MCV Legislative Hotlist: April 27, 2009

Take Action Today -

Ask Governor Schweitzer to veto SB 257 and HB 575

 

Dear Conservation Voter,

Some fabulous news...

In the dwindling hours of the 61^st Legislative Session, we're waiting for results of a massive campaign promoting energy efficiency improvements for schools.  

We're close to a critical victory to pass important energy efficiency legislation, spearheaded by conservation groups like the Northern Plains Resource Council. The Senate just voted to appropriate $15 million in federal stimulus resources for energy efficiency improvements for schools. The original proposal was sponsored by Rep. Wanda Grinde (D-Billings), but was folded into HB 645 (the vehicle for state appropriations for federal stimulus money). 

Tomorrow morning the House will vote to accept or reject the Conference Committee report for HB 645, which contains the Schools package.

Stay tuned!!

The Legislature also passed other energy efficiency measures such as HB 98 (Rep. Dick Barrett, D-Missoula) and SB 49 (Sen. Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula).  Together, these bills put people to work, and help Montanans save money on energy bills.

Though we have these and other policy victories to celebrate, there are two bills that the legislature passed that roll back protections for the environment and move us backward in the area of renewable energy We ask for your help in urging the Governor to veto these bills.

Please call the Governor at 406.444.3111 first thing tomorrow (Tuesday, April 28th) during business hours and urge him to veto

• SB 257, (Sen. Jim Keane, D-Butte) the bill that eviscerates Montana's Renewable Energy Standard
• HB 575, (Rep. Bill McChesney, D-Miles City), which tips 140 years of western water law on its head, favoring corporate ownership of water long ago appropriated to farmers and ranchers.
  

Dial 406.444.3111 and urge him to veto these two bad bills. Or email the Governor at governor@mt.gov

In this alert, find:

§ Our preliminary assessment of conservation victories and losses,

§ Schedule for upcoming MCV Legislative Townhall Meetings with legislators around the state, and

§ Information on our upcoming Legislative Scorecard.

Conservation Wins and Losses, 61^st Legislative Session- Click here for a comprehensive list of every hotlisted bill.

Looks like we'll have some big wins with energy efficiency legislation, but the legislature also passed three significant bills that roll back environmental laws, the first time we've suffered a roll back since 2001.  One of these roll backs, HB 483, was amendatorially vetoed by the Governor, making it far less bad (though its final approval is still a set back).  Two more bills, HB 575 and SB 257, may be vetoed with your help. 

If you want to read up on the wide variety of conservation related legislation, click through for the list.

So, how can I help make the next Session better?

Let's hold decision makers accountable for their votes on the environment.  Thank folks who stood strong for our conservation values, and dig deeper to understand why others were out of step and voted against conservation principles.

Start by attending one of MCV's Legislative Townhall Meetings.  MCV members, conservationists, and legislators will meet to discuss the outcome of the Legislative Session in a community near you.  These town hall style meetings give voters the chance to meet legislators in person.  Find the complete list of events here. 

Legislative Scorecard, right around the corner

Know the score- review your legislators' conservation voting record.

All MCV members receive a hardcopy of our Legislative Quick Guide. If you're not already a dues-paying member of MCV, the grassroots political voice of Montana's conservation community, please join to find out where legislators stand.  If you are a member, thank you for your support!

Keep an eye on our website for access to the complete Scorecard, which this year will be sent to all members electronically in an attempt to reduce our footprint on the environment and save costs.  We will also send, via US Postal Mail, a hard copy of the complete scorecard to those members who request it. 

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Cobler, Program Director and Lobbyist

Montana Conservation Voters

sarah@mtvoters.org

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