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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 1/30/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
Governor Releases FY10 Budget and Additional FY09 Cuts
On Wednesday, Governor Patrick released House 1, the first budget of the two year legislative session as well as the final round of Fiscal Year 2009 emergency cuts. Additional cuts were made to Department of Fish and Game, MassGIS, and Department of Conservation and Recreation accounts, excluding Trailside Museum. Mass Audubon's budget priorities, detailed information on emergency cuts, and Fiscal Year 2010 recommendations are available here. The theme for Fiscal Year 2010 is austerity and consolidation of accounts. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is consolidated into two accounts, one for operating and one for retained revenue. The Department of Fish and Game consolidated the Commissioner's account, Riverways, and Fish and Boating Access into one account. All Information Technology, including MassGIS is also rolled into one account. The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program remains intact and funded at $250,000 and the Department of Environmental Protection Retained Revenue at $903,817. Transparency is compromised, making it impossible to know what the agencies are allocating for priority programs: Department of Fish and Game Administrative, Riverways, MassGIS, DCR State and Urban Parks, and Trailside Museum. Total Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Spending History: Fiscal Year 2007 $217,912 m Fiscal Year 2008 $225,329 m Fiscal Year 2009 $241,348 m Fiscal Year 2009 after cuts $221,468 m Proposed Fiscal Year 2010 $223,753 m Governor Patrick has also filed the expanded bottle bill as an outside section of the budget, with new revenues to go to recycling programs and Massachusetts Water Resources Authority rate stabilization. We support this initiative.
A Thank You to President Obama
Over 325 organizations have signed on to a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) thank you letter to the Obama administration and Congress. The letter expresses gratitude for President Obama's commitment to protecting nature from the adverse effects of global warming. According to a pledge made by the president, a percentage of greenhouse gas cap-and-trade auction proceeds will go to habitat restoration, creation of wildlife migration corridors, and climate change adaptation efforts. Organizations that have signed on include environmental, conservation, hunting and fishing groups at both local and national levels.
Vernal Pool Update
Mass Audubon has submitted comments to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program on the proposed revisions to Guidelines for the Certification of Vernal Pool Habitat. Though we agree there is a need for revision, we are concerned about a number of impacts that could result from the proposed changes, particularly in the cases of vernal pool wildlife and volunteer documentation programs. Please see the complete comments for details.
Calendar
Climate Change and the Marine Environment Conference
February 5th, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Moakley Courthouse
Boston, MA
*Free, registration required (please e-mail vcataldo@neaq.org) RPS Public Hearing February 5th, 2009
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
100 Cambridge St, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA Written and oral testimony will be accepted during the hearing. Written comments will also be accepted until Monday, February 9 at 5:00 p.m., and should be directed to Courtney Feeley Karp, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge St., Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114. EEA Ocean Management Public Stakeholder Meetings Saturday, February 7, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Daniel Webster Inn
149 Main St.
Sandwich, MA Tuesday, February 10, 2009
6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Boston Fish Pier - Exchange Conference Center
Boston, MA These meetings will be identical in content. Registration required. Please note: The "Greening the City: Fostering Inspired and Innovative Leadership for Just and Sustainable Urban Communities" conference to be sponsored by Lesley University's Graduate Division of Environmental Studies and Mass Audubon has been postponed until Fall 2009.
Please contact us if you have any questions at: action@massaudubon.org.
About The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup
The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup tracks the legislative priorities of Mass Audubon, focusing on the protection of the nature of Massachusetts. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to friends, family, and colleagues and to enlist their support.
If you are not already a member of Mass Audubon's Action Network, we encourage you to join by filling out our online form or by e-mailing us. Membership dues provide vital support for Mass Audubon's advocacy work on Beacon Hill and across the state. If you are not already a Mass Audubon member please join today.
Legislative Tool Kit
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Senators and Representatives need to hear from their constituents! Contact your legislators and share with them the environmental issues that are important to you.
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Senate and House Sessions Go Live
Consistent with the theme that decision-makers act differently when they know they are being watched, House and Senate sessions are now available on live webcast. Tune in to view live web stream broadcastings of the Senate and House and watch as the Massachusetts legislative process unfolds!
Current Legislation
Access the text of current legislation, bill histories and Massachusetts General Law by visiting one site. We encourage you to visit The General Court's website frequently as it is an important tool for conservation advocates like you!
How to Lobby
Discover effective ways to convey your environmental interests to your Senator or Representative.
View Mass Audubon’s How to Lobby document, and get started now!
How the Law is Made
Learn about the steps a bill takes before becoming law. You can also use our graphic charts to guide you through the life of a bill, from when it is first filed, to when it is signed into law.
 Mass Audubon Advocacy
6 Beacon Street, Suite 1025
Boston, MA 02108
617-523-8448 (phone)
617-523-4183 (fax)
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