DOCSLIB.ORG

“Held Back Reform Too Long”

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
“Held Back Reform Too Long” 2015 MDDC News Organization of the Year Celebrating 161 years of service! Vol. 162, No. 34 • 50¢ SINCE 1855 February 23 - March 1, 2017 TODAY’S GAS PRICE “Held Back Reform Too Long” $2.33 per gallon Delaney proposes massive changes in the way Metro conducts business Last Week complete the steps outlined in the required to be a certified expert in in the capacity of president, chair- $2.33 per gallon By Kathleen Stubbs @kathleenstubbs3 legislation, WMATA would receive safety, transit, finance or manage- man, chief financial officer or man- A month ago $150 million in annual funding: $75 ment within 18 months of the bill be- aging partner. $2.37 per gallon A local representative said he million divided equally between the ing passed, according to a news re- With the current board, Metro has the legislative medicine to cure jurisdictions and $75 million from lease from Delaney’s office. would only need to find members A year ago Metro’s ills. the Department of Transportation. A certified safety expert would who meet the qualifications for the $1.77 per gallon “This legislation removes the In the bill, Delaney said WMA- need a minimum of five years experi- three jurisdictions. Anthony Foxx, brakes that have held back reform for TA would have to reduce the size of ence as “a chairman, director, senior the previous secretary of the Trans- AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON OF UNLEADED REGULAR GAS IN too long,” said Rep. John Delaney the board to nine and raise qualifica- investigator or equivalent position of portation Department, fired three of MARYLAND/D.C. METRO AREA ACCORDING TO AAA (D-6), sponsor of the “WMATA tions for board members. The board a transportation or transit safety four federal board members and re- (Washington Metropolitan Area would have two fiduciary members board in the United States,” accord- placed them with individuals with Transit Authority) Improvement Act representing the three jurisdictions ing to the bill. A person certified in backgrounds in safety in April. INSIDE of 2017.” and the federal government, plus management would have had to WMATA Board member If both the House and the Senate WMATA’s chief executive officer. manage a staff of at least 1,000 em- pass the bill and the jurisdictions Every board member would be ployees for a minimum of five years See “Metro, ” page 8 Editor’s Gaithersburg Notebook sides with county by Brian J. Karem on immigrants By Neal Earley The case of @neal_earley the growling GAITHERSBURG – City council member Ryan Spiegel dog wanted to make one thing clear Life in the White House Tuesday night –the city does not press corps. participate in enforcing immigra- tion law. Page 4 After a surge in deportations by federal immigration officials across the country, Spiegel along with other members of the Gaithersburg City Council said at See “G-Burg,” page 8 County Executive race is now ON! COURTESY PHOTO The Talbot Avenue bridge has a history - and despite it’s condition some want it saved. By Neal Earley @neal_earley Bullis Wins! About four months after the pres- Remembering a bridge to the past idential election and just days before Bullis knocks off arch rival the start of filing for candidates, the Register of Historic Places, its historic lives. African-Americans, who Georgetown Prep for the IAC By Suzanne Pollak race for County Executive is starting @SuzannePollak significance in Montgomery County is weren’t allowed to live in most parts basketball championship. to heat up. enough for the County Council to try of Silver Spring, formed a community Page 24 For the first time since 2006 there A one-lane bridge in the western to save it. of their own. will be an open seat in the County Ex- part of Silver Spring that enables Tal- The council has instructed the But there were no stores in which ecutive Office building in 2018 lead- bot Avenue to cross over CSX Rail- County Department of Recreation “to to shop or places to work in the black- ing to an array of contenders to re- road tracks hardly seems worth sav- find an appropriate location for it, only Lyttonsville. The bridge became place the outgoing County Executive ing, according to some. The rickety hopefully near Lyttonsville,” said its lifeline, enabling residents to walk Ike Leggett. The candidate filing peri- structure has deteriorated and is sched- Council member Tom Hucker. to the grocery store and the houses od begins Feb. 28 and the primary uled to be demolished when the Purple Talbot Avenue Bridge in Lyt- they were permitted to clean but not election is June 26. Line is built. tonsville was built during the Jim live in, Hucker said. Leggett, who has said his current But while the neglected bridge Crow years, when laws mandated that Ideally, the bridge would be relo- has yet to make it onto the National black and white people lead separate See “Ficker,” page 8 See “Bridge,” page 8 2THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL FEBRUARY 23, 2017 EFLECTIONS R The Montgomery County Sentinel, published weekly by Berlyn Inc. Publish- ing, is a community newspaper covering Montgomery County, Maryland. Our of- April 15, 1943 fices are located at 22 W. Jefferson Street, Suite 309, Rockville, MD 20850. Founded in 1855 by Matthew Fields. All mail to: P.O. Box 1272, Rockville, MD Draft of County Charter made public for study 20849-1272. Subscription Rates for The Montgomery County Sentinel – Weekly by mail: $40.00 per year & $26.50 for Se- Each week The Sentinel visits a Board in addition to Mr. Lee are: pressly forbidden. The new charter will be voted nior Citizens. (USPS) 361-100. memorable story from its archives. Thomas M. Anderson, Rockville; The charter also provides for on in November, 1944, and if ap- A preliminary draft of a pro- Tarlton Brooks, Sandy Spring; central purchasing and a depart- proved by a majority of the voters Bernard Kapiloff posed charter for Montgomery Mrs. Minier Hostetler, Glen and mentalized government and a cap- will become law in thirty days PUBLISHER E MERITUS County, providing for a county Stephen James, Silver Spring. ital budget and an expense budget thereafter. An election of the mem- Lynn G. Kapiloff manager, people’s control of legis- Under the provisions of the designed to give the people of the bers of the new council will fol- CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/ lation, a merit system for county proposed charter, county legisla- county a clear picture of fiscal af- low, and the provisions of the char- PUBLISHER employees and nine-man council tion, heretofore enacted by the fairs at all times. ter then will become operative. [email protected] was made public Monday. State Legislature, will be passed After the people of the county While the new council will Mark Kapiloff According to Frederic P. Lee, by a county council of nine mem- have had an opportunity to study supersede the present county com- ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER chairman of the Charter Board, in- bers. and to make suggestions, the board missioners in the exercise of exec- [email protected] dividuals and organizations in the A county personnel board will make revisions and will sub- utive functions, the county com- EDITORIAL county will be given a chance to would be set up to provide a merit mit the charter to the commission- missioners, because of constitu- study the proposed charter and to system and civil service for county ers prior to May 3. tional considerations, are Brian J. Karem EXECUTIVE EDITOR make suggestions before the final employees, and political contribu- Any individual or group will continued in office until the end of [email protected] draft is submitted on May 3. tions or assessments by county of- be given a hearing at the board’s the terms for which they were Members of the Charter ficers or employees would be ex- headquarters in Rockville. elected last Fall. Brandy L. Simms SPORTS EDITOR [email protected] MARK ROBINSON NEWS [email protected] Write us CITY EDITOR Howard recognized at Twinbrook talk VINCENT SHERRY [email protected] ment documents, personal corre- my race,” Newark said. By Suzanne Pollak The Montgomery County Sentinel COPY EDITOR @SuzannePollak spondence and pension records to Augusta’s appointment began a paint a grim picture of life at the shift that soon changed Contraband welcomes letters. NEAL EARLEY Of the 12,000 surgeons who hospital. Hospital, with more and more black [email protected] served during the Civil War, only 14 By the end of 1863, 15,000 doctors being hired, Newark told REPORTER were African-Americans. Seven people had been treated at the hospi- the sparse audience at Twinbrook All letters must be original, worked in The Contraband Hospi- tal. The patients and staff dealt with Library. Jacqui South, Terry Brennan & David Wolfe, Mark Poetker tal, which is now a teaching hospital limited medical supplies, dirty wa- One listener, JoAnn Henry of signed by the author STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS at Howard University. ter that was not a part of the public Silver Spring, called the one-hour During the Civil War, some water system, a too-small staff and presentation “an eye opener,” par- and must include the author’s TAZEEN AHMAD 40,000 slaves sought freedom in CALENDAR EDITOR living conditions that contributed to ticularly because African-Ameri- daytime telephone number [email protected] D.C., according to Jill Newmark, the spreading of diseases, Newmark cans rose to become surgeons and exhibition specialist for the Nation- said. run hospitals. She said she was im- for verification. CALL 301-838-0788 al Library of Medicine. She spoke Conditions at the camp “were pressed at the role some African- FAX 301- 838 - 3458 last week at Twinbrook Library as very challenging for the both the Americans played back then.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Jamie Raskin Ben Cardin
    HHH Official Democratic Sample Ballot HHH General Election • November 6, 2018 • 7 am - 8 pm IT IS LEGAL TO TAKE THIS SAMPLE BALLOT INTO THE VOTING BOOTH Need A Ride to the Polls or more information Call 301-946-1000 BEN CARDIN United States Senator • Third-generation Marylander who has dedicated his life to public service. • Strident defender of the Chesapeake Bay. • Has fought to strengthen the middle class and improve our economy. • Held the line against Republican attempts to repeal Obamacare and deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. • Voted against the Trump tax cuts that gave permanent breaks to big corporations. • Taking on the NRA to pass a national ban on assault weapons, bump stocks and require universal background checks for all gun purchases. • Lead Democrat on the Senate Small Business Committee, where he works to empower minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses. • Fighting to safeguard civil rights and banish discrimination. • Leader in protecting Planned Parenthood, and defending women’s rights and human rights at home and globally. • Vocal defender of federal workers. • Working to ensure quality higher education is within reach. JAMIE RASKIN U.S. House of Representatives, District 8 • Currently represents Maryland’s 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. • Vice-Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. • Senior Whip for the Democratic Caucus. • Vice-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. • Was a constitutional law professor for a quarter-century at American University prior to being elected to Congress in 2016. • Served for a decade in the Maryland Senate where he was Majority Whip.
    [Show full text]
  • Your Elected Officials
    Who are your elected officials? THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Check mdelect.net ° Is a non-partisan organization YOUR For more information about your elected ° Does not support or oppose any political party or officials go to: candidate montgomerycountydelegation.com ° Helps voters make informed decisions about montgomerycountymd.gov ELECTED montgomeryschoolsmd.org candidates and issues ° Advocates after study and member consensus REGISTRATION & VOTING ° Has been helping voters make informed OFFICIALS decisions since 1920 Voter registration forms are available at libraries, schools, social service agencies, Motor Vehicle Administration offices and the Montgomery THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF County Board of Elections. Register online or MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD (LWVMC) United States, obtain a form at elections.maryland.gov. ° Publishes Your Elected Officials, the Voters’ Registration closes 21 days before each election Guide for primary and general elections, and Maryland and for new registrations, for changes of name/ Fact Sheets on League studies and other topics address and for changing party affiliation. Same Montgomery County day registration is also possible at early voting ° Provides speakers on issues and ballot and on election day for new registrations only. questions to civic, business, youth and other groups If you are a registered voter, you will receive a ° Answers telephone and email questions from sample ballot indicating your polling place from the Board of Elections shortly before each voters before primary and general elections
    [Show full text]
  • Dear Environmental Protection Agency Employees
    December 14, 2017 (Updated May 7, 2018) Dear Environmental Protection Agency Employees, This letter is written to express support and thanks for the work you do every day to protect public health and the environment. We want you to know your dedication is valued by millions of Americans despite indication that the current Administration feels otherwise. Equally important, we also write to better inform members of the public who may not understand what a frontline role you play in preventing premature death, other avoidable health consequences, irreversible ecosystem damage, and yes, even climate change. States, Tribes, and EPA play vital roles in protecting Americans and the environment from the impacts of pollution. In the late 60s and early 70s, our Congressional leaders created a system of environmental protection based on the principle of cooperative federalism. For this reason, and today more than ever, the safeguarding of our health and natural resources depends on robust state and Tribal programs as well as a fully functioning EPA. In every part of this country, you provide vital expertise and guidance, in partnership with the states and Tribes, by setting pollution limits to protect public health and the environment, facilitating development of multi-state solutions to pollution, using sound science to inform and address complex environmental challenges, responding to extreme weather events and catastrophes, and assisting states and Tribes with monitoring, enforcement and compliance. All of these functions (and there are many more) creates a level playing field among states and industry, which in turn guarantees a level of protection against harmful pollution for all Americans, regardless of where you live.
    [Show full text]
  • Leading the Way: Montgomery County Confronts Climate Change Outcome Document
    LEADING THE WAY: MONTGOMERY COUNTY CONFRONTS CLIMATE CHANGE OUTCOME DOCUMENT Presented at a Public Briefing on September 12, 2018, Montgomery County Council Office Building, Rockville, Maryland, compiled by One Montgomery Green, Integrative Strategies Forum and Poolesville Green ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT This document was prepared following a “mini-summit” held on August 14, 2018, at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Silver Spring, Maryland. Participants, representing civic organizations and individuals with expertise in climate change, discussed critical aspects of the climate change challenge for the planet and for Montgomery County in particular. The document’s purpose is to reflect participants’ concerns and suggestions as documented at the August event and to raise these issues with Montgomery County leaders in order to inform them about programs and policies the residents would like to see implemented to address the growing threat of climate change. The organizers of these Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) affiliate events (the “mini-summit” in August and the public briefing in September) present these suggestions from local residents to help inform County leaders about which bold and urgent actions are supported by some of their active constituents, many of whom have expertise on climate change-related issues. © 2018. This document was published on September 12, 2018, in Wheaton, Maryland. It was compiled, written and edited by staff of One Montgomery Green, Integrative Strategies Forum and Poolesville Green. For more information, contact One Montgomery Green at [email protected]. FOREWORD Montgomery County residents and businesses are rightfully worried about climate change and the ominous challenges it presents, to not only themselves, but future generations.
    [Show full text]
  • Montgomery County, MD Voters' Guide
    Montgomery County, MD Voters’ Guide Expanded version with all candidate responses except candidates for U.S. President 2020 Primary Election The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County, MD has published a Voters’ Guide for many years to assist citizens in their decision-making process as they prepare to vote. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. This guide contains the candidates’ responses to all of the questions on issues asked by the League, for all offices on the 2020 Primary Election ballot except U.S. President (see pages 6- 8). The responses were downloaded directly from Vote411.org exactly as entered by the candidate, without any changes. This same information is available in an interactive online format at Vote411.org. This guide is offered as a supplement to the Voters’ Guide that was printed as a tabloid newspaper and available on the www.lwvmocomd.org website as a pdf. A few copies are available through the LWV Montgomery County office – please call 301-984-9585 or send an email to [email protected]. Because of the COVID-19 emergency situation that closes many of our usual distribution points (libraries, recreation and regional centers, etc.), most of the print copies were mailed to newly registered voters in Montgomery County and the League’s distribution list. Because of the large number of candidates for offices on the ballot, we found it necessary to abbreviate the information in the print version in order to keep it to a manageable, readable, and affordable length. The following guidelines were used for both the English and Spanish print editions: • For Presidential candidates, we print only the candidate names that will appear on the Maryland ballot, with web and social media sites, when available.
    [Show full text]
  • FEMALE DELEGATE CANDIDATES: Democrats May Vote for No More Than 3
    The League of Women Voters: Celebrating 100 Years The League was officially found- prove the education of their children. ed in Chicago in February 1920, just Frederick’s League was formally RATIFICATION OF THE six months before the 19th amend- founded on March 31, 1960. 19TH AMENDMENT ment was ratified and women won Men became members in 1974 The 19th Amendment the vote. Formed by the suffragists of and Lord Nickens, the noted civ- the National American Woman Suf- il rights leader in Frederick, was the granting women the right frage Association, the League began first African-American to join the to vote passed the US Con- as a “mighty political experiment” League. Today, Frederick’s League gress in June 1919—with designed to help 20 million women has approximately 100 members. the final hurdle for the 19th carry out their new responsibilities One of the Frederick League’s ear- Amendment: ratification by as voters. liest initiatives focused on improv- the states. As anti-suffrage In her address to the National ing voter services, such as lobbying groups still fought to oppose American Woman Suffrage Associa- tablish the United Nations and to en- the county to offer locations beyond ratification, suffrage leaders tion’s (NAWSA) 50th convention in sure U.S. participation. The League downtown Frederick to register to mobilized to continue their St. Louis, Missouri, in 1919, President was one of the first organizations in vote. The League continues to em- pressure campaign in the Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the the country officially recognized by phasize the importance of voting by states.
    [Show full text]
  • Takoma Park Newsletter Is Published 12 Sure
    February 2021 TAKOMAPARK A newsletter published by the City of Takoma Park, Maryland Volume 60, No. 2 n takomaparkmd.gov New businesses rise during pandemic By Sean Gossard While the pandemic continues across the country, more and more businesses struggle to survive in the New and improved new normal. But all news isn’t so Approved Tree bleak. Several new businesses have been able to open all around Takoma Species List released Park. From restaurants to hair stu- dios, entrepreneurs have been work- The Public Works Department is WHAT’S ing hard to provide jobs and services excited to announce the completion to residents in the city. of a new and improved Approved NEW? In May, Trattoria da Lina owner Tree Species List to guide tree plant- Marcello “Mitch” Minna opened ing efforts in the City. The list’s main Black History Program Carpe Diem Pizza at 7000 Carroll function is to specify which trees the Ave. “You give your word and tell City has approved for planting and Honoring Lee Jordan for replacement plantings required people you’ll do certain things,” said Hair studio Sugar Braids has implement- Details, page 4 for residents to receive Tree Removal ed precautions to keep both customers Permits. Our hope is that this list can NEW BUSINESSES n Page 3 and employees safe. Changes to Stormwater Utility also serve as a resource for all resi- Fee Rate Being Considered dents interested in planting trees. Details, page 9 The list documents a broad selec- tion of tree species native to Maryland COVID Vaccine Q & A as well as some found more broadly page 10 in the Eastern United States that are well-suited for planting in Takoma City Offices & Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Vitamin D: from Gestation to Adolescence in Health and Disease
    Vol. 77, Suppl. 3, 2019 Vitamin D: From Gestation to Adolescence in Health and Disease Editor Carlos Lifschitz , Buenos Aires Editorial Board Jatinder Bhatia, Augusta, GA Weili Lin, Chapel Hill, NC Carlos Lifschitz, Buenos Aires Andrew Prentice, Banjul/London Frank M. Ruemmele, Paris Hania Szajewska, Warsaw Supported by Basel • Freiburg • Hartford • Oxford • Bangkok • Dubai • Kuala Lumpur • Melbourne • Mexico City • Moscow • New Delhi • Paris • Shanghai • Tokyo https://www.nestlenutrition-institute.org Reprint of Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism Vol. 76, Suppl. 2, 2020 Sponsor Note This publication was supported by an unrestricted educational grant by the Nestlé Nutrition Institute. The institute is a not-for-profi t association which was created to provide latest medical and scientifi c information to health profes- sionals in the fi eld of pediatric and adult nutrition and nutrition-related disorders (available at www.nestlenutrition-institute.org). Any liability of the sponsors for the content of the papers is hereby expressly excluded. Disclosure Statement Editor C.L. was a member of the Faculty Board of the Nestlé Nutrition Institute at the time of manuscript preparation and has received honoraria from Danone, Mead Johnson Nutrition, the Nestlé Nutrition Institute and Wyeth. S. Karger Disclaimer All rights reserved. Medical and Scientifi c Publishers Th e statements, opinions and data contained in this publica- No part of this publication may be translated into other tion are solely those of the individual authors and contributors
    [Show full text]
  • Stated Opposition to Rep. Steve King's Farm Bill Amendment
    Stated Opposition to Rep. Steve King’s Farm Bill Amendment (Section 11312 to H.R. 2642) Governmental: National Consumers League Arkansas Attorney General Organic Consumers Association California Secretary of Agriculture The Pew Charitable Trusts County Executives of America Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Fraternal Order of Police STOP Foodborne Illness Mississippi Attorney General Trust for America’s Health National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) National Sheriffs’ Association Environmental: PLBA Housing Development Corp. (Gainesville, AL) Center for Biological Diversity Ulster County Executive (NY) Center for Environmental Health Citizens for a Clean Pompton Lakes (NJ) Agriculture and Food Processing: Clean Air Task Force Alabama State Association of Cooperatives Connecticut League of Conservation Voters Farm Forward Conservation Minnesota Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Defenders of Wildlife Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Edison Wetlands Association (NJ) Food Democracy Now! Environment America Friends of Family Farmers Environmental Working Group Georgia Organics Friends of the Earth U.S. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Green Cities California Minnesota Food Association Greenpeace USA National Organic Coalition Illinois Citizens for Clean Air & Water National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Illinois Environmental Council Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)-MA League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)-VT Massachusetts League
    [Show full text]
  • The Montgomery County Sentinel May 30, 2019 Eflections
    2015, 2016, 2017 MDDC News Organization of the Year! Celebrating more than 160 years of service! Vol. 164, No. 51 • 50¢ SINCE 1855 Thursday, May 30, 2019 INSIDE Sherwood Takes 4A Crown Town hall meeting Police Accountability draws opposition to County councilmembers are making strides in creating legisla- tion concerning police- involved highway expansion deaths of residents in Montgomery County. pleted, in this case, through toll lanes By Jessica Ricks -- will go back to the private contrac- @jessica_ricks25 Page 3 tor to pay off their expenses. LANDOVER — Congressman The options for potential Anthony Brown (MD-04) held a changes to the two highways have town hall meeting on May 23 to give been narrowed down to seven alter- residents a chance to get more infor- natives. One involves not building mation as well as voice their con- any new lanes at all, and the rest in- cerns about the proposed plan to volve a combination of high-occu- widen and toll the Capital Beltway (I- pancy toll lanes, express toll lanes 495) and I-270. and high-occupancy vehicle lanes. The town hall, which drew a full The building of the new lanes would house at the Wayne K. Curry Sports require the removal of at least 30 and Learning Complex, followed a homes and businesses just off the series of public workshops on the highways. project held by the Federal Highway “What we’ve seen from the past Administration (FHWA) and the decades of research and infrastruc- ‘Princess Ida’ Maryland Department of Transporta- ture projects is the solution to conges- tion State Highway Administration tion and crumbling infrastructure is- “Princess Ida” will be per- (MDOT SHA) after their release of n’t widening highways,” Brown said formed June 9-16 at the F.
    [Show full text]
  • Progressive State Policies to Rebuild the Middle Class Report Summary
    AP PHOTO/DAVID GOLDMAN PHOTO/DAVID AP States at Work: Progressive State Policies to Rebuild the Middle Class Report Summary Karla Walter, Tom Hucker, and David Madland with Nick Bunker and David Sanchez March 2013 WWW.AMERICANPROGRESSACTION.ORG States at Work: Progressive State Policies to Rebuild the Middle Class Report Summary Karla Walter, Tom Hucker, and David Madland with Nick Bunker and David Sanchez March 2013 Contents 1 Introduction 5 Improve the quality of existing jobs 11 Ensure civil rights are respected so everyone can fully participate in the economy 17 Reform the tax code so that it raises sufficient revenue fairly and efficiently 21 Stabilize the housing market, ensure affordable rental housing, and help rebuild communities affected by the foreclosure crisis 27 Improve the quality of education for all students 31 Ensure affordable, quality health care for all 35 Rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure 39 Strengthen local communities 43 Conclusion 45 About the authors and acknowledgements 49 Endnotes Introduction As our country inches its way out of the Great Recession and looks toward the future, it is clear that we need a new framework to guide our economic growth. The old trickle-down economic model of the past several decades is failing nearly everyone, save those at the very top. Incomes have been stagnating, inequality has deepened, and it has become harder to gain a foothold in the middle class. According to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the likelihood that a child born poor will rise into the middle class has declined significantly over recent decades.1 As a result, the United States has less economic mobility than almost every other high-income country in the world.2 Good government at every level—local, state, and federal—can play a critical role in rebuilding the American middle class and getting the country back on track to broadly shared prosperity.
    [Show full text]
  • December 11, 2013 Dear President Obama: As Environmentalists
    December 11, 2013 Dear President Obama: As environmentalists, conservationists, public health advocates, businesses, faith groups, and local and state officials representing hundreds of thousands of citizens along the Atlantic coast, we urge you to redouble Administrative support for offshore wind energy. Swift action is urgently needed to tap this low-carbon, plentiful American resource. Despite significant recent progress, there are still no wind energy projects off our coasts. Your continued leadership is essential to prioritize the development of pollution-free offshore wind power so that America can begin reaping its significant environmental and economic benefits. In your Climate Action Plan unveiled in June, you stressed the urgent need to ramp up domestic development of clean, renewable energy – including a commitment to double the amount of renewable energy generated on federally controlled land and waters. Offshore wind power offers a critical opportunity to meet this goal and achieve our nation’s environmental and energy objectives. Over 4,000 Gigawatts (GW) – four times the amount of electricity currently generated in America – of offshore wind energy generation potential has been identified along our coastlines. Along the Atlantic coast alone, there is an estimated 1,300 GW of energy generation potential – enough to power 85 million American homes and reduce carbon pollution by the equivalent of taking over 100 million cars off the road. Harnessing this massive domestic energy source is a key piece of the strategy for cutting carbon pollution and moving America towards a clean energy economy. America is at a turning point in our pursuit of offshore wind power. The Department of the Interior (DOI) recently held the nation’s first competitive auctions for offshore wind energy leases off the coasts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia - areas that collectively could power 1.7 million homes.
    [Show full text]