Caucus 4.2.13: American Disability

This month, we will be diving into the recent report on the increase of Americans receiving federal disability payments, which has nearly doubled over the last 15 years. DEFINITELY worth the read and or listen. 

Respect given to Planet Money Reporter Chana Joffe-Walt. This is pretty comprehensive and stokes many a question for the roundtable.  

Written story, here, which comes complete with graphics and pics. 

And her This American Life episode, which is in essence a verbal telling of the article, here.         

Caucus 3.5.13: Gun Regulation

March is upon us and with it the madness of sequester. One thing is for certain, Caucus every first Tuesday of the month: 7:30pm to 9:00pm @ The Jade Garden in the ID.

Our esteemed colleague Dr. Chris Casillas will be leading us through a discussion on *gun regulation*. Below his explanation of the topic and accompanying materials. See you Tuesday.

For the next caucus, I'd like to focus on an issue of national significance -- gun regulation --  but focus on local legislative efforts, specifically a requirement for background checks on all gun purchases.  House Bill 1588 is such a legislative effort now pending in the State legislature.  The
attached links include materials on the bill itself, lobbying efforts on both sides of the bill, and general information from the Brady Campaign on background checks and the "gun show loophole."

http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Gun-control-supporters-to-form-lobbying-coalition-4310378.php

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1588&year=2013#documents

http://www.nraila.org/legislation/state-legislation/2013/2/washington-your-state-legislators-must-hear-from-you-today.aspx

http://www.kuow.org/post/rep-mike-hope-background-checks

http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/backgroundchecks/gunshowloophole