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One of the things discussed over election night beers and post-election day cups of coffee today – was which candidates ran good campaigns.  You can have the best candidate in the world but a bad campaign will ruin their chances of election. Good campaign staff can be hard to find – long hours and low...
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Voters in parts of Shadyside (7th Ward) and Bloomfield (8th Ward) may not be able to vote, unless people sign on for open slots in the district Boards of Election. (These are the people who have you sign in and set up the machine for you to vote. They are also the ones who...
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When campaigns begin to sputter and hemorage support close to Election Day, this is the time when they often begin to engage in disgusting and illegal tactics. Exhibit A:  At least one elderly woman was reportedly harassed at her door for telling a Coghill-canvasser that she was suppoorting Natalia Rudiak in the District 4 City...
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The annual conference for lefty political bloggers – Netroots Nation – will be held in Pittsburgh in August 2009. If you are in Pittsburgh and want to learn more about getting involved – please join the PghRoots Google Group to connect to others and share info about the conference. Subscribe to pghroots Email: Visit this group
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This important bill for equality is receiving some resistance from local residents. Please call your representative to demonstrate support for the bill: PROPOSAL/ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This legislation would amend the act of O ctober 27, 1955(P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for findings and declaration of policy, for right to...
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Requiring voters to show ID every time they vote is a barrier to voting. Contact your state representative and senator, and members of the relevant committees, and ask them to vote against such a requirement. You can find your representatives’ contact information here. The Senate Bill in question can be found here. Here are some helpful talking...
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From the folks at PUMP: A+ Schools and PUMP believe that the City and the region rely on an excellent public school system in order to prosper. But the school system will only be as good as its leadership demands.  Board Watch is an effort to engage and inform the community about school board governance...
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Remember the big debacle last year regarding a certain LED billboard on a certain transportation center (at the corner of Grant and 11th Streets in Downtown Pittsburgh)? (See this, that, or the other post from last year.) Well, lucky for us, we have a say in the issue. As the City prepares to develop...
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Image by Getty Images via Daylife From Agent Ska   I received the following email from the Duquesne Democrats.  “…The second opportunity available is something *name* pointed out to me earlier this week and that is a few unpaid internships within the mayors office: “The campaign is looking for several hard-working, and self-motivated unpaid interns for this semester. Though...
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State Budget Basics 101: What Every Progressive Leader Needs to Know With the current economic situation, understanding Pennsylvania’s revenue system, tax policy and budget is a critical priority for people involved in progressive advocacy, politics and policy. Join Susan Gobreski, Executive Director of Education Voters PA and Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and...
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Who: YOU! What: Petition Party and P2PAC Fundraiser ($10 contribution requested) Where: Over The Bar Bicycle Cafe (2518 East Carson Street) When: 02/17/09 @ 6:00 p.m. Why: because Pittsburgh deserves better We will have drink specials until 7pm! Over The Bar is accessible by the following PAT buses- 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D, 51G, 54C, and 84C. It is a non-smoking...
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According to Pop City, Dan Onorato will hold the second in a series of cyber town hall meetings tomorrow, in which constituents can ask direct questions of the County Executive and receive answers via streaming video: During the first cyber meeting, Onorato addressed hard-hitting questions on why property assessments have increased, the need for better...
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Ready to be Heard: Advocacy Training Seize your opportunity to communicate with government on behalf of your community, organization or small business! A great workshop for community activists, organizers, students, business owners, or just voters, designed to empower and educate you to influence government. The new administration in Washington, brings new opportunities and challenges, now is the...
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Image by Getty Images via Daylife Tuesday February 3rd, 2009 is the Special Election to for Pittsburgh City Council District 2.  After reading this article from the City Paper about the lack of interest in the District 2 Special Election – we thought it was worth shedding some light on the fact that Tuesday is...
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This looks like a great opportunity if you are working on a green project. Greenworks, a company that makes green cleaning products, the Sierra Club, EcoFabulous and The Lazy Environmentalist are sponsoring a contest to give away 5 $10,000 grants. We want to recognize and reward you for your efforts to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle....
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