Sierra Club Email

Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet

"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 16, 2015

Dear Conservation Friends,

The Arizona Legislature got rolling this past Monday -- the session was kicked off with the Governor's State of the State address. There was not much in it regarding environmental protection. In fact, there was no mention of environmental protection at all. He is continuing an ineffective rule moratorium and looking to make even deeper cuts to agencies that have already been significantly sliced -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona State Parks, and more. We will find out the details in his budget later today (Friday). Already, the House has introduced bills to take control of our public lands and to resurrect measures that the voters have rejected previously, including one to limit voter action on wildlife measures. It will be a challenging session.

We are still reviewing the legislation and no environmental bills have yet been scheduled for committee, so we do not have an action item this week other than encouraging you to come to Environmental Day and/or to join us down there on other days to hold our legislators accountable for protecting our air, water, lands, and wildlife.

Join Us for Environmental Day at the Capitol!

Environmental Day 2014 by Rep Andrew Sherwood

credit: Rep. Andrew Sherwood

On January 22, 2015, environmental advocates from throughout the state, new and experienced, will be gathering at the Arizona State Capitol to meet with state legislators to express support for clean air, clean energy, and clean water, as well as land conservation, and more. Come be part of one of our teams!

Environmental Day at the Capitol
Thursday, January 22, 2015
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Arizona State Capitol
Old Senate Chambers, 2nd Floor
1700 W. Washington, Phoenix

RSVP

Everyone will be part of a team with an experienced leader and will be meeting with his or her own legislators, whenever possible. You can come for an hour or two or stay all day. It is a great opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and the issues and to make a difference.

Click on RSVP or send an email message to Sandy Bahr and let her know you plan to attend.

For more information and to get involved, contact Sandy at (602) 253-8633 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org.

If you no longer want to receive these updates, just zap me an email or unsubscribe by clicking on "Manage Preferences" at the bottom of the message.

Thank you for all you do to make Arizona a better place and for looking out for the air, land, water, and wildlife!

Warm regards,
Sandy Bahr

Chapter Director
Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter
(602) 253-8633
http://arizona.sierraclub.org

Coming Up This Week at the Legislature

Monday, January 19th

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday! Celebrate with Service!

Tuesday, January 20th

House and Senate Appropriations at 9am in House Hearing Room 1

Presentations on Executive Budget Proposal and Joint Legislative Budget Committee Baseline

Senate Committee on Rural Affairs and Environment at 2pm or adjournment of the Floor in Senate Hearing Room 109

Presentations

Four Forest Initiative/Forest Update

David Tenney, Navajo County Board of Supervisors
Dr. Wally Covington, Director of Ecological Restoration Institute, NAU
Diane Vosick, Ecological Restoration Institute

Mexican Wolf Update regarding federal 10j rules and AZ Game and Fish Notice of Intent to Sue

Jim deVos, AZ Game and Fish Department Assistant Director for Wildlife Management Division

Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure at 2pm in House Hearing Room 1

Economic Impact of Transportation - AZ Chamber Council
Transportation of Supplies, Produces and People - Eve Ross, WL Gore
Five-Year Strategic Plan and Light Rail - Valley Metro
Economic Impact of Transit and the Tucson Street Car - Pima Association of Governments
Public-Private Partnerships and Innovative Financing - Total Spectrum
Freight Transportation - Robert Shuler
Arizona Airports Association - Triadvocates
Current and Future Transportation Funding - AZ Department of Transportation

Thursday, January 22nd

House Committee on Agriculture, Water and Lands at 9:00am in House Hearing Room 3

Agribusiness & Water Council of Arizona presentation, Chris Udall, Executive Director

To call your legislators, click on Member Roster and find their phone numbers. If you're outside the Phoenix area, you can call your legislators’ offices toll free at 1-800-352-8404. In the Phoenix area call (602) 926-3559 (Senate) or (602) 926-4221 (House) and ask to connect with your legislators.