The Art of the Steal: GE's Massive $270-Million-Dollar Massachusetts Megadeal
According to a recent quarterly earnings report, GE is doing fantastically well, bringing in $23.5 billion in orders and income during the first three months of 2016. It has done so well, in fact, it bought back $6 billion worth of stock, while also giving $2 billion worth of dividends to shareholders.
In the face of this incredibly profitable three months, it seems almost laughable that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston—spearheaded by Governor Baker and Mayor Walsh—have committed to shelling out over $270 million in public funds for the luxury of moving some several hundred white-collar workers to Boston’s Seaport Innovation District.
Read moreSharing in the Solution: Responsible Wealth for Fair Taxes
In 2009, New York State was facing a $15-20 billion budget deficit, and nobody was talking about taxing the wealthy. Responsible Wealth (a project of United for a Fair Economy) wrote an open letter, signed by 100 upper-income New Yorkers, and suddenly the conversation changed. It was renewed in 2011, but now the temporary tax rates are set to expire again, and it's time for a permanent, more progressive tax on upper income New Yorkers.
Read moreBerta Cáceres, Presente!
We send our condolences to the family and friends from Berta Cáceres and the Honduran people who has fought by her side. Unfortunately in much of the US media coverage, there has been a glaring omission about Berta’s death.
Read moreLetter: Supreme Court Nominee Should Reflect and Respect Nation’s Diversity
A national group of experts focused on building an inclusive society laid out a set of characteristics they are seeking in the next nominee for Supreme Court Justice. The Experts of Color Network calls for a constitutional visionary with a deep appreciation for the nation’s diversity and an understanding of how historical laws, policies and practices have shaped opportunity and adversity today.
Read moreUpcoming Event: Breakfast with Kent Wong
In 2014, there were some 11.3 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. If you are, or have met someone from a mixed-status family, you likely know the constant stress and strain it can put on people. The recently published book, Dreams Deported: Immigrant Youth and Families Resist Deportation, lifts the stories of the undocumented immigrants who are facing the injustice of deportation.
What Nobody Is Talking About in Flint
Governor Rick Snyder was inaugurated on January 1, 2010. Coming from big business and venture capital, he only took six weeks in office to propose a radical redistribution of the state’s shrinking tax base.
Read moreBreaking the Poisonous Silence Surrounding Flint
Lead, racism and poverty poisoned the Flint water supply. Add in a tablespoon of media silence and a gallon of government denial, and you’ve got a two year crisis that Michigan Governor Snyder has called, “…his Katrina” – alluding to the Bush administration’s disaster of hurricane management.
State of the Dream 2016: #BlackLivesMatter and the Economy
New movements call for new solutions. And this year, we’re taking a new approach to our annual State of the Dream report.
Read moreWhat's Your Resolution for Justice?
Make a resolution of justice for 2016. Whether it’s fighting for $15 with low-wage workers, standing against police violence with #BlackLivesMatter, or pushing for a public postal bank, we’ll work with you for a better future. New beginnings are new opportunities for change.
A Holiday Message From UFE
Jeannette Huezo, our Executive Director, shares a holiday message of thanks.
Joining the Frontline Chorus
Fossil fuel corporations want you to be obsessed with the Paris climate talks. They want you to see quotes from the Paris agreement text, and glaze over. They want you to forget the words of Margaret Mead, that “…a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” And those citizens don’t need suits and a board room in Paris.
Read moreDear Mark Zuckerberg
Our friends at Resource Generation hit the nail on the head in this letter to Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook founder's recent $45 billion "gift." Written by Jesse Spencer, this article can be read in full on the Huffington Post.