PCL Insider: News from the Capitol

GOVERNOR’S DESK STILL CLUTTERED, WATER INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES HEARING HELD

With just over a week left before the deadline, Governor Schwarzenegger has yet to take action on nearly all of the bills sent to his desk in the final weeks of the legislative session.  By some estimates, there are now over 600 pieces of legislation on his desk hoping for his signature. That’s right; no major environmental bill has been signed or vetoed yet and every measure that we’re following closely is still in that large pile. We expect news on signings and vetoes to begin to flood in as soon as the Governor gets back to the country. That means there is still time to call Governor Schwarzenegger and ask him to sign all the bills in the flood package. The clock is ticking so please call now!

And while there are no big gubernatorial actions making waves, there is a bit of shifting of the tides in the “Extraordinary Session on Water.” The hearing scheduled for today in the Senate was postponed until Monday.  Instead, a separate informational hearing in the Assembly is taking place this afternoon. We expect the hearing to include discussion of AB XX 2, introduced by Assembly member John Laird, which outlines a set of investment principles designed to guide future spending on California’s water use and water infrastructure. 

PCL supports these investment principles, as well as Senator Perata’s bond spending package. We’re told that the two houses are now discussing how best to proceed. With so much at stake for both our pocket books and our environment, PCL is watching very closely to ensure that if California chooses to invest in new water projects, we invest wisely and steer away from wasteful and environmentally harmful projects like new dams. Stay tuned for more!

PCL’S ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE SYMPOSIUM ONLY 3 MONTHS AWAY!

Just like the national race towards earlier presidential primary dates, this year we've moved our Annual Legislative Symposium several months earlier than normal. Mark your calendars to join us in Sacramento on January 12, 2008!

Because California’s local and state environmental policies influence behavior of other governments and we likewise feel the ramifications of others' environmental policy here at home, this year we’ve chosen STATE OF CHANGE: How Californians Can Change the World as our theme. Through cutting-edge keynotes, “How To...” workshops, and MCLE courses you’ll learn how to ensure that California remains an environmental trendsetter! And because of those upcoming primaries, we’ve invited all the 2008 presidential candidates to join us. (So far we’ve heard back from the staffs of Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, John Edwards, Mike Gravel and Hillary Clinton who say it’s on the candidate's calendar. We’ll let you know if they agree to speak.) 
 
Register now and take advantage of our early bird discounted registration prices.  

GET YOUNG PEOPLE PAID: HELP RECRUIT SIERRA NEVADA AMERICORPS MEMBERS

Do you know someone who loves the Sierra Nevada and wants to gain valuable professional experience helping to restore and protect the Range of Light? 

Here’s your chance to express your unbounded nepotism! Tell members of your clan to apply today for one of the twenty-seven Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) positions for 2008! SNAP AmeriCorps members serve for one year with an environmental nonprofit or public agency (including the PCL Foundation) to conduct and lead projects on habitat restoration, ecological or watershed monitoring, and/or environmental education.  For their year of service, Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership members will receive skills and technical training, mentor with outstanding environmental leaders, and get an educational stipend at the end of their service.

All positions start January 7, 2008. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply by October 15, 2007 to be considered in the first round of interviews.  Applicants after October 15 are encouraged to apply and will be applying for any positions still open after the first round of interviews.  Applicants must be at least 18 and have a minimum of a High School Diploma or GED (higher education degrees are highly recommended). Interviews will be conducted until all positions are filled.

For more information please contact Do Lee, Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership Regional Coordinator at 530-542-4546 x 302 or do@sierranevadaalliance.org. To find out more about the 2008 AmeriCorps position at the PCL Foundation, contact Traci Sheehan at tsheehan@pcl.org.

SAVING THE PLANET, ONE PAYROLL DEDUCTION AT A TIME

The PCL Foundation is a member of Earth Share of California, a nonprofit federation of more than 80 environmental groups that work to protect natural resources and promote livable communities in California.

Created in 1982, Earth Share of California raises awareness and funding for its member groups through workplace giving campaigns.  Acting as a “United Way for the environment”, Earth Share of California offers employees the opportunity to support the environment through payroll deduction donations. Employees can support many environmental causes at once by donating to the Earth Share general fund, which is divided among all member groups, or contributors may choose to direct their donation to a particular Earth Share member organization.  

The PCL Foundation receives significant funding through its participation in the Earth Share of California federation, thanks to the generosity of employees throughout the state.

During the fall charitable campaign season, Earth Share of California member organizations are volunteering their time to represent the federation at employer-sponsored events.  Keep your eyes open for an Earth Share table at your workplace, and please consider making a tax-deductible pledge to support both the PCL Foundation and the Earth Share general fund!