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BPW/MI Monday Minute January 22nd, 2007
The 2007 Policy &
Action Conference is right around the corner but there is still time
to join us. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to be a
political leader in your community or at any level of government.
For those of you have not attended, Policy & Action brings members
of BPW from all over the country together in Washington, D.C. to
engage in lobbying on Capitol Hill and educational and inspirational
events. This year we will be in Washington, D.C. on February 8 and
9.
The schedule of events is as follows. There will be a First Timers
Briefing at 7:30 pm on February 7. On February 8 we will have a
Supreme Court lecture in the Supreme Court and then will listen to a
panel discussion regarding the legislation on which we will be
lobbying. We will have lunch on the Hill and spend the afternoon
talking to our Senators and Representatives or their staff. There
will be an ERA dinner Thursday night and Friday will be workshops on
political education.
BPW/USA is focusing on three pieces of legislation this year. The
Heart for Women Act would raise awareness among women and health
care providers to improve prevention diagnosis and treatment of
heart disease and stroke in women. It will also provide increased
screening for low income women at risk. As you may remember, BPW
Michigan voted at the Fall Board Meeting to support this
legislation.
We will also be lobbying on The Women’s Retirement Security Act.
This bill aims to provide women with more tools to secure their
retirement by making it easier for part-time employees to
participate in long-term retirement savings plans, simplifying IRA
contributions, expanding access to IRAs and other similar
provisions.
The final piece of legislation is The Healthy Families Act which
would provide full-time employees with seven paid sick days a year
to be used for their own medical needs or to tend to the medical
needs of a child, spouse or parent. Part-time employees receive a
pro-rata share of paid sick days.
For more information, check out the BPW/USA website at
www.bpwusa.org or give me a call. We would love to have you join us.
If you decide to come, please let me know so we can include you in
our planning.
Sincerely,
Susan Dehncke, VP Legislation
517-787-8041
susandehncke@cs.com
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