|
|
|
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2009 Contacts: Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter (602) 253-8633, (602) 999-5790 -mobile 2009 Arizona Legislative SessionIt could have been worse . . . and nearly was.Phoenix, Arizona – The 2009 Legislative Session was very long – ending the morning of July 1st and well past the June 30th midnight deadline for passing a budget. While a lot of bad environmental legislation was introduced, few of those bills made it to the Governor’s desk and even fewer became law. Nonetheless, it was a disturbing session in many ways including its highly partisan nature, the failure to follow processes that allow for better public involvement, and, overall, the failure of legislators and the Governor to work together to develop a budget that is balanced and that safeguards important programs and resources. “It was disappointing to see the number of recycled bad ideas introduced this year,” said Sandy Bahr, Chapter Director for the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter. “From putting used tires in mines to adding more bureaucracy to an already burdensome rule-making process to seeking to undercut the Voter Protection Act, measures that have been repeatedly put to bed were reawakened. Luckily, few of these bills made it to the Governor’s desk or will make it into the statutes.” Particularly destructive bills – such as one that sought to undermine protections provided by the state’s Aquifer Protection Permit program and a measure to divert land conservation dollars – did not advance. Three bills to help promote renewable energy and energy efficiency did advance. “We were pleased that several bills to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency measures were signed into law,” said Bahr. “It is one area where there is significant bipartisan cooperation. That is what we need to see on all facets of environmental protection, as well as on key issues such as the budget.” Several of this year’s budget bills contained environmentally damaging measures, including provisions to limit the use of development impact fees, a moratorium on building codes, and provisions to divert the State Parks Heritage Fund. Those bills were vetoed by the Governor. The final budget has not been adopted, and legislators are now convened in a special session to address it. “We strongly encourage the Governor and Legislative leaders to keep policy matters that have little to do with the budget out of the final budget bills,” continued Bahr. “We do not need to further subsidize urban sprawl by limiting development impact fees, nor should we be restricting cities’ and towns’ ability to adopt more energy efficient building codes. Efficient codes will save consumers money as well as reduce our energy use.” The grades this session were certainly lackluster and, again, demonstrate the lack of strong leadership on environmental protection that is sorely needed in our state. Thirty-four House members and 17 Senators received failing grades and did not break even with a zero – this is one of the worst performances in recent history on the report card. This session was also more partisan than it has been in some time with few Republicans breaking ranks to oppose bad environmental legislation, even legislation that negatively affects air and water quality. The only signs of bipartisan support on environmental issues related to the renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. On a positive note, one senator and two representatives earned an “A+,” which means they voted 100 percent pro-environment and also did not miss a vote on the bills scored in the report card. Four Senators and ten House members received an “A.” The Governor earned a “C” – vetoing the budget bills earned her significant points. The Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter is a grassroots environmental organization with more than 13,000 members in Arizona. At the end of each legislative session, it develops the report card in order to inform Arizonans about their legislators’ voting records on environmental issues. This year the report card was based on 16 votes in the House and 15 votes in the Senate. The Governor was graded on 10 bills. Everyone was graded on a curve. The bills focused on protecting groundwater, promoting clean renewable energy, and continuing the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Several of the bills included will have a detrimental impact on air quality and will exempt sand and gravel companies from reclamation requirements. The report card also includes bills that, had they passed, would have undercut the Voter Protection Act or voter-protected measures. The Sierra Club report card is available at the Arizona Sierra Club 2009 Political Action Page. ### |
2009 News Release Archive |
|
Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter, 202 E. McDowell Rd, Suite 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004, (602) 253-8633 Sierra Club® and One Earth, One Chance® are registered trademarks of the Sierra Club. |