OLCV e-bulletin: More action in Salem
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We are approaching the end of Week Three in Oregon's 2010 Special Legislative Session. As you probably know by now, OLCV has been working with 40-plus groups in the Oregon Conservation Network to pass three environmental priorities this session. Read on for news on all three.
On Tuesday, a disappointing --and perplexing--vote on the Senate Floor killed Senate Bill 1032, which would have banned the toxic chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) from baby bottles and sippy cups sold in Oregon. The bill went down in a tie vote of 15-15. Read a blog OLCV Executive Director Jon Isaacs posted the day before the vote that does a great job of explaining why passing this bill should have been a no-brainer. Check out a story on Oregon Public Broadcasting about the vote. But all is not lost. House Bill 3703 is another version of the BPA ban, still focused on kids' food and beverage containers. We are working to get this bill to the House Floor for a vote. The Oregon Environmental Council has done great work to garner support on this issue. And many thanks go to Senators Alan Bates (D-Ashland) and Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland) for sheparding Senate Bill 1032 to the Senate Floor, and for standing up for the health of Oregon's now and future kids. Offshore drilling moratorium on Senate Floor TODAY House Bill 3613 passed the House last week and is expected to be on the Senate Floor today. HB 3613, sponsored by Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland), will protect Oregon’s special coastal areas by extending the moratorium on drilling for oil and gas in Oregon’s coastal waters for another 10 years. If signed into law, this would represent a significant step in protecting Oregon’s coastal communities, our fishing industry, and our stunning coastal ecological diversity. A broad coalition of conservation groups, fishing groups and local businesses have come together in support of this moratorium. Building climate-friendly communities: Making progress A task force established by the 2009 Legislature has proposed Senate Bill 1059, which would assist Oregon's largest metro areas in developing plans to broaden transportation choices while also helping Oregon meet its greenhouse-gas reduction goals. 1000 Friends of Oregon and the Oregon Environmental Council are leading the effort to help pass this common-sense partnership between state agencies and Oregon’s largest cities to coordinate transportation and land-use planning that results in greater transportation and healthier, more climate-friendly communities. The bill was in Ways and Means when this email went out, but things are changing fast. The best way to stay up to date on session (and state agency) happenings is to sign up for SalemWatch. During the session, SalemWatch details important and timely environmental developments in the Legislature and lets you know when you need to contact your legislators. How did your legislators vote on the environment in 2009? Check out OLCV's 2009 Environmental Scorecard for the Oregon Legislature.
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Read more about the endorsement.
Want to get involved in the election? Find out what's going on in your county.
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| Were you there? Check out the photos |
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OLCV County Chapters hosted two great events in recent weeks. Both Washington County's Campaign Kickoff in January and Marion County's Valentine's Day affair on Sunday were attended by a range of Oregon's elected leaders and volunteers who ate and drank merrily while rallying for a busy and successful election year ahead. We have posted photos from the events on the OLCV Facebook page. (Are you a fan yet?) (Pictured here (left to right): OLCV Marion County Steering Committee members Evann Remington, Kasia Quillinan, and Laura Sauter.)
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* THIS SUNDAY, February 21: OLCV Education Fund (OLCV's sister organization) invites you to Campaigning to Win 2010. Experience a compelling, nonpartisan campaign training, designed to teach critical organizing skills to citizens who care about the environment and want to engage in effective, winning campaigns. Space is limited. Read more and register. * OLCV's 13th Annual Dinner for the Environment: Friday, April 23 They're all sponsoring tables at OLCV’s 13th Annual Dinner for the Environment! So far we've enlisted over 75 Table Sponsors. 100 is our max: just 25 tables left! Purchase your tickets today and join us for the environmental gala of the year!
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You may have seen a recent story in the Oregonian about the possibility of clean energy development in the Steens Mountains in the Southeastern corner of Oregon. OLCV Executive Director Jon Isaacs blogged about the complexities of this issue, asking: "Can we succesfully find a way to balance these potentially competing interests that we deeply value - accelerated development of clean/renewable energy, protection of species habitat and natural wilderness/open space?" What do you think? Read the blog and share your comments.
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| Connect with OLCV online |
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Use www.olcv.org as your online source for all the latest information on pro-environment candidates, legislation that protects Oregon's environmental legacy, and opportunities to get involved in your local OLCV chapter.
There are other ways to stay informed on OLCV and the Oregon Conservation Network's activities:
And in case you haven't heard, word on the street is that social media is the new, um, print newspaper! For up-to-the-minute updates on environmental news and action alerts, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Click on the icons below.
 
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Senate votes down protecting Oregon's children from toxic chemicals.
Earlier this week, OLCV announced its endorsement of Will Rasmussen in the race for the House District 37 seat. Rasmussen works as an attorney with a focus on land-use issues. He has already gained the support of some of Oregon’s key conservation leaders like Rep. Jules Bailey (D-Portland) and Oregon Attorney General John Kroger. 
Protection of remaining intact wilderness for its intrinsic value to all living inhabitants is as noble and worthy a goal as any development could possibly be. That's why we support organizations such as OLCV and our political representatives who work hard to protect Oregon's natural legacy.