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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 4/24/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
House Budget Amendment Deadline
Today is the last day for members of the House to cosponsor FY2010 budget amendments. 1,003 amendments were filed this year following the release of the House budget, compared to 1,512 last year. Debate begins next week, and we will be monitoring the progress of amendments relevant to environmental funding. To everyone who has contacted their Representative and encouraged them to sign onto Mass Audubon's priority amendments, thank you! If you haven't done so yet, please consider calling your State Representative today and asking them to cosponsor these important amendments. To review our priority amendments and our suggestions for contacting your Representative, please reference the Action Alert sent earlier this week.
Public Involvement Opportunity: State Forests
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is undertaking a public engagement "Forest Vision" process to review policies and practices for management of the hundreds of thousands of acres of forestlands under its care and control. Mass Audubon has developed a position on the topic, and encourages its members and the public to participate in the process.
Ocean Management for the Bay State
The Massachusetts Ocean Management Act was recently signed into law by Governor Patrick as a first-in-the-nation effort to manage state ocean waters. Mass Audubon was appointed by the Governor to the 17-member Ocean Advisory Commission to represent the Commonwealth's environmental interests and work with the administration to write the ocean plan. As a founding co-chair of the Massachusetts Ocean Coalition, we provide details on ocean management progress at our web site: http://www.massoceanaction.org/. And, as partners to the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership, additional details are available at: www.massoceanpartnership.org.
Calendar
The Environmental League of Massachusetts, along with the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters and Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative, is hosting a series of environmental and legislative briefings. All hearings will be in room 348 in the State House. Safer Alternatives
Thursday, April 30, 2009
10:00 a.m.
A wide array of toxic chemicals we encounter in our everyday lives contribute to an epidemic of chronic diseases, including asthma, birth defects, and cancer. Yet many of the most toxic chemicals can safely and cost-effectively be replaced with alternatives. Join a discussion of the "Safer Alternatives" bill (SB442; Sen. Steven Tolman and Rep. Jay Kaufman).
Presenter: Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow Land Conservation
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Massachusetts loses 40 acres of open space a day to development. Ironically, some of it is disposed of by municipal and state government. How do we respect municipal needs while preserving open space? Come learn about the Public Lands Preservation Act ("PLPA") (SB396; Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Ruth Balser). Other bills may be discussed and updates to the schedule will be posted in the Roundup.
Presenters: Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club Upcoming Ocean Advisory Commission workshops Saturday, May 2, 2009
9:30a.m --1:00p.m
Jonsson Center
Woods Hole, MA Wednesday, May 6, 2009
9:00a.m.--12:30p.m.
Hynes Convention Center
Boston, MA
These workshops will be identical in content and will focus on presentation of ocean data and discussion of management practices. Registration required.
Presentation of the Robert Kuehn Community Preservation Award to the Lexington and Marion Community Preservation Committees
Thursday, May 14, 2009
3:00 p.m.
Nurses Hall
Massachusetts State House
Boston, MA
Please RSVP to Alison Mitchell, alison.mitchell@communitypreservation.org
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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