A POLL THAT ISN'T MELTING: SURVEY SHOWS CALIFORNIANS OVERWHELMING FAVOR PRESERVATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH PROTECTIONS IN STATE BUDGET FIGHT
On Monday, the bipartisan polling team of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates (D) and Public Opinion Strategies (R) released a new poll that clearly shows the current anti-environmental priorities of the minority party in the state Legislature are out of sync with the majority of Californians.
The Republican leaders of both the Assembly and the Senate have insisted on weakening critical air quality and health protections before they support a budget solution that includes both spending cuts and new taxes.
The results of the poll confirm that voters believe that even in hard economic times we shouldn't sacrifice our health and environment. Roughly two-thirds of voters maintain that a strong economy and a clean environment can go hand in hand. The poll also found that the proposals being pushed by the Republican leadership to weaken environmental laws should be kept separate from plans to address the state's budget deficits. California voters overwhelmingly reject a variety of specific proposals to weaken environmental laws - particularly allowing increased pollution from diesel engines and pesticides. Instead, voters back investments in public works that will support clean energy industries and prevent future environmental or traffic congestion problems.
Unfortunately the budget crisis is about to get even worse, with just a few days left before State Controller John Chiang begins issuing IOUs to pay the state's bills. We hope that the Legislature listens to the majority of Californians and in these next few days before financial Armageddon arrives they reach a solution that saves our economy without sacrificing our lives and lungs.
OUR TIME TO SHINE: CALIFORNIA IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN OBAMA'S FIRST MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
On Monday, President Obama signaled out California's fight to improve automobile efficiency standards to mark the beginning of a new era of federal environmental leadership. In a signing ceremony, he directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider the Bush Administration's decision to reject California's application to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and light duty trucks.
California has been requesting the federal government's permission to implement AB 1493, authored by then-Assemblymember Fran Pavley.
In late 2007, Bush's EPA Director Stephen Johnson rejected California's request, disregarding near-unanimous support among EPA lawyers and scientists.
Obama had promised to reverse that decision if elected.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a letter to President Obama last week requesting swift reconsideration of the Bush administration's decision. The head of the California Air Resources Board, Mary Nichols, also wrote to the new director of the EPA, Lisa Jackson, asking for her support.
Since the passage of AB 1493, 13 other states have adopted California's standard and several others are poised to do so shortly. States seeking to implement California's standards constitute roughly half of the American consumer market for cars and light trucks. When implemented, the standards will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles by 30 percent over the next seven years.
TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND THE PCL SYMPOSIUM ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2009
1)Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold and their value goes up in this economy.
2)It's a new day in a new year with a new President and he's letting California have cleaner cars.
3)Football season is nearly over. This will help you transition into March madness.
4)Right now Sacramento isn't too hot and it's not too cold and the flowers at the Capitol are beautiful.
5)Life is good, change is good, learning is good.
Registerfor the PCL-PCLF Symposium and Banquet early to guarantee your seat! The event is on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento. For more information, contact Melanie Schlotterbeck at (714) 779-7561 or MSchlotterbeck@pcl.org.
JOIN US FOR A WORKSHOP ON PLANNING, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
How can place-based strategies such as general plans and zoning regulations be used to improve community health? How does economic development intersect with health outcomes? Come learn how community involvement can create healthier environments!
Planning for Healthy Communities, Advocating for Equity in Planning Decisions
Wednesday, February 11th
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Trinity Cathedral
2620 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA
Register now for this interactive workshop that will bring together local advocates, community leaders, and public health experts and give you the tools to create healthier communities. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is $25 for general public, $10 for CPEHN network members.
GARY PATTON: AN OLD FRIEND, A NEW ASSIGNMENT
Gary Patton has a long history with PCL. He was a member of the PCL Board of Directors for many years, and was the PCL Board President for almost ten years, during the 1980's and 1990's. He then served as the PCL General Counsel from 1995 to 1998. Most recently, during most of calendar year 2008, Patton again served as PCL General Counsel, after leaving the Executive Director position he held from September 2005 to February of last year.
Patton is now back home in Santa Cruz, where he was a County Supervisor for twenty years, and where he has taken on a new assignment as "of counsel" to Wittwer & Parkin, LLP, a law firm specializing in public agency and environmental law. Gary will be taking on specific assignments in both those areas. You can contact him at gapatton@wittwerparkin.com.
Even though Gary is no longer a member of the PCL staff, we will continue to benefit from his knowledge and expertise! Gary will continue to assist PCL's legislative and litigation-based efforts to protect and defend the California environment and to take on specific assignments as "Special Counsel" to PCL. Of course, Gary is planning to attend the 2009 Symposium, to be held in Sacramento on February 7th. He hopes to see you there!
1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789
1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814 • Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789 •
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