PCL E-Mail Blast Archive, 2008 -

PCL Insider: News from the Capitol   TRADING AWAY INTEGRITY: ATTORNEY GENERAL ASKED TO INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION IN STATE BUDGET TALKS   On Wednesday afternoon, PCL joined with a coalition of labor and environmental groups asking California Attorney General Jerry Brown for an immediate investigation of Republican legislators for vote trading as part of the state budget negotiations.   Republican leaders have been publicly demanding that labor and environmental laws be weakened if they are to support any proposals to address the $40 billion budget gap that include new taxes.   The small group of legislators has been particularly adamant in their call to exempt major freeway projects from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and to prohibit consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in all future CEQA analysis.    As the coalition's letter notes, trading a vote is a criminal offense punishable by up to four years imprisonment under Section 86 of the California Penal Code. Brown responded in a statement, "It's a serious question, and we're reviewing the matter carefully."   FORMER PCL STAFF MEMBER APPOINTED TO LEAD CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION   On Thursday, Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Karen Douglas to the top seat on the California Energy Commission (CEC). From 2001 to 2005 Karen worked at PCL in numerous positions including natural resources director, general counsel, and acting executive director. She was appointed to the CEC in 2008 after serving as director of the California Climate Initiative at Environmental Defense during the passage of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.   Congratulations Karen!                                                                          WHICH WAY OUT? PCL BRINGS TOP CALIFORNIA LEADERS TO SPEAK ON ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY AT PCL SYMPOSIUM THIS SATURDAY   The 2009 PCL Symposium is upon us! Join us on Saturday, February 7th at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento for a day of inspiration, interactive policy discussions, how-to workshops, and plenty of time to rub shoulders with California's environmental leaders.   This year we're very pleased to announce three keynote speakers you won't want to miss:   In the morning Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg will share his perspectives on the future of green jobs, land use, and the state budget in California.   In the afternoon Jakada Imani, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center, will discuss how to ensure that individuals who are locked out of the gray pollution-based economy have the keys to succeed in California's new green future.   In the evening, Senator Fran Pavley, the newly-appointed Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and co-author of California's landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), will provide insights into the world of water, air, and solutions to the troubled economy at both the federal and state level.    Tickets for the PCL-PCLF Symposium and Banquet are going fast. To make sure you have a seat and a meal, register today. We can't guarantee we'll be able to accommodate registrations on the day of the event. For more information, contact Melanie Schlotterbeck at (714) 779-7561 or MSchlotterbeck@pcl.org.          1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789 pclmail@pcl.org • www.PCL.org • www.PCLFoundation.org   Please add pclmail@pcl.org to your address book to ensure delivery to your inbox. You are receiving this email because the email address was subscribed to our email list. Having trouble reading this email? View it on our website. Copyright, 2008 The Planning and Conservation League. All rights reserved. Privacy and Contribution Policies. Click here to unsubscribe

PCL Insider Archive, 2005 - 2008

1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814 • Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789 •

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