September 23, 2009

The Fair Elections Now Coalition, which represents seven national campaign reform organizations, today praised Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) for his leadership in tackling the issue of special-interest money in Washington, D.C. by cosponsoring the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act, H.R. 1826. The groups issued the following statement: "As the health care reform debate enters a critical stage, the health care industry continues to spend millions on campaign contributions to get what it wants. The best way to ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard is to change the way congressional elections are financed, and that's why we are greatly appreciative of Rep. Michaud for signing onto the Fair Elections Now Act. Full release.

Today, the Council on Competitiveness unveiled "Drive. Private Sector Demand for Sustainable Energy Solutions: A Comprehensive Roadmap to Achieve Energy Security, Sustainability and Competitiveness." It was also presented to U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu as part of the Council's National Energy Summit & International Dialogue. The report features recommendations designed to drive private sector demand for sustainable energy solutions, encourage market-based innovation and enhance U.S. energy security. It also represents the culmination of the first phase of the Council on Competitiveness Energy Security, Innovation & Sustainability (ESIS) Initiative, which was launched two years ago in recognition that secure, sustainable energy will be the defining competitiveness challenge-and opportunity-of the 21st century. Full release.

The Sacred Heart University Polling Institute released its third survey on "Trust and Satisfaction with the National News Media." The national survey of 800 Americans was fielded from Sept. 8-11 and covered new subjects as well as updating results from 2003 and 2007. Respondents were asked if they believed all, most, some, little or none of news media reporting. Just 24.3% indicated they believe all or most news media reporting. While this is up from 19.6% in 2007, it remains lower than the 27.4% recorded in 2003. Just over half of all respondents, 54.0%, said they believe "some" news media reporting. This is down slightly from 55.3% in 2007. Those believing little or no news media reporting dropped to 20.4% in 2009 from 23.9% in 2007. Full release.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it has provided certificates of eligibility to nearly 200,000 applicants for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Over 61,000 payments totaling over $50 million to schools and students have been issued since the August 1, 2009, implementation of the new program. "Our top priority is providing our students and schools with accurate and timely benefit payments so Veterans can focus all of their energy on studies," said Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick W. Dunne. The Post-9/11 GI Bill authorizes the most extensive educational assistance opportunity since the passage of the original GI Bill in 1944. The maximum benefit allows every eligible Veteran, Servicemember, Reservist, and National Guard member an opportunity to receive an in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost. Full release.

A spate of new state and local programs that have emerged over the last year requiring mediations or conferences before foreclosures sales take place have great potential to help homeowners, but are suffering from the same lack of industry accountability that has plagued voluntary federal mortgage modification programs, according to a major new study from the nonprofit National Consumer Law Center (NCLC). Titled "State and Local Foreclosure Media Programs: Can They Save Homes?," NCLC's new review of 25 foreclosure mediation programs in 14 states -- California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania --- warns: "Our review raised concerns about the kind of expectations that these programs may be encouraging. For example, there is as yet no data to confirm that foreclosure mediation programs anywhere have led to a substantial number of affordable and sustainable loan modifications . . . [W]e (also) found that the existing programs routinely fail to impose significant obligations on mortgage servicers. Without the imposition of these obligations, it is unlikely that mediations will lead to fewer foreclosures. The programs we considered often lack mandatory rules and fail to impose sanctions for non compliance with what minimal rules exist. The programs do not require servicers to provide information substantiating a right to foreclose. They do not mandate analyses of loan modification alternatives. Many set unreasonable procedural barriers that restrict large numbers of homeowners from participating . . ." Full release.

In the year since the crash on Wall Street, fewer Americans are reporting stress attributed to financial concerns despite rising unemployment levels and ongoing economic uncertainty, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). In a poll surveying 2,160 adults conducted by Harris Interactive(R) between April 8 and 10, 2009, 75 percent of adults reported that the economy caused stress in their lives, down from 82 percent last November. Similarly, fewer Americans reported stress associated with work (from 69 percent to 67 percent) and money (from 82 percent to 78 percent). However, the consistently high rates associated with Americans reporting stress attributed to financial concerns suggest that many Americans are still suffering significantly from economic stress. Full release.

As the debate over health care reform continues on Capitol Hill, a new national poll shows broad, bipartisan support for ensuring that all Americans have access to alcohol and drug addiction treatment. More than three-quarters of all Americans, including 72 percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of Independents, support including addiction treatment in health care reform, according to a new poll released by the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap (CATG) initiative during National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery month. "Addiction treatment is a gaping hole in our current health care system," said former Rep. Jim Ramstad, who served as co-chair of the House Caucus on Addiction, Treatment and Recovery. "If we fail to treat alcohol and drug addictions, we are not only failing those in need, but are adding to the already heavy burden on our communities, our emergency rooms, our prisons, and our families. Americans across the country and the political spectrum have spoken loud and clear: treatment for alcohol and drug addiction should be fully covered in health care reform." Full release.

Filmmaker Angelo Lobo's important documentary about flaws in the nation's family court and child support systems comes to Atlanta on September 26, 2009. Lobo says "Support? System Down" (www.supportthemovie.com) tells a side of the story that is not yet heard adequately, but it urgently needs to be told. "How is it that society accepts the idea of 'standard visitation' which often allows children of divorce or separation to see their beloved parent, usually fathers but sometimes mothers, only 4 days a month, if that? It's not enough time," said Lobo. See "It's About the Kids": http://www.supportthemovie.com/images/flash/trailerD.html "Support? System Down" comes to the Peachtree Village International Film Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at 4 PM, Eastern at Underground Atlanta Event Loft. http://www.supportthemovie.com/news/. Full release.

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