It’s nothing like having a peace of mind. Knowing that you have access to healthcare when you need it, is priceless. As the March 31st enrollment deadline draws near for the Affordable Care Act, also recognized as Obamacare, the Texas League of Young Voters has teamed up with Young Invincibles to increase the number of young people who sign up for health coverage.

Tonight, they have a dynamic group of panelists lined up to discuss the myths and the facts of the Affordable Care Act. Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of Health will also be in the building! If you have questions, there’s no better expert to hear from.

 Join us on YoungVoter and tweet your questions with #GetCoveredHTown. The online event starts at 6:00pm; if you’re in Houston, we’d love to see you in person at Texas Southern University.

Re-enfranchisement of our community is important if we are to build power in this society. Join us tonight  at 6pm CT on Twitter for our #2ndChances Town Hall. We will discuss the importance of giving back the vote to those with prior criminal convictions and what it would do for communities of color.

In the past elections we realized just how much power we lost because of false information. We need people to know that if you are completely discharged from parole/probation you can vote. During this election season its important for us to make the connection between re-enfranchisement and elections. We all know politics guides our everyday lives. We need to harness the influence of election and those running for office to our advantage.

Featuring:

• James Causey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist and Wisconsin Black Media Association president
• Pastor Walter Lanier,  Founder Great Lakes Urban Empowerment Center founder and attorney of law

Join the conversation by tweeting to the hashtag #2ndChances and let’s discuss building power, expanding the vote and how elections help us to do that.

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

• President Obama this week appeared alongside comedian Zach Galifianakis in the actor’s mock talk-show called “Between Two Ferns.” The President took his healthcare message to the internet comedy show in a final push to get young people signed up for Obamacare. The video, hosted at the site Funny or Die, can be found by clicking here. Millions of people have seen the video and the government’s health care site saw a 40% jump in traffic 24 hours after the video. You have until March 31st to sign up for healthcare for through the exchanges. You can find out more and search for healthcare at healthcare.

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

• On Sunday, hundreds of students and organizers were arrested outside the White House as they protested the proposed Keystone XL pipeline which is currently under review by the Obama Administration. “This is a youth-organized action to tell President Obama to reject the Keystone Pipeline. Because the youth vote was a crucial part in both of his elections, we know that we elected him, and we voted for a climate champion, not another pipeline president,” said Nick Stracco, a participant. Proponents of the pipeline, which would carry 830,000 barrels of oil and synthetic crude oil from Canada through middle America, say it would create thousands of jobs. Those against it say it will create more pollution and environmental issues.

• Washington D.C City Council voted on Tuesday to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in the nation’s capital. Mayor Vincent Gray says he will sign the measure which replaces jail time with fines for small amounts of pot, but keeps smoking in public as a misdemeanor. Being caught with up to an ounce of weed would result in a $25 fine but smoking it in public would remain punishable by six months in jail or a $500 fine. Councilmember David Grosso said, “It will have a profound impact on the people of the District of Columbia to decriminalize this marijuana.” D.C is also looking into regulating and taxing marijuana.This is just another example of the quickly changing landscape regarding marijuana legality in America.

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