More than 1,000 protests against President Donald Trump's policies are planned nationwide Saturday, including 98 in Pennsylvania. The "Hands Off" protests are backed by civil rights, environmental, education and labor groups.

Jessica Brittain, communications director for Action Together NEPA, said it's a nationwide call to oppose the administration's actions. She said Pennsylvanians want Trump and Elon Musk to leave a variety of services untouched - from the U.S. Department of Education and National Institutes of Health to the National Park Service.

"Hands off the essential services that are being cut - like Medicaid, Social Security, services for Veterans Affairs, the list goes on and on," she said. "Hands off our private information."

Brittain warned that Medicaid cuts in the GOP budget in Congress could affect millions of Pennsylvanians. Trump has contended they aim to save money, reduce crime and support the oil and gas industry for "energy independence."

Rallies are set for tomorrow in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, with another in Lewisburg on Sunday, due to high demand.

Brittain said she thinks it is crucial for communities to stand up and make it clear that some of the cuts are harming families, friends and neighbors - and hopes federal and state elected officials get the message.

"They work for us," she said. "They don't work for Donald Trump, they don't work for Elon Musk, and they need to know that their constituents are mobilizing and expect them to do the right thing."

Vicki Miller, a group leader for Indivisible Philadelphia, said this large-scale event will provide a crucial outlet for those grappling with fear, anxiety and anger - offering a sense of solidarity and reassurance that they are not alone.

"We have over 5,000 people signed up," she said, "but we have more than that coming, because a lot of people are telling friends, or whatever, and they're not signing up, so we'll have a pretty good number of people."

The Philadelphia protest begins at noon at City Hall, with a march down Market Street to Independence Mall. Some of the groups involved include the Women's March, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Indivisible, MoveOn.org and the League of Conservation Voters.

A public funding mechanism for Seattle elections is up for renewal in next week's election.

The Democracy Voucher program was passed 10 years ago. It offers voters four $25 vouchers to use each election cycle for candidates who accept certain fundraising and spending limits. Supporters said it is a model for more inclusive democracy, touting higher turnout, increased participation from more small donors and a more diverse candidate field.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the group People Powered Elections Seattle, which supports Proposition 1, said the program helps level the playing field.

"It's really important that people's voices are heard and that candidates can run being supported by their constituents," Olson contended. "Versus just listening to those wealthiest donors, those special interests that have historically been the loudest voices at the table and really dominated what priorities rise to the top."

The voucher is supported by a property tax. Olson and other supporters hope to bring the model statewide. Critics said the program is not big enough to make a difference in elections and has not curbed outside spending. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Olson pointed out the vouchers have succeeded in encouraging more diverse participation in local elections.

"The intention of the program was to bring a public financing program to Seattle elections to help empower more candidates -- more diverse candidates, women, renters, people of color -- to have equal access to be able to run, and run competitive elections without having to rely on wealthy donors, special interests," Olson emphasized.

Olson noted because the money comes from a dedicated tax levy, unused vouchers roll over to the next election.

"The goal isn't to create an unlimited pot of money but to be able to provide resources for candidates to run with the community's support," Olson stressed. "But it's not a blank check at the same time."


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Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The 18 items on the agenda include redrawing congressional maps. Redistricting usually occurs every 10 years, following the census, but Abbott added the item to the agenda after the Department of Justice drew attention to four Democratic seats.

Christina Sanders, founder of the nonprofit PoliChic Engagement Fund, said Texas maps are already caught up in litigation.

"Some of the court cases that are still even pending from the maps that have not been drawn fairly and the potential impact of new maps in the middle of a census cycle," Sanders explained.

The Biden administration sued Texas, alleging the state's legislative and congressional district maps discriminate against Latino and Black voters. The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the lawsuit earlier this year.

The seats targeted by the Justice Department are held by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas. They are also focused on the vacant seat previously held by late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Following the 2023 legislative session, Abbott called four special sessions to pass a school voucher bill, which failed.

Sanders feels Abbott is using special sessions to push personal agendas.

"A special session would be for something like the flood that just occurred," Sanders argued. "It would be something that there is an emergency -- something immediate needs to happen at this moment -- because this policy for the state cannot wait."

Flood warning systems and communication are also on the agenda, along with hemp and THC legislation and changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.

With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates that many Americans are struggling to feel optimistic about the state of the country.

A new Gallup survey shows 58% of U.S. adults say they're proud to be an American. While there are some partisan splits, the overall percentage is a record low for the annual poll question.

Barbara Headrick, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said it's not surprising, given the sharp divides between the two major parties. But she feels there's something else at play.

"There is still an after effect, I believe, from the pandemic from that separation from each other that we had," she said.

That the pandemic was so politicized is another complicating factor that prevented the country from healing, Headrick said, adding that it's understandable some Americans are very concerned about various rights being taken away. However, she noted the U.S. has deep flaws throughout its history, and there are still many more rights afforded today than in past decades.

If heated rhetoric clouding U.S. politics has got you down, Headrick said, you can still show American pride through actions.

"Find a way to love your country by making it better," she said.

Headrick said it can involve showing support for civil workers or volunteering at a local homeless or animal shelter. She added that expressing pride through elections doesn't just involve voting, noting that there are opportunities to stay informed about how your local government is addressing pressing issues, such as affordable housing.


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