OLCV e-bulletin: New leadership in the Senate, new committee appointments announced
New leadership announced in Oregon Senate
This week, Senate President Peter Courtney announced Senate Committee appointments for the 2009 Legislative Session. We look forward to working with this new team of leaders to fight global warming, invest in clean, renewable energy and protect Oregon's natural legacy.
Here is a short list of newly appointed committee members with their lifetime scores from OLCV's Environmental Scorecard.
- Senator Jackie Dingfelder was selected as new Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Dingfelder is a long-time environmental champion with a 100% lifetime rating on OLCV's Environmental Scorecard. She was Chair of the House Environment and Energy Committee in 2007, where she earned our Environmental Champion of the Year Award.
- Senators Floyd Prozanski (95%), Mark Hass (88%), Jason Atkinson (59%), and Brian Boquist (33%) will join Sen. Dingfelder on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
- Senator Vicki Walker (95%) was appointed to Co-Chair the Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee. The Ways & Means Committee writes the state budget, so Senator Walker will play a critical role in setting funding for the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and other environmental agencies. Also, in contrast to past sessions which alternated subcommittee chairs between the House and Senate, each Ways and Means Subcommittee will have co-chairs.
Read the press release issued by the Senate President's office.
Look for an update on House Committees in the next E-Bulletin.
We're counting down to January 12, 2009, the first day of the 2009 Legislative Session (just about a month away).
As a member of the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), we'll be working hard to pass critical environmental legislation and ensure ample funding for existing programs to protect Oregon's farms, forests and waterways.
OCN, a coalition of fifty of Oregon’s leading conservation organizations, has identified six priorities for a healthy Oregon. Learn more about these priorities and how we plan to advance legislation for a healthier environment for future generations.
The OCN has its own email newsletter, SalemWatch, which is issued on a weekly basis during the Legislative Session. If you're not already a subscriber, sign up now.
Member Spotlight: Betsy Warriner
25 years ago, Betsy Warriner traveled across the country to make the Northwest her new home. She eventually moved to Bend in order to be closer to her family, and promptly fell in love with Central Oregon's mountains, trees, and landscape.
The former East Coast-er was impressed that in Oregon, "so much land is saved."
Her affection for Oregon's environment and the "spirit of people in Oregon" drew her to OLCV. Continue reading Betsy's story.
The Oregon Conservation Network's Day of Action
Join us in Salem, January 13, 2009, for the unveiling of OCN's 2009 legislative priorities and a day of action.
Experts on all six of our environmental priorities will brief us on:
- Critical environmental issues in Oregon
- Proposed legislation in the Oregon House and Senate
- Oregon's legislative process
- How YOU can play a part in creating a more healthier, greener Oregon for our families.
WHEN: January 13, 2009 9 AM - 3 PM
WHERE: Micah Building: 680 State Street Salem
We are coming together on the second day of the 2009 Legislative Session to build on the energy and excitement around the role we play as engaged citizens in lobbying our legislators throughout the year.
Mid -day we will walk over to the capital steps and participate in a clean energy rally.
Please join us!
Watch this space for more information. In the mean time, you can sign up online.
Save the Date! for OLCV's 12th Annual Dinner for the Environment
Mark your calendars now for OLCV’s 12th Annual Dinner for the Environment
on April 24, 2009, in Portland!
Join hundreds of your fellow conservationists, civic leaders, and sustainable business representatives at OLCV's legendary Annual Dinner.
We're pleased to announce that our keynote speaker will be Dan Kammen, Senior Adviser on Energy and the Environment to the Obama-Biden campaign.
Watch this space for more information. You can call 503-224-4011 ext. 201 or email Molly with questions.
Queston: According to the Climate Change Integration Group, convened by Gov. Ted Kulongoski to map out a strategy for global warming, what percentage of greenhouse gases in Oregon come from tailpipe emissions?
Click here to submit your answer!
Look for December's winner in next month's e-bulletin.
Congratulations to Melissa Schmeer Baker. She was the first to submit the correct answer to last month's trivia question.
Question: At the start of 2009, Oregon will add water bottles to the state recycling program, adding a five-cent deposit to the price. According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, roughly how many water bottles will this legislation keep out of our landfills?
Answer: About 125 million
The state's new and improved bottle bill will go into effect January 1, 2009. What does this mean? It means the cost of water bottles will include a five cent deposit but more importantly, we've taken a big step toward a responsible solution that will help keep a lot of water bottles from ending up where they don't belong.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality estimates that this legislation could help prevent up to 125 million water bottles from reaching state landfills according to a recent article in The Oregonian.
The solemn expression on her young face, gazing out over the vast ocean before her, speaks volumes to me. This experience must be protected and provided for all generations to come.