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Progressives in Chicagoand across the countryactually should be encouraged by Rahm Emanuels balance of progressive ideas and pragmatic leadership and his re-election Tuesday on those terms. The mayoral runoff election wasnt about the future of liberalism in America, as many had speculated. Rather, this vote was about getting things done (a Midwestern ethos), on a huge scale, and at a time of persistent problems.

Some national organizations that supported challenger Jesus Chuy Garcia tried to frame this election as a macro sociopolitical moment. But Chicago, a city of neighborhoods, viewed the campaign through a hyper-local lens: What has the mayor done for me here, on my block, at my kids school, at my job? What do I still need him to do?

Over six weeks and three debates, voters in Chicagos more than 2,000 precincts got a crash course in Mr. Emanuels progressive accomplishments. He raised the minimum wage; secured universal full-day kindergarten; and created the Star Scholarship program, which waives community college tuition and fees for Chicago public school graduates with a B average. He opened city jobs and internships to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children (DREAMers). He expanded affordable housing. He cracked down on payday lenders predatory tactics. He passed an ordinance barring employer discrimination on the basis of credit history (something New York City progressives are still fighting for).

At this point, detractors will argue that Mr. Emanuel is too close to [insert evil-sounding entity here] or rail against specific parts of his record. But after many media-saturated weeks, a plurality of Chicagoans opted for Mr. Emanuel.

Economic inequality in the U.S. is too vast for any one elected official to quell it. But new opportunities can emerge, and policy ideas cannot become reality without strong leadership.Someday, his administration may serve as a case study of fighting for progressive public policy while remaining conversant with and responsive to the entities and institutions at the heart of economic growth.

Mr. Emanuels predecessor served 22 years in office, making this contested election a Chicago unicorn. Chicagoans paid attention. Granted, turnout was lowon an April day so cold the Cubs postponed their scheduled night game. Neighborhood by neighborhood, city residents are aware of looming obstacles, such as the staggering $32 billion in pension payments coming due. In a late-cycle television ad, Mayor Emanuel promised to do better. People across the country will be watching. His second term should be seen as a victory for decisiveness and vision and an opportunity, rather than a defeat, for progressives.

Tracy Sefl is a Democratic communications strategist who splits her time between Chicago and Washington. She works with nonprofits and advocacy organizations and is a senior adviser to Ready for Hillary PAC. She is on Twitter: @TracySefl.

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In Rahm Emanuels Re-Election, an Opportunity for Progressives

Gays Liberals Mad At Pizza Shop In Indiana But Muslim Countries Kill Gays,
Gays Liberals Mad At Pizza Shop In Indiana But Muslim Countries Kill Gays, sharia law says you can kill gays, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Africa, sharia law says you can kill gays, Yemen, Iran, Iraq,...

By: Promoting Common Sense One Person At A Time

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Elected or not, Liberal leader David Swann says his party will push for equal pay across the province upon returning to the Alberta Legislature.

Swann made the announcement in Edmonton Wednesday morning.

He tells 660News, Alberta is sorely lacking and needs to play catch up compared to the rest of the country.

Alberta has fallen way behind, compared to the rest of the world in pay equity, its shocking really, he said. Our children, our mothers, our grandmothers have been paid at the rate of 2/3rds of anyone else doing the same job, its not acceptable and we want to see some legislation that will fix that.

Were catching up the rest of the country. Saskatchewan pays 80 cents on the dollar that men get for the same rate and I would hasten to add its not just women that are unfairly treated, farm workers are paid significantly less in many cases and that needs to be addressed as well. We want equality for the same job.

The long-time politician and doctor calls it shameful that the provinces leadership hasnt taken this issue on and adds it should be about fairness.

We want to see the government enact legislation that would require all workplaces to demonstrate they are negotiating fairly and providing equal pay for work of equal value, thats as simple as we can put it, that sometimes can mean a negotiation framework that everyone knows when they go into a job opportunity. They can start to talk from the same language about what equity framework looks like and they can challenge bosses that are not living up to that framework.

He says the Liberals themselves are working very hard to get more women into politics, right now they have 6 which would be about 20 per cent of their compliment, but adds this isnt a favourable climate and theyre working hard to change that.

They plan on introducing it through a motion, a resolution or even a bill to get pay equity.

When I think about my own daughters, my patients, when I was a doctor, struggling with feeling discriminated against and devalued but also not being able to make payments on some of the most basic aspects of their lives.

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Liberals push for equal pay across Alberta

MSNBCs Thomas Roberts: Clintons Continued Stumbles May Bring About Buyers Remorse For Democrats
MSNBC #39;s Thomas Roberts: Clinton #39;s Continued Stumbles May Bring About Buyer #39;s Remorse For Democrats (April 7, 2015)

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Colorado Capitol Dome (Denver Post file photo)

House Democrats are poised to add $5 million to the state budget bill for a controversial program that provides intrauterine contraceptive devices to teenagers, a move that may derail negotiations with Republicans on the $25 billion spending plan.

The money will continue a privately funded program that provides IUDs or other long-acting reversible birth control to women at little to no cost one credited with a 42 percent decline in the state's teen abortion rate and a 39 percent drop in the teen birth rate in five years.

The House is expected to consider the amendment along with 38 others Wednesday afternoon in a marathon session on the budget bill. But the majority Democratic caucus took an informal vote earlier in the day to support the provision after a verbal whip crack from House Speaker Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, who shut down initial misgivings about the procedural move.

"Members, we need this amendment," the Boulder Democrat said, cutting off debate on the move that initially drew a handful of Democratic opponents. "This is a priority for the caucus. This is belt and suspenders in case the bill doesn't pass we need the appropriation."

Democrats are pushing to put the language in the budget because a related bill to continue the Colorado Family Planning Initiative won't survive the state Senate, where Republicans control the majority.

Senate Republicans oppose the measure, with some saying it represents a duplication to services provided in the federal health care law and others suggesting IUDs cause abortions a point disputed by the medical community.

Senate Republicans opposed a similar amendment to the budget bill a week earlier, meaning the two chambers will need to work out the differences in a conference committee next week.

However, this provision may prove especially difficult. For it to win approval in the conference committee, which is the Joint Budget Committee, it needs at least one Senate Republican to support it.

John Frank: 303-954-2409, jfrank@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ByJohnFrank

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Democrats to seek $5 million for IUD program in Colorado budget battle