The PCL Insider: News From The Capitol

HOLDING PATTERN AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger's office began reviewing all the bills that won approval by the Senate and Assembly at the end of the legislative session to determine which deserve his signature and which call out for a veto. With so much riding on a single elected official, environmental and public health groups across the state have turned up their advocacy efforts, sending letters, making phone calls, and meeting with the Governor's staff to urge him to support new progressive legislation.

So far, Schwarzenegger is holding his cards close to his chest. In late August he signed SB 1 (Murray), the Million Solar Roofs bill, which expands upon the California Solar Initiative adopted in January by the California Energy Commission, helping ensure California meets its solar goal in ten years. He also promised to sign AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, which requires California to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020. However, since the end of the legislative session nearly two weeks ago, a holding pattern has emerged with no vetoes or signatures on any important environmental legislation.

We've heard rumors that the Governor may be waiting until the second to last week of September to take action. We've also heard that he's going to need to receive a tall stack of support letters before he'll consider any of the environmental bills that are strongly opposed by polluting industries or sprawl developers.

Below are just a few of the bills we're actively supporting that are waiting on the Governor's desk for his signature. (Call the Governor's office at (916) 445-2841 and urge him to sign or contact us at pclmail@pcl.org for a sample support letter.)

AB 2485 (Jones) would help protect California's remaining 2,500 sea otters through a research program focused on reducing sea otter deaths from pollution in our coastal waters, a new funding source through a tax check off on state tax returns, and stronger penalties for killing or injuring sea otters. It would also institute warnings on packages of cat litter, discouraging the flushing of litter to help prevent a deadly parasite carried by some felines from entering coastal waters and killing sea otters.
 
SB 1535 (Keuhl) would increase funding to the funding-starved Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the Fish and Game Commission. Specifically, it would increase the environmental review fees for development projects for the first time ever, giving DFG the funding it needs to review all development projects to ensure that there are adequate protections for fish and wildlife.

SB 1796 (Florez) would reform the state Reclamation Board, which oversees flood management and levee issues. Currently board members can be - and have been - replaced by the Governor at a moment's notice and do not need expertise in flood issues. Under SB 1796, the board would be expanded to include several positions with specific qualifications; board members would serve fixed terms; and each appointed board member would need to be confirmed by the Legislature.

AB 1870 (Lieber) would expand the purview of California's smog check program to include a test for visible smoke that can be performed quickly and without additional test equipment. The current smog check program only tests for exhaust emissions of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides but does not test for smoke or particulate matter.

One smoking car produces emissions that are as harmful as the collective emissions of 70 well-maintained cars.  Those emissions, including particulate matter, easily penetrate into out airways and lungs producing and exacerbating heart and lung diseases.

AB 2865 (Torrico) builds upon the popular Healthy Schools Act of 2000, which requires that public day care, kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools notify parents and staff about pesticide applications and post notices in areas treated with pesticides.  AB 2865 extends those requirements to private daycare facilities.

To make sure these bills become law, the Governor needs to sees the broad support that exists for protecting and enhancing California's environment.  Every one of your phone calls and letters helps us accomplish that goal! Stay tuned for more news from the Governor's desk!