The POPVOX Blog

Articles From November 2011

1. PRESS CLIP: Digital Public Affairs and Communicating with Congress

   by annalee on November 29, 2011

   Digital Public Affairs and Communicating with Congress, on Digital Politics Radio

2. PRESS CLIP: Capitol Hill's Dec. 7 Hackathon Means Government's Getting Geekier

   by annalee on November 28, 2011

   Capitol Hill's Dec. 7 Hackathon Means Government's Getting Geekier on techPresident

3. PRESS CLIP: Apparently, Congress Needs Two iPad Apps to Help It Get Things Done

   by annalee on November 18, 2011

   Apparently, Congress Needs Two iPad Apps to Help It Get Things Done in TIME

4. PRESS CLIP: There’s An App (Or Two) For Congress

   by annalee on November 18, 2011

   There’s An App (Or Two) For Congress in Talking Points Memo

5. PRESS CLIP: New iPad App Hopes to Modernize Lawmaking on the Hill

   by annalee on November 17, 2011

   New iPad App Hopes to Modernize Lawmaking on the Hill in TechPresident

6. PRESS RELEASE: First App Designed for Congress Released

   by marci on November 17, 2011

    

   
   POPVOX releases “MarkUp” to help Congress hear from constituents, read and annotate bill text

   November 17, 2011, WASHINGTON, DC — POPVOX, the fastest-growing neutral online platform for advocacy about bills in Congress, launched their first edition iPad app today. POPVOX MarkUp, a legislative dashboard and annotation tool for Congress and government affairs professionals, is now available in the Apple app store for $9.99.

   “Legislators and staff must constantly balance multiple issues and packed schedules. With POPVOX MarkUp, they can hold coffee in one hand and ten thousand bills in the other,” said POPVOX CEO, Marci Harris.

   “We decided to build the app soon after the House rules change in January 2011, allowing iPads on the House Floor,” explains Harris. “We were already building a site to help Congress better hear from constituents and find out what groups were saying about legislation. MarkUp delivers that information not only to the last mile, but the last inch -- right into the hands of Members of Congress, who really want to know what their constituents have to say about pending bills.”

   POPVOX MarkUp provides comprehensive access to POPVOX’s bill-specific constituent sentiment statistics, bill reports and constituent comments -- sortable by Congressional district -- as well as endorsement and opposition statements from advocacy organizations. The iPad app equips users with time-saving features to search all bills in the 112th Congress, including the ability to mark up the bill with personal notes while reading, find sponsor, status, and cosponsor information, use in-bill keyword search and table of contents navigation, and share via social media.  The app is designed for Congress but can be used by anyone.

   To finance the app, POPVOX turned to Appbackr, a website that allows many people to finance development by purchasing wholesale units of the app and “backing” it.  “People across the country agreed that it was important to make this information available to Congress, and they helped us make it happen,” says Harris.  “From AppBackr to our wonderful development partners at Houston-based ChaiONE, everyone went out of their way because they felt this was an important project that will help Congress do its job better.” 

    

   About POPVOX

   POPVOX is a neutral, nonpartisan advocacy platform that meshes legislative data with individuals’ personal stories and sentiment. POPVOX delivers public input to Congress in a format tailored to actionable policy decisions and empowers users to leverage their expertise and numbers. 

   For more information, visit: www.popvox.com

   
   

    

7. Politics for Programmers: Josh presents at DC Week

   by josh on November 14, 2011

   Last week I presented at DC Week in a session called Politics for Programmers, and I'll say it was a little disconcerting to be standing below my slides. The room was shaped like an IMAX theater!

   Here I am:

   

   (Thanks to TurboVote's Katy for the picture.)

   In my presentation I introduced attendees to POPVOX and also waxed on about the philosophical side of civic technology. In talks like these I typically talk about the typology of reasons behind open government applications, what open government data really is ("Big Data" applied to government), and refrigerator poetry. I've posted the slides and (rough) text on my publications page.

   The other presenters also showed off really valuable tools: TurboVote, an explicit-language polling place locator whose name I will omit here made by the New Organizing Institute, and tools from the MIT Center for Civic Media.

8. Top 10 Most Popular Proposals on POPVOX Super Committee Hub

   by marci on November 14, 2011

   POPVOX presents a list of proposals that have been made to the Super Committee and lets users weigh in to support or oppose and send their message to Congress.  After three weeks, here are the top ten most popular proposals on the POPVOX Super Committee Hub.

   1. 1. Withdraw 20,000 Troops from Europe (97% SUPPORT)
   2. 2. Eliminate Commodity Crop Subsidies (96% SUPPORT)
   3. 3. Preserve Access to Affordable Generics (92% SUPPORT)
   4. 4. Reduce Spending on Non-DoD Federal Service Contractors by 15% (90% SUPPORT)
   5. 5. Auction Remaining TARP Assets (83% SUPPORT)
   6. 6. Tax Carried Interest as Ordinary Income (80% SUPPORT)
   7. 7. Regulate and Tax Internet Gambling (78% SUPPORT)
   8. 8. End Oil and Gas Tax Preferences (78% SUPPORT)
   9. 9. Tax Derivatives and Speculation (77% SUPPORT)
   10. 10. Impose a Big Bank Fee (75% SUPPORT)

   

9. WEEK 3: Supercommittee Hub Results

   by marci on November 14, 2011

   Here are the results from the third week of the POPVOX Super Committee Hub.

   The following graphs reflect those who weighed in from midnight on November 7 until midnight November 13.

   All positions have been sent to the individual's Member of Congress and Senators.  The aggregated chart, with links to full comments is being sent to Members of the Super Committee and their staff.

   WEEK 3 RESULTS:

   • The proposal that provoked the most activity this week was medical liability reform (Tort Reform), with 275 weighing in, 70% supporting and 30% opposing.
   • The second most active proposal was the withdrawal of 20,000 troops from Europe.  Of 265 people who weighed in, 98% supported the proposal, while 2% opposed.

   • At 98% supporting, the withdrawal of 20,000 troops from Europe was also the most popular proposal, along with the elimination of commodity crop subsidies, which also garnered 98% support.

   • The least popular proposal in Week 3 was reducing post-acute care payments, with 86% opposing. 
   • Raising Medicare premiums was also unpopular, with 79% opposing.

   

10. PRESS RELEASE: In Congress, Multiple Bills Focus on Veterans Issues

    by annalee on November 10, 2011

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    
    CONTACT:
    Rachna Choudhry
    Chief Marketing Officer       
    202-256-4326 / rachna@popvox.com

     

    In Congress, Multiple Bills Focus on Veterans Issues

    POPVOX Spotlights Pending Legislation for Veterans’ Day

     

    November 10, 2011, WASHINGTON, DC — POPVOX, the transparent online platform for advocacy about bills in Congress, today spotlighted over 20 bills pending in Congress that would affect Veterans.
    
    POPVOX co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Rachna Choudhry said: "As we pay tribute to America's veterans, POPVOX invites individuals to learn about these proposals and write a message to Congress in honor of the sacrifices our veterans have made."
    
    Veterans' Employment
    
    VOW to Hire Heroes Act (will be attached to 3% Withholding Repeal and Job Creation Act, which is currently being considered by the Senate) offers tax credits to companies who hire unemployed veterans or veterans who were discharged in the last five years, and gives an additional tax credit to firms that hire unemployed veterans with service-related disabilities. (This bill hasn't been assigned a number yet, so it's not listed on POPVOX.)
    
    Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (HR 2433) from Rep. Jeff Miller [R, FL-1] makes certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr2433
    
    S. 745 from Sen. Charles Schumer [D, NY] protects certain veterans who would otherwise be subject to a reduction in educational assistance benefits
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s745
    
    Hiring Heroes Act (HR 1941 from Rep. Sanford Bishop [D, GA-2] and S 951 from Sen. Patty Murray [D, WA]) improves the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces and veterans
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr1941 and https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s951
    
    HR 802 from Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51] creates a VetStar Award Program recognizing business contributions to veterans' employment
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr802
    
    Honoring Veterans
    Cold War Service Medal Act (S 402 from Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME] and HR 1968 from Rep. Steve Israel [D, NY-2]) awards military service medals for having served honorably during the Cold War.
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s402 and https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr1968
    
    H Res 184 from Rep. Linda Sánchez [D, CA-39] expresses support for a designation of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hres184
    
    Cold War Service Medal Act (S 402 from Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME] and HR 1968 Rep. Steve Israel [D, NY-2]) recognizes members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s402 and https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr1968
    
    Veterans' Health

    Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (HR 198) from Rep. Michael Grimm [R, NY-13] directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr198
    
    TBI Treatment Act (HR 396) from Rep. Peter Sessions [R, TX-32] creates a pilot program to make payments for traumatic brain injury treatment
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr396
    
    HR 930 from Rep. Chellie Pingree [D, ME-1] improves the disability compensation evaluation procedure for veterans related to military sexual trauma
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr930
    
    Fort McClellan Health Registry Act (HR 2052) from Rep. Paul Tonko [D, NY-21] directs the V.A. to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr2052
    
    Agent Orange Equity Act (S 1629 from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand [D, NY] and HR 812 from Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51]) clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of Vietnam
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s1629 and https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr812
    
    Medicare VA Reimbursement Act (HR 814) from Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51] provides Medicare payments to V.A. medical facilities for items and services provided to Medicare-eligible veterans for non-service-connected conditions
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr814
    
    Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act (HR 329) from Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51] requires the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all V.A. medical centers and to expand access to such care and services
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr329
    
    Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act (S 277) from Sen. Richard Burr [R, NC] furnishes hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, while the water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s277
    
    Janey Ensminger Act (HR 1742) from Rep. Bradley Miller [D, NC-13] establishes a presumption of service connection for illnesses associated with contaminants in the water supply at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, and provides health care to family members of veterans who lived at Camp Lejeune while the water was contaminated
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr1742
    
    Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act (HR 2074) from Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle [R, NY-25] requires a comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents at medical facilities of the V.A. and improves rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr2074
    
    Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act (S 1689) from Sen. Patrick Toomey [R, PA] requires a comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents at medical facilities of the V.A.
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s1689
    
    Veterans' Homelessness
    Veterans Programs Improvement Act (S 1148) from Sen. Patty Murray [D, WA] improves the provision of assistance to homeless veterans and the regulation of fiduciaries who represent individuals for receiving V.A. benefits
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s1148
    
    Homes for Heroes (HR 287) from Rep. Al Green [D, TX-9] provides housing assistance for very low-income veterans
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr287
    
    Other Veterans Bills

    Veterans Appeals Improvement Act (HR 1484) from Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51] improves the appeals process of the Department of Veterans Affairs
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr1484
    
    Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act (S 1707) from Sen. Richard Burr [R, NC] clarifies the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s1707
    
    Honor America's Guard and Reserve Retirees Act (HR 1025 from Rep. Timothy Walz [D, MN-1] and S 491 from Sen. Mark Pryor [D, AR]) recognizes the service in the reserve components by honoring them with status as veterans under law
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr1025 and https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s491
    
    Hotels for Heroes Act (HR 3303) from Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger [D, MD-2] expands the Operation Hero Miles program to include the donation of hotel points or awards for free or reduced-cost accommodations
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr3303
    
    Veteran’s I.D. Card Act (HR 2985) from Rep. Todd Akin [R, MO-2] directs the V.A. to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans
    https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr2985
    
    About POPVOX

    POPVOX is a neutral, nonpartisan advocacy platform that meshes legislative data with individuals’ personal stories and sentiment. POPVOX delivers public input to Congress in a format tailored to actionable policy decisions and empowers users to leverage their expertise and numbers.

    For more information, visit: www.popvox.com

11. PRESS CLIP: Indiana AG asks Hoosiers to fight federal 'robo calls' bill

    by annalee on November 10, 2011

    Indiana AG asks Hoosiers to fight federal 'robo calls' bill on The JournalGazette.com.

12. Issue Spotlight: Honoring Veterans Day

    by rachna on November 9, 2011

    In honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, POPVOX is spotlighting veterans legislation. We hope you will take a moment to review this list of bills (it’s divided by issue areas) and weigh in. POPVOX will deliver your comments to your Members of Congress.

    Veterans Employment

    • HR 2433 The Veterans Opportunity to Work Act makes certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans
    • S 745 S 745 protects certain veterans who would otherwise be subject to a reduction in educational assistance benefits
    • HR 1941 The Hiring Heroes Act (and S 951) improves the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces and veterans

    Honoring Veterans

    • S 402 The Cold War Service Medal Act (and HR 1968) awards military service medals for having served honorably during the Cold War
    • HRes 184 H.Res. 184 expresses support for a designation of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”
    • HR 1025 The Honor America's Guard and Reserve Retirees Act (and S 491) recognizes the service in the reserve components of certain persons by honoring them with status as veterans under law

    Veterans Health

    • HR 198 The Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act directs the V.A. to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy
    • HR 396 The TBI Treatment Act creates a pilot program to make payments for traumatic brain injury treatment
    • HR 2052 The Fort McClellan Health Registry Act directs the V.A. to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama
    • S 1629 The Agent Orange Equity Act (and HR 812) clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of Vietnam
    • HR 814 The Medicare VA Reimbursement Act provides Medicare payments to V.A. medical facilities for items and services provided to Medicare-eligible veterans for non-service-connected conditions
    • HR 329 The Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act provides chiropractic care and services to veterans at all V.A. medical centers
    • S 277 The Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act furnishes hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, while the water was contaminated there
    • HR 1742 The Janey Ensminger Act establishes a presumption of service connection for illnesses associated with contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, NC, and provides health care to family members of veterans who lived there while the water was contaminated
    • HR 2074 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities and improves rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury
    • S 1689 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities
    • HR 930 HR 930 improves the disability compensation evaluation procedure for veterans related to military sexual trauma

    Veterans Homelessness

    • S 1148 The Veterans Programs Improvement Act improves the provision of assistance to homeless veterans and the regulation of fiduciaries who represent individuals for purposes of receiving benefits under laws administered by the V.A.
    • HR 287 The Homes for Heroes provides housing assistance for very low-income veterans

    Other Veterans Bills

    • S 1707 The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act clarifies the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes
    • HR 2985 The Veteran’s I.D. Card Act directs the V.A. to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans
    • HR 1484 The Veterans Appeals Improvement Act improves the V.A. appeals process

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

13. WEEK 2: Supercommittee Hub Results

    by annalee on November 8, 2011

    Here are the results from the second week of the POPVOX Super Committee Hub.

    The following graphs reflect those who weighed in from midnight on October 31st (spooky) until Midnight November 6.

    All positions have been sent to the individual's Member of Congress and Senators.  The aggregated chart, with links to full comments is being sent to Members of the Super Committee and their staff.

    

     

    As you can see:

    • The proposal that provoked the most activity this week (second week in a row) was the Millionaire's Tax, proposed by the Ways and Means Committee Minority, with 378 weighing in: 64% support; 36% oppose.
    • The second most active was the elimination of tax preferences for oil and gas: of 358 weighing in, 77% support elimination of the preferences, while 23% oppose.

    • At 95% supporting, the elimination of commodity crop subsidies was the most popular (by percent) proposal on the list (food the second week in a row.)
    • The second most popular proposal by percent (also two weeks running) was reducing spending on non-DoD federal service contractors by 15 Percent, with 90% supporting (down 2% from last week.)

    The proposals with the least support by percent remained constant in week 2:

    • Raising Medicare premiums was the least popular, with 79% opposing (up from 75% opposing last week.)
    • Increasing TRICARE drug co-pays again were the second least popular proposal, with 66% opposing (from 63% opposing last week.)

    Charts of overall totals below.

    

    

     The proposals will remain on the list and individuals can continue to weigh in.

    Ten new proposals were added.  Weigh in and let Congress know what you think!

    1. Reinstate the SuperFund Tax
    2. Make $.02% unemployment tax permanent
    3. Tort Reform
    4. Raising Medicare cost-sharing
    5. Reducing post-acute care payments
    6. Raising Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67
    7. Increasing aviation and security fees
    8. Withdrawal of 20,000 troops from Europe
    9. Disposal of Excess Federal Lands Act
    10. Fairness in Taxation Act 

     

14. PRESS CLIP: Ctrl+Alt+Compete Documentary

    by annalee on November 4, 2011

    Review: Microsoft Documentary Film – Ctrl+Alt+Compete on TechHog.Com.

15. PESS CLIP: Bill Would Gut No-Call Law

    by annalee on November 3, 2011

    Zoeller: Bill Would Gut No-Call Law on IndyStar.com.

16. PRESS CLIP: Zoeller to testify before Congress against bill gutting "do not call"

    by annalee on November 2, 2011

    Attorney General Greg Zoeller to testify before Congress against bill gutting "do not call" law on IndyStar.com.

17. PRESS CLIP: Attorney General Blasts Robocall Bill --WIBC Radio

    by annalee on November 2, 2011

    Attorney General Blasts Robocall Bill on WIBC Radio