Green Party of Pennsylvania
www.gpofpa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 13, 2021

CONTACT:
GPPA Communication Team
Chris Robinson, [email protected]
Tina Olson, [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA – The following testimony was given by Vice-chair Jay Walker, Green Party of Allegheny County, before the Allegheny County Council on March 9.

My name is Jay Ting Walker, and I’m the vice chair of the Green Party of Allegheny County. I want to lend my voice of support for the paid sick days legislation that’s being considered by this council. During a global pandemic sick workers feeling like they’re stuck choosing between potentially infecting others with COVID or paying their bills is completely unacceptable. Let’s as a county put into place an ordinance that not only benefits the workers who run our society, but also our entire society as a whole. Paid sick leave legislation is a common sense policy that should be a no-brainer.

I'm also here to speak on another important health issue. As all of you are aware, our county has some of the worst air quality in the entire country -- the entire country! People die of air quality related issues every single day here, yet we don't seem to take the issue very seriously. This year we've already had multiple strings of particularly bad air quality days. Ever wonder why you feel sick in the morning? Unexplained headaches? Why you seem to wake up in the middle of the night for no reason? You can thank major local polluters and lack of enforcement for that.

There have been some promising steps taken by the Board of Health under new director Dr. Debra Bogen, but it's extremely premature to take a victory lap. You've likely seen the press release from our county, boasting about our new temporary air quality compliance. We might want to think twice about celebrating being the last part of the country to reach this bare minimum level. This is especially true when the improvements were largely due to a global pandemic grinding our economy to a halt. The no-PR-spin truth is that we've made only minor improvements and our residents continue to suffer from poor air quality on a daily basis.

Just like with today's sick leave ordinance, Allegheny County Council will soon be in position to pass more laws to better protect the health of our residents. Please support stronger air regulations so that our residents don't continue to get sick and die for the continued profits of wealthy executives. Proposed ordinances will be delivered to the County Council by the Allegheny County Health Department. Each of these will have received hundreds of public comments asking for them to be strengthened. They will also have received a handful of comments from polluting industries fighting for their continued permission to kill our fellow residents with minimal accountability. Speak with the attorneys and engineers in our region's air quality organizations about how these regulations can legally do more to protect the health of all residents across our county. More and more people are realizing how terrible our air quality continues to be. If we want to succeed as a region we'll need to be serious about tackling this issue.

Lastly, I'd like to ask our county council to increase air permit fees as recommended by the Allegheny County Health Department. All of the facilities in Allegheny County are paying outdated fee amounts while every other facility in Pennsylvania has already been paying the recommended fees. This increase would bring us in line with the rest of the commonwealth. It would also help properly fund the Health Department's regulatory oversight.

In closing, I'd like to ask County Council to:

1. Vote in favor of paid sick leave legislation,
2. Strengthen the proposed air quality regulations that will be eventually coming to you, and
3. Vote in favor of increasing air permit fees to match those of facilities across the rest of the Commonwealth.

Use the powerful law-making tools at your disposal to protect the health and the lives of the 1,213,570 residents in our county. You all hold very important and powerful positions. A wise man once said, "With great power comes great responsibility." Please do the responsible things to protect us all!

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party's Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media:
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/; Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/; and Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA.

For more information:

Allegheny County Health Department: Unhealthy Air Quality Observed in the Mon Valley, CBS News KDKA, April 5, 2021,
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/04/05/allegheny-co-health-dept-unhealthy-air-quality-observed-in-the-mon-valley/;

Allegheny County Executive Vetoes Paid Sick Leave Act, CBS News KDKA, March 16, 2021,
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/03/16/allegheny-county-executive-rich-fitzgerald-vetoes-paid-sick-days-act/;

Report: Pittsburgh Ranked 8th Worst for Air Pollution among U.S. Cities by Hannah Lynn, Pittsburgh City Paper, April 22, 2020,
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/report-pittsburgh-ranked-8th-worst-for-air-pollution-among-us-cities/;

Clean Air for Pittsburgh, PennEnvironment,
https://pennenvironment.org/programs/pae/clean-air-pittsburgh; 

Pittsburgh Air Pollution, Clean Air Council,
https://cleanair.org/public-health/pittsburgh-air-pollution/

Green Party of Pennsylvania
https://www.gpofpa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 6, 2021

CONTACT:
GPPA Communication Team
Chris Robinson, [email protected]
Tina Olson, [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA – The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is proud to announce that it now has candidates now running for office in six PA Counties. Of course, the Green Party is still assembling prospective candidates for local office: school board, judge of elections, town auditor, etc.

GPPA Co-chair Beth Scroggin (Chester County) explained, “If you embrace the Green Party's values and have ever thought about running for office, this is your year! There is a wide variety of local positions available, and you can make decisions that will directly impact the lives of those in your community."

One of the most interesting electoral races is the Special Election for PA Senate District 22 in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. This Special Election will take place on May 18 as part of the Primary Election. GPPA will run Marlene Sebastianelli for this senate seat. As a seasoned Nursing Home Administrator (NHA), Marlene Sebastianelli has spent years ensuring elderly residents receive quality care. She has been a consultant for the State of Pennsylvania on regulatory compliance in nursing homes throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Marlene Sebastianelli is also the owner of Case Quattro Winery in Peckville and co-owner of Intact Health & Wellness in Dunmore, PA.

As for the PA General Election, which will take place on November 2, the Green Party is running mobility advocate Connor Mulvaney for Pittsburgh City Council District 4. Mulvaney's campaign has earned the endorsements of No Cop Money PA and the Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America, in addition to GPPA and the Green Party of Allegheny County. Connor Mulvaney is focusing his run on equitable public transit, access to necessities and community resiliency.

PA has 2,562 municipalities (cities, townships and boroughs) which will all elect local officials this year. The Green Party already has additional candidates in Lackawanna, Luzerne, McKean, Montgomery, and Wyoming Counties, and it is planning to recruit more.

GPPA electoral campaigns are supported by its Green Wave Team, a group of activists who are ready to share their expertise with inexperienced candidates. Green Wave Co-leader Noel Antonio Rivera (Berks County) said, “We need representatives who will fight for their constituents instead of rolling over to power and money. We need candidates who are committed to green values. If this is you or if you know someone that fits this description, please feel free to join the Green Wave Team. The Green Wave Team is here to support Green Party candidates, potential candidates, or volunteers.”

New volunteers may join the Green Wave Team.  The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, Instagram,  and Twitter.

For more information:

Marlene Sebastianelli for PA Senate District 22,
https://marlene4senate.com/;

Connor Mulvaney for Pittsburgh City Council District 4,
https://www.connor4pgh.com/meet-connor;

Join the Green Wave of Pennsylvania,
https://www.greenwaveofpa.com/home; 

PA Greens Tracking Down New Candidates,” Green Party of Pennsylvania News Release, January 30, 2021,
https://www.gp.org/tracking_down_new_candidates

 Green Party of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 22, 2021

CONTACT:
GPPA Communication Team
Chris Robinson, 267-977-0570 and [email protected]
or
Tina Olson, [email protected] 

Green Party Stands with #BAmazon Workers

[These remarks were given on March 20, by Hillary Kane, Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP, www.gpop.org), at a rally in support of Amazon workers trying to unionize in Bessemer, AL. The event was endorsed by: Black Alliance for Peace, Black and Brown Coalition. Black Lives Matter Philly, Caucus of Working Educators, Coalition of Labor Union Women Philly, Green Party of Philadelphia, Our Revolution, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign Poor People's Army, Philly Black Radical Collective, Philly Boricuas, Philadelphia Socialist Alternative, Philly Socialists, Party for Socialism and Liberation Philly, Socialist Resurgence, Socialist Revolution Philly, Teamsters Local 623, Temple Association of University Professionals (TAUP), UNITE HERE Local 274, and Workers World Party Philadelphia.]

by Hillary Kane. 

Thank you to the organizers of today’s march and rally for allowing me to speak.  I represent the Green Party, an independent political party.  The Green Party often co-sponsors rallies such as these, joining in the fight for better working conditions, but we rarely get invited to share the podium because of deep seated fears of independent politics.  Politics that doesn’t go along with the status quo, the two-party system or in this city -- let’s be real -- a one-party system.

You may know the Green Party as an environmental party, and we are.  But we are also a party rooted in social justice.  We were founded over 30 years ago to give political voice to people’s movements – like this one against corporate greed and corruption.  That same corporate greed is killing both the planet and the people. The Green Party links the ecological crisis with the economic crisis of people not having enough to provide basic necessities for themselves and their families. This is why we developed ideas like the Green New Deal – putting people and planet together over profit. Putting people to work, in living wage jobs – jobs that repair and restore our environment rather than use it up and spit it out. Howie Hawkins, our most recent Presidential candidate and himself a retired Teamster, was the first to run on the Green New Deal back in 2010. The real Green New Deal funded by deep cuts to the military.

The Green Party is an eco-socialist party.  For us, that means supporting things such as unions, worker-ownership, co-operatives, and other forms of economic democracy. We practice what we preach -- our own national party staff is unionized, and we are the only ballot-qualified party that refuses to take corporate money. Some other parties may talk a good talk (and let’s be real, they only talk that talk some of the time), but then they turn around and take millions of dollars in corporate contributions to fund their campaigns.  Don’t be fooled. You cannot stand for workers’ rights one day and then take money from union-busting corporations the next. How do you think those politicians will ultimately vote? For the people or for their funders? The Green Party will only ever stand for the people – because we are the people. We have no other choice.

As an environmental party, we are also one of the few voices who don’t believe in constant, unchecked economic growth. Development without redistribution will not lift all boats. And yet, only two short years ago, when Amazon promised jobs and development through it’s HQ2 competitions, our city led by a Democratic mayor and Democratic city council, happily bid to make Philadelphia the next home for Amazon. A bid that included tax breaks, free public infrastructure, and other corporate welfare simply to woo this company into our midst. 

This is why political independence matters. And the Green Party takes that seriously. We are one of the only political parties, and I think the only ballot-qualified party, that constantly and consistently challenges the two-party system at all levels of government from city hall to the state house to the White House.  The union movement needs allies in government. We need laws that protect workers and their right to organize. And we achieve that by electing our own into the halls of power. 

Power – that’s what this struggle is about. The power to demand dignity in the workplace and to one day achieve it.  #BAmazon Workers – the Green Party stands with you. 

Hillary Kane is a member of the Green Party of Philadelphia City Committee and a member of the Green Party of the U.S. Steering Committee. 

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media:
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/ and
Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA.

For more information: 

North Carolina Green Party Supports Amazon Workers, March 8, 2021, https://www.gp.org/ncgp_supports_amazon_workers. 

Pictured above are rally organizer and Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) member Asantewaa Nkrumah-Ture (left) and GPOP City Committee Members Charles Sherrouse and Hillary Kane holding the banner at the rally..

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Connor Mulvaney
for Pittsburgh City Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, March 21, 2021

CONTACT:
Matt Nemeth,
Connor for Council Media Coordinator,
412-721-2002 and [email protected]

Chris Robinson, 267-977-0570 and [email protected]  

Pittsburgh City Council Candidate Connor Mulvaney Receives Two Key Endorsements

Pittsburgh, PA -- Mobility activist Connor Mulvaney received two key endorsements this week in his run for Pittsburgh City Council District 4. 

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) endorsed Connor on March 15 after a vote by their General Assembly, encompassing delegates representing all the local Green Parties in the state. “I’ve been following the start-up of Connor’s campaign with excitement as he brings great energy to both the GPPA and progressive Pittsburgh politics necessary for all of Pennsylvania. I very happily voted to endorse him,”� said GPPA Co-chair Tina Olson. 

The Democratic Socialists of America's Pittsburgh Chapter also voted to support Mulvaney. In a statement issued on social media after the March 16 meeting, DSA Pittsburgh said it believes Connor’s campaign is an opportunity “to build a Pittsburgh & Allegheny County for the many -- not the privileged few.”

The Brookline resident’s campaign is focused on issues around housing, mobility, environment and public health and is calling for a budget for District 4 that will put the community first. A union laborer, sustainable development organizer and mobility advocate, Connor is committed to working for Pittsburgh’s southern neighborhoods. He understands the challenges that the 21st Century poses to working people in Pittsburgh.

“We need to rebuild our infrastructure, economy and communities to be more resilient,” Connor said. “District 4 deserves a working-class representative who has a vision for the issues we face.”�

Connor is currently gathering nomination signatures. He lives with his partner Christine and their dogter, Lucy. When he’s not working, you might see him running, riding his bike or walking Lucy around District 4.

More information about Connor Mulvaney’s Campaign for Pittsburgh City Council can be found at https://www.connor4pgh.com. To volunteer for Mulvaney’s Campaign, please visit https://www.connor4pgh.com/get-involved. Follow Connor’s campaign on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/connorforpgh;
Twitter, https://twitter.com/ConnorMulvaney; or
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/connorforcouncil/. 

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Green Party of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 19, 2021

CONTACT:
GPPA Communication Team
Chris Robinson, 267-977-0570 and [email protected]
or
Tina Olson, [email protected] 

Puff, Puff, Pass All of the Cannabis Bills in PA!

by Tina Olson. 

The 2021 Cannabis Fest in Kutztown, PA, will take  place on April 17 and 18. For years the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) has been proud to be a part of the growing movement to finally decriminalize growing, selling, buying, and using nature’s sweet leaf.As a much-welcomed outdoor event, many Greens have already committed to convening there. For years we have been proud to be a part of the growing movement to finally decriminalize growing, selling, buying, and using nature’s sweet leaf. Let’s take this opportunity to look at the timeline of cannabis use, the attitudes, and unjust racial implications of the war on weed. Plus, a glimpse at what is happening in both our state legislative houses.

From the not-so distant past, images of firing up a marijuana cigarette, a joint, a spliff, or a doobie meant an onslaught of images that revealed the dangers and temptations of the Devil’s Lettuce. Fearful visions of moral depravity were ingrained into our young minds as we hit tender milestones of development. If Reefer Madness had legs, it would have frog-marched our curious teen-selfs straight to the river Styx and fed us to Cerberus. If Nancy Regan was playing, many of us would have lost that DARE. 

Spoiler alert! As it turns out, simply smoking a doink did not lead most people to a road of ruin and river to the Underworld. That is, unless you were at an intersection due to your marginalized status, then you were three times as likely to end up demonized and incarcerated through racial profiling as the civil war-machine on drugs demolished entire generations of communities and families.  

Thankfully, we are collectively trying to leave the past mass incarceration where it belongs, but we need to be wary of which path to take. Legalization in Pennsylvania will ensure that we have one hand in the future and the other one stuck scraping a bowl with a pocket knife to conserve America’s sticky green gold. 

The Green Party stands for full decriminalization of cannabis. Decriminalization is the only path to ensure that everyone who needs access to the medical benefits and agricultural economic boosts are able to attain them. As it stands, for example, it can cost over $300 to get a medical marijuana card, but that’s not even the beginning of price-gouging market monopoly practices that PA and other states are engaging in. Here is another something: Grower/processors must first pay a non-refundable $10,000 application fee, then have a verifiable amount of no less than $2,000,000 in capital and $500,000 of that must be in a financial institution. To get the initial certificate to grow, you need to pay $200,000. Plus, every year you must pay a $10,000 renewal fee. In other words, to even get that hand in the future, you need to be holding a silver spoon and have more money than any local weed dealer, plus good credit and no criminal record. These restrictions and extremely limiting financial hurdles make the market impenetrable by the same people who have diligently worked towards legalization and those who have supplied a lot of us with our dank stash. 

Without decriminalization, the most famous and literal “grassroots'' movement becomes an industry for the elite to protect its hot-boxed frat boys from the ramifications of laws that have become inconvenient to the bourgeoisie. Without further development, not only is our prison system overrun with racist policies and broken promises, those same boys go on in life to getting kick backs in their retirement funds through marajuana stocks pumped up by ‘woke’ Wall Street. And those boys are first in line to pay the fees to grow the weed that swallowed the spider to catch the fly. 

Currently there are a few pieces of legislation being passed around in the PA General Assembly. One bill that gets close to meeting the many issues surrounding decriminalization is being reintroduced this year by Representative Jake Wheatey (D, District 19). The Criminal and Social Justice Reform Through a Legal Adult-Use Cannabis Marketplace or House Bill (HB) 2050, doesn’t meet all of our concerns, but it is a step forward. 

Another bill being carried over from the 2020 session is in the PA Senate co-sponsored by Senator Sharif Street (D, District 3). Senate Bill (SB) 233 calls for incremental decriminalization by lowering fines and penalties for possession. Senator Street is also working towards similar goals that HB 2050 proposes.

While important legislation is being written and reviewed a fundamental problem is growing. This all costs too much for a plant that even my grandmother grew on her patio in the 1980’s like some grandmothers raised chickens and sold eggs to their local grocers. The proceeds of this industry simply won’t go towards people who desperately need to supplement or build income. Nor will they aid cannabis users with one of the 17 recognized medical conditions that qualify you for a medical card. 

Another hold up in our state is coming from the representatives from both major parties trying to score wins in too many directions, but mostly wins for their own wallets. Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of not seeing the big field and hiding behind a smoke-screen of corporate interest and old conservative views, as usual. This is something that is not true for Green Party candidates, who deny corporate funding and have the mission to fully realize the benefits to our society and social justice by decriminalizing all aspects of cannabis. They don’t call us the Green Party for nothing. And, you can put that in your pipe and smoke it!

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media:
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/ and
Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA.

For more information, please see:

Pennsylvania 2021 Cannabis Festival, http://www.penncannafest.com/; 

PA Should Follow Oregon and Decriminalize Drug Use, GPPA News Release, December 9, 2020, https://www.gpofpa.org/pa_should_follow_oregon_and_decriminalize_drug_use; 

Adult-Use Cannabis, PA HB 2050, https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20210&cosponId=34520; 

Please sign Petition, “IT’S TIME TO LEGALIZE ADULT-USE CANNABIS IN PA,”  https://www.pahouse.com/Wheatley/TakeAction/?ac=145; 

Decriminalization of Cannabis, PA SB 233, https://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=33066; 

GPPA Petition Calling for Cannabis Decriminalization, April 2016, https://www.gpofpa.org/support_cannabis_decriminalization_in_pennsylvania. 

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Green Party of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, March 14, 2021

CONTACT:
Chris Robinson, Communication Team
267-977-0570 and [email protected]
or
Tina Olson, [email protected] 

PA Completes Election Audit Required by Jill Stein Settlement

-- By Emily Cook.  

Outgoing PA Secretary of State Kathy Bookvar announced on February 5, that the pilot audit of last year’s presidential election had been successfully completed. Bookvar did not acknowledge that the audit had been required by the settlement in U.S. Court with the Green Party’s candidate for president in 2016. The PA Department of State said, “The risk-limiting audit is a scientifically designed procedure using statistical methods to provide a high level of confidence and statistical verification that the outcome of an election is accurate and detect possible interference.”

“At best, this pilot provided evidence that [President Joe] Biden got more votes than [Donald] Trump in total in the counties that participated in the pilot,” said Philip Stark, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley who invented risk-limiting audits. Stark told SpotlightPA, “That’s different from showing that any equipment worked properly, that the count was accurate, or that Biden won [Pennsylvania].”

2016 Presidential Green Party candidate Jill Stein and the Green Party can be credited with spotlighting Pennsylvania’s shortcomings in voting machine functions, underscoring the need for true paper ballots due to the unverifiability of the vote. The settlement in U.S. Court has again placed auditing under national scrutiny due to the controversy over the 2020 presidential election outcome.  In that settlement, there was a directive that the PA Secretary of State must “direct each county to audit all unofficial election results using robust pre-certification audit methods to be determined based on the recommendations of a Work Group established by the Secretary.” It also required that the audit was to be implemented no later than 2022.

PA’s recently purchased and controversial ES&S ExpressVote XL voting systems (used in Cumberland, Northampton and Philadelphia Counties) still remain a problem. Rich Garella of Protect Our Vote Philly said, “Without a chain of custody for the ballots that are audited, and without full public transparency of the audit process, this pilot audit doesn’t prove or confirm anything to the public.  As a pilot, it is not intended to. Next year when it’s done for real it will mean something as long as it’s done right.”

Jill Stein reminded PA voters of the issues which remain with some voting machines, “In Pennsylvania the ballot marking devices voters use actually invalidate any true audit.” It should be noted that these recent audits were pilots and performed without transparency and did not include four counties in their sampling. Until the election code is corrected, these audits are limited in value.

Emily Cook is a former chair of the Green Party of Montgomery County, PA, and was a plaintiff in Jill Stein vs. Cortes.

 The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media:
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/ and
Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA.

For further information:

PA Vote Confirms Biden Got More Votes than Trump by Marie Albiges, Spotlight PA, March 10, 2021, https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2021/03/pa-election-biden-trump-risk-limiting-audit-limitations/;

Risk Limiting Audit Pilot of November 2020 Presidential Election Finds Strong Evidence of Accurate Count, Pennsylvania Pressroom, February 5, 2021, https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/State-details.aspx?newsid=453;

Year 2 Report, PA Post-Election Audit Work Group, PA Department of State, December 31, 2020,
https://www.votespa.com/About-Elections/Documents/PADOS-RLA-WG-Year-2-Report-12-31-2020.pdf; 

Judge Diamond’s Big Miscalculation by Emily Cook , Green Party of PA, May 19, 2020, https://www.gpofpa.org/judge_diamonds_big_miscalculation;

Settlement Agreement and Release, Stein vs. Cortes, U.S. District Court for Eastern PA, November 28, 2018, https://ecbawm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Stein-v.-Cortes-Agreement-Signature-Pages-11-28-2018.pdf;

Protect Our Vote Philly, www.povphilly.org.  

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PA Green Calls for Eco-Socialism on 51st Earth Day

-- GPPA Communications Committee Contributor   

Beginning in 1970, the early years of Earth Day were political.  Participants made spider webs from yarn to revere the world’s interconnectedness.  After a few years, Earth Day became less about politics and more about activities such as cleaning up litter. We also stopped thinking like an ecosystem.

Not thinking like an ecosystem entails linear, reductionist, mechanistic thinking.  Reductionist-style thinking can be applied to any domain, though is limited in providing thorough explanations. The Newtonian paradigm of science is reductionist.  Newton’s first law of motion states a body’s motion will not change unless impinged upon by an outside force. In mainstream economics, similarly, economic crises are seen as anomalies.  

What is similar in both cases is the reductionist treatment of stasis (both a body’s motion staying the same unless impinged upon and economic equilibrium) as normal and desired. Both treat out-of-equilibrium states as anomalies and calamities.  While for reductionism, change is an anomaly in a static world, for non-reductionism or ecological thinking, stability is a special and transitory case in a contingent and constantly evolving world. Non-reductionism might treat things like economic crises as cyclically occurring events systematically inherent to the economy. Reductionist thinking, antithetical to how an ecosystem works, can be applied to all domains, not just science.

In Newtonian physics, time is a mere coordinate used for measurement. Times can be named “Time 1” and “Time 2” without any reference to phenomena occurring within those times. The divorce of temporality from phenomena in Newtonian physics mirrors capitalist production, wherein, for example, factory workers (1) tend to be divorced from their goods and services they produce and (2) get paid by the time they spend laboring. Thus, in capitalism, workers sell their time, regardless of and indifferent to what occurs during that time. Reductionism here plagues not just methods of doing science but economic methods of production. 

Non-reductionist thinking, or thinking like an ecosystem, affirms eco-socialism, which the Green Party (www.gp.org) names as its ideology. Eco-socialism, unlike capitalism, exhibits the characteristics of an organic ecosystem such as sustainability, localism, decentralization, diversity, self-organization, and more.  Eco-socialism has the ability to welcome diversity and freely adapt to local conditions as to, for example, permit a plurality of methods of exchange. Thus, a robust gift economy can exist, and corrective local markets can emerge anytime there is a failure in the gift economy.  

This is opposed to capitalism, which totalizes production and exchange by limiting the possibility of alternative methods through the state rewarding unproductive and unjust activities and distorting how risks are distributed. These activities subsidize a single mode of production and exchange while restricting competing methods of production and exchange. Capitalism lives and dies according to markets (and supplemented state intervention and state-owned enterprises, which are not good alternatives to markets, carry some of the same constraints as markets, and often have worse outcomes). 

Eco-socialism embraces, per acting like a well-functioning ecosystem, simple rules that, from local interactions of self-organized and heterogeneous actors, yield self-sustainability in macro. Thus, may Earth Day henceforward be ecological and political, as recommended by Greens, eco-socialists, and ecological thinkers.

For additional information, please see:

“Earth Day, Birthday: The Conception of a New World” by Alan Smith, April 14, 2020, https://www.gp.org/conception_of_a_new_world; 

“Pennsylvania Greens organize for 50th anniversary of Earth Day,” Green Party of Pennsylvania, news release, March 27, 2020, https://www.gp.org/50th_anniversary_of_earth_day; 

“Respecting and Celebrating the Earth” by Alan Smith, GREEN STAR, April 2019, https://www.gpofpa.org/green_star_april_2019; 

“The First Earth Day” by Neal Gale, April 19, 2018, https://www.gp.org/first_earth_day; 

“Green Party of PA on Earth Day,” GREEN STAR, April 2015, page 8, https://www.gpofpa.org/gppa_green_star_april_2015. 

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Green Party of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, March 6, 2021

CONTACT:
Chris Robinson, Communication Team
267-977-0570 and [email protected]
or
Tina Olson, [email protected] 

PA Green on the Ever-Looming Student Debt Crisis

By Noah William Alter. 

In recent weeks, there has been much talk in Washington about cancelling $50,000 in student debt, including both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Elizabeth Warren. However, President Joe Biden has decided that he is not interested in helping millions of students, who hold a total of nearly $1,700,000,000,000 in student debt. In a recent press conference, a reporter asked President Biden about cancelling $50,000/person in student debt, and he quickly shot it down. It appears as if he is more concerned with appeasing the far right through bipartisanship than helping the U.S. people.

Young people are often told by their family, friends, and strangers that they should go to the university and receive a higher education. In this way, we will be guaranteed a fantastic career and a prosperous life. Unfortunately, most of us are unaware that we are going to be shafted with terrible student debt with little to no potential of receiving a job with reasonable starting wages and benefits. The reality of being a recent graduate is quite stressful. We start our career search by receiving, on average, just a six-month grace period on the student loans. If we don’t find a job as soon as possible, we will begin to immediately use up our forbearance. Many young people often take whatever job that they can find, regardless of salary. Recent graduates then quickly find themselves buried in credit card debt because with student loans and pathetic wages, it does not allow us very much time to build up a decent nest egg or simply purchase the basics.

 As a recent graduate with over $100,000 USD in student debt, I feel totally trapped and incapable of paying my bills. This is not only a result of the student loans but also the peasant-like-wages that companies somehow declare as reasonable. I do not mean to boast, but I am proud to say that I have received a fantastic education. I’ve had the brilliant opportunity to live and study in four foreign countries: Canada, Germany, England, and Kuwait. In my time abroad, I quickly learned that most other first world nations do not let their students walk away from school with horrid student debt. Yes, university admission can be more competitive abroad, particularly in countries like Germany, but you will never walk away with potentially hundreds of thousands in student debt.

One reason I have become a Green Party activist is the Green Party Platform supports equal access to high-quality education, and a sharp increase in financial aid for college students with the possibility of free tuition and forgiveness of student debt. Increasing the accessibility of higher education will benefit all members of the working class and will help us to educate future generations to build a just, sustainable human and democratic future. This will also enable our children to become active citizens and constructive members of our future society. Most importantly, a proper education, at an affordable rate, will help us to strengthen cultural awareness and acceptance and will help to eradicate systematic racism. The Green Party Platform also says that it is quintessential to provide support not only to higher education but also to our young people with room and board, and all the necessary tools including books.

Yet, cancelling student debt will not be a permanent solution. We must figure out how we can alleviate the financial strain on young people, who are simply seeking to build themselves a brighter future.The biggest question that comes to mind for most is how we can lower tuition without decreasing the quality of education? Once, we have established a way to lower the price of tuition, we also need to establish a form of “universal education” to help future generations to pay for higher education, potentially through restructuring our tax code and closing all loopholes in the tax code, including the yacht tax deduction (a maximum deduction of $500,000).

 If we, as a society, continue to allow this horrible financial crisis to persist, the country will continue to suffer economically, and it will further aggravate racial, economic, and social status divides. If we do not invest in our current and future generations, the U.S. will continue to fall behind, even faster than we already are, particularly in the realm of education and innovation. Cancelling student debt and higher education reform should not remain a never-ending discussion, it is a financial disaster for all age groups, and it will only get worse. We must act now.

Noah William Alter is a member of the Green Party of PA (GPPA), active with the Green Party of Westmoreland County. 

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media:
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/ and
Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA.

For more information, please see:

Implementing the Economic Bill of Rights, 5. Student and Medical Debt Relief, Howie Hawkins for President, https://howiehawkins.us/the-economic-bill-of-rights/; 

Green Party of the U.S. Platform, II. Social Justice, E. Education & the Arts, 1. Education, https://www.gp.org/social_justice/#sjArts. 

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 Green Party of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, January 30, 2021

CONTACT:
Chris Robinson, Communication Team
267-977-0570 and [email protected]
or
Tina Olson, [email protected] 

PA Greens Tracking Down New Candidates

“Unfortunately, our Commonwealth’s General Assembly in Harrisburg, PA, has become stuck in a rut,” complained newly-elected Co-Chair Beth Scroggin (Chester) of the Green Party of PA (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org).  “Politicians from the two corporate parties have been ignoring the wishes of PA voters because they are enthralled by industry’s lobbyists. The people want universal healthcare, but Harrisburg listens to for-profit medicine; the people want an end to fracking, but Harrisburg is hungry for fossil-fuel money; the people want government reform and fair redistricting, but Harrisburg takes care of its own.”

“The Green Party is now tracking down candidates who want to shake up the corporate parties by running for local office in 2021 and for the General Assembly in 2022,” ventured Scroggin. “More than ever, the voters need candidates who represent them, not corporations. Green Party candidates do not accept corporate contributions. As elected officials, therefore, Greens will not be beholden to corporate donors. Because we exist outside of the two-party system, Green Party candidates do not play along in partisan us-versus-them games. The Green Party is seeking candidates who will represent people, the planet, and peace over profit.”

“We are looking for progressive minded individuals, committed to positive change in our society as well as politics,” said GPPA Steering Committee Member Noel Antonio Rivera (Berks). “The Green Party needs new voices devoted to communicating our Ten Key Values to show voters that there are more options.”

“One of the Ten Key Values of the Green Party is Grassroots Democracy, which simply means putting the power back into the hands of the people by supporting everyday folks from varying backgrounds to run for office,” offered GPPA Co-chair Tina Olson (Lehigh Valley). “For too long we’ve had the same people hold up progress in the name of maintaining the status quo. I encourage everyone to consider themselves a possible candidate to get involved with campaigns because a representative democracy requires participation.” 

“Green Wave is an initiative by the GPPA to support our Green candidates for office and help grow our local parties,” explained Green Wave Co-leader Garret Wasserman (Allegheny). “As we enter 2021, we're gearing up to help create a green wave of candidates in this year's municipal elections. Green Wave goals for 2021 call for 35 local candidates running on November 2. This will be a great improvement over the ten local candidates endorsed by Green Wave in 2017. Green Wave is also recruiting strong candidates to run for office during 2022.”

There are currently 14 elected Green Party office holders in PA. Of that total, 12 will be up for re-election this year. Green Wave will support those incumbents who are seeking re-election, along with new candidates who are interested in running for office in 2021 for the first time. Wasserman said, “We invite all local Green activists and volunteers to join our bimonthly virtual meetings where we discuss organizing strategy and how to best grow the Green movement. Our virtual meetings often include volunteer and organizer training. We welcome new activists to come and get started with Green Wave.”

To learn more about running for office as a Green Party candidate, please contact GPPA Green Wave at [email protected] or visit https://www.gpofpa.org/team_greenwave_join. The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media:
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/ and
Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA.

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Connor Mulvaney
for Pittsburgh City Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, January 29, 2021

CONTACT:
Matt Nemeth,
Connor for Council Media Coordinator, [email protected]

Chris Robinson, GPPA Communication Team
267-977-0570 and [email protected]. 

BROOKLINE, PA, MOBILITY ADVOCATE CONNOR MULVANEY ANNOUNCES RUN FOR DISTRICT 4, PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL 

PITTSBURGH, PA | Organizer and mobility advocate Connor Mulvaney announced his intent to run for Pittsburgh City Council’s District 4 seat on January 29. The 27-year-old Brookline resident will be seeking the nomination of the Green Party with plans to appear on the ballot for the 2021 general election. 

“The most important issue we face is preparing to heal from this pandemic while we figure out how we will prevent District 4 and the City of Pittsburgh from falling victim to similar crises again. We must build resilience in ways that are meaningful for peoples' everyday lives, such as keeping our streets safe and clear, keeping the lights on, and ensuring our families are fed and in good health. We can do all of this and more with a bold approach to policy,” said Mr. Mulvaney.

He aims to make equitable urban planning and affordable mass transit expansion priorities if elected to office and believes it is currently too difficult for many city residents to get food, medical care, or social contact.  

“We can be more assertive of our public transit infrastructure with more dedicated bus lanes or bike lanes, and really start to recenter our city around mobility for people to safely get around in the way that they choose instead of only the way that poor urban planning of the 20th century has chosen for them,” Mr. Mulvaney explained.

Mr. Mulvaney recognized the importance of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and economic depression, especially since both have led the city to the edge of a budget crisis compounding numerous existing issues. 

He seeks to reverse cuts that have been made to the critical Departments of Equity and Inclusion, Public Works and Mobility, and Infrastructure, arguing city residents’ tax dollars should be prioritized on strengthening the services and infrastructure neighborhoods need.

“Projects and maintenance are being delayed, and we need to plan for how we will address the most immediate impacts such as snow removal or emergency repairs in the coming year,” Mr. Mulvaney asserted.

Other focuses of Mr. Mulvaney’s campaign will include tackling water and air pollution and strengthening the protections of renters and homeowners against predatory developers. He wants to make sure everyone in District 4 will be prepared to face the uncertainties of the 21st century together.  

“Our city must heal interpersonally and spiritually, but also materially. It's well documented that Pittsburgh is not the most livable city for everyone, but we can't shrug our shoulders and say we'll do better. We have the means to be better right now, all we need is the will to accept the responsibility of the institutions we inherit and the insistence on doing what is right,” Mr. Mulvaney said.

Mr. Mulvaney is currently a union laborer and civic organizer. He has a bachelor’s degree from Point Park University and a Master’s in Sustainability from Chatham University.  His research and organizing work for Re-Imagine! Beaver County focuses on sustainable development in Southwestern Pennsylvania that creates more equitable and resilient communities.

More information about Connor Mulvaney’s Campaign for Pittsburgh City Council can be found at https://www.connor4pgh.com. To volunteer for Mulvaney’s Campaign, please visit https://www.connor4pgh.com/get-involved. 

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PHILADELPHIA – There is potentially a very harmful outcome waiting to happen in a well-known hiking area and recreational retreat known as Tracy Ridge. Tracy Ridge is located just south of the New York/ Pennsylvania state border in the beautiful Allegheny National Forest (ANF). 

Green Party of Pennsylvania
https://www.gpofpa.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 24, 2020

CONTACT:
Chris Robinson, Communication Team, [email protected]

According to Richard Hatfield, the ANF’s Bradford District ranger, “utilizing prescribed fire for oak regeneration and maintenance is a fairly standard tool.” However, the question that arises is will this cause more damage to the already fragile ecosystem and fight against the current climate crisis?

Chris Robinson (Philadelphia), of the GPPA Communication Team,  pointed out that “the Green Party Platform says, ‘From oxygen production to water conservation to carbon sinks to stratospheric ozone regulation to medicines and homes for all kinds of creatures, forests are indispensable to human and animal life and must be protected.’ Therefore, the Green Party calls for actions to protect our forests, including “overhaul state and U.S. Forest Service rules to protect our forests and use them wisely’ and ‘restructure all federal and state land use policies so that our practices become environmentally sustainable.’”

The first, of potentially several burns at Tracy Ridge is scheduled to make its debut in spring of 2021. However, the details for said burn have not been made clear. Barbara Laxon (McKean County), a member of the GPPA Steering Committee, stated in a comment to the Forest Service, “so we are told that we will have a few burns every ‘few’ years. How many is ‘few’? And to continue for how long? [….] And who benefits from an increase in oak over other species? Not the public.”

“In my opinion, the ANF biodiversity which already exists would be destroyed, including the nests of our most protected national bird – the Bald Eagle,” said Noah Alter, a Green Party member from Westmoreland County. “Moreover,with the current climate crisis, the evergreen population found at Tracy Ridge is able to pull more CO2 from the air which helps to provide for a cleaner environment for our Commonwealth as well as surrounding states.These trees are pivotal in the fight against climate change. Oak trees, on the other hand, are only active in pulling out harmful chemicals from the air during the months when leaves are on the trees. Hence, the evergreen population is much more beneficial for the current and well-established biodiversity and contributes significantly more in the fight against climate change. I believe that the benefits of retaining the evergreens seriously outweighs the proposal of destroying an ecosystem with the hopes of replacing it with more deciduous trees which would not be nearly as beneficial.”

 “While I understand that the prescribed burn is intended to help biodiversity, such a fire can also completely devastate the local ecosystem,” said Doug Mason, a leader of Centre County Green Party and Progressive Greens of Central PA. “This outcome can adversely impact the animals, insects, soil and water in the Tracy Ridge area. The stream water may even receive pollution from the smoke and ash. Without fish, there are fewer options for animals. This cycle continues until there is nothing left, the biome starts restoring itself, or everything leaves because the resources are so few. The Allegheny National Forest is already stressed by human pressure. Therefore, I say, ‘No,’ to the prescribed burn on Tracy Ridge.” 

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/; Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/; and Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA. 

“Platform,” Green Party of the U.S., III. Ecological Sustainability, L. Forestry Practices,
https://www.gp.org/ecological_sustainability/#esForestry ; 

“Forest Service Proposes Fires in Part of Allegheny National Forest to Help Oaks Grow” by Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,  October 13, 2020, https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/10/13/oak-tree-regeneration-Allegheny-National-Forest-prescribed-burn-Forest-Service/stories/202010130144

“Tracy Ridge Oak Ecosystem Conservation,” Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, September 10, 2020,
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58647 . 

December 2020

Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.

PA Green Party 2020 Candidates Light the Way for 2021!

  by Tina Olson, Organizer of Lehigh Valley Green Party

What an amazing year to reflect on as the first year of this new decade. From the unprecedented Coronavirus that threatened our society to the absurd and dangerous leans of our country towards greed and apathy. One thing that is more evident after this year is that both grassroots politics and mutual aid have an undeniable and crucial role in the future of our representation and planet. The resilience that the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) has shown despite the obstacles should be celebrated. Each candidate, volunteer, and voter took a brave stance in listening to their conscience and trusting the values of the Green Party to be a beacon and commonplace for those who maintain the hope for a better world.

The divisiveness of voters in PA was nearly 50/50, but in the distance there is a steady cry for change in the failing two-party system. According to Pennsylvania Elections - Summary Results, each of our statewide candidates sealed above 1% of the vote, which means that we have maintained minor party status in PA. Including the Libertarian Party, 3% of our state stands together to fight back against the duopoly, even during a pandemic-even during the panic of Donald Trump. It makes so much sense that in the state of Birthplace of American Democracy, the tiniest voices held steadfast for the sake of progress. We pushed the fear out and remained courageous and committed in our convictions.

We could not have done any of this without our candidates putting themselves in that spotlight to represent our growing party. We thank them for all that they have done for us and for all of the time that it took. We expect a more concise break-down of votes in the coming weeks, particularly learning the results of the last-minute write-in campaign for Howie Hawkins and Angela Walker.

Olivia Faison of Philadelphia, our 2020 candidate for PA Auditor General, has expressed interest in continuing her everyday fight for us while working with local non-profits. Her voice in the GPPA is a fire that keeps us all reminded to challenge ourselves to take brave steps for the betterment of ourselves and others.

Tim Runkle of Lancaster County, our 2020 candidate for PA Treasurer, continues his role as our state party treasurer and is looking forward to talking with people who are interested in learning the ropes of the Finance Team. He’s also the person to ask about donations and sustainable membership options.

Noel Antonio Rivera of Reading, our 2020 candidate for PA Representative District 127, is looking at running for office again soon.

Garret Wasserman of Allegheny County, our 2020 candidate for PA Representative District 45, continues to lead the GreenWave Team that is already getting busy looking at 2021 elections that are primarily local, municipalities, and judges. If you are interested in running or helping with campaigns for next year, please reach out to him as he has some exciting plans to help support potential candidates.

Jay Ting Walker of Allegheny County, our 2020 candidate for PA Representative District 23, continues his role in the GPPA while also balancing a role in the Green Party Young Ecosocialists, https://www.yesgp.org, and at a national level, and at a national level.

We also look forward to hearing from 2020 candidates like Richard L. Weiss of Allegheny County and Michael Badges-Canning of Venango County, our 2020 candidate for PA Representative District 64.

The GPPA are so grateful for all of the participation this year from everyone and look forward to the expansion developing right now in the inner works of our Party. As always, we would love to hear from you!

GPPA News Highlights   

  edited by Chris Robinson 

GPPA State Meeting on 11/15

On November 15, GPPA held a virtual meeting of county delegates. There were 29 delegates participating and 19 observers from 17 counties. Delegates heard reports from active county Green Parties, and reports from GPPA’s four teams. Delegates approved by consensus a Reform Proposal, which was sent to the teams for implementation. Delegates were also asked to nominate candidates for the 2021 Green Party leadership election, which will be held on January 10, 2021. The nomination form is here, https://www.gpofpa.org/nominations (show all)

Red, White, Blue, and . . . Green!

  by Hana Graybill

Democrat and Republican. Liberal and Conservative. Left and Right. The United States is dominated by a bipartisan system. These two poles vehemently oppose each other, demanding that citizens choose a side. The media perpetuates this bipartisanship, almost exclusively covering these two parties. Yet, more than 60 other political parties are currently active throughout the country. . . .

The Green Party has been active internationally since 1972, but it was not officially established in the U.S. until 2001. The party now has members in more than 90 countries, and in the U.S., membership includes more than 150 elected Greens and almost 200 running in 2020. Most states have a Green Party, but whether those state parties are officially recognized or not depend on state laws. A grassroots organization that stands for the health of the planet and future generations, the Greens base all their actions on four pillars: peace, ecology, social justice, and democracy. These pillars relate to their 10 key values, including decentralization, respect for social justice, and feminism and gender equity. They aim to end the country’s two-party system and the control by the one percent. (show all)

“PA Legislators Self Deal,” says Green Party Candidate

  by Michael Badges-Canning

Michael Bagdes-Canning is the Green Party candidate for PA House District 64, and he is a man of the people. “For too long the politicians who govern us have promised us the world, only to sell it to the highest corporate bidder,” said Michael. . . . On October 8, Bagdes-Canning, with members of Oil Region DSA and students from Cranberry High School, paid a visit to Representative R. Lee James’ office with a “silver platter special” -- three platters of anti-corruption legislation that are overwhelmingly supported by PA voters: a gift ban, an end to the per diem, and an end to partisan gerrymandering. (show all)

PA Greens Push for an End to Fracking

  by Matt Nemeth, North Hills Coordinator, Green Party of Allegheny County

Public opinion about fracking among PA voters is completely split down the middle. Yet when it comes to government representation, half of the Pennsylvanian electorate has virtually no one to turn to. The Green Party of PA (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) believes our citizens deserve politicians committed to guarding public and environmental health, unencumbered by lies that fracking is safe and economic devastation is the only alternative.(show all)

PA Greens Warn of Rule by Corporate Club

  by GPPA Co-chair Alan Smith

With a 5-2 Democratic majority, the PA Supreme Court ruled on 9/17 that Green Party Presidential Candidate Howie Hawkins, would be taken off the PA ballot for the General Election. This overturned a previous ruling by the PA Commonwealth Court. In response to this loss, by the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org), Co-chair Alan Smith (Chester) lamented, "All the hard work we did, being forced to petition during a pandemic, risking our lives and the lives of others, over 30 volunteers painstakingly reviewing our petitions line by line, thousands of dollars spent in lawyers fees, and the courts still manage to kick two of our candidates off the ballot, one of them a queer, working class Black woman.” (show all)

GPPA Will End Housing Insecurity

  by Justin Bell

The elected leaders of Philadelphia, PA, are debating how to deal with three encampments of people who have no permanent homes. There have been several threats to remove the unhoused citizens using police force, and some of these threats have been reversed by the courts. As a Green Party of PA (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) leader, I do not approve of evicting the encampments. This would endanger those living in them and get us further from a resolution. In today’s climate we can not ask the police force to do anything responsibly or expect any accountability from them for the damage done in the process. However the encampments are really just the surface of the core issue. How do we end housing insecurities? (show all)

Team Updates   

Finance Team by Tim Runkle

The Finance Team establishes the Green Party budget; plans events, meetings, and fundraising initiatives; promotes membership options; and manages merchandise. Please join the Finance Team hereHERE.

GreenWave Team by Garret Wassermann

Green Wave thanks all of our candidates this year, as well as our volunteers. Thanks to your hard work, the Green Party has maintained minor political party status, which is beneficial to help the party grow and run more candidates in the future. To prepare for those candidates in 2021, we’re holding a Re-Organizing Meeting on 12/3 at 8 pm to discuss what needs to be done in our counties to grow our Green Wave network. All Green Wave county or regional coordinators are invited to join us, even if you haven’t been active in a while. We invite anyone thinking about running for office or interested in assisting a campaign to join the discussion. RSVP and receive the Zoom call information at https://www.gpofpa.org/green_wave_2020_12

To join the Green Wave Team and get invited to future organizing calls, please visit HERE to receive call info or email for more information!

Communications Team by Tina Olson

The ComTeam is asking for you to get involved in writing op-eds in local newspapers and for our monthly GREEN STAR newsletter. We would like to expand our media team to be more inclusive for members from the Black Caucus, Latinx Caucus, National Women’s Caucus and Lavender Greens to help us highlight the diversity in our Party. Please contact Chris Robinson or Tina Olson with your ideas! To join our team, please volunteer at https://www.gpofpa.org/, or to join online, sign up HERE.

Core Team by Charles Sherrouse

On November 16 the State Committee referred an organizational reform proposal to the Core team. This brought a resurgence of interest in the Core Team. The Team decided to implement several changes to the GPofPA slack platform. The next focus of discussion will be on Core functions, with a focus on volunteer integration and access to party resources. To join the Core Team, please visit If you are interested in helping, sign up HERE.

National Green News   

  edited by Hal Brown

Green, 26-Year-Old Mayor Elected in Baldwin Park, CA; Plus 10 Other Green Candidate Victories So Far

WASHINGTON — Overcoming immense challenges including “anyone but Trump”, pandemic campaigning conditions, nationwide panic about election integrity and four years of smears from the corporate oligarchy, the Green Party emerged from Election Day with 11 wins in the state of California and Oregon, and achievements elsewhere. (show all)

Global Green News   

  edited by Hal Brown

Green Politics is Class Politics

“I’ve seen several tweets recently by socialist activists on Twitter that I have a lot of time for, bemoan the fact that Labour are being outflanked on a variety of issues by the Green Party, despite the Greens having ‘no class analysis’. Or, as one tweet read, ‘The Greens think a class analysis has something to do with Ofsted.’ Which is a funny line, but simply not true. The Greens absolutely do have a class analysis, but it’s different and more expansive than that of Labour and the traditional left, and rarely theorised.” (show all)

Rwanda Elects Green Senator to Parliament!

“Members of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda September 24, 2020, elected both Mr. Alexis Mugisha and Ms. Mukakarangwa Clotilde to the Rwandan Senate as stipulated by the Rwandan Constitution. Both were confirmed yesterday by the Supreme Court. Mugisha, is the Commissioner General of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and has been a party member since its inception in 2009.” (show all)

GPPA Coming Events   

    edited by Chris Robinson

Green Party events are in GREEN. Other Movement events are in RED.

December 5
Green Party of Wayne County Meeting
Zoom contact and more information from: [email protected]

December 5, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
Westmoreland County PNC.
More information from: [email protected]

December 5, 3:30 PM
What’s Next? It’s Up to Us
Discussion host, Reclaim Philadelphia.
https://www.facebook.com/events/419533739045008

December 8, 7:00 pm
GPPA New Year Event
With live entertainment online.
More information from: [email protected]

December 9, 1:00 pm
Rails to Trails Conservancy
Redefining Safety on Trails Webinar.
Information and RSVP,
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1243962577612268048

December 10, 7:00 pm
Human Rights Film Festival Keynote Address
By Syrus Marcus Ware of Black Lives Matter.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1049101258869368

December 14, 7:30 pm
Green Party of Lackawanna County Virtual Meeting
Green Party of Lackawanna County Virtual Meeting. More information from: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/984757668700127

December 16, 5:30 pm
Philly Jobs with Justice Celebration
More information from: [email protected]
RSVP to https://actionnetwork.org/events/philly-jwj-end-of-year-celebration

December 19, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
Squirrel Hill PNC.
More information from: [email protected]

December 21, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Virtual Meeting
Virtual business meeting.
Please Email: [email protected]

December 22, 7:30 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/260828888556403/

January 6, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
Zoom contact and more information from: [email protected]

GPPA Meeting Dates for 2021:

• January 10 Winter Committee Web Conference (officer elections & candidate selection), noon.
• March 14 Spring State Committee Web Conference, noon
• June 13 Summer State Committee Web conference, noon

Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information.  The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined.  In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers.  When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses.  To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events.  We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.

Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee 

Issue Credits:

EDITORS: Chris Robinson, Hal Brown, and Tina Olson
CONTRIBUTORS: Justin Bell, Hal Brown, Michael Badges Canning, Matt Nemeth, Tina Olson, Chris Robinson, Charles Sherrouse, and Alan Smith
LAYOUT: Hal Brown, Sherri Miller, and Tina Olson
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson

Everything we do is based on our Four Pillars and Ten Key Values. If you find that you share these ideals, come and join the movement.

You can support the Green Party in many ways; however, a monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to make their campaigns successful.  As little as $3 per month can have a significant impact! 

Sustaining Donation           Single Donation          Purchase Green Merchandise

Join us and help bring about a future where people and planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and support. And if you want to get more directly involved, consider joining an action team.  Work with other committed progressives and activists in activities such as planning events, developing media content, or helping with campaigns. Let's join together to make 2020 the year of progressives!

The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2020 

Green Party of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

CONTACT:
Chris Robinson, Communication Team
267-977-0570 and [email protected]

PA Greens: Don’t Call Burning Plastic “Recycling”

            The Steering Committee of the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) voted on October 25 to oppose the passage of PA House Bill 1808 (HB 1808) because the bill would expand the definition of recycling to include burning plastic waste as fuel. This bill has already passed the PA House of Representatives and is awaiting a vote in the PA Senate.

         A GPPA Steering Committee Member said, “The plastic industry has a waste stream which cannot be recycled. Their solution is to rename burning this waste as ‘advanced recycling.’ Voilà! Their problem is solved, the waste is now recyclable!  However, both the converting of plastic into fuel and the burning of this fuel create larger problems, such as creating incentives to use more plastic, increasing carbon dioxide emissions, and other serious environmental and health risks.” 

Environmental activists at PennEnviroment said, “The process touted as ‘advanced recycling’ by proponents in PA is by and large the opposite. Instead, existing facilities are primarily turning plastic into fuel to be burned. This network of waste-and-burn facilities overburden low-income communities and communities of color. This has serious climate and health implications and must be halted if we are to beat plastic pollution and climate change.” 

"Plastics are not renewable," said Chris Robinson, leader of GPPA's Communication Team. "Plastics don’t grow from sunlight. They are made from fossil fuels extracted from the ground, and each step in that process has the potential to pollute our air, water and soil. When you add incineration of plastic waste to the production of plastic waste, you are adding even more pollution."

This is why the Green Party is opposed to HB1808.  Instead, the Green Party proposes real, sustainable practices such as funding mass transit to reduce fuel use, investing in conservation and sustainable agriculture to reduce natural resource extraction, creating 20 million jobs over the next decade to transition to 100% renewable energy, and phasing out landfills and waste incinerators in favor of alternatives including but not limited to source reduction and clean recycling and composting.  

Please join the Green Party in the struggle for a sustainable economy and future. The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: ecological wisdom, grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/; Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/; and Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA. 

For more information, please see:

“PA Legislation part of Nationwide Industry Effort to Push Misleading Plastic ‘Recycling,’” PennEnvironment News Release, July 28, 2020, https://pennenvironment.org/news/pae/new-report-plastic-%E2%80%9Cchemical-recycling%E2%80%9D-means-more-pollution-pennsylvania. 

 END ITEM      ***      END ITEM      ***      END ITEM

Democrat and Republican. Liberal and Conservative. Left and Right. The United States is dominated by a bipartisan system. These two poles vehemently oppose each other, demanding that citizens choose a side. The media perpetuates this bipartisanship, almost exclusively covering these two parties. Yet, more than 60 other political parties are currently active throughout the country. Some of them, such as the Libertarian and Vermont Progressive Parties, are represented in Congress or state legislators. Others, such as the Green Party, have representatives serving at the municipal level.

Green Party of Pennsylvania
www.gpofpa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, October 31, 2020

CONTACT:
Chris Robinson, Communication Team, [email protected]

By Hana Graybill

The Green Party has been active internationally since 1972, but it was not officially established in the U.S. until 2001. The party now has members in more than 90 countries, and in the U.S., membership includes more than 150 elected Greens and almost 200 running in 2020. Most states have a Green Party, but whether those state parties are officially recognized or not depend on state laws.

A grassroots organization that stands for the health of the planet and future generations, the Greens base all their actions on four pillars: peace, ecology, social justice, and democracy. These pillars relate to their 10 key values, including decentralization, respect for social justice, and feminism and gender equity. They aim to end the country's two-party system and the control by the one percent.

Timothy Runkle has been involved with the Green Party since 2005. In addition to working as a Senior Project Manager in the environmental consulting industry, he serves as both the Treasurer for the Green Party of Pennsylvania and the co-chair of the Lancaster County Green Party. He is also running for Pennsylvania State Treasurer as the Green Party candidate in the fast-approaching election.

I recently spoke over the phone with Runkle about his experience working with the media and campaigning as a third-party candidate. We began by discussing whether he feels as though the media is stacked against him and the Green Party.

"Yes and no," he said. "In one sense, you really need to do the work in order to get the attention. People can't sit and complain that they don't get the spotlight if they are not out there running strong campaigns or doing something to get attention."

But even when the Greens are doing that work, the media are difficult to break into. Runkle noted that the media seems to have its own agenda, which they know will provide them with successful stories.

"In that sense, it probably is rigged in a certain way that's not to our benefit or to the ordinary person's benefit," he said. "The media, especially the national media, is its own machine with its own functions."

Thus, obtaining a seat at those media tables is incredibly difficult and can be quite frustrating. As Runkle mentioned, both the Democratic and Republican parties have been established for many years. They have strong connections with the media and long contact lists. Third parties like the Greens do not have that advantage.

"That's a challenge and a frustration," said Runkle of this disadvantage, "because you know right off the bat that there's a step above you that you just won't be able to attain when you don't have the brand recognition."

Locally in Pennsylvania, the Greens have some of this brand recognition thanks to both the work they do and their elected officials. Nationally, though, Runkle would like to see a lot of reform, starting with the presidential debates. He described the Commission on Presidential Debates as "an awful mess of partisan folks that have no interest in including any outside opinion." Instead of the Commission, he would love to see control turned back over to the League of Women Voters who previously included third-party candidates.

Runkle would also like to see a change to publicly funded elections, as well as the overturning of Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission. He said the Supreme Court's 2010 controversial decision "basically made money equal to free speech and allows for unlimited spending by super packs and candidate-affiliate packs." He contends that these elements prevent candidates without loads of disposable money to fund their campaign from gaining exposure and attention.

So, without this money and the media contacts, how does the Green Party drive awareness to their platform and candidates? The answer stems from the Greens' grassroots approach.

"In our view, there's really only one way to do it, and that's to be connected to your community, in particular, frontline communities," said Runkle."The folks that are most disenfranchised in the political process and have the most to lose are the people that we connect with."

Over the past few months, the Green Party has sent representatives to Philadelphia's homeless encampment, which was formed because of the pandemic. Yet, these representatives were not necessarily there to gain recognition or register party members.

"We understand that the community, when they are self-empowered, will move forward on actions on their own," Runkle said."If they see the Greens as a vehicle to do that, that's important for our growth but more importantly for their growth."

The Party does similar work across Pennsylvania through public advocacy groups like Pittsburghers for Public Transit and March on Harrisburg. Unfortunately, this work is often done without drawing much public attention to the Greens. Runkle admitted that they could do a better job of raising awareness about these efforts by alerting the media with more than just their monthly newsletter.

Regrettably, the media coverage that the Greens do receive tends to be negative. For instance, earlier this year, the Democratic Party sued to remove the Green Party from the ballot, which delayed printing.

"We were getting media inquiries left and right over that," said Runkle."The New York Times, the Washington Post, we were on CNN. And that's the only time they really reach out to us, when it becomes a problem for the other two power parties."

Despite all these obstacles, the Green Party continues to run candidates, some of whom do succeed in getting elected. For example, in Philadelphia County, Green Party member Kristin Combs is serving as a Philadelphia Judge of Elections, and in Allegheny County, Jay Ting Walker is a Pittsburgh Inspector of Elections. Runkle explained that this success is thanks to good candidates, the Party's perseverance, and hard work.

"Having the right candidate is important, and you can do that by persistence," he said. "Candidates kind of pop up and are motivated for a multitude of reasons. The ones that are successful are normally the ones that have been doing the work in their communities for years."

He recalled a successful election year a while back when 19 out of about 25 Green candidates were elected. Though the numbers are small, the percentage is large, especially for the effort that they put in to make those wins happen. As the public witnesses these successes, he believes that "public attitude will change and get away from the dipoles and see that we have more options."

Other successes for the Greens have happened in court when they have challenged unconstitutional election laws. In 2006, Green Senate candidate Carl Romanelli was kicked off the ballot by Democratic candidate Bob Casey for not having enough signatures. But in addition to that expulsion, he was fined almost $80,000 to cover Casey's court fees. The Green Party took this to the U.S. Court of Appeals, where the court ruled that levying court fees is an obstruction to seeking public office.

In 2016, Green presidential candidate Jill Stein filed for a recount of presidential votes in three states, including Pennsylvania. Quickly, though, she dropped the Pennsylvanian case because she and the Greens determined that even if a recount was awarded, the votes would not manually be recounted. Instead, the votes would be run through the computer again, just as had been done before, producing the same result. Out of that case came changes to the Pennsylvania voting system, such as verifiable paper trails on all votes and upcoming election-result auditing.

Runkle admits that he does not know whether these cases helped the Green Party. However, he thinks they helped the public in general. "Those two cases weren't something that we did for ourselves," he said. "We did it for everybody, and it did overturn some unconstitutional election laws."

Runkle is seeing public attitude start to change, especially thanks to the upcoming presidential election. He mentioned that many more groups have been reaching out to the Green Party than in years past, looking for inclusion in the political process. Again, he referenced the League of Women Voters who are trying to include all candidates in local debates instead of just those from the left and right. Other groups have reached out to include the Greens in voter guides.

"I think that's a good thing," Runkle said about these changes. "Something to look forward to for our party and for everybody."

More information about 2020 GPPA candidates can be found at: https://www.greenslate2020.org/. The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party's Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook and Twitter.

Hana Graybill is a senior studying communication at Drexel University. She hopes to pursue a career in corporate social responsibility, specifically working on community and employee engagement programs, after graduating in June 2021. This article was originally submitted as a course assignment that objectively assesses the Green Party's efforts to connect with the media and the public.

November 2020

Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.

GPPA News Highlights   

  edited by Chris Robinson 

Green Party of Allegheny County joins Medicare-for-All Speakout

On October 16, GPOAC joined an event sponsored by the Western PA Coalition for Single-Payer Healthcare. (show all)

Berks County Green Party at Cannabis Fest, 10/3--10/4

PA Greens Building Name Recognition

Green Party candidates use the media to build name recognition. Here are four examples:
Timothy Runke joins Joseph Soloski, both candidates for PA State Treasurer, on the WWDB Pennsylvania Project for a conversation on how each will fulfill the duties of the office. https://wwdbam.com/episodes/the-pennsylvania-project-episode-76/?fbclid=IwAR1UHaMjfXgZat-eBOW0VANv3O4Y-3gVDKYf4ZEQaoNAc1BLmFWIzsMk9Xg
During his interview with Scott LaMar of WITF Smart Talk, Timothy Runkle explains that we can use the PA State Treasurer’s office to provide a new perspective on Commonwealth revenues and spending. https://www.witf.org/2020/09/21/smart-talk-tuesday-dem-congressional-candidate-eugene-depasquale-green-treasurer-candidate-tim-runkle/
Timothy Runkle discusses direct democracies, cooperatives, fossil fuel subsidies, and the case against nuclear energy as well as the importance of understanding fiat currency for the State Treasurer of Pennsylvania. Tim joins the United Anarchist News Show at 1 hour into the podcast. https://www.twitch.tv/videos/755110308?fbclid=IwAR2dqOF0lkKrM5d54zFt0ITwg0khQJu505UkTSvOnfI5EAlSlKn_7kxk_cw
In this brief appearance on Renegade ReW Timothy Runkle provides an update on the difficulties of ballot access and touches on his campaign for PA State Treasurer. Includes details on the Amish for Trump, Intercourse, and the smorgasbords of Lancaster County, PA. https://vimeo.com/459725940?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220https://vimeo.com/459725940?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220

Campaign Updates   

  edited by Tina Olson  

We asked our Green Party candidates what they learned while running for office during 2020. Here is some of what we heard from them:

Jay Ting Walker for PA Representative, District 23
Jay told GREEN STAR, "This election I learned how important having a robust campaign team is. Our campaign team got upgraded in the middle of the campaign, and it was transformational. I wish I spent a lot more time fundraising to pay for necessary campaign expenses. I think having some paid staff will be the difference between our winning and our losing campaigns in the future. There is always more that can be done, and I don't beat myself up for not getting to them. Another major difference would have been to start the campaign earlier. We've learned so much this campaign season. I'm excited to see what we get up to next year.”
Follow Jay’s campaign on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/JayTingWalker; Twitter, https://twitter.com/Jaytingwalker; or Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/jaytingwalker/. Donations and volunteers from across the state are more than welcome on my website, http://jaytingwalker.com/

Garret Wassermann for PA Representative, District 45
Garret told GREEN STAR, “I've learned that a campaign, at least for state office, cannot be done by one person alone. It truly takes a village. The Green Party must be our village of candidates and campaign staff and volunteers, ready to jump in and fight and win. We need to also have our whole campaign year planned out ahead of time, with specific tasks each month we can give to volunteers. I'm looking forward to debriefing the year with other candidates and volunteers and coming up with a plan for the elections in 2021, 2022, and beyond.”
You can learn more about Garret’s campaign or donate at http://www.votegarret.org/. Garret’s Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/

Michael Bagdes-Canning for PA Representative, District 64
You can follow Michael on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/mike4pa64/; Twitter, https://mobile.twitter.com/bagdescanning; Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/mikebagdescanning; and his website, https://www.mikeforpa64.com/

Noel Antonio Rivera for PA Representative, District 127
Noel’s Facebook is, https://www.facebook.com/riveraforpa/, and his website is https://riveraforpa.wixsite.com/bethechange. He can be reached at [email protected]

Three State-wide Green Party Candidates, https://www.greenslate2020.org/

Richard L. Weiss, Esq. for PA Attorney General

Tim Runkle for PA Treasurer
Pleased follow Tim on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Tim4ElectedOffice/

Olivia Faison for PA Auditor General
Olivia told GREEN STAR, “This election cycle has been a different kind of challenge due to the unprecedented Covid pandemic. The crisis has caused reflection on how important our focus needs to be on grassroots organizations. In particular, getting involved to help the over 100,000 smaller nonprofits in Pennsylvania with 501(c)3 status, to get funding, as they are the devoted liaisons, and the keepers of our culture and our unique heritage. In addition, these organizations are perfectly positioned to create jobs for the all-important "Gig Economy," the actual economy which employs most of the people. Furthermore, these organizations are on the front line of social changes, and impacting social issues such as homelessness and criminal justice reform. As we weather the economic upheaval this health crisis has caused,” Olivia has spent a lot of time supporting such organizations and events. All the while, she continues to campaign for Grassroots Democracy: a change for the better, of the people, by the people, for the people, and including the people in decisions that affect their lives.

Team Updates   

Finance Team by Tim Runkle

The Finance Team establishes the Green Party budget; plans events, meetings, and fundraising initiatives; promotes membership options; and manages merchandise. Please join the Finance Team HERE.

GreenWave Team by Garret Wassermann

The Green Wave Team uses the electoral process to energize and grow county locals. We use a regional approach to coordinate and support our efforts across the Commonwealth. To receive an invitation to the next Green Wave virtual meeting, please contact HERE.

To join the Green Wave Team and get invited to future organizing calls, please visit HERE to receive call info or email for more information!

Communications Team by Chris Robinson

PA Greens (and its county chapters) now have nine Twitter accounts. If you want to start your own, please consider joining the ComTeam. If you would like to join our team, please volunteer at https://www.gpofpa.org/, or to join online, sign up HERE..

Core Team by Charles Sherrouse

The Core Team establishes party rules, develops the platform, and manages the tools and systems that maintain the Green Party and allow it to grow. Please join the Core Team HERE.

National Green News   

  edited by David Ochmanowicz.

Please volunteer to edit this page for future issues of GREEN STAR.‌ ‌Instruction is available.

C-NET Interview with Tim Runkle, Green Party Candidate for PA Treasurer

Check out Tim Runkle’s interview with Anne Danahy on C-NET where he talks about pivoting priorities for the Pennsylvania State Treasurer. (show all)

Celebrating the founding of the Black Panther Party

Meanwhile, Democrats, as expected, have taken the slogans of organizations like Black Lives Matter to make grand gestures but, ultimately, doing nothing more to solve problem. This is why the Green Party is so necessary. Someone has to raise awareness of these issues. Someone has to spell out plans for how we end the abuse, misconduct, and blatant murders being committed by police officers (who are then only given administrative leave as “punishment”). (show all)

Hawkins says Supreme Court nomination should wait until after the election

The recent Democrat appointees, including Ruth Badder Ginsberg, have been neoliberals on economics who agree with the conservative justices on corporate power. Like the rest of the body politic, the court has shifted far to the right, with the current liberal bloc being centrists by historical standards and much to the right of recent liberal standard-bearers such as William Brennan and Thurgood Marshall. Today's SCOTUS liberals would have been on the right in Earl Warren's Supreme Court. The court is the most business-friendly in a century. (show all)

Questions for the 2020 Candidates: Ward 3 Council Craig Cayetano

“I helped to start a mutual aid group: Mutual Passaic County during the pandemic, am a founding member of Voter Choice NJ and am currently one of the state co-chairs of the Green Party of New Jersey. I work with people every day, in many different capacities and can put aside partisan party politics to forge a path ahead together. I’m not someone that is just going to fall in line. I stand up, speak up, make objective decisions and am a listener.” (show all)

Henry Bear: An authentic voice for the people

Maine Green Independent Party representative Henry Bear has successfully entered into the race for District 2 of the Maine State Senate. Bear, a member of the Houlton Band of Maliseets, will run against Incumbent Michael Carpenter (D) and Harold Stewart (R) as a write-in candidate. Bear joined the Green Independent Party on November 22, 2017, becoming the second Green Party member to serve in the Maine House of Representatives and also one of the two highest elected members of the United States Green Party. (show all)

Global Green News   

  edited by Hal Brown

The Green Party of Bolivia urges supporters to polls “in defense of life and democracy”

“BOLIVIAN CITIZENS CANNOT ALLOW THE RETURN TO GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMAGOGIC PRACTICES OF MAS, WHICH INTERNATIONALLY PROCLAIMED THE DEFENSE OF MOTHER EARTH AND NATURE, BUT IN REALITY IS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MOST DISGUISED IN ITS PREDATORY AND SQUANDERING OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES” -- Margot Soria Saravia, leader of the Green Party of Bolivia. (show all)

Green Party conference backs reparations for slavery

The Green Party of England and Wales today became the first political party with representation in the UK parliament to support a policy of reparations for slavery. At the party’s Autumn conference – held online due to the coronavirus pandemic. 93% of members voted to back the pro-reparations motion. The move sees the party calling for the UK government to commit to a “holistic process of atonement and reparations.” (show all)

Senators of Green Alliance Party call for Columbia to ratify the Escazu’ Agreement 

Senators of the Green Alliance Party (Partido Alianza Verde) of Colombia are calling for President Iván Duque to ratify the Escazú Agreement. It is the first multilateral environmental agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean – and in the world – that would protect human rights defenders in environmental matters. This comes as the Colombian Congress is scheduled to meet on October 14 for the presentation of the Escazú Agreement to the Senate and House. The months prior have seen a lead up of opposition from within Congress against the treaty. Opposing parties cite the effect on mining, energy and transport sectors. Another source of controversy, the scope of the precautionary principle and how far it will reach. (show all)

Katrin Jakobsdottir Announces Iceland Will Achieve Paris Agreement Targets

“Politics is about succeeding in important matters. Climate change is a priority for this government, and it is therefore a great pleasure to present today a new action plan on climate change, which shows that due to targeted action, Iceland will live up to its obligations under the Paris Agreement – and better yet. This is not a matter of course, but the government decided at the beginning of this election period to put the climate fight at the forefront, and since then we have worked hard to achieve our goal of a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030. Now we are aiming for that and I am incredibly proud!” (show all)

GPPA Coming Events   

  edited by Chris Robinson

November 1, 9:00 pm
End of Great Green Clean-up!
Sponsored by the Green Party of Lackawanna County.
More information from: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/742624116521385

November 3, 7:00 am until 8:00 pm
GENERAL ELECTION DAY
Please volunteer at your polling place.
More information from: [email protected]

November 7, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
South 18th & East Carson Streets, Pittsburgh.
More information from: [email protected]

Zoom Trivia with Green Party of Westmoreland County
More information from Bili: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/1065986527190005/

November 10, 6:00 pm
From the Hearts & Minds of Our Youth
The Diversity Coalition hosts a virtual panel of youth discussing their visions of the future. Please register here:
https://www.wdcoalition.org/register/

November 10, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Chester County Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]

November 15, noon
GPPA Virtual Conference
Everyone is welcome
Please register in advance to receive ZOOM contact information, :
https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_11_conf

November 16, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Virtual Meeting
Virtual business meeting.
More information from: [email protected]

November 21, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
401 Beaver Street, Sewickley.
More information from: [email protected]

November 24, 7:30 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/260828878556404/

December 1, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
ZOOM and more information from: [email protected]

GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:

• November 15, Post-Election Day (virtual), noon
• January 10, Winter Web Conference (officer elections & 2021 candidate selection), noon.
• March 14, Spring State Committee (in person, location to be determined), noon.
• June 13, Summer Web Conference, noon.

Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information.  The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined.  In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers.  When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses.  To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events.  We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.

Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee 

Issue Credits:

EDITORS: Hal Brown, David Ochmanowicz, Tina Olson & Chris Robinson.   
CONTRIBUTORS: Olivia Faison, Tim Runkle, Jay Ting Walker, & Garret Wassermann.
LAYOUT: Dannee Schoepfer & Hal Brown 
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson 

Everything we do is based on our Four Pillars and Ten Key Values. If you find that you share these ideals, come and join the movement.

You can support the Green Party in many ways; however, a monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to make their campaigns successful.  As little as $3 per month can have a significant impact! 

                     Sustaining Donation           Single Donation          Purchase Green Merchandise

Join us and help bring about a future where people and planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and support. And if you want to get more directly involved, consider joining an action team.  Work with other committed progressives and activists in activities such as planning events, developing media content, or helping with campaigns. Let's join together to make 2020 the year of progressives!

The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2020 

Candidate for PA House District 64 Wants End To Per Diem Pay

Michael Bagdes-Canning is the Green Party candidate for PA House District 64, and he is a man of the people. “For too long the politicians who govern us have promised us the world, only to sell it to the highest corporate bidder,” said Michael. “The corruption of our two major parties has been the millstone around the neck of our once thriving working-class community. How many good, high paying jobs must move away before we stand up and say we won't take it anymore? The jobs we have lost are gone, and we cannot bring them back. We can create a new generation of high-quality jobs by investing in a Green New Deal that restores the damage done by industry and prepares our home for the future. I believe our district can be a place where every person can live a dignified life: where every person who is able to work can work, where every person can comfortably afford the basic provisions they need to survive, and where we exist harmoniously with the land we live and rely on.”

On October 8, Bagdes-Canning, with members of Oil Region DSA and students from Cranberry High School, paid a visit to Representative R. Lee James’ office with a “silver platter special” -- three platters of anti-corruption legislation that are overwhelmingly supported by PA voters: a gift ban, an end to the per diem, and an end to partisan gerrymandering. Several days before that, Michael went to Jame’s office in Harrisburg to make similar demands. Michael said, “Our PA legislators are handsomely paid (around $87,000 per year, at minimum), but on top of their pay they can get an additional $179 per day while they are in Harrisburg or doing official business.”

 Gift Ban
“Our legislators can be gifted almost anything, and they are: sports tickets, wining and dining, luxury vacations,” said Bagdes-Canning. “Lobbyists gift our legislators routinely, but they don’t have to report the gifts unless they cross a certain threshold.”

End the Per Diem
“They are incentivized to accept wining and dining because they also get a per diem of $179,” said Michael. “They do not have to submit receipts. The money is tax-free. $179 works out to about $22.38 per hour if they work an 8 hour day. The average pay for workers in Venango County is $19.20 per hour. The per diem can add a significant amount. In one calendar year, from November of 2015 to December of 2016, James collected $15,752. That placed him near the top of all legislators. He chose not to submit receipts, to merely collect the per diem. At the very least, this smacks of arrogance. At its worst, it smacks of corruption.”

Stop Partisan Gerrymandering
Michael is for ending partisan gerrymandering. “Too many legislators run for re-election because they have designed their districts to be insulated from any challengers,” he said. “But this should be a democracy. The people should pick their representatives, not the other way around.”

Michael Bagdes-Canning said, “R. Lee James has been in Harrisburg since 2013, he has had the opportunity to sponsor this legislation, and he has not. If I am elected, I will immediately sign on to each of these pieces of legislation as a cosponsor. If elected, I will not collect a per diem.”

Michael Bagdes-Canning, Green Party candidate for PA House District 64, is pleased to have been endorsed by several groups and individuals. He has been endorsed by the following organizations:

PA Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals (PASNAP);
Clean Water Action;
Sunrise Pittsburgh;
Our Revolution, Butler;
Indivisible We Rise, West Central PA;
Grassroots Pittsburgh;
Green Party of Pennsylvania, and
Oil Region Democratic Socialists of America.

Michael Bagdes-Canning has also been endorsed by a number of individuals of note:
John Kluck, Chair of Venango County Democrats and former candidate for this seat,
Bhaskar Sunkara (D), Activist and Journalist;
Dr. Jill Stein (G), Green Party 2016 Presidential Candidate;
Howie Hawkins (G), Green Party 2020 Presidential Candidate;
Peter Buck (D), Candidate for PA State Representative, District 171;
Ellen Gerhart (D), Camp White Pine | PSEA Member; 
Ed Grystar (G), Western PA Coalition for Single-Payer Healthcare, Chair | PASNAP, Organizer;
Maggie Henry (D), The Farmer’s Wife | Organic farmer | Beyond Extreme Energy;
Ron Lockwood (R), Mayor, Cherry Valley, PA;
Mel Packer (G), Former US Senate Candidate | Social Justice Advocate; and
Leslie Stauffer (D), Marcellus Outreach Butler, Planning Group Member | Labor For Standing Rock, Member.

You can follow Michael on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/mike4pa64/; Twitter, https://mobile.twitter.com/bagdescanning; Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/mikebagdescanning; and his website, https://www.mikeforpa64.com/.

More information about 2020 GPPA candidates can be found at https://www.greenslate2020.org/. The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,  and Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA. 

PA Greens Push for an End to Fracking

By Matt Nemeth, North Hills Coordinator, Green Party of Allegheny County. 

       It has taken slightly more than a decade for hydraulic fracturing to entrench itself in PA, forming a beltway of 10,000 wells that arc from the southwest to the northeast. Colloquially referred to as fracking, the process involves drilling and pumping high pressure chemical-laden water and sand deep into underground shale deposits to release and capture gas and oil. Over the years, it has become evident that economic prosperity has fallen short of original promises, while alarming reports of public health decline, potent greenhouse gas leaks, and environmental devastation have bubbled to the surface.

       Public opinion about fracking among PA voters is completely split down the middle. Yet when it comes to government representation, half of the Pennsylvanian electorate has virtually no one to turn to. The Green Party of PA (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) believes our citizens deserve politicians committed to guarding public and environmental health, unencumbered by lies that fracking is safe and economic devastation is the only alternative.

       This industry that poisons PA’s waters and sickens its people has near total condonation among state government leaders. Such a vast majority of Republican and Democratic politicians support fracking that finding opposition is like searching for a needle in a haystack. PA Governor Tom Wolf, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, all eighteen of the state’s current U.S. representatives, and both of its senators support the continued use of fracking nationally with the amount of regulation needed the only variation in opinion.

       Many politicians and fossil fuel industry representatives have claimed that fracking is “clean and safe,” but the findings in science and health reports beg to differ. Because the PA Departments of Health and Environmental Protection have ignored the crisis brought on by fracking pollution, government led studies on its health and environmental effects are scarce. Politicians have used this to their advantage over the years, telling the public they have nothing to fear because the Departments of Health and Environmental Protection have not found links between fracking and certain health issues or environmental pollution. This, however, is because they have not been looking. Fortunately, this gap has been partially filled by science-based nonprofits, independent newsrooms, and concerned public citizens. What we have learned from their studies, investigative reporting, and firsthand testimony is not encouraging.

       There are communities in PA where the residents have to drive out of town weekly to buy dozens of gallons of water to drink and bathe safely. This is because their well water was contaminated by cancer-causing toxic chemicals leaching from nearby fracking wells. There are numerous reports of farm animals, pets, and wildlife sickening or dying from contaminated drinking water and radioactive chemical waste released into waterways. In southwestern PA, an alarming jump in the rate of rare cancers has been recorded since 2008, when fracking started proliferating in the region. Only now, is the PA Department of Health planning a study that examines whether there is a correlation between the two.

       In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, which Democrats now fashionably claim to be concerned with, a recent scientific study found PA emits about one million tons of methane annually due to fracking. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, contributing to a quarter of all global warming. It is capable of about eighty times the warming caused by carbon dioxide.

       Out of a combined 253 politicians in the PA General Assembly, just a handful of Democrats favor a statewide ban. Even DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell, charged specifically with protecting the health of Pennsylvania’s ecosystems, will not publicly condemn the fracking industry. Some might have hoped June’s Grand Jury Report exposing the statewide scope of pollution and absent regulatory effort would be bombshell enough to spur state lawmakers into action, but alas money seems to have spoken louder than the cries of the sick.

       The Green Party of Pennsylvania has officially opposed the practice of fracking since 2008, when it was evident that the use of volatile chemicals could harm local communities and waterways. Unfortunately, the Greens were right. In the years since, we have heard the voices of the sick. We have seen the destruction done to our major waterways and delicate ecosystems. We know that the continuation of oil and gas drilling means more greenhouse gas emissions and the resignation of our planet’s climate stability. Thus far, our state’s government and business institutions have failed us, and they continue to lead us on a path to ruin. That is why the Green Party puts forth our candidates every election, so PA voters have a choice.

       On November 3, the GPPA will have candidates for PA Auditor General, PA Attorney General, PA Treasurer, State Representatives for Districts 23, 45 (write-in), 64, and 127 (write-in), U.S. Vice President, and President (both write-in). All Green Party candidates support a ban on the dangerous practice of fracking. The GPPA calls upon all citizens of the Commonwealth to become politically active, to raise awareness of the dangers of fracking, and to pressure elected officials to oppose fracking and provide relief to the communities and habitats that have been decimated. We strongly encourage those who are deeply concerned about public and environmental health to explore running for local office in opposition to fracking, or to help those who will run. The crisis in our Commonwealth requires the election of more environmental stewards.

More information about 2020 GPPA candidates can be found at: https://www.greenslate2020.org/. The GPPA is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,  and Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA. 

For More Information, Please See: 

“Gas Drilling and Fracking,” Green Party of PA, https://www.gpofpa.org/fracking; 

Grand Jury Finds PA Failed To Protect Citizens During Fracking Boom,” Attorney General News Release, June 25, 2020, https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/press-releases/43rd-statewide-grand-jury-finds-pennsylvania-failed-to-protect-citizens-during-fracking-boom/; 

“Municipal Efforts against Fracking are Grassroots Democracy” by Garret Wassermann, November 19, 2019, https://www.gpofpa.org/municipal_efforts_against_fracking_are_grassroots_democracy; 

“PA Greens Demand 100%$ Renewable Energy,” Green Party of PA, July 3, 2019, https://www.gpofpa.org/pa_greens_demand_100_renewable. 

By Justin Bell, member of the Green Party of Philadelphia City Committee. 

The elected leaders of Philadelphia, PA, are debating how to deal with three encampments of people who have no permanent homes. There have been several threats to remove the unhoused citizens using police force, and some of these threats have been reversed by the courts. 

As a Green Party of PA (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) leader, I do not approve of evicting the encampments. This would endanger those living in them and get us further from a resolution. In today’s climate we can not ask the police force to do anything responsibly or expect any accountability from them for the damage done in the process.  However the encampments are really just the surface of the core issue.  How do we end housing insecurities?

The Green Party would begin by ensuring that people do not become homeless. That part won't be easy. The Green Party’s Howie Hawkins, candidate for president of the U.S., has put forth an Economic Bill of Rights.  This would include ending poverty as we know it. Hawkins says, “We will end poverty by guaranteeing every person has an income above the poverty line. The income guarantee will be built into the federal progressive income tax structure. If your income is below poverty, the federal government will send you a monthly check to bring your income above the poverty line. . . . We will update the official poverty line to reflect a realistic income needed for self-sufficiency to pay for basic needs. Researchers find that 200% of the current poverty line is a more realistic poverty line.”

Hawkins continues, “The income guarantee we will enact is often called the Negative Income Tax (NIT). We prefer it to the Universal Basic Income (UBI) because it targets the benefits to those who need it, provides a sufficient benefit to end poverty, and costs a fraction of a UBI.” 

Hawkins would also guarantee every person a job. His Economic Bill of Rights says, “We will enact . . . a federal job guarantee to every American willing and able to work in public services and public works (infrastructure). If you cannot find a living-wage job in the private sector, you go to the Employment Office — not the Unemployment Office — and get your living-wage job. The program will be like New Deal’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s, but expanded to guarantee full employment.” 

This would help citizens become independent and buy their own homes as opposed to renting and being at the mercy of landlords.  It is also a great way to build generational wealth. There are many families that are not able to leave an inheritance to their heirs. This exacerbates the wealth gap and is especially devastating to black and brown communities.

The Green Party’s next step will be to pick up the pieces and make people who have already lost their homes whole again. “There are 10 abandoned houses for every homeless person in Philadelphia right now,”  said Cheri Honkala, director and co-founder of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC, https://www.facebook.com/ppehrc). Honkala was the Green Party’s candidate for vice president in 2012. 

Hawkins’ Economic Bill of Rights says, “Public housing and universal rent control is how we will provide affordable housing for all who need it within a decade. We will build 25 million new units of public housing in a 10-year, $2.5 trillion public housing program that is part of our Ecosocialist Green New Deal. 40% of the units -- 10 million units -- will be set aside for low-income people seeking affordable housing. This set-aside will more than cover the current shortage of 7.8 million units of affordable housing for low income (7.5 million) and homeless (400,000) households and individuals. These public housing developments will be high quality, humanly scaled, and designed to be energy efficient and powered, heated, and cooled by clean energy. This housing program will be a jobs program, a clean energy program, desegregation program, and a walkable communities program as well as an affordable housing program.” 

Offering affordable housing is a good start. In order to accomplish it, universal rent control and public housing will need to be widespread.  It will be controlled federally so that local organizations like the Philadelphia Housing Authority(PHA) cannot use funds inappropriately.  A good example of that would be the $45 million PHA headquarters, where one of the encampments has staged itself. Instead, a community lead board should be elected to establish and enforce laws regarding the illegal repurposing of properties. This would apply to developers removing people from their homes or landlords charging unreasonable amounts.  

These actions need to be taken with utmost urgency. The unhoused population is expected to increase by 250,000 people in the U.S. This is the beginning of a crisis situation in our country. Lisa Savage, a Green Party candidate for senate in Maine tweeted: “Homelessness is an abomination & completely preventable with the vast resources of the U.S. I support the demands of Portland's tent-out protest led by unhoused folks, including an eviction freeze & safe space for unhoused people. Housing is a human right!”  

On September 10, a third attempt by the city of Philadelphia to evict the encampments was unsuccessful.  Activists (including GPPA & PPEHRC) from all around the city showed up in force to prevent the removal. They were successful. In a press conference, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney (D) stated, “We’re going to continue to try to do it the way we’ve been doing it, in an amicable way, in a non-forceful way. And we’ll continue doing that until we have to move it.”  So as of now, there is still a stand off.  The city offers temporary housing as a solution to a problem that is not temporary. We are going to need to think outside the two-party box in order to curtail this crisis.   

More information about 2020 GPPA candidates can be found at: https://www.greenslate2020.org/. The GPPA is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org or email [email protected]. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,  and Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA. 

For more information, please see: 

“Economic Bill of Rights” by Howie Hawkins for President, https://howiehawkins.us/the-economic-bill-of-rights/; and 

“Green Party of Philadelphia Joins the Fight for Housing Rights,” news release, July 26, 2017, https://www.gp.org/philly_greens_housing_rights.  

Green Party of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 24, 2020

CONTACT

Tina Olson
484-852-1883 and [email protected] 

and

Chris Robinson, Communication Team
267-977-0570 and [email protected]

PA Green Party Stands With Dr. Rachel Levine

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) unanimously upholds an unwavering commitment to ending harassment and violence towards LGBTQA+ by standing with Dr. Rachel Levine, secretary of the PA Department of Health. This decision by the GPPA Steering Committee on August 16 was made in response to the continued transphobic attacks Levine has incurred. The platform of the Green Party of the U.S. says, “We affirm the right of choosing non-binary and gender fluid identifications. We therefore support the right of individuals to be free from coercion and involuntary assignment of gender or sex.”

Levine has helped Pennsylvanians receive the best advisories and resources to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Tina Olson (Hellertown), an organizer for Lehigh Valley Green Party, said, “We are proud to offer our encouragement and support to all Pennsylvanians of varying sexual orientations and gender identities. We collectively see our Secretary of Health as a heroine to all of us in the fight for social justice and equality among marginalized communities. We also recognize the incredible devotion Levine has exhibited by providing our Commonwealth with her expertise during this evolving health crisis.”

In the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, it is truly unfortunate that the conversation has gotten twisted into an excuse to incite hatred and intolerance from both elected officials (who are expected to adhere to basic ethics, equal opportunity laws, and principles) and internet trolls (who represent the worst among us).  

One of the predominant themes of these attacks is the tendency to misgender Levine, which is a hateful theme of transphobia. These acts are ignorant, unfounded, and dangerous to our overall health as they are an attempt to undermine Levine’s work as a top-tier medical professional. Having to combat the conspiracy-driven, anti-mask crowd while keeping her head above brutal harassment, Levine has shown nothing but a steady hand in the face of adversity. 

From online attacks to incidents meant to devalue Levine and her life’s work, she has maintained grace and dignified professionalism in the line of fire. In a recent press briefing she said, “I want to emphasize that while these individuals might think they are only expressing their displeasure with me, they are in fact hurting thousands of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians who suffer directly from these current demonstrations of harassment.” 

Chris Robinson (Philadelphia), leader of the GPPA Communication Team, pointed out, “The Spring GPPA Delegates Meeting took a unanimous stand against gender and transphobic harassment.” Following that decision, Garret Wasserman, vice-chair of the Green Party of Allegheny County, said, “To fully support the Green Party's 10 Key Values, Greens must celebrate diversity and be inclusive and welcoming to all genders and sexual orientations, including non-binary and transgender folks who still face misunderstandings in society and even sometimes violent transphobia.”

As a graduate of Harvard University, Tulane University, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and as an accomplished pediatrician and professor at Penn Medicine, we should be marveling in the work Levine has done for all of us. From her team-building to combat eating disorders, to raising two children, to becoming one of the few transgendered individuals that hold an official government office, Levine has served as hope for younger generations to live in a world where we truly embrace each others’ diversity.

The Green Party insists that personal and individual freedom for all was the hope outlined for us in the conception of the U.S. Constitution. Hatred should have no home in the land of the free. 

The GPPA is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org or email [email protected]. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/,  and Twitter, https://twitter.com/GreenPartyofPA 

For more information, please see:

Green Party U.S. Platform; II. Social Justice; 5. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, https://www.gp.org/social_justice/#sjCivilRights; 

“Dr. Rachel Levine responds to transphobic comments: ‘I do not have time for intolerance’” by Madasyn Lee, TribLive.com, July 28, 2020, https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/dr-rachel-levine-responds-to-transphobic-comments-i-do-not-have-time-for-intolerance/;

“PA Greens support Lavender Greens on Gender Affirmation,” GPPA News Release, April 7, 2020, https://www.gpofpa.org/pa_greens_support_lavender_greens_on_gender_affirmation; and 

Lavender Greens Caucus, Green Party of the U.S., https://www.facebook.com/LavenderGreens and  https://www.lavendergreens.net/about

END ITEM      ***      END ITEM      ***      END ITEM

September 2020

Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.

Green Party Members and Friends,

On August 3, the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, http://www.gpofpa.org) delivered 710 nominating papers for our state-slate of 2020 candidates to the PA Board of Elections. They included more than 8,000 signatures from PA voters. Unfortunately, the papers have been challenged, and we are going to be headed back to court in order to defend your demand for more inclusive and representative elections.

This challenge was made by the same counsel who defended the PA Democratic Party (PADEMs) during our earlier plea to the Commonwealth asking for relief of signature requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor's restrictive orders on social gatherings. In the earlier case, the PADEMs argued that the Green Party did not have support and therefore shouldn't be given relief. Now, despite extreme difficulty, you have demonstrated a great level of support, yet the PADEMs intend to dismantle your hard work.

We need your help and donations to prepare our legal defense.

Legal challenges are costly, which is why we are once again asking for your financial support. However, you can greatly reduce the costs of this challenge by volunteering to review and validate the challenged signatures. The majority of the challenging work is arguing the validity of each and every signature submitted in our papers. You can be part of our team and work directly with our legal counsel to defend your candidates.

Click here to Volunteer.

This challenge is much bigger than the top ticket! The PADEMs are going after the whole state-wide slate which means they are trying to prevent the Green Party from obtaining minor party status in PA. State-wide elections are the only way permissible for an emerging party to obtain recognition by the Commonwealth as a minor political party. What we do now directly affects our campaigns for next year and after.

Please take action now! Sign up to volunteer, donate, and share this information that help is needed. It is up to your generous support and the power of an organized Green Party to ensure a free and fair election in November.

From Sheri Miller, Alan Smith and the GREEN STAR Staff.

GPPA News Highlights   

  edited by Chris Robinson 

The Great Green Clean-Up!

The Lackawanna County Greens are proud participants of PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway and The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail’s Adopt-A-Trail programs! When you think of a fun, socially distant, activity to do, cleaning up trash probably isn’t an immediate idea, but don’t knock it until you try it! Since meeting as a group is not in the best interest of public health, we decided to try something new and make a contest of who can clean up the most trash! First Place prize is a $50 Visa card, Second Place prize is a $25 Adezzo gift certificate, and Third Place will receive a $10 gift certificate to Zummo's. In order to participate in the Great Green Clean-Up, you must sign a waiver from PennDOT. Email us, and we will send you the waiver, [email protected] (show all)

PA Green Party Will Not be Silenced by Democrat

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, http://www.gpofpa.org/) received information that its four statewide candidates were legally challenged by the Democratic Party of PA on Monday, August 10. GPPA Co-chair Sheri Miller (Adams County) said, “This challenge comes barely a month after lawyers for the Democratic Party argued in federal court that the Green Party was not entitled to ballot access relief during COVID-19. Instead, they demanded that Greens carry out typical petitioning even during a global pandemic, putting Green volunteers at risk of catching the deadly disease. This new attack challenging the Green Party's successful petitioning, despite the barriers imposed, is yet another attempt to remove any non-corporate-backed competitors from the ballot and to limit voters’ choices to the duopoly.” (show all)

PA Greens Oppose Trump’s Repression of Dissent

In a July news release, GPPA said, “Like usual, Trump blamed the Democrats for the civil unrest, and the Democrats blame Trump and the Republicans. . . . The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) considers Trump’s actions a dangerous step toward authoritarianism. Leaders of the party condemned both the president’s words and his actions. GPPA Secretary Beth Scroggin of Chester County said, “We all must stand in opposition to Donald Trump's words and actions against peaceful protesters. If we do not speak out against the federal agents abusing and abducting those who are standing up for their rights and the rights of others, there will be no one left to stand for us." (show all)

Campaign Updates   

  edited by Chris Robinson  

Jay Ting Walker for PA Representative, District 23
Jay told GREEN STAR, "We submitted 1,000 nomination signatures (more than twice the amount needed) to secure our spot on the ballot. We've had more than 30 volunteers and have already raised thousands of dollars. Our experience talking to residents has made it extremely clear that District 23 is strongly opposed to fracking. If the incumbent doesn't start speaking on the issue, he'll find himself out of a job in November. Climate change is bearing down on us, and we can't wait any longer for decisive action. The PA legislature on both sides of the aisle is captured by extractive industries, but the tide is turning rapidly as climate impacts grow.” Follow Jay’s campaign on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/JayTingWalker; Twitter, https://twitter.com/Jaytingwalker; or Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/jaytingwalker/. Donations and volunteers from across the state are more than welcome on my website, http://jaytingwalker.com/.

Garret Wassermann for PA Representative, District 45
Garret told GREEN STAR, “Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with my campaign. While unfortunately, we only collected about half the signatures necessary to get me on the ballot, we met voters, got the word out, and helped get statewide Green Party candidates on the ballot. I am planning to continue as a write-in candidate this fall, because the stakes are so high with the poor pandemic response, growing housing crisis, increasing likelihood of a major economic crisis, and of course the ever-present spectres of war and climate change. Residents of District 45 deserve a choice, and I will at least give them a choice to write in. I am also hopeful that this write-in campaign will help in organizing a permanent Green Party presence in the district so we can run more candidates in future years. For now, we're looking at postcards and signs to help get the message out before voters start receiving mail-in ballots.” You can learn more about Garret’s campaign or donate at http://www.votegarret.org/. Garret’s Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/.

Michael Bagdes-Canning for PA Representative, District 64
Michael told GREEN STAR, “I am excited to be on the ballot. I am running for Pennsylvania House of Representatives because, for the 38 years I’ve lived in PA 64, I’ve watched our elected officials sit by and do nothing as we hemorrhaged jobs and young people. The incumbent, R. Lee James, has time and again thrown working families under the bus when it served the needs of his multinational corporate backers. Come November, we intend to win this election and fight for working people in Harrisburg!” You can follow Michael on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/mike4pa64/; Twitter, https://mobile.twitter.com/bagdescanning; Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/mikebagdescanning; and his website, https://www.mikeforpa64.com/.

Noel Antonio Rivera for PA Representative, District 127
Noel told GREEN STAR, “Our communities are torn apart and must be reunited. As a Green I intend to serve not only greens, but all constituents in my district, no matter their party affiliation. District 127 is currently in the planning stages of rebuilding the community and the local economy. I am very passionate about both efforts and would be honored to participate in such efforts as well as offering my own suggestions and opinions, like building an ecodistrict in the area. I encourage anyone to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns.” Noel’s Facebook is, https://www.facebook.com/riveraforpa/. He can be reached at [email protected].

Three State-wide Green Party Candidates, https://www.greenslate2020.org/

Richard L. Weiss, Esq. for PA Attorney General
Richard told GREEN STAR, “My top three priorities as Attorney General will be: 1. Save the taxpayers money by reducing prison population by 50%. Only those who are actually a threat to the community should be incarcerated. Prosecutorial resources can then be directed to addressing violent crime, combating corruption and consumer protection. 2. Reform the system of policing. Citizen Review Boards are only a start. Community and police must establish standards of conduct and special prosecutors for police misconduct. 3. Promote restorative justice.”

Tim Runkle for PA Treasurer 
Pleased follow Tim on Facebook,https://www.facebook.com/Tim4ElectedOffice/

Olivia Faison for PA Auditor General.

Team Updates   

Finance Team by Tim Runkle

If you are interested in helping, sign up HERE.

GreenWave Team by Garret Wassermann

The Green Wave team thanks all of the volunteers and organizers who worked hard over the last few weeks of July to get our full slate of Green Party candidates onto the ballot. Greens filed more than 8500 voter signatures on over 700 pages of petitions when only 5000 signatures were required. Our team is now moving to defend those candidates from a Democratic Party challenge to our petitions, and Green Wave will be preparing for 2021 local elections. Please join us at our next meeting or the Greenwave channel on the GPPA Slack.

To join the Green Wave Team and get invited to future organizing calls, please visit HERE to receive call info or email for more information!

Communications Team by Chris Robinson

Our social media is on a roll. Facebook members up 17 percent, and Twitter followers up 16 percent. If you would like to join our team, please volunteer here. at https://www.gpofpa.org/, or to join online, sign up HERE.

Core Team by Charles Sherrouse

If you are interested in helping, sign up HERE.

National Green News   

  edited by Dave Ochmanowicz

Please volunteer to edit this page for future issues of GREEN STAR.‌ ‌Instruction is available. https://www.gpofpa.org/team_communications_join!

Green Party Ballot Access struggles from around the Country

Releases from Greens around the Country, accumulated by GPUS Media Team, summarizing the struggles for ballot access in the time of covid our locals are struggling with. (show all)

Green Party candidates will appear on Maryland ballots in November

Maryland voters will have more options this November – and Democrats will face a little more competition – after the Maryland Green Party’s petition for ballot access won state approval today. Their names now appear on the Maryland State Board of Elections 2020 General Election Candidate’s List. (show all)

Global Green News   

  edited by Hal Brown

Slaying enemies of equal rights and justice – an interview with Cleo Lake Chris Jarvis 2 August 2020

When Bristol’s former lord mayor Cleo Lake entered the Green Party of England and Wales deputy leadership election, it appeared that the incumbent – Amelia Womack – faced a serious challenger. Politicians with national name recognition are hard to come by in the Green Party. But thanks – for the most part – to her work addressing Bristol’s legacy with slavery, Lake is among the few who do have that profile.(show all)

Brazilian Green Party denounces Brazilian State in international court for crimes against humanityGlobal Greens Posted August 11, 2020

On Monday (10 August 2020), the Green Party protocol a complaint against the Brazilian State for Crime Against Humanity at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States - OAS. Among the accusations, Brazilian Greens affirms that the neglect of the federal government, which has already claimed the lives of 100,000 Brazilians, demonstrates the clear non-compliance with articles of the pact of the American Convention on Human Rights (San José Pact). (show all)

We Stand in Solidarity for Democracy: a Global Greens statement Global Greens Posted 17 August, 2020

Democracy is a core value of Green politics. The Global Greens stands in solidarity with all people who seek to attain and preserve the fundamental human rights which are ingrained in democracy. We are living at a pivotal moment globally: (show all)

German Green party youth wants to 'replace' police

The German Green party's youth organization, the Grüne Jugend, has defied the party leadership's line by calling for a radical reduction of the powers of state security forces, according to a newspaper report. The Grüne Jugend wants to "gradually eliminate state force as a means to resolve conflicts and replace it with prevention and cooperation," according to a policy paper seen by the taz newspaper.(show all)

GPPA Coming Events   

  edited by Chris Robinson

Green Party events are in GREEN. Other Movement events are in RED.

September 1, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
Zoom contact and more information from: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/819359051856175

September 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:30 am
Noel Rivera for PA House District 127 Meeting of volunteers at Franklyn's Breakfast, Burgers, & Shakes, 1007 Penn Street, Reading. More information from: [email protected]

September 5, 12, 19, 26, noon
Bell-tolling & Shout-out for Justice
Germantown Avenue at Schoolhouse Lane, Philadelphia, PA
Sponsored by Brandywine Peace Community
More information from: [email protected]

September 5, 5:00 pm
Demand Trump/Pence Out Now!
Independence Mall, Sixth and Market Streets, Philadelphia.
National Day of Action, Posted by Refuse Fascism Philly
More information from: https://www.facebook.com/events/398478737794787

September 5, 3:00 pm
Kipona Labor Day Celebration
City Island, Harrisburg. Live music, 15 food trucks, free parking
Be Seen Being Green!
More information from: http://harrisburgpa.gov/kipona/

September 10, 5:30 pm
Green Party of Berks County Meeting
Franklyn's Breakfast, Burgers, & Shakes, 1007 Penn Street, Reading.
More information from: [email protected]

September 13, noon
GPPA Virtual Conference Everyone is welcome. Please register in advance to receive ZOOM contact information
More information from:
https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_09_conf.

September 14, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Lackawanna County Meeting
More information from: [email protected]

September 21
International Day of Peace
More information from: https://internationaldayofpeace.org/

September 21, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]

September 22, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]

September 24, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Berks County Virtual Meeting
for login information text 610-207-0219
More information from: [email protected]

September 28
Week of Demonstrations for Medicaid
Sponsored by Put People First. Endorsed by Green Party of Allegheny County.
More information from:
https://www.putpeoplefirstpa.org/save-the-date-medicaid-marches-week-of-9-28/

September 27, 1:30 pm
Green Party of Chester County Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]

October 6, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
More information from: [email protected]

GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:

• September (virtual) - Saturday/Sunday September 12/13
• November, Post-Election Day (virtual) - Sunday November 15

Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information.  The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined.  In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers.  When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses.  To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events.  We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.

Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee 

Issue Credits:

EDITORS: Chris Robinson, Dave Ochmanowicz & Hal Brown   
CONTRIBUTORS: Justin Bell, Hal Brown, David Ochmanowicz, Shane Rielly, Chris Robinson, Tim Runkle & Garret Wassermann
LAYOUT: Dannee Schoepfer & Hal Brown 
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson 

Everything we do is based on our Four Pillars and Ten Key Values. If you find that you share these ideals, come and join the movement.

You can support the Green Party in many ways; however, a monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to make their campaigns successful.  As little as $3 per month can have a significant impact! 

                     Sustaining Donation           Single Donation          Purchase Green Merchandise

Join us and help bring about a future where people and planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and support. And if you want to get more directly involved, consider joining an action team.  Work with other committed progressives and activists in activities such as planning events, developing media content, or helping with campaigns. Let's join together to make 2020 the year of progressives!

The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2020 

August 2020

Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.

ECO-COMPASSIONISM: Going Green Will Make the World Less Mean
  by GPPA Co-chair Alan Smith

The cold impersonal text message pierces the darkroom reminding me of my place in the social order. "We are terminating your lease effective September 1st please see our email to you for more details." The email explains how the couple that owns our house is prioritizing their financial well being for their retirement and is selling the house that we rent from them. Pouring salt on a gaping wound they wish us well and thank us for understanding. This cold-hearted reality is indicative of the times as the moratoriums on evictions are expiring all around the US and as landlords look to shore up their financial portfolio. An avalanche of homelessness and displacement is just beginning. My husband and I with our 500 credit scores and thousands of dollars in debt along with millions of others are deemed unworthy of being housed.

Housing should be a human right. Student loan forgiveness and an overall debt jubilee should be happening. Free universal healthcare should be in place. The trillions of dollars in economic stimulus that was given to Wall Street should have been given to Main Street.

Can it be any clearer that we need a new social order, one governed not by profit? Greens are working tirelessly around the world to bring about this change. Our work is especially difficult here in the US as we face onerous ballot restrictions, keeping us from holding elected office and a corporate monopoly on media keeping us and our message out of sight and unheard.

Here in Pennsylvania Greens have gone to court to fight these voting restrictions and the election fraud perpetrated by the corporate political duopoly. Great work in this legal fight has been done by Greens such as Carl Romanelli, Emily Cook, Tim Runkle, and many others. Some success has occurred in the past with our legal action resulting in the courts reducing signature requirements and requiring new voting machines. But currently, during this pandemic the current administration and the courts have argued that Greens need to be out in the streets risking their lives and the lives of others gathering signatures to get on the ballot, while State offices remain closed and courts operate virtually through webcasting.

A healthier, fairer, more just world is possible with Greens in office. A Green government would have not just put a temporary moratorium on evictions and bill payments. A Green government makes housing a human right, and ushers in a world where heating, water, food, and other living amenities are not commodities for corporate profit. The average worker in the US contributes over $100 an hour to the US economy but does not reap the benefits of that labor. A Green government would change that.

We need housing and financial relief NOW. Please vote Green and encourage others to do so. Please donate any time, talent, or treasure no matter how small to the efforts Greens are making to bring about a reality that doesn't feature cold, impersonal text messages reminding us to pay up in so many days or face ruin. Help Greens bring about a reality characterized by eco-compassionism, where people, planet, and peace are prioritized.

GPPA News Highlights   

  edited by Chris Robinson 

PA Green Party Fights Against Election Fraud

On July 14, the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of PA ruled against the Green Party’s request for a temporary waiver of some ballot access requirements. The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, https://www.gpofpa.org/) Steering Committee is calling for volunteers and launching a two-week flurry of petition activity to place Green candidates on the ballot. The Green Party had sought relief from the Court before the August 3 deadline for nominating petitions . . . . GPPA is working with the Hawkins/Walker campaign, the 2020 Green Party nominees for president and vice president, to develop a strategy for meeting the ballot access requirements as safely as possible. The effort includes outfitting volunteers with face masks, gloves, and sanitizing equipment, as well as utilizing phone banking and other media methods to reach voters to let them know when a petitioner is in their area or how to mail a petition in to keep face-to-face contact to a minimum. (show all)

Howie Hawkins and Angela Walker for President/Vice President

On July 11, the Green Party of the U.S. held its Presidential Nominating Convention. While the world watched online, Howie Hawkins and his running mate Angela Walker received 210 of the 355 votes on the first ballot to win the nomination for president and vice president. The convention was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic . . . . Among those voting online, the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA,www.gpofpa.org) had elected 19 delegates and alternate delegates. Of that total, eight were from the Green Party of Allegheny County (GPOAC, https://www.alleghenygreens.org/). Here is what three of them thought of the Nominating Convention . . . .(show all)

Philadelphia Green Party Joins Call to Defund Police

Members of the Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP,/https://www.gpop.org) announced their endorsement of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as well as the protests that are a response to the murder of George Floyd. They encouraged people to get in the street and make their voices heard. However, they also asked participants to take precautions . . . . The Green Party will not let the movement for justice lapse when the hashtag stops trending. In order to implement the systemic changes needed, GPOP will continue to support honest officials who are not beholden to police unions or big business. Electing Green Party candidates is one sure-fire way to get our initiatives passed. Greens do not accept corporate contributions and are completely grassroots funded. This allows Green candidates to stand up for what they believe in and to vote with their hearts. (show all)

PA Green Candidate, “The COVID-19 Emergency Is Not Over” 

by Garret Wassermann

It is pretty outrageous and reckless that PA state legislators voted on a concurrent resolution to end the COVID-19 emergency declaration put out by Governor Tom Wolf. While the Republicans led the effort, most Democrats in the Senate along with several Democrats in the House joined them to make this a bipartisan bill. My opponent, current PA Representative Anita A. Kulik was one of the Yes votes, as was my PA Senator Wayne Fontana . . . . According to the Pennsylvania Constitution, the governor has the authority to declare an emergency and exercise special authority and powers, which is what Wolf was using to regulate business and order a lock-down. The Constitution also states that the state legislature may at any time revoke the emergency by passing a concurrent resolution bill. This bill does not require the governor’s signature, since it is a resolution and not a typical bill. That is, it’s just a statement, and it doesn’t become law; so the governor has nothing to veto. There are two huge problems with this resolution: its effect on public health, and its effect on workers and families . . . (show all)

Campaign Updates   

  edited by Chris Robinson  

Jay Ting Walker for PA Representative, District 23
Jay told GREEN STAR, “We need to end occupations at home AND occupations abroad. It's all tied together. Imperialism and racial capitalism go hand in hand.”
Connect with Jay’s campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JayTingWalker
Jay’s campaign website is https://jaytingwalker.com

Garret Wassermann for PA Representative, District 45
Garret told GREEN STAR, “Shell Oil doesn’t care about its workers. Shell doesn’t care about your children. Shell doesn’t care about the planet. It is all about their profits at all cost. Both my Republican and Democrats opponents in this race have already said they want more oil and gas jobs. What we really need is a #GreenNewDeal so we can create good jobs while also improving our health and saving the planet.” Garret’s campaign website is https://votegarret.org and his Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/

Michael Bagdes-Canning for PA Representative, District 64
Michael told GREEN STAR, “For the past 10 years, I have been involved as a frontline organizer in the climate and anti-fracking fight. I served on the Planning Group of Marcellus Outreach Butler and the Better Path Coalition. I have also served on the Coordinating Committee of the PA Poor People’s Campaign (statewide) and a direct action campaigner with Beyond Extreme Energy (national).”

Noel Antonio Rivera for PA Representative, District 127
Tired of elected officials siding with big money over the needs of the people? We all are! Noel told GREEN STAR, “People are worth more than corporations. Human life is more important than money." Noel’s Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/Noel-Antonio-Rivera-For-State-Representitive-105284094595859 and he can be reached at [email protected].

Three State-wide Green Party Candidates
https://www.greenslate2020.org/

Tim Runkle for PA Treasurer
Tim agrees the statue of Christopher Columbus should be removed. He told GREEN STAR, “Columbus has always been a contentious figure. When Columbus came over he immediately started to look for resources, and he took advantage of people that were here and exploited them.” Runkle said, “Violence by policing an oppressed people started Day 1, as soon as Columbus landed on these shores.” Tim’s Facebook page can be found right here, https://www.facebook.com/Tim4ElectedOffice/

Olivia Faison for PA Auditor General
Olivia told GREEN STAR, "I don’t really think removing Confederate monuments is going to change the fabric of what is wrong with our country: the legacy of slavery and the fact that reparations have not been addressed. I truly believe that reparations will begin our country's healing process. Let's start with the debt that is owed, and a promise that was made: a promise of 40 acres and a mule. At today's prices and with accrued interest, that's one heck-of-a step towards economic parity for our most senior African Americans, those who have lived the longest with America's injustices towards the descendants of slaves.
“Many Americans are now finding it quite distasteful to accept the vicious acts of police violence and murder from yesteryear's legacy, carried out in today's modern time. So sure, take down those monuments, and move them to the museums. But will hiding those artifacts make us forget a world and a time, in that dark part of our American history, that ignored and hid the full truth and accuracy of an economic system built on the horrors of slavery and slave labor? Nah! It's been over 400 years, and we still remember!"
Olivia told GREEN STAR, “I don’t really think removing Confederate monuments is going to change the fabric of what is wrong: the legacy of slavery and the fact that reparations have not been addressed. Take them down, move them to the museum because represent a world and a legacy that we have questioned and many of us don’t accept,”

Team Updates   

Finance Team by Tim Runkle

HERE.

GreenWave Team by Garret Wassermann

To join the Green Wave Team, please visit.
To receive an invitation to the next Green Wave virtual meeting, please contact: HERE to receive call info or email for more information!

Communications Team by Chris Robinson

If you would like to join our team online, sign up HERE.

Core Team by Charles Sherrouse

If you are interested in helping, sign up HERE.

Global Green News   

  edited by Hal Brown

Amelia Womack leads campaign for universal basic income to support arts workers

Chris Jarvis 21 July 2020

Green Party of England and Wales deputy leader Amelia Womack this week wrote to chancellor Rishi Sunak demanding the introduction of a universal...(show all)

Green Party international coordinators must challenge the Mexican Greens

Derek Wall 10 July 2020

The International Coordinator position is one of the most hotly contested posts on the Green Party of England and Wales executive. This time around members have four...(show all)

Green Party of Canada

Greens call for charges against Meng Wanzhou to be dropped

OTTAWA – The Green Party of Canada is calling on the federal government...(show all)

Reforming land use is crucial to a sustainable society

Peter Sims and Anne Gayfer

Rewilding, vegan farming, new social housing, energy crops, more urban green space, solar Farms, nature reserves, growing more fruit and vegetables, bio-dynamic...(show all)

GPPA Coming Events   

  edited by Chris Robinson

Green Party events are in GREEN. Other Movement events are in RED.

August 3
Last day for Green Party candidates to circulate and file nomination papers.
BE SURE NOMINATION PAPERS HAVE BEEN FILED BEFORE THIS DATE.

August 4, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
Zoom contact and more information from
More information from: [email protected]

August 6, noon
Hiroshima Day 75th Anniversary: Remembrance & Nonviolent Resistance
Lockheed Martin (world’s #1 war profiteer, U.S.' #1 nuclear weapons contractor) behind King of Prussia Mall, Mall and Goddard Blvds in King of Prussia, PA.
Sponsored by Brandywine Peace Community. Endorsed by the Green Party of Philadelphia
more information: Here

August 9, 6:00 pm
Nagasaki Day 75th Anniversary: Plea for Peace
Saints Peter & Paul Cathedral Basilica, 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA.
Sponsored by Brandywine Peace Community. Endorsed by the Green Party of Philadelphia.
More information: Here

August 17, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Virtual Meeting
Virtual business meeting. Please email:
[email protected]

August 25, 7:00pm
Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) Virtual Meeting
For more information, please contact:
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/260828868556405/

August 29, Noon
Protest at Drone War Command
Air Guard Station, Easton Road (#611) at County Line Road, Horsham, PA.
Brandywine Peace Community with Bucks County Green Party, Montgomery County Green Party, Green Party of Philadelphia,
More information from: [email protected]
or:
[email protected]
or:
Brandywine Peace Community with Bucks County Green Party, Montgomery County Green Party, Green Party of Philadelphia,

August 30, 1:00 PM
Green Party of Chester County Virtual Meeting
For more information, please contact: [email protected]

September 1, 6:00 PM
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
Zoom contact and more information from: [email protected]

GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:

• September (in-person, retreat) - Saturday/Sunday September 12/13
• November, Post-Election Day (virtual) - Sunday, November 15

Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information.  The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined.  In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups, or regions. These events are fundraisers.  When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses.  To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events.  We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.

Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee 

Issue Credits:

EDITORS: Chris Robinson, Dave Ochman, &Hal Brown   
CONTRIBUTORS: Tim Runkle, Chris Robinson, Garret Wassermann, & Jay Sweeney
LAYOUT: Dannee Schoepfer & Hal Brown 
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson 

Everything we do is based on our Four Pillars and Ten Key Values. If you find that you share these ideals, come and join the movement.

You can support the Green Party in many ways; however, a monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to make their campaigns successful.  As little as $3 per month can have a significant impact! 

                     Sustaining Donation           Single Donation          Purchase Green Merchandise

Join us and help bring about a future where people and planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and support. And if you want to get more directly involved, consider joining an action team.  Work with other committed progressives and activists in activities such as planning events, developing media content, or helping with campaigns. Let's join together to make 2020 the year of progressives!

The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2020 

On July 14, the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of PA, ruled against the Green Party’s request for a temporary waiver of some ballot access requirements. The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, https://www.gpofpa.org/) Steering Committee is calling for volunteers and launching a two-week flurry of petition activity to place Green candidates on the ballot. The Green Party had sought relief from the Court before the August 3 deadline for nominating petitions, but the Court ruled that granting relief during a deadly global pandemic would “seriously and irreparably harm the State.”

The Federal Court ruling was in response to a joint lawsuit from the GPPA, the Libertarian Party of PA and the Constitution Party of PA regarding the ballot access laws of the Commonwealth. The three plaintiff parties had filed to request a waiver of petitioning requirements this year in light of the COVID-19 emergency. Petitioning is a state requirement of all candidates who file to appear on the ballot. It involves collecting physical signatures from voters that live in the candidate’s district on a paper petition form. The plaintiffs argued that collecting physical signatures from voters is incompatible with accepted COVID-19 safety guidelines as well as the Governor’s own mandates and orders. They asked for a waiver this year in order to protect the public health and safety during a pandemic.

Lawyers representing the Wolf administration and the Democratic Party argued in court that the Governor’s stay at home orders and mandates did not apply to ballot access petitioning and that the GPPA should have been petitioning in public spaces even during the “red phase” of COVID-19 response. Unfortunately, Judge Edward G. Smith of the U.S. District for Eastern PA largely agreed with that assessment, determining that the risk from COVID-19 to volunteers and voters was only “intermediate,” and therefore the parties should be required to meet all typical ballot access requirements this year despite the pandemic.

“It feels like the governor is playing politics with our lives,” said Garret Wassermann, team lead for GPPA’s Green Wave committee and Green Party candidate for PA State Representative in District 45. “We should not need to put volunteers and the general public at risk just to get on the ballot. How is this democracy?”

“We can close schools, shut down businesses, move entire primary elections and switch to mail-in ballots due to COVID-19, but allowing more candidates into the November election would somehow irreparably harm the Commonwealth?” asked Timothy Runkle, Green Party candidate for PA State Treasurer. “According to the governor, the Democratic Party, and the courts, there's no potential harm in placing our volunteers door-to-door, face-to-face in the midst of a pandemic. The public's fears, concerns, and precautions are apparently not relevant.”

"In 2020, all across the U.S. we have seen the COVID-19 pandemic used as a voter suppression tactic from closing polling places to canceling elections. Here now is an even greater affront to democracy as the Wolf administration and a judge have decided to restrict Pennsylvania voters choices on the ballot. This decision by the Court amounts to legalized election fraud by the two ruling parties,” said Alan Smith, co-chair of GPPA. “Right now over 80 seats for the PA General Assembly, about 40 percent of the House and about 25 percent of the Senate, are running unopposed because of the measures in place to keep people off the ballot. What good is our vote if we don't get a say in who we get to vote for? Being able to be on the ballot is crucial for true democracy to take place."

GPPA is working with the Hawkins/Walker campaign, the 2020 Green Party nominees for president and vice president, to develop a strategy for meeting the ballot access requirements as safely as possible. The effort includes outfitting volunteers with face masks, gloves, and sanitizing equipment, as well as utilizing phone banking and other media methods to reach voters to let them know when a petitioner is in their area or how to mail a petition in to keep face-to-face contact to a minimum.

“We’ve never had to petition during a pandemic before, there is no roadmap or historical guide,” said Wassermann. “Other states have had their signature requirements reduced or even eliminated, or switched to electronic petitioning, but PA apparently does not believe in making any changes to protect public safety and democracy during a pandemic.”

Volunteers can request a petition from GPPA and sign up for canvassing at https://www.gpofpa.org/request_petition_by_mail. Questions can also be directed to Tim Runkle and the Green Wave committee at [email protected], or your local Green Party. A list of Green Party locals is available at: https://www.gpofpa.org/counties. Donations toward petitioning costs, including COVID protective gear this year, are also welcomed at https://www.gpofpa.org/gw_donations. Volunteers can also sign up with the Hawkins/Walker campaign to help contact voters at https://howiehawkins.us/phone-banking-info/.

The Green Party of PA (GPPA, https://www.gpofpa.org/) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org or email [email protected].  Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook and Twitter.

On July 11, the Green Party of the U.S. held its Presidential Nominating Convention. While the world watched online, Howie Hawkins and his running mate Angela Walker received 210 of the 355 votes on the first ballot to win the nomination for president and vice president. The convention was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Howie Hawkins thanked the Green Party for nominating him, saying, “Our campaign will reach out to the tens of millions of voters who are not represented by the two parties of the millionaires and billionaires, to the independent voters who have rejected both parties and to the ‘hold your nose’ voters who reluctantly vote for candidates they do not like, from political parties they do not trust.”

Hawkins/Walker had already received the nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party and the Socialist Party USA. Their campaign had also qualified for federal primary matching funds, which means that all donations to their campaign will be matched by the federal government.

Among those voting online, the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) had elected 19 delegates and alternate delegates. Of that total, eight were from the Green Party of Allegheny County (GPOAC, https://www.alleghenygreens.org/). Here is what three of them thought of the Nominating Convention:

Garret Wassermann, vice-chair of GPAOC and Green Party candidate for PA House District 45, said, “Howie and Angela are the perfect working-class ticket to represent Green values and the party's Green New Deal. That is sorely needed as we face the economic fallout of the COVID-19 health crisis and climate change.”

 “A vigorous presidential campaign can energize voters and turn them into activists,” continued Wassermann, “particularly if there's a strong set of policies they can't find anywhere else. We're lucky to have Howie and Angela this year fighting for a Green New Deal, a National Health Service, community control of the police, and much more -- all solutions you'd never hear from Democratic or Republican Parties. As the word gets out about Green values and policies, and the Democrats and Republicans continue to show their lack of leadership during a time of COVID-19 global crisis, I am confident we'll see more and more people seeking alternatives like the Green Party of Pennsylvania in order to build new institutions for a better future based in social justice, ecological wisdom, democracy, and peace.” 

“I joined the Green Party just last year,” said Beth Schongar, a GPOAC member. “There are two things that drew me to the Green Party and both were on display at the Presidential Nominating Convention, which I found very reassuring as a new member. First, the Green Party realizes that half measures will not address the major issues we need to confront, especially environmental devastation, militarism with its human and economic cost, and the marginalization and violence suffered by many groups of people in our society -- such as non-white people, gender non-conforming people, people with health/mental issues, poor people, immigrants, and people with disabilities. The Green Party is working on detailed, practical proposals to change the way our society runs while preserving freedom and community participation.”

“Those values bring me to the second element that draws me to the Green Party,” continued Schongar. “Several speakers such as Cam Gordon, the Minneapolis city council member, talked about how Green Party Values are used in daily decision making. The Green Party has Four Pillars and Ten Key Values that all Greens refer to and use when evaluating a course of action. I strongly support these principals. The Democrats and Republicans construct a new platform and a new set of speeches with each election to reflect the plans of their nominee after they select someone. The Greens are always working from a common starting point, even when the best path to the goals is under debate. I feel that this consistency makes it possible to support the party as a whole, even when I may not know in detail the proposals of every candidate at every level.”

Chair of GPOAC Jay Ting Walker, who is also the Green Party candidate for PA House District 23, explained, “Our nominee Howie Hawkins has already greatly energized our recruiting across PA but definitely here in Pittsburgh. We've been having our biggest meetings yet even with the transition to Zoom. People are excited that there's at least one ticket running nationwide that strongly supports Medicare for all, housing as a human right, and a ban on fracking.” 

The Green Party of PA (GPPA, https://www.gpofpa.org/) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org or email [email protected].  Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook and Twitter.

For More Information:

“Ten Key Values,” Green Party of the United States, https://www.gp.org/ten_key_values_2016; 

“Syracuse's Howie Hawkins, a lifelong activist, is Green Party's nominee for president” by Robert Harding, Auburn Citizen, July 12, 2020, https://auburnpub.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/syracuses-howie-hawkins-a-lifelong-activist-is-green-partys-nominee-for-president/article_d592c686-3440-51da-abcd-df569564e258.html; 

“Hawkins Nomination Speech,” Hawkins/Walker News Release, July 11, 2020, https://howiehawkins.us/hawkins-nomination-speech/; 

“Howie Hawkins wins Green Party nomination, Angela Walker his running mate,” GPUS News Release, July 11, 2020, https://www.gp.org/hawkins_wins_green_party_nomination; 

“Hawkins Wins PA Presidential Caucus,” GPPA News Release, May 4, 2020, https://www.gpofpa.org/hawkins_wins_pa_presidential_caucus_2020_green_primary   

July 2020

Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.

Police Brutality, White Supremacy and Reparations
  by GPPA Co-chair Alan Smith

For the past four months we have stopped what we were doing. We have taken drastic, life altering, paradigm shifting changes in order to deal with a global pandemic. The same energy is needed now in dealing with a 400 year old pandemic called white supremacy. It's the brutal treatment by white enslavers on ships sailing across the Atlantic, and the bombing of dark skinned peoples by a Black president with drones flying high in the sky. It's 17 year old Antwon Rose, Jr, killed by a white police officer in Pittsburgh and a black neighborhood in Philadelphia bombed by a Black mayor. White supremacy is a world-wide disease characterized by the dehumanization and devaluation of Black life.

Thus, George Floyd's murder is not an aberration. Ahmaud Arbery's murder is not an aberration. Breonna Taylor's murder is not an aberration. Tony McDade's murder is not an aberration. All were murdered in the name of "public safety." Black bodies have been systematically denied safety, and Black human beings have historically been excluded as part of the general public. Blackness itself has been criminalized. Blacks have been lynched to "protect and preserve" a social order. Who and what then is being protected and preserved? In the call for law and order and public safety, it is capital, property, structural/social arrangements, and white supremacy that are being protected and preserved.

Armed to the hilt, clad in riot gear and barking orders, shooting, throwing chemical weapons and running over people with their vehicles, the police have been responding to protest against police brutality with more police brutality because their core responsibility is to protect and serve the ruling class which is inherently a cruel and vicious endeavor. Continue reading article here for a list of 12 specific REPARATIONS actions.

GPPA News Highlights   

  edited by Chris Robinson 

MontCo People’s Press Conference & Rally
On June 15, a press conference and rally were held at the Montgomery County (MontCo) Courthouse to announce an action inspired by collective activism to remove MontCo Commissioner Joseph Gale. Gale had declared, on official county letterhead, that Black Lives Matter activists are “perpetrators of urban domestic terror,” a “radical left-wing hate group,” and “falsely claiming they, in fact, are victims.”
In response to the public outcry, the diverse women organizers created PA Women Rise (PWR), which sponsored this press conference and rally. Co-hosts were Green Party of Montgomery County and Temple National Lawyers Guild.(show all)

Fear and Unity in Elizabethtown, PA
”A tremendous bonding of the community occurred during the Black Lives Matter protest in Elizabethtown. We saw what solidarity with an oppressed population looks like. Our community members demonstrated that they are listening, hurting and willing to learn. We saw an understanding between our police department and community that will strengthen the relationships that are vital to a just society. However, a fear preceded the event that exposed the very issue for which it was purposed. The words “black”� and “protest”� combined in a way to cause “fear”� and “panic”� for some. The mention of the movement that demands change to a system of injustice compelled the precise reaction for why it exists. Folks, open your dictionaries and review the definition of racism. I understand there was worry of looting that occurred in a few other locations. I heard the rumors that buses with anti-facist groups might arrive. I believe some businesses fell into the trap. They seemingly pleaded for anyone with a concealed-carry permit to help -- and then militia occupied our downtown. As the Elizabethtown community bonded together, some business owners were essentially watching them from the buttstock of a gun.” From a Letter to the Editor by Timothy Runkle, Elizabethtown, in Lancaster Online, June 12, 2020. Tim is the treasurer of GPPA and chair of Lancaster County Green Party.(show all)

GPPA Elects Delegates to Presidential Nominating Convention
On June 7, 28 Green Party of PA (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) elected representatives from 10 county chapters participated in a virtual meeting to elect delegates to the Green Party U.S. (GPUS) Presidential Nominating Convention. They were joined by 12 observers.
The GPPA members elected eleven delegates to the GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention, which will be held online on Saturday, July 11. The PA delegates will vote to nominate the candidates who won the Green Party’s PA Presidential Caucus in April. In the first round, six PA delegates will vote for Howie Hawkins (New York), who won the PA Caucus, while five PA delegates will vote for Dario Hunter (California). Hawkins is currently leading with 155 delegates (192 are needed for nomination), having won 26 of Green Party state caucuses (out of 33 completed).
Among the elected delegates from PA will be Kristin Combs (Philadelphia), co-chair of GPUS; Hillary Kane (Philadelphia), treasurer of GPUS; Alan Smith (Chester), co-chair of GPPA; Beth Scroggin (Chester), secretary of GPPA; Jay Walker, chair of Green Party of Allegheny County; and David Ochmanowicz, chair of Green Party of Bucks County. Also elected as a delegate was Cheri Honkala (Philadelphia), the 2012 Green Party candidate for vice president of the U.S.(show all)

Campaign Updates   

  edited by Chris Robinson  

Garret Wassermann for PA Representative, District 45
Garret told GREEN STAR, “There is now an ordinance being considered at the Allegheny County level that would ban the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and other chemicals used by police in crowd control. Tear gas is actually banned for use during war by international law. Yet somehow police are allowed to use it domestically? It’s literally a chemical attack on our neighbors and should not be tolerated. I support this ordinance at the county level, and would introduce a similar statewide ban on chemical attacks by police when I am elected state representative.” For more information visit his website https://votegarret.org and his Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/

Jay Ting Walker for PA Representative, District 23 
Jay told GREEN STAR, “I'm finally happy enough with the momentum building in the Green Party of Allegheny County and Green Party of PA to focus heavily on my campaign. We raised a couple thousand dollars over a couple of days and are rapidly building a robust campaign team. We also have a large and growing volunteer base to tap in to. My opponent will not get away with avoiding the fracking issue any longer and that's just the beginning of the blunt conversations we'll be having in our district." 
You can donate to Jay's campaign at This PayPal ink. Connect with Jay’s campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JayTingWalker. Jay’s campaign website is https://jaytingwalker.com. Jay's campaign has volunteers from across the state and country. If you'd like to volunteer for an exciting well resourced campaign reach out to Jay through his website.

Three State-wide Green Party Candidates https://www.greenslate2020.org/

Tim Runkle for PA Treasurer
Tim told GREEN STAR, “The PA Democratic Party argues that it is too easy for anyone to meet the restrictive ballot access requirements of the Commonwealth. At the same time they provide an example of how easily it can be done. Their plan: mail 1% of the registered voters in Pennsylvania, request that they fill out a nomination paper, and mail it back. In that situation, the political body would need only a 5.8% response rate to collect 5,000 signatures. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘁, $𝟭𝟬𝟮,𝟯𝟰𝟬. This is why we're forced to go to court to seek relief. The corporate parties will not fight for democratic reforms.” Tim’s Facebook page can be found right here, https://www.facebook.com/Tim4ElectedOffice/

Olivia Faison for PA Auditor General
Olivia told GREEN STAR, “It's hard for me to comprehend why law enforcement officials, media and politicians don't seem to get it. When law enforcement itself, (in the form of police officers), breaks the law, and further shows contempt for the law (blatantly committing the brutal crime of murder, on video, for the world to see), the citizens who respond by protesting, rioting and looting, are showing the same contempt and disregard for the law which police officers have shown towards taking a man's life. Property can be replaced! George Floyd's life cannot! Look in the mirror law enforcement! Violence begets violence! Lawlessness practiced by law enforcement, begets lawlessness practiced by the population! This is not an excuse; this is the reason!”

Richard L. Weiss, Esq. for PA Attorney General
Richard told GREEN STAR, “In order for society to function, the public must support our police. In order for that to happen, we must have police worthy of support. We need to develop police standards of conduct that do not unnecessarily escalate use of force -- standards that are more appropriate to policing a domestic civilian population, rather than occupied territory in a warzone.
“Simultaneously, we need special prosecutors to handle cases of police misconduct. Ordinary prosecutors need police help in prosecuting cases, and help from police unions in getting reelected, and police protection from criminals. Therefore, there is a conflict of interest, and special prosecutors with their own security force are needed for prosecution of police.
“We should also end cash bail and stop imprisoning people who pose no threat to the community and have not been convicted of any crime. This and not charging a crime for mere possession or use of cannabis will reduce the prison population, cut down on tensions between police and the public, as well as save money wasted on expensive and unnecessary incarceration."

Team Updates   

Finance Team by Tim Runkle

To join the Finance Team, please visit HERE.

GreenWave Team by Garret Wassermann

To join the Green Wave Team and get invited to future organizing calls, please visit HERE to receive call info or email for more information!

Communications Team by Chris Robinson

The ComTeam door is wide open for volunteers to work on GREEN STAR. We need editors for GPPA News Highlights, National Green News, and Global Green News. Also, if you want to write a “Why I’m Green” story for us, please visit, https://www.gpofpa.org/why_im_green. Please step over the threshold and join the ComTeam. To volunteer please visit, at https://www.gpofpa.org/team_communications_join.

Core Team by Charles Sherrouse

If you are interested in helping, sign up HERE.

National Green News   

  edited by Gayle Morrow

Rhode Island Going Rogue
“In a state committee vote taken over the Memorial Day weekend, the Green Party of Rhode Island, one of the nation’s oldest Green parties, has broken ranks with the national party and decided not to nominate a candidate in this year’s presidential election. Instead, the local party will focus on local and state races, and a campaign to adopt ranked choice voting for state elections.” (show all)

Court Rejects Push to Have Debates Welcome 3rd-Party Candidates
If someone were to ask you the first and most important thing a candidate can do to gain name recognition what would you say? For me it would be to participate in the televised debates. However, the Commission on Presidential Debates, that presents as non-partisan but which the nonprofit, Level The Playing Field, claims is anything but nonpartisan has set one particular rule that makes participation for third parties just about impossible. Candidates must be polling at 15%. That’s before they debate on television where candidates get name recognition so that they can poll at 15%. Kind of a neat plan for Republicans and Democrats, wouldn’t you say?(show all)

Here we have the hype spelled out by Madelyn Hoffman, candidate for U. S. Senate from New Jersey
“How far will voters allow the Democratic Party to fall before they abandon the Party altogether? How many elections will come and go with voters demanding a socialist or democratic socialist agenda, while the Party establishment tells them to hold their noses, forget their ideals, and vote Democrat, because the establishment-chosen candidate is not as bad as the other candidate, and is the only electable choice?” (show all)

Greens all over the world are taking note and making statements on the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis PD and the Black Lives Matter movement. Some follow
(show all)
Ireland
New Zealand
Federation of Young European Greens
Green Party of the EU puts forth a resolution to condemn racism in the British Parliament which was passed on 19 June. (show all)

Greens are seeking relief from petition requirements due to COVID in at least 10 states
PA MD OH AR

Green Party: New York should stop giving Stock Transfer Taxes back to Wall Street
The state would be able to prevent an estimated 20% in budget cuts to essential services like education by keeping those tax dollars, says Green Party Co-chair, Peter Lavenia.(show all)

Hawaii’i Green Party appeals to voters to join “the party [that] is a fertile ground where voters, frustrated with their limited choices, can make a statement of their desire for progressive change.”
(show all)

Global Green News   

  edited by Gayle Morrow

Green Party of UK & Wales elects new leaders
A big SIGH… UK Green Party is electing new leaders who are unhappy with their 2.7% support in the last Parliamentary elections. Gee, US Greens would be happy with the .7%.(show all)

Youth wing of the Green Party of England & Wales speak out. Listen to the youth or become a dead party
“We’re not going to defeat the twin evils with business-as-usual politics. Radical change to save the planet means a politics radically different to the status quo; a clean break from the decaying virus of neoliberalism.”(show all)

Urging Greens to stop competing in national Parliamentary elections and focus on what we’re good at—local 
“Let’s face it – beyond Caroline Lucas, the Green Party of England and Wales is unlikely to be a significant party at the level of national government any time soon. At the very most Greens may win parliamentary seats after another two general elections, which means, nationally, playing the long game.” So maybe Rhode Island [see U. S. Greens {https://upriseri.com/2020-05-29-ri-green-party/}] is on the right track?(show all)

Contemporary subject Greens are discussing—Police violence
NZ Police Association angered by Green Party's letter rallying against armed cops in wake of George Floyd's death. "We only have to look to the United States to see how violent things can get under a militarised police force," Davidson said. "This is especially so for minorities and communities of colour."(show all)

CA_Green Party leader Elizabeth May calls RCMP 'a racist institution'(show all)

Against paltry payments to those who lost their jobs due to COVID_(show all)

File this under “We’re probably never going to be doing this here.”
We’ve learned in the past that the Green Party of Ireland gets a seat at the table because “coalition” isn’t a dirty word. Here they are making a typically Green demand because they have a voice. Sigh…(show all)

GPPA Coming Events   

  edited by Chris Robinson

Green Party events are in GREEN. Other Movement events are in RED.

July 1, 9:00 am
Shut Down Berks!
Call Berks County Commissioners to demand that they shut down the Berks County Detention Center, the unlawful prison holding immigrant families.
https://www.facebook.com/events/995571094177458

July 1, 8:30 pm
Green Party of Chester County Virtual Meeting
interested parties should contact [email protected]

July 2, 11:30 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
PNC Tower, 300 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. Endorsed by the Green Party of Allegheny County.-
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Or go to their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/280866522968523/

July 2, 7:00 pm
Iraq: Occupation, Governance, Protests
Webinar with Shamiran Mako, MA Peace Action,
https://actionnetwork.org/events/webinar-iraq-occupation-governance-protests

July 2, 8:30 pm
Dauphin -- Lancaster Greens Call
Interested parties must RSVP at https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_07_02_daulan

July 4: 2:00 pm
Rally for Black Trans Lives & Liberation
Philly Black Trans Assembly, I-95 Park, South Front and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia
https://phillyprotest.com/event/black-trans-assembly-for-abolition/

July 7, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
Zoom contact and more information from [email protected]
More information from: [email protected]

July 9 -- July 12
Climate Justice, Social Justice, Economic Democracy, GP U.S. 2020 Annual National Meeting
This convention will feature candidate speeches, guest speakers and approval of the Green Party’s 2020 platform. The Green Party strives to allow any Green to attend our national meetings. As the only political party that refuses corporate donations, we acknowledge a registration fee can be a financial burden for some Greens. Therefore, we never turn anyone away because of the cost of registration. Members may register right here. https://www.gp.org/convention For other registration questions, please email [email protected]
https://www.gp.org/convention

July 11, noon -- 7:00 pm
2020 Green Party U.S. Presidential Nominating Convention
The Green Party Presidential Nominating Convention will be broadcast LIVE, for free on the Internet for all, on Saturday, July 11, starting at noon. Please support this launch of our General Election campaign for President and Vice President by donating to the Green Party today!
More information from:
https://www.gp.org/donate_stripe

July 18, 9:00 am
Let’s Go Paddling
Paddle down the Allegheny River with Defend Ohi:Yo’. Launch near South 9-Mile Road and Route 219, Allegany, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/events/194001238613211

July 18, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
PNC Tower, 2031 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. Endorsed by the Green Party of Allegheny County.
More information from: [email protected]

July 25, noon
Protest at Drone War Command
Air Guard Station, Easton Road (#611) at County Line Road, Horsham, PA. Brandywine Peace Community with Bucks County Green Party, Montgomery County Green Party,
Green Party of Philadelphia : [email protected]
More information from: [email protected]

July 25, 1:00 pm
Green Party of Wayne County Virtual Meeting
For more information, please contact [email protected]

July 26, 1:00 pm
Green Party of Chester County Virtual Meeting
For a link interested parties should contact [email protected]

July 28, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia Virtual Meeting
For more information, please contact More information from: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/260828875223071

August 3
Last day for Green Party candidates to circulate and file nomination papers.
BE SURE NOMINATION PAPERS HAVE BEEN FILED BEFORE THIS DATE.

August 4, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly Zoom contact and more information from [email protected]

MIGHT INCLUDE HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI DAYS IN AUGUST

GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:

• September (in-person, retreat) - Saturday/Sunday September 12/13
• November, Post-Election Day (virtual) - Sunday November 15

Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information.  The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined.  In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers.  When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses.  To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events.  We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.

Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee 

Issue Credits:

EDITORS: Chris Robinson, & Gayle Morrow   
CONTRIBUTORS: Tim Runkle, Chris Robinson, Garret Wassermann, & Jay Sweeney
LAYOUT: Dannee Schoepfer & Hal Brown 
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson 

Everything we do is based on our Four Pillars and Ten Key Values. If you find that you share these ideals, come and join the movement.

You can support the Green Party in many ways; however, a monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to make their campaigns successful.  As little as $3 per month can have a significant impact! 

                     Sustaining Donation           Single Donation          Purchase Green Merchandise

Join us and help bring about a future where people and planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and support. And if you want to get more directly involved, consider joining an action team.  Work with other committed progressives and activists in activities such as planning events, developing media content, or helping with campaigns. Let's join together to make 2020 the year of progressives!

The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2020 

June 2020

Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.

GPPA seeks Federal Court relief from unconstitutional election requirements

PHILADELPHIA – On May 15, the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) filed suit in the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of PA, demanding relief from unconstitutional election laws that are impossible to meet under emergency COVID-19 measures declared by PA Governor Tom Wolf.

PA election rules require a minimum of 5,000 voter signatures for state-wide candidates to be awarded space on the ballot. This involves the effort of dozens of volunteers and hundreds of hours of labor to collect signatures in public before the early August deadline. Under Wolf’s stay-at-home order, volunteers will not be allowed to circulate in public, and there will be no public gatherings for them to attend.

Filing along with the Libertarian and the Constitution Parties of PA, the Green Party charged that the emergency conditions declared by Wolf will violate the First Amendment and the equal protection and due process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. The three political parties asked the court to allow access to the November 3 General Election ballot without the in-person signatures, because it will be nearly impossible or very unsafe to collect them.

"Completing the nominating process as presently required is now an improbable task given the circumstances that have been imposed by the Governor's order,” explained Tim Runkle, Green Party candidate for PA Treasurer. “These actions, although necessary to address the pandemic, are preventing candidates from obtaining access to the November ballot. Without relief from the court, not only will candidates be disenfranchised from seeking elected office, but the right of free and equal elections for the entire Commonwealth will also be violated."

COVID-19 has already killed more than 4,300 Pennsylvanians this year and infected many more. GPPA takes public health and safety seriously, and hopes for swift remedy by the courts and the Wolf administration to relieve the uncertainty regarding ballot access and to ensure Greens have the right to appear on the ballot. Therefore, the plaintiffs have asked the court to order the state to accept candidates’ nomination papers without the signatures.

"I think that COVID-19 has exposed many weaknesses in our political, economic, healthcare, and justice systems,” said Garret Wassermann, Green Party candidate for PA House District 45. “The voters deserve a real discussion and debate on what must be done to address those issues and rebuild. While Democratic and Republican candidates show little urgency, Greens offer real solutions. We are campaigning for single-payer healthcare and a Green New Deal that will invest in our communities, address pollution and climate change, and create green infrastructure jobs as the COVID-19 crisis passes. I asked the court to recognize the extraordinary emergency circumstances we are under and to ensure Greens will be on the ballot on November 3."

The 2020 Green Party candidates are:
Tim Runkle for PA Treasurer;
Olivia Faison for PA Auditor General;
Richard L. Weiss, Esq., for PA Attorney General.

Green Party legislative candidates are:
Garret Wassermann for PA House District 45;
Jay Ting Walker for PA House District 23.

More information about these declared GPPA candidates can be found at www.greenslate2020.org

Registered voters may offer their support for the GPPA's proposed legal relief by signing the Green Party's online petition at: www.gpofpa.org/dont_let_covid_19_keep_greens_off_the_ballot

Contributions to the GPPA legal fund will be greatly appreciated in order to cover legal costs. The Green Party of PA (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org or email [email protected]. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook and Twitter.

GPPA News Highlights   

  edited by Chris Robinson 

GPPA June Webconference

GPPA has received more applications to be a PA delegate to the GP U.S. Presidential National Convention (PNC) than we have positions available. Therefore we're going to hold an election on June 7 at the GPPA Webconference. We have 11 delegate positions available and 11 alternative positions available. The election will be determined by approval voting, and those with the most approval will win delegate seats, followed by the filling of alternate seats. Delegates’ responsibilities will include casting the vote for their assigned candidate for President in accordance with our delegate plan. Delegates must be present on the web application designated by GP U.S. for the duration of the PNC on July 11. Expect to reserve the time between noon and 7 pm for the PNC. More details to be released as they come available. Register for the 6/7 GPPA Webconference here. (show all)

Allegheny County Jail Must Reduce Spread of Covid-19 by Ron Gavalik.

The Green Party of Allegheny County (GPOAC) calls upon the Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board to protect inmates and reduce the spread of Covid-19 throughout the jail and the county. The current pandemic is a crisis, treated as an emergency situation by municipalities across the state. The GPOAC in coalition with numerous community organizations are asking for universal testing of inmates, staff, and visitors at the jail as has been conducted in the Montgomery County and Dauphin County jails. (show all)

Green Party pushing to keep Turnpike payments for transit

Transit advocates in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are leading a coalition of more than three dozen groups trying to pressure Harrisburg officials to continue $450 million annual payments from the PA Turnpike for public transit. Pittsburghers for Public Transit and the Philly Transit Riders Union say eliminating the turnpike payments before the state finds another source of transit funding would be devastating to transit agencies across the state. They have collected signatures from groups ranging from unions representing transit workers to the Green Party of Allegheny County and Philly Neighborhood Networks. (show all)

Hawkins Wins PA Presidential Caucus

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) held its Presidential Caucus during April 2020. Registered Greens from 27 PA counties voted in the caucus, and their votes will send delegates to the Green Party of the United States (GPUS, www.gp.org) Virtual National Convention during July. The PA caucus was won by candidate Howie Hawkins, with 53 percent of the vote. Hawkins responded, “I thank Pennsylvania Greens for their support. Every state is a battleground state for the Green Party, and perhaps no more so than in PA where Greens have to fight the Democrats as well as Republicans on fracking, pipelines, affordable housing, and military bloat, wars, and coups.”(show all)

Campaign Updates   

  edited by Chris Robinson  

Garret Wassermann for PA Representative, District 45

Garret told GREEN STAR, “Senate Bill 613 originally tweaked some rules on what government employees were allowed access to private tax data for various legal purposes. However, this bill was amended to overrule Governor Wolf’s stay-at-home COVID-19 orders. This method of amending bills is used to keep things secret, as well as shaming someone into voting for the bill because of one aspect, while another aspect may be bad. Should I become State Representative, I would have zero tolerance for these types of legislative tricks and would call them out whenever I saw them." For more information visit his website https://votegarret.org Or his Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/

Jay Ting Walker for PA Representative, District 23

Jay told GREEN STAR, “My campaign has been endorsed by Our Revolution PA, Mark Dixon (NoPetroPA), Green Party of Allegheny County and Green Party of PA.” Connect with Jay’s campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JayTingWalker Jay’s campaign website is https://jaytingwalker.com

Three State-wide Green Party Candidates

For more information visit https://www.greenslate2020.org/

Team Updates   

Finance Team by Tim Runkle

Sustaining memberships have continued to climb during the past month with more than a dozen first-time donors joining the GPPA membership program. Sustaining members support us with monthly donations and are a vital part of advancing our policies and actions. Joining as a sustaining member comes with a variety of benefits detailed HERE.

GreenWave Team by Garret Wassermann

The COVID-19 crisis has made typical petitioning efforts difficult, but Green Wave has remained busy! Welcome calls for new Green Party members were successfully held in April and May. Green Wave also announced a lawsuit in federal court to get signature requirements waived this year due to COVID-19. In the meantime, Greens in several counties are looking at canvassing as much as possible, if and when it is safe to do so and/or mailing petitions to voters. We welcome volunteers to help with canvassing or calling/texting voters about signing petitions.

To join the Green Wave Team and get invited to future organizing calls, please visit HERE to receive call info or email for more information!

Communications Team by Chris Robinson

The ComTeam is still looking for a few good volunteers, especially those who want to do video interviews. Also, if you want to write a “Why I’m Green” story for us, please visit, https://www.gpofpa.org/why_im_green. To join our team, please volunteer at https://www.gpofpa.org/, or to join online, sign up HERE..

Core Team by Charles Sherrouse

If you are interested in helping, sign up HERE.

National Green News   

  edited by Gayle Morrow

US GREENS

Last month we spoke of the difficulty of 3rd parties to get their candidates on the ballot due to restrictive election law in New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, and Illinois. As if that isn’t enough of a problem for our Democracy, now Greens and others are not meeting their ballot access petition signature requirements due to the COVI-19 concerns.

However, the state of Illinois that we spoke of last month passing restrictive election law requirements for third parties is now under District Court order to lighten up on the ballot access signature requirements.

/capitolfax.com/2020/04/22/federal-judge-hands-greens-libertarians-some-win

Pennsylvania twice appealed by letter to Governor Tom Wolfe, at this writing, to no avail.

https://www.gpofpa.org/dont_let_covid_19_keep_greens_off_the_ballot

The age-old question that must be answered by all third party candidates, especially the Greens who get blamed when the Democrats lose an election. “President Donald Trump won Pennsylvania for several reasons in 2016, and the number of potential Democratic voters who instead cast their ballots for Green Party candidate Jill Stein over Hillary Clinton was one in a whole playbook of things that went right for Trump and wrong for Democrats.” Note: ”…one in a whole playbook

https://www.inquirer.com/news/third-party-green-party-pennsylvania-2020-election-bread-roses-jerome-segal-20200420.html

The pandemic is keeping third parties off the ballot with those pesky petition signature requirements in many important states, restricting voter choice while bringing total duopoly closer. “At present, neither the Libertarian Party nor the Green Party has qualified for the ballot in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Iowa or Minnesota.”

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/04/19/coronavirus-election-2020-third-party-libertarian-green-trump-biden-193013

Global Green News   

  edited by Gayle Morrow

Let’s talk about Ireland.

Fracking and Ireland:

Greens push FF and FG to come out against fracked gas terminals that will import American fracked gas into Ireland. “Actor Mark Ruffalo, Environmental Groups Welcome Statement Against New Fracked Gas LNG Terminals That Would Import US Fracked Gas Into Ireland”(show all)

Green Party lays out 17 demands for entering coalition negotiations. (show all)

News Release regarding progress of the talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Imagine, political parties actually talking to each other and forming coalitions! (show all)

Greens Being Green

“Green Party's youth wing anxious for Māori over police powers in COVID-19 law.” (show all)

“Emergency law must ease access to contraceptive pill,” say the Scottish Greens (show all)

GPPA Coming Events   

  edited by Chris Robinson

Green Party events are in GREEN. Other Movement events are in RED.

June 2
---PRIMARY ELECTION---
Some polls will be open from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm

June 2, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
Zoom contact and more information from [email protected]

June 5, 12, 19
Climate Crisis Awareness Rally
Lincoln Square in Gettysburg (York Street crossing). Hosted by Adams County Green Party in solidarity with Greta Thunberg's worldwide climate movement.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2206600726129147/

June 7, noon
GPPA Delegates Virtual Meeting
Interested members of the public may attend to learn more about the Green Party. Please register in advance https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_06_conf

June 7, 4:00 pm
Green Party of Erie County Virtual Meeting
Zoom contact and more information from [email protected]

June 11, 4:00 pm
Learning from COVID-19
Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, online forum.
More information from:
http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Learning_from_COVID-19:Shaping_a_Health_and_Human_Rights_Agenda_for_our_Region

June 13
Philly Dyke March
POSTPONED. https://www.facebook.com/events/2791682107559339/

June 13, 6:00 pm
Pittsburgh Green Enters!
Welcome both new and long-time members of the Green Party. Zoom contact and More information from: [email protected]

June 15, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Virtual Meeting
Virtual business meeting. To receive details please email [email protected]

June 16
Northeast PA Green Fair
Hosted by Lackawanna County Green Party. POSTPONED until a later date.
More information from: https://www.facebook.com/events/187618042445480/

June 19 thru June 28
Western PA Juneteenth & Black Music Festival
POSTPONED until late August. For more information,
https://www.facebook.com/WPAJuneteenth/

June 19
Philadelphia Juneteenth Celebration
POSTPONED until 2021.

June 23, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia Virtual Membership Meeting
Contact information from [email protected]

June 28, 1:00 pm
Green Party of Chester County Virtual Meeting
For a link, interested parties should contact [email protected]

July 7, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
Zoom contact and more information from [email protected]

GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:

• June (virtual) - Sunday, June 7
• September (in-person, retreat) - Saturday/Sunday September 12/13
• November, Post-Election Day (virtual) - Sunday, November 15

Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information.  The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined.  In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers.  When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses.  To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events.  We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.

Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee 

Issue Credits:

EDITORS: Chris Robinson, & Gayle Morrow   
CONTRIBUTORS: Tim Runkle, Chris Robinson, Garret Wassermann, & Jay Sweeney
LAYOUT: Dannee Schoepfer & Hal Brown 
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson 

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The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2020 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 26, 2020

CONTACT: 

Garret Wassermann

[email protected] 

and

Chris Robinson, Communication Team

215-843-4256 and [email protected]

The COVID-19 Emergency Is Not Over

Garret Wassermann is vice-chair of the Green Party of Allegheny County and a Green Party candidate for PA State Representative in District 45. To volunteer for Garret Wassermann’s Campaign, please visit his website, https://votegarret.org/, or his Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/. 

-- by Garret Wasserman.

It is pretty outrageous and reckless that PA state legislators voted on a concurrent resolution to end the COVID-19 emergency declaration put out by Governor Tom Wolf. While the Republicans led the effort, most Democrats in the Senate along with several Democrats in the House joined them to make this a bipartisan bill. My opponent, current PA Representative Anita A. Kulik was one of the Yes votes, as was my PA Senator Wayne Fontana.

According to the Pennsylvania Constitution, the governor has the authority to declare an emergency and exercise special authority and powers, which is what Wolf was using to regulate business and order a lock-down. The Constitution also states that the state legislature may at any time revoke the emergency by passing a concurrent resolution bill. This bill does not require the governor’s signature, since it is a resolution and not a typical bill. That is, it’s just a statement, and it doesn’t become law; so the governor has nothing to veto.

There are two huge problems with this resolution: its effect on public health, and its effect on workers and families.

First, public health.

COVID-19 is far from over, more people are infected and hospitalized every day. Over 110,000 people nationwide have already died in the span of a few months, and that was with emergency lock-down orders in effect (meaning it would have been much worse without lock-down). It is absolutely still an emergency and a crisis. In fact, states that opened up earlier than PA – and had less lock-down restrictions to begin with – are already seeing huge surges in infection and hospitalization rates. Texas for example saw a record number of hospitalizations this week. I’m very concerned that it may already be too late to effectively stop the spread in those states, meaning we can expect many more infections and deaths over the coming weeks. That will be PA’s future soon, if we don’t maintain action now. Those deaths will accelerate if hospitals become crowded and overwhelmed; this was actually one of the biggest reasons for the lock-down, to ensure hospitals could keep reasonable capacity and treat everyone who needed it.

So what does the concurrent resolution have to do with this? Well, for one thing, it sends the wrong message to the public that the crisis is “over.” Also, the emergency declaration allows greater regulations – and resources – to flow into hospitals and the Department of Health in order to address these issues. Those resources will dry up. And honestly, they already weren’t getting the resources they needed. Reports of shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) like face masks and gowns are common; state officials should have been purchasing PPE and spreading out long ago. Without an emergency declaration, that’s even less likely to happen now. Medical professionals will die, particularly if we see another surge or second wave, and they didn’t have to if officials were making the preparations necessary.

Healthcare professionals are in the middle of a war for our health, and the lack of real support from state and federal officials – along with post-traumatic-stress-like symptoms – is already making many plan to leave medicine for good once the crisis is passed.

Second, workers and families.

A lot of special state and federal programs exist to try to help families through this crisis, but many of them only apply during a state of emergency. What this means is that officials voting for the resolution may have caused local communities across PA to suddenly lose access to state and federal funding for COVID-19 relief programs. Many essential jobs are in grocery stores and other services critical to feeding and taking care of people. Teens are having to make the difficult decision of putting themselves and families at risk in order to make extra money to help a family that may be out of work. A housing crisis may be looming, as the Governor’s executive order protections that prevented evictions until at least mid-July may suddenly expire and result in a wave of eviction attempts.

So what should we do? As research indicates, we need to encourage universal face mask usage in public and be prepared for brief lock-down phases as necessary. If we do so, modeling shows we can “flatten the curve” and even prevent future waves. But ONLY if nearly 100% of us wear masks at all times in public. It’s crucial we all wear a mask.

In the meantime, until the COVID-19 crisis is finally past, workers and businesses need help. I’ve written previously about actions the county and state legislature could take – including rent/mortgage freeze, utility freeze, and single payer healthcare, plus emptying the jail – and am very frustrated that the legislature chose to work on ending the emergency declaration rather than passing legislation that would actually help people through the global economic crisis caused by COVID-19. A lot can be done now. Legislators must act, not delay and ignore.

The Green Party of PA (GPPA, https://www.gpofpa.org/) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s four pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org or email [email protected].  Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook and Twitter.

For More Information:

“Several U.S. states are reporting thousands of new coronavirus cases each day” by Christina Maxouris, Columbus Telegram, June 24, 2020, https://columbustelegram.com/news/national/several-us-states-are-reporting-thousands-of-new-coronavirus-cases-each-day/article_f1f4a881-f2a0-51cd-95e9-1197981506aa.html; 

“Texas Reports Record-Breaking COVID-19 Hospitalizations As State Reopens” by Vanessa Romo, NPA WHYY TV, June 8, 2020, https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/06/08/872660425/texas-reports-record-breaking-covid-19-hospitalizations-as-state-reopens; 

“When This War Is Over, Many of Us Will Leave Medicine” by Dr. Michelle Harper, Elemental, April 24, 2020, https://elemental.medium.com/when-this-war-is-over-many-of-us-will-leave-medicine-86a274b5a627; 

“Teens Are Working As Essential Workers While Going to High School” by Elizabeth King, TeenVogue, May 26, 2020, https://www.teenvogue.com/story/teens-essential-workers; 

“A housing ‘apocalypse’ is coming as coronavirus protections across the country expire” by Alicia Adamczyk, CNBC Make It, June 10, 2020, https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/10/how-to-prevent-the-coming-coronavirus-tsunami-of-evictions.html; 

“Study: 100% face mask use could crush second, third COVID-19 wave” by Mike Moffitt, SFGate, June 12, 2020, https://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Study-100-face-mask-use-could-crush-second-15333170.php; 

“COVOD-19 Pandemic Update” by Garret Wassermann, March 25, 2020, https://votegarret.org/2020/03/25/pandemic-update; 

“Coronavirus Underscores Need for a Single Payer Healthcare System” by Garret Wassermann, March 6, 2020, https://votegarret.org/2020/03/06/coronavirus-needs-single-payer; 

“Save Lives -- Empty the Jail” by Garret Wassermann, April 9, 2020, https://votegarret.org/2020/04/09/save-lives-empty-the-jail; 

END ITEM      ***      END ITEM      ***      END ITEM

May Day 2020, Emerge-Agency
by GPPA Co-chair Alan Smith

     

GPPA News Highlights   

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced the suspension of his presidential campaign on April 8. Sanders had run an innovative campaign, largely self-organized by a diverse network of local activists. The campaign allowed Sanders to bring issues to a national stage from a different perspective than other major candidates and inspired millions of voters. Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have fundamentally different values than Sanders. The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) offers a new home for registered Democrats who are now disenfranchised by the Democratic Party but would like to continue the progressive activism that Sanders’ campaign engaged with. (show all)

Campaign Updates   
edited by Chris Robinson