CRAG update, Feb 28
Hello CRAGgy Friends,
Welcome new people! Just a quick note today
- Reports on Calumet Township and other meetings
- Upcoming Council meetings
- News, resources, and events
1. Calumet Township MeetingMy statements to all bodies are posted on Substack. (I can post yours, too, if you want to share.)
- Three of us spoke to the Calumet Township board about impacts of federal actions. The board was receptive and indicated they would send a letter to Rep Bergman. Joan Chadde and I will work on a draft letter for them to consider.
- The Houghton City Resolution is available. It was mentioned in the Keweenaw Report.
- Beth Flynn reports on the LWB call with Bergman's staffers:
On Monday morning members of the League of Women Voters met in a Zoom session with three of Bergman’s staff for forty minutes. They responded to the talking points on Ukraine, the SAVE act, budget, Line 5, lamprey control, federal employees, DEI, Elon Musk, and climate The staffers said he supported Ukraine but was clearly going to support the tax cut. An African American League member from Ironwood (I think) asked about DEI. The staffers did not use the video function, but one disclosed that he is African American and invited people to contact him. It was a productive session but also frustrating.
2. Upcoming local meetings
- March 3, 6 pm, Stanton Township, schedule
- March 10th, 5 pm, Baraga County
- March 10th, 5 pm, Adams Twp Board in the township office building at 17104 First St., Baltic (check location, might be next door).
- March 11th, Schoolcraft Twp. meets on 2nd Tuesday of every month at noon in their office (226 Front St., Lake Linden).
When and where does your local city or township board meet? Let me know. Thanks to those who have shared; I am compiling a list.
3. News, resources, and events
- The app or web site 5-Calls is being highly recommended to simplify your daily calls. It includes concise summaries of key issues.
- Keep calling your Congressperson. Jack Bergman: (202) 225-4735 (or use 5-calls)
- Join local Keweenaw Indivisible here.
- Houghton County Dems meet every first Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.
- March 6. A team in Escanaba is organizing a "mock town hall" (also known as an "empty seat town hall"). Rep. Bergman has been invited; the event will occur whether he shows or not. (Please provide any info you have.)
- Ukraine
A shocking scene played out in the White House today as Trump and Vance ganged up on President Zelenskyy, incredible for outright rudeness, never mind the threats. "Russian officials reacted with glee to the extraordinary scene, while Ukraine’s European allies expressed support for Kyiv." - US Budget process:
- Find your local MI budgets at Local Government Document Search Site. Search for Document Group F65. Each document includes a section "federal grants". Most of these are under threat from the funding freeze.
- ITEP and have some discussion of the budget bill that passed the house. I'm still looking for good budget analyses, please share if you have a source.
Thanks for all your support
Stay Well
Sarah