Here’s your weekly quick look at a few developing stories in the political arena:

• President Obama on Tuesday spoke about his administration’s effort to cut emissions and reduce oil use through better fuel economy. Speaking at the Safeway distribution center in Maryland, President Obama told environmental and transportation agencies to get to work on the next round of gas mileage requirements for big trucks. Obama said, “For the first time in nearly 20 years, America produces more oil here at home than we buy from other countries. Our levels of dangerous carbon pollution, that contributes to climate change, have actually gone down even as our production has gone up.” The President’s plan builds on a regulation that set first-ever fuel standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks for model years. It is predicted to save some 530 million barrels of oil and cut emissions by roughly 270 million metric tons. Now the Transportation Department and the Environmental Protection Agency must develop the next phase of targets for those vehicles for model years.

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This week, the WI League along with other grassroots organizations sat anxiously waiting and listening while the Milwaukee County Board discussed and voted YES (12-6) to passing the Living Wage Ordinance. This ordinance sets a wage standard of $11.47 an hour for Milwaukee county  and contact workers. The best part is the wage will increase with the cost of living.

There are a number of stipulations involved with the bill that make sure small business owners and employees aren’t affected. No longer will public money in our county subsidize profits for private corporations who pay workers so little that they have to turn to taxpayer-funded assistance programs. Milwaukee County is paving the way to the economic high road and ending its role in a race to the bottom.

The fight isn’t over yet. We need to put the pressure on County Executive Chris Abele to sign the ordinance into law.  We need you to send emails, make phone calls and even set up meetings with the County Exec to tell him we want a living wage in Milwaukee county.