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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 2/27/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
New Environmental Survey Results
The results of a recent New England Energy Alliance survey taken by Opinion Dynamics have shown promise for future climate change mitigation efforts. 26% of respondents said they would be willing to pay at least $1 per month more on their electric bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, with another 27% willing to pay between $1 and $10 extra per month. In response to a similar question, 31% expressed a willingness to pay up to ten cents more per gallon of gasoline if the additional funds were being used to develop clean fuels, while 28% were willing to pay an additional 50 cents. In terms of alternative energy infrastructure, 61% of respondents "strongly favor" the building large wind farms, and 23% more "somewhat favor" the idea. Survey data was compiled in January and is based on feedback from 600 New England residents. Please see the full survey for a wider range of questions and responses.
Remember Endangered Species On Your State Tax Form
Since 1983, Massachusetts tax filers of Form 1 have had the option of donating to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund when filing their state income tax (Line 32a: "Endangered Wildlife Conservation"), and tens of thousands of people have done so over the years. All contributions go directly into the Fund, currently the source of a significant portion of the annual operating budget of MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), which conserves and protects endangered species and their habitats in Massachusetts.
With your contributions to the Fund, you directly help to study, protect, and restore rare and endangered animals and plants and their habitats. If you have made contributions in this manner, thank you for supporting the Program and its conservation efforts! Past donations have helped restore populations and conserve and maintain habitat for Bald Eagles, Hessel's Hairstreak butterflies, Northern Red-bellied Cooters, and the beautiful Eastern Silvery Aster. Direct contributions to the Fund can also be made by sending a check payable to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund to: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA 01581.
Calendar
Mass Audubon's 17th Annual Birders Meeting
Saturday, March 7, 2009
8:30 a.m.-- 4:45 p.m.
Worcester Technical High School, Worcester, MA This annual meeting, sponsored by The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Mass Audubon, will feature presentations on topics including birds and climate change, avian research on wildlife refuges, and invasive plants and birds, as well as vendor tables and reflections by author Kenn Kaufman and Lee Allen Peterson, son of "America's Greatest Naturalist," Roger Tory Peterson. Registration required. For more information, please visit the Birders Meeting website or contact Linda Cocca at 781-259-2150. The Great Marsh Symposium: A Coastal Treasure in our Backyard
Saturday, April 11, 2009
8:30 a.m.-- 2:30 p.m.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
$15, registration required
To register, please call 978-462-9998, or download a registration form.
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
Stay In Touch
Senators and Representatives need to hear from their constituents! Contact your legislators and share with them the environmental issues that are important to you.
Find out who represents you in the Senate and House.
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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