No, it's not the Protecting & Preserving Social Security Act of 2013 authored by Senator Mark Begich (D. AK) and Congressman Ted Deutch (D. FL-21) that I have written quite a bit about:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
But it's a good sign that Senator Al Franken (D. MN) is serious about protecting and preserving Social Security:
http://vtdigger.org/...
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today introduced legislation cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to strengthen Social Security by making the wealthiest Americans pay the same payroll tax that nearly everyone else already pays.
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) introduced the companion bill in the House. He joined Sanders at a news conference in the Capitol to discuss their bill to bolster Social Security without raising the retirement age or lowering benefits.
Under their legislation, those with yearly incomes of $250,000 or more would pay the same 6.2 percent payroll tax already assessed on those who earn up to $113,700 a year. Applying the Social Security payroll tax on income above $250,000 would only affect the wealthiest 1.3 percent of Americans, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Social Security officials say that simple change would yield about $85 billion a year to keep the retirement program strong for at least another 50 years.
The legislation is based on a proposal that President Barack Obama made in 2008 during his first campaign for the White House. - VT Digger, 3/7/13
Along with Franken, Sanders and Reid, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D.-R.I.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are also co-sponsors. You can call either Sanders or Franken's office to get more information on the bill so you can urge your Senator to become a co-sponsor:
Sanders: 202-224-5141
Franken: 202-224-5641
Sanders plan might be a good thing for any of you to submit questions about to Franken. He wants to hear from, according to this e-mail I received from him today:
If you’ve ever read one of my emails and said something like, “You’re right, Al!” or “You’re nuts, Al!” -- bad news. I can’t hear you through the screen.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear from you. That’s why we’re introducing a new feature called “Ask Al,” where I’ll answer questions from members of our grassroots team.
Just click here to send in a question -- I’ll answer some in an upcoming email:
http://www.alfranken.com/...
One of the best parts of my job is that I get to hear from Minnesotans all the time -- teachers and firefighters and business owners and middle class families. I love hearing their ideas -- and I’m always just as interested in their questions.
But I know that there aren’t enough hours in the day to talk to everyone in person, especially because our online network has grown so large.
So if you want to know about my position on an important issue, offer a new idea, or just ask me what I like on my pizza, now’s your chance.
Click here to Ask Al (that’s me) -- and I’ll answer some of your questions in an upcoming email:
http://www.alfranken.com/...
Can’t wait to hear from you.
Thanks,
Al
P.S.: You can ask me anything -- except for the details of my “extra ask in the P.S.” strategy. That’s proprietary. But click here to ask me about anything else:
http://www.alfranken.com/...
Here's the link again so you can submit your question to Al:
http://www.alfranken.com/...
Also, Former Senator Norm Coleman (R. MN), who Franken narrowly defeated in 2008, has confirmed that he will not be seeking a rematch in 2014:
http://www.grandforksherald.com/...
Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman will not run for office in 2014, meaning there will be no rematch with Al Franken that many Republicans wanted.
In a series of tweets late Thursday, Coleman said he wants “to mentor a new generation of optimistic, limited government focused leaders who aren't afraid to find common ground to solve problems.”
Many Republicans had hoped that Coleman would get into the race as Democrat Franken seeks election to a new six-year term next year or challenge Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton.
Coleman promised to “focus time and energy helping Minnesota elect senator and governor who support free enterprise, efficient government and seek to bring folks together.” - Grand Folks Herald, 3/8/13
11:58 AM PT: Off topic but still important. I just published a diary about the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and the Democratic Governors Association teaming up to stop Gov. Tom Corbett (R. PA) from rigging the electoral college. Petition and info are in the diary:
http://www.dailykos.com/...