CRAG: Quick note, budget proposal: May 3
Hello CRAGgy Friends,
Welcome new people! (join here)
- White House budget outline
- Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
- Events, meetings, and organizing CALENDAR
- For new CRAGgys: Notes and housekeeping
- Owls!
“Today, right now—and I mean right this second--you have the most power you’ll ever have in the current fight against authoritarianism in America. If you wait to speak out, you have already lost.” Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, April, 2025
“It is not shameful to do little. It is shameful to do nothing.” Alexie Navalny (1978-2024), Russian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist, and political prisoner.
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1. White House budget outline
The president has released budget recommendations in a letter to congress. Of course, per the constitution, congress is responsible for passing the budget. But with our current spineless republican house, these plans are likely to be close.
I have not had time to dig very deeply into this. P CBPP has released a statement about it. The USDA Rural Development Program, which provides grant for many local community effort, is dramatically cut. Health programs are slashed, which most Americans do not approve of (KFF survey).
Here's a gift NYT overview of the budget proposal.
2. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
We are trying to get someone to speak up at every possible local meeting.
Special Note for Houghton County:
10 am, Work Session: Houghton County-> about jail millage
- Monday, May 5
- 6 pm, Arvon Township
- 10 am, Work Session: Houghton County-> about jail millage, Courthouse, 5th floor
- 6 pm, Arvon Township
- Wednesday, May 7
- 6 pm, Stanton Township
- 6 pm, Stanton Township
- Monday, May 12
- 5 pm, Baraga County
- 6 pm, Adams Township
- 6 pm, Portage Township
- 6 pm, L'Anse Village
- 7 pm, Hancock Township
- 7 pm, Franklin Township
- 5 pm, Baraga County
- Tuesday, May 13
- noon, Schoolcraft Township
- 3 pm, Houghton County
- 6 pm, Quincy Township
- 6 pm, Baraga Village
- noon, Schoolcraft Township
- Wednesday, May 14
- 4 pm, L'Anse Township
- 5:30 pm, Houghton City Council
- 6 pm, Chassell Township
- 6:30 pm, Laird Township
- 4 pm, L'Anse Township
- Thursday, May 15
- 6 pm, Elm River Township
- 6 pm, Elm River Township
When and where does your local city or township board meet? Let me know. Thanks to those who have shared.
How can we get you out to your township/county/other meetings?
Lots of events are on the CALENDAR for the week of May 11.
- We can help:
- Pair you with a buddy;
- Guidance in preparing remarks; As examples, my statements to all bodies are posted in an archive. (I can post yours, too, if you want to share.)
- Factsheet on your township;
- What else can we do? Childcare? Transportation? Lollipops? Let me know!
- Pair you with a buddy;
3. Events and meetings
See CALENDAR link for details on events.
- May 10, 11:15-2, register for lunch by May 2, League of Women Voters of the Copper Country Annual meeting. Guest speaker Lisa Nelson, on Ranked Choice Voting; RSVP for lunch or zoom link to [mmmacha@mtu.edu](malto: mmmacha@mtu.edu).
Ongoing:
- Yoopers for Ukraine Rally at the bridge Wednesdays at 5 pm (correction).
- “Houghton County Dems meet every 1st Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.
- 3rd Wednesday, 6 pm HC Dems April Meet-up, 5th and Elm.
- 4th Wednesdays AWAVE. Gathering at Orpheum Theater, Hancock.
- 3rd Sundays, 7-8:45 pm, Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy Monthly Action Committee (KATO), Orpheum Theater. Please register at the link to help with the headcount.
4. For new CRAGgys: Notes and housekeeping
- This list now includes 241 people.
- I posted an overview of CRAG goals and history on April 13th.
- Why Local Action for Democracy
- btw, I'm a newcomer to this; the League of Women Voters and Houghton County Dems have been tracking local meetings and issues for years.
- btw, I'm a newcomer to this; the League of Women Voters and Houghton County Dems have been tracking local meetings and issues for years.
- I keep a CRAG CALENDAR of local meetings and events; please forward any additions or updates.
- Most of my statements at meetings are posted in the CRAG archive, along with these newsletter.
- This newsletter is available via RSS feed (copy link into your RSS reader): https://www.fireelon.net/1/feed
5. And Owls, again!
- for a break watch our local Great Horned owlets grow on the Owl Nest Cam, installed and maintained by Copper Country Bird Club. One is on the roof this morning!