Throughout our history, the United Steelworkers has fought to enhance the security and health of our members and their families through better wages and benefits, and more efficient, clean and safe workplaces. Today’s global economy demands a new strategy. Continue reading
Labor supports MD action on global warming
In a statement released yesterday, representatives from Maryland chapters of the SEIU, Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), as well as the MD Department of Labor and the Department of Economics at the University of Maryland, came out in support of the Maryland Global Warming Solutions Act. That’s quite an impressive coalition right there – and the timing couldn’t be better, with other unions getting louder and louder in voicing their opposition. Some excerpts from the statement:
America is making a transition to cleaner and more efficient energy use. The real question is will Maryland be part of the solution or simply buy its solutions from somewhere else. The Global Warming Solutions Act (SB 309/HB 712) puts the state on a competitive path through investment in our future. Investments in sectors that deal with energy efficiency and renewable energy are parts of a new and long lasting economy that cannot be outsourced.
In addition, there are incredible opportunities to foster the development of all new “green collar” jobs. These jobs will include installing high-performance appliances and machinery, retrofitting buildings that are leaking energy, building wastewater reclamation, and reusing materials, to name a few.
Maryland stands to create an entirely new arm to its economy and infrastructure. As the transition to clean energy occurs, we want to be part of creating it and profiting from the opportunity. The entire world is looking for solutions that Maryland can play a big role in providing.
When Governor O’Malley testified before the U.S. Senate on global warming, he said, “Economic progress at the cost of environmental sustainability is not progress at all. When given a choice between progress and regression, the people of Maryland always choose progress. Tomorrow can be better than today and each of us has a personal and moral responsibility to make it so.” The Global Warming Solutions Act encompasses that commitment to action, progress and economic development. Maryland deserves no less.
Youth and Lawmakers Challenge Outrageous Oil Profits
While Congressional lawmakers confronted the five largest publicly traded oil companies on their record-high profits and sky-high prices, youth climate activists reminded the oil executives and Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming that they too have a stake in creating an oil-independent future. Continue reading
All the dirty details on the MD senate
This is the most in-depth information I’ve found about what exactly happened with the Global Warming Solutions Act in the MD Senate – it even includes a vote breakdown on the major weakening amendment, so scroll to the bottom of the article to see which way your Senator voted! (Thanks Baltimore Sun Bay & Environment Blog!)
Global Warming Bill Dealt Blow
The Maryland Senate today severely weakened a bill designed to reduce global warming pollution in the state.
An amendment approved by a vote of 27-20 would require the Maryland Department of the Environment to jump through several more hoops
Activists Line Annapolis Sidewalks in Chalk, Show 20 Feet of Sea Level Rise
Coalition members got to Annapolis early Monday morning to draw a line along the streets of Annapolis showing how twenty feet of sea level rise would affect the city. There was a good showing of press, with 3 TV cameras and a couple of photographers. People walking across the line on the sidewalk would read the paper explaining what the line represented. At one point a family walking by said “It is great what you are doing, STOP GLOBAL WARMING!”
Click here to watch a video from Monday’s demonstration>>
This is part of our ramped-up efforts to get the Global Warming Solutions Bill passed in the Senate and the House. Monday afternoon the Senate passed the bill with an amendment that would greatly weaken the power of the Maryland Department of the Environment to regulate global warming emissions.
Cindy Schwartz of MD LCV told the press, “Maryland elected officials have an enormous opportunity
Advocates of Global Warming Solutions Act Draw the Line for Global Warming
Maryland legislators got a good look at what global warming could mean for Annapolis on their way to work today. Proponents of the Continue reading
MD Senate debating GWSA right NOW
Bad amendment pushes GWSA vote back
A bad amendment was introduced and passed by Sen. Exum today that would make the Maryland Department of Environment get approval from the legislature when we start trying to implement measures that reduce our global warming pollution under GWSA. This is one of three amendments that we knew that was coming, and which we have to fight to make GWSA as strong as it needs to be.
This is the usual back and forth that we see on the floor, so we’re not worried. Continue reading
Marylanders! Senate to vote on GWSA tomorrow. WE NEED YOUR BODIES!
The Senate will vote on the Global Warming Solutions Act TOMORROW and need your help to get our message out that the Global Warming Solutions Act will create jobs in Maryland.
FREE CRUNCH BARS!
We’re going to fight the bad guys by being sweet, so we’re going to be passing out crunch bars to get the attention of legislators. If you think you can make it to Annapolis, meet us a Lawyer’s Mall PROMPTLY at 9 am. We’ll be wearing blue t-shirts–so should you!
Stay tuned to this blog tomorrow for LIVE UPDATES on the bill. We’ll let you know what happens as soon as it happens.
Opponents still believe that the bill will be bad for Marylanders. In a recent email, they say that it “is impossible
MD Student Lobby Day a Huge Success!
Last week over 50 students from across Maryland gathered in Annapolis to demand their elected officials make Maryland a national leader and pass the Global Warming Solutions Act. In the morning the students rallied with Governor O’Malley, received lobby training, and then stormed the halls of the state house.
One of my favorite parts of the day was when Michelle Cleveland, a University of Maryland freshman, told a crowd of cheering students at the rally, “As a young person who will live on this planet for many years to come, I feel it is crucial that we do our part to preserve it. Young people today have a strong voice and demand that we commit to addressing global warming right now, before it’s too late. We want twenty-five percent reductions by 2020. That’s what we need to preserve our future and we won’t settle for anything less!”
I had the pleasure to accompany the students on some their lobby visits. A highlight was the student lobby meeting with Delegate Dereck Davis’s Chief of staff, Jim Casen. (Del. Davis is the influential Chairperson of the House Economic Matters Committee).The students prepared for the meeting beforehand on Lawyers Mall, divided the roles between the 16 person lobbying entourage, then bristling with confidence walked to their appointment. There were so many of us excitedly packed into the little room in the Delegate’s office anxiously awaiting the Chief of Staff. The students spoke strongly of how this would boost Maryland’s economy by creating thousands of new green jobs for the state. They also testified to their personal concern for their future. Their concerns were well received when Mr. Casen told the entourage that “the Delegate is fully on board.” Success!
For more on the lobby day here is a press release written by Alicia, a Montgomery county high school student. Just download it here and send to your school newspaper.
The story doesn’t end there! Now back in district the students have been actively organizing letter writing events, call in days, and phone banks to keep the pressure on. Last night alone Towson University got 30 handwritten letters to their state delegates. Keep up the good work!
