families it separated at the border. In cases where minors came unaccompanied in the hopes of joining family already here, those family members risk being deported themselves if they come forward.

Read More →

Tax Reform 2.0

Photo: Pexels, https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-black-pen-921783/

Last week, the Republican-chaired House Ways and Means Committee passedproposals for a “Tax Reform 2.0” bill. House Speaker Paul Ryan has talked about holding a vote in the House of Representatives by the end of the month. What would this bill do? It would make last year’s GOP-approved tax cuts for the wealthy permanent (did we mention that those tax cuts are creating unprecedented federal deficits, and are increasingly unpopular?). The GOP is pushing for more tax cut laws largely in an effort to improve GOP turnout in November’s midterm elections.

Read More →