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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 4/17/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
House Budget Released
The House has released its Fiscal Year 2010 budget recommendations amongst the worst recession in decades, cutting $532 million from Governor Patrick's proposed FY2010 budget. The new budget represents a $1.8 billion reduction in spending compared to FY2009's original budget, and 55 line items have been eliminated. Many of Mass Audubon's budget priorities have received insufficient funding or have been consolidated into larger accounts. A total of $214,225,423 has been allotted to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), down 12.7% from the FY2009 budget. This new figure also marks a drop in funding since January's revised budget, in which EEA lost $19,481,000 in 9C cuts. - The hard-won funding for the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program was cut. Restored for the first time in six years during the last budget debate, and included by the Governor in his budget proposal for this fiscal year, Heritage was not included in the House budget. We are working with the new chair of the Environment Committee, Representative Straus (D-Mattapoiset), to restore funding.
- The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Division of State Parks, Division of Urban Parks, and Trailside Museum have been consolidated into one line item, receiving a total of $48,175,400 in funding. This figure is $11,414,284 less than Mass Audubon had previously requested, and we do not support the consolidation.
- $5,059,980 went to DCR administrative operations, about $2,300,000 less than Mass Audubon requested.
- EEA's MassGIS mapping program was consolidated into an information technology line item receiving a total of $9,278,030; Mass Audubon had recommended at least $296,032 for the program as an independent line item.
- Department of Fish and Game (DFG) administrative operations received $714,117, about $80,000 less than our request.
On a positive note, the DFG Riverways Program and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Wetlands Retained Revenue program received sufficient funding. We will be working on amendments to restore funding to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program as well as the State and Urban Parks Divisions. Look for an Action Alert on these amendments next week. The deadline to file budget amendments is 5 p.m. today, with a cosponsoring period from Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24. House budget debate begins Monday, April 27.
Lights Out Boston Wins an EPA Merit Award!
The award is given by EPA New England to honor outstanding contributions on behalf of the environment. A partnership between the City of Boston, Mass Audubon, and Boston's most prominent building owners, Lights Out Boston saves energy and protects migratory birds by calling for interior lighting to be extinguished from 11p.m to 5 a.m. during migration seasons. Congratulations to everyone that has worked so hard on the Lights Out campaign!
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: 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 will host a series of environmental and legislative briefings over the next few months. 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
9:00a.m --12:30p.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
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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.
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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