|
|||
| Political Action |
Legislative Updates 2008Sierra Club 2008 Legislative Update #1 “If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to sleep with a mosquito.” — not attributed, but passed along by Tricia Gerrodette January 11, 2008 Hello Conservation Friends and Happy New Year! The 2008 Legislative Session is starting on Monday. The Governor will kick it off with the State of the State address and then they get started. In fact, they really started this past week with budget discussions I guess you could call them that. Clearly the budget will be a huge issue and dominate the session as they seek to find ways to close the nearly $1 billion gap. We will be watching for hits to some important environmental programs and will oppose any efforts to divert Heritage Funds, as well as advocate for better funding for Parks. We are looking forward to working on several bills to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. It is possible there will be a state trust land conservation package, as well. Stay tuned on that. We will likely see some efforts to undercut the citizen initiative process there is nary a session where this not something aimed at taking away these rights. Finally, an off-road vehicle bill is being resurrected. We are working to get the concerns about the grant dollars addressed so the land is better protected from off-road vehicles, restored where it has been damaged, and that these grants do not become a trail-building program for off-road vehicles. There are few environmental issues on the agendas this week, but there will be additional budget discussions and a few bills we are watching. Coming up this week: Monday, January 14 Senate Judiciary Committee at 3:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1 SB1014 gubernatorial nominations; senate confirmation process (C. Gray) makes several changes to the nominating/confirmation process and timelines. It is an emergency measure that would take effect immediately upon the signature of the governor should it get a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature. WATCH. SB1015 presidential preference election; early voting (C. Gray) addresses some conflicting aspects of these statutes. Tuesday, January 15 Senate Appropriations Committee at 1:30 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 109 Presentation by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on the FY2009 Baseline Budget Wednesday, January 16 House Natural Resources and Public Safety Committee at 9:00 a.m. in House Hearing Room 1 HB2067 game and fish; guide licenses (JP Weiers) allows the Game and Fish Commission to take additional actions against a guide that violates the wildlife laws. This is definitely a good idea. HB2068 private enterprise; game; fish; fund (JP Weiers) sets up a special fund from the sale of proceeds of items at shooting ranges. WATCH. House Environment Committee at 1:30 p.m. in House Hearing Room 5 Presentations by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Maricopa County Senate Natural Resources and Rural Affairs Committee at 1:30 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 109 Presentations on the Central Arizona Project and Arizona Association of Conservation Districts House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 p.m. in House Hearing Room 1 Presentation by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on the FY2008-2009 Baseline Budget Thursday, January 17 House Water and Agriculture Committee at 9:00 a.m. in House Hearing Room 1 Presentation on concepts and goals for 2008 legislation For more information on bills we are tracking, go to http://arizona.sierraclub.org/political_action/tracker/. To email legislators go to http://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster.asp. If you are not sure who your legislators are, please go to http://www.vote-smart.org (You will need your 9-digit zipcode.) or call the House or Senate information desks. If you're outside the Phoenix area, you can call your legislators’ offices toll free at 1-800-352-8404. In the Phoenix area call (602) 926-3559 (Senate) or (602) 926-4221 (House). Correspondence goes to 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890. For more information on legislation go to http://www.azleg.gov.
Environmental Day at the Capitol Promote a Greener Arizona A Brighter Future A Cooler Planet Wednesday, February 6, 2008 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Please join us on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 for Environmental Day at the Arizona State Capitol, located at 1700 W. Washington in Phoenix, in the lobby of the Executive Tower. Governor Janet Napolitano will be our featured speaker. She will discuss the environmental programs outlined in her State of the State address and her work to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to promote clean renewable energy and energy efficiency. It will be a fun and interesting day. In the morning, we will serve a light breakfast and hear from some fantastic speakers including the governor and environmentally friendly legislators, as well as pass along a few lobbying tips. We strongly encourage you to set up an appointment with your legislators and will help you do so just give me a call or send me an email. We can also accompany you for a meeting. (Try to set up your meetings for after 11am, if at possible.) There will be opportunities to attend various committee hearings in the afternoon as well. No experience is needed just enthusiasm and a willingness to speak up for environmental protection. For more information or to r.s.v.p. contact Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org. Please do let us know if you plan to attend, so we can have enough food and materials. We hope to see you there!
Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter, 202 E. McDowell Rd, Suite 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004, (602) 253-8633 |