From our affiliate ReEnergize Texas…
Every 2 years, for just 140 days, the Texas Legislature convenes to write and rewrite the state’s laws. The government in Texas is designed to be small, and the limited meetings of the legislature make it difficult for change to come to Texas quickly.
And so it is that in this period of historic change, ReEnergize Texas finds itself allied with businesses, environmentalists, social justice activists, students, and the many who want to see change realized now. This is our moment, and if we delay it will pass us by.
Weekly Action: Call Sen. Judith Zaffirini and Rep. Dan Branch to ask for a hearing for the green fee bill (HB 3353 and SB 2182) details below…
Weekly Lobby Visit: Wednesday April 15th 12pm-3pm, meet at Public Citizen, 1303 San Antonio St.
Our Issues:
Students already are showing up to the Capitol in Austin every week to lobby legislators on the bills that could make Texas a green economy leader. You can read about some of those bills below and read the students’ stories on our blog.
The real question is, will you be part of the historic movement for change, or will you let it pass you by? Take a look at the actions you can take and get involved!
Weekly Action:
In order for the “green fee” bill to become law, it must first be referred to a committee and have a hearing both the House and the Senate. Click here for talking points on the bill.
In the House, that’s up to Higher Education Committee Chair Dan Branch.
Call his Capitol Office at (512) 463-0367 to request he call a hearing for HB 3353
In the Senate, that’s up to Higher Education Committee Chair Judith Zaffirini
Call her Capitol Office at (512) 463-0121 to request she call a hearing for SB 2182
Also, look up your representatives and call them to ask for their support on the bill as it moves through committees and onto the floors of both chambers (House and Senate).
Weekly Lobby Visit:
Each week the staff and interns of ReEnergize Texas take local students and other young people to the State Capitol for a lobby day. We begin with a brief training on the bills we plan to lobby on, the offices we will be visiting, and our goals overall.
This week we will be lobbying on:
HB 4012: Weber AGAINST!!! (Coal Fast-track bill) Environmental Regulation
Relating to the procedure for acting on an application for an air contaminant emissions permit, permit amendment, or permit renewal review for an electric generating facility.
Scheduled for public hearing on 4/08/09
HB 4206: Farabee Environmental Regulation
Relating to a requirement that an applicant for a permit to construct an electric generating facility demonstrate that a sufficient amount of water is available for use in connection with the operation of the facility.
Scheduled for public hearing on 4/08/09
“the [TCEQ] may not grant a permit to construct an electric generating facility unless
the applicant for the permit submits to the commission and the appropriate regional water planning group a study that demonstrates that a sufficient amount of water is available in the applicable regional water planning area for use in connection with the operation of the facility.”
HB 2588: Burnam Environmental Regulation
Relating to the control of air pollution by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Scheduled for public hearing on 4/08/09
“Consistent with applicable federal law, the [TCEQ] by rule shall [may] control air contaminants as necessary to protect against adverse effects related to:
- acid deposition;
- stratospheric changes, including depletion of ozone; [and]
- climatic changes, including global warming; and
- the cumulative effects of multiple air contaminants on human health.”
Resources:
Download bill summary packets below:
Also please make calls for the green fee bill! Anyone who can help us get calls in to these committee members, it makes a HUGE difference.
We went lobbying last week to oppose a coal bill, and lots of the offices mentioned to us how much public blow-back they were getting in the way of office phone calls. That’s because a few days before we’d sent out an alert asking people to call their reps. It really made a big difference!
So please help us out by sending a message with the attached call to action in the body to your lists, to your friends, and by making calls yourself!
Check out these for more info:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhbx26k4_3ddb2cccm
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhbx26k4_4hq5wjxx7
More from the 
The ReEnergize Texas Rally at the capitol this morning was a huge success! Following inspiring speeches and rousing chants from student leaders, we heard from Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Representative Tara Rios Ybarra, Public Citizen Director Tom “Smitty” Smith, and Doug Lewin, Senator Rodney Ellis’ Legislative Director. Senator Ellis was unfortunately unable to attend himself because he got caught up in committee. Busy making laws, or something like that… we’ll forgive him.
