DOCSLIB.ORG

NCEL Comments to Adminstrator Wheeler

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
NCEL Comments to Adminstrator Wheeler The Honorable Andrew Wheeler Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20460 Re: Proposed Revised Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Source Category (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2009-0819) and Proposed Changes - A Holistic Approach to Closure Part A: Deadline to Initiate Closure (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-0172) Dear Administrator Wheeler: On behalf of the 165 undersigned state legislators, we urge you to abandon two recent Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposals that would weaken water pollution limits for coal plants and rollback critical human health and safety standards needed to protect communities from toxic coal ash. Instead EPA should commit to strengthening these safeguards, which were both finalized by your agency in 2015. As representatives of residents in 35 states, we understand the vital need to protect our constituents from coal plants, which are responsible for dumping more arsenic, lead, mercury, selenium, and other heavy metals into our rivers and lakes than any other industry. These same plants store their toxic coal ash waste in unsafe dump sites next to rivers and near communities. Recent monitoring data found that 92 percent of U.S. coal plants are currently contaminating groundwater with toxic substances above federal health standards. Pollution from coal plants has also made it unsafe to eat fish from many rivers and lakes, tainted the places where people swim, and contaminated drinking water sources. In 2015 your agency took significant steps toward addressing this pollution by requiring coal plants to safely close and clean-up contaminated coal ash sites and by prohibiting the dumping of coal ash transport water and imposing stringent limits on toxic pollutants in scrubber sludge discharged to precious water resources. Yet now your agency is putting communities in our states at risk by proposing to rollback these commonsense requirements. We are concerned that your proposal to rollback water pollution limits for coal plants would allow millions of gallons of toxic wastewater to be dumped into our waters daily, even though technology to eliminate this pollution is widely used and affordable. It would 202-744-1006 • www.ncel.net • 1228½ 31st St. NW, Suite 110 • Washington, DC 20007 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ also allow higher levels of arsenic and selenium in scrubber sludge to be discharged to lakes, rivers and streams, and give plants up to five years to come into compliance with these weak limits. Finally, the proposal would exempt certain coal plants from even these lax standards. We are also concerned that your proposal to weaken coal ash safeguards would extend the operating life of unstable and dangerously-sited coal ash dumps that are contaminating groundwater. This proposal would also allow leaking ash dumps to continue to accept toxic waste. The 2015 coal ash safeguards, in contrast, required site operators to begin closing unlined ash dumps contaminating groundwater and dumps in unsafe locations nine months ago, or by April 2019. The EPA’s proposal to weaken existing coal ash safeguards and to rollback water pollution limits for coal plants are big concessions to the power plant industry at the expense of the health of communities in our states. We urge your agency to withdraw these dangerous proposals, and instead commit to adequately protecting human health and the environment from coal plant water pollution and toxic coal ash waste by strengthening the underlying 2015 rules. Thank you for consideration of our concerns. Sincerely, Representative Pricey Harrison Senator Lela Alston North Carolina Arizona Representative Isela Blanc Representative Andres Cano Arizona Arizona Representative Charlene Fernandez Representative Rosanna Gabaldon Arizona Arizona Senator Juan Mendez Senator Tony Navarrete Arizona Arizona Senator Martin Quezada Representative Jeni Arndt Arizona Colorado Senator Mike Foote Representative Chris Hansen Colorado Colorado Representative Cathy Kipp Senator Brittany Pettersen Colorado Colorado Representative Emily Sirota Representative Brianna Titone Colorado Colorado Representative Michael Weissman Councilmember David Grosso Colorado Washington, DC Representative John Kowalko Representative Anna Eskamani Delaware Florida Representative Kristin Jacobs Representative Evan Jenne Florida Florida Representative Becky Evans Senator Nan Orrock Georgia Georgia Senator Elena Parent Senator Sheikh Rahman Georgia Georgia Senator Mike Gabbard Senator Les Ihara Jr. Hawaii Hawaii Representative Amy Perruso Representative Cynthia Thielen Hawaii Hawaii Representative Tina Wildberger Representative Anna Moeller Hawaii Illinois Representative Michael Mussman Representative Maurice West Illinois Illinois Representative Matt Pierce Senator Mark Stoops Indiana Indiana Representative Liz Bennett Senator Eric Giddens Iowa Iowa Representative Mary Mascher Representative Art Staed Iowa Iowa Senator Zach Wahls Representative Annie Kuether Iowa Kansas Senator Cathy Breen Representative Michelle Dunphy Maine Maine Representative Nicole Grohoski Representative Craig Hickman Maine Maine Senator Rebecca Millett Senator David Miramant Maine Maine Delegate Kumar Barve Delegate Benjamin Brooks Maryland Maryland Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo Senator Ben Kramer Maryland Maryland Senator Clarence Lam Delegate Brooke Lierman Maryland Maryland Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr Senator Mary Washington Maryland Maryland Senator Mike Moore Representative Tram Nguyen Massachusetts Massachusetts Representative Denise Provost Representative Maria Robinson Massachusetts Massachusetts Representative Tommy Vitolo Senator Jeff Irwin Massachusetts Michigan Representative Rebekah Warren Representative Robert Wittenberg Michigan Michigan Senator Jim Abeler Representative Peter Fischer Minnesota Minnesota Representative Mike Freiberg Representative Fue Lee Minnesota Minnesota Representative Jamie Long Senator Jerry Newton Minnesota Minnesota Representative Ami Wazlawik Representative Christopher Bell Minnesota Mississippi Representative Steven Roberts Senator Dick Barrett Missouri Montana Assemblymember Howard Watts Representative Susan Almy Nevada New Hampshire Representative Renny Cushing Representative Garrett Muscatel New Hampshire New Hampshire Representative Peter Schmidt Representative Deborah Armstrong New Hampshire New Mexico Senator Liz Stefanics Senator Bill Tallman New Mexico New Mexico Representative Liz Thomson Senator John Brooks New Mexico New York Assemblymember William Colton Assemblymember Steve Englebright New York New York Assemblymember Patricia Fahy Assemblymember Richard Gottfried New York New York Senator Liz Krueger Assemblymember Barbara Lifton New York New York Assemblymember Amy Paulin Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz New York New York Representative John Ager Representative John Autry North Carolina North Carolina Representative Cynthia Ball Representative Mary Belk North Carolina North Carolina Representative Deb Butler Representative Becky Carney North Carolina North Carolina Representative Christy Clark Representative Ashton Clemmons North Carolina North Carolina Representative Allison Dahle Senator Kirk deViere North Carolina North Carolina Representative Terence Everitt Representative Susan Fisher North Carolina North Carolina Senator Valerie Foushee Representative John Fraley North Carolina North Carolina Senator Michael Garrett Representative Rosa Gill North Carolina North Carolina Representative Wesley Harris Representative Zack Hawkins North Carolina North Carolina Representative Yvonne Holley Representative Howard Hunter North Carolina North Carolina Representative Verla Insko Representative Darren Jackson North Carolina North Carolina Representative Nasif Majeed Senator Natasha Marcus North Carolina North Carolina Representative Grier Martin Representative Chuck McGrady North Carolina North Carolina Representative Graig Meyer Senator Mujtaba Mohammed North Carolina North Carolina Representative Marcia Morey Senator Wiley Nickel North Carolina North Carolina Senator Harper Peterson Representative Joe Sam Queen North Carolina North Carolina Representative William Richardson Senator Gladys Robinson North Carolina North Carolina Representative C. Ray Russell Senator Sam Searcy North Carolina North Carolina Representative Julie von Haefen Senator Mike Woodard North Carolina North Carolina Representative Rachel Hunt Senator Nickie Antonio North Carolina Ohio Representative Tavia Galonski Representative David Leland Ohio Ohio Representative Tiffiny Mitchell Representative Karin Power Oregon Oregon Representative Marty Wilde Representative Edith Ajello Oregon Rhode Island Representative Lauren Carson Representative Gary Clary Rhode Island South Carolina Representative Bob Freeman Senator Brenda Gilmore Tennessee Tennessee Representative Jennifer Dailey-Provost Representative Suzanne Harrison Utah Utah Senator Jani Iwamoto Representative Sarah Copeland Hanzas Utah Vermont Representative Diana Gonzalez Senator Christopher Pearson Vermont Vermont Representative Trevor Squirrell Delegate Elizabeth Guzman Vermont Virginia Senator Scott Surovell Representative Beth Doglio Virginia Washington Representative Joe Fitzgibbon Representative Roger Goodman Washington Washington Senator Sam Hunt Delegate Evan Hansen Washington West Virginia Senator Janet Bewley Representative Jill Billings Wisconsin Wisconsin Representative Gary Hebl Senator Chris Larson Wisconsin Wisconsin Representative Sondy Pope Senator Fred Risser Wisconsin Wisconsin Representative Melissa Sargent Representative Katrina Shankland Wisconsin Wisconsin Representative Lisa Subeck Wisconsin .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • House/Senate District Number Name House 10 John Bell House 17 Frank Iler House 18 Deb Butler House 19 Ted Davis, Jr
    House/Senate District Number Name House 10 John Bell House 17 Frank Iler House 18 Deb Butler House 19 Ted Davis, Jr. House 20 Holly Grange House 23 Shelly Willingham House 24 Jean Farmer Butterfield House 26 Donna McDowell White House 27 Michael H. Wray House 28 Larry C. Strickland House 31 Zack Hawkins House 32 Terry Garrison House 33 Rosa U. Gill House 34 Grier Martin House 35 Chris Malone House 36 Nelson Dollar House 37 John B. Adcock House 38 Yvonne Lewis Holley House 39 Darren Jackson House 41 Gale Adcock House 42 Marvin W. Lucas House 43 Elmer Floyd House 44 Billy Richardson House 45 John Szoka House 49 Cynthia Ball House 50 Graig R. Meyer House 51 John Sauls House 52 Jamie Boles House 53 David Lewis House 54 Robert T. Reives, II House 55 Mark Brody House 57 Ashton Clemmons House 58 Amos Quick House 59 Jon Hardister House 60 Cecil Brockman House 62 John Faircloth House 66 Ken Goodman House 68 Craig Horn House 69 Dean Arp House 70 Pat B. Hurley House 72 Derwin Montgomery House 74 Debra Conrad House 75 Donny C. Lambeth House 77 Julia Craven Howard House 82 Linda P. Johnson House 85 Josh Dobson House 86 Hugh Blackwell House 87 Destin Hall House 89 Mitchell Smith Setzer House 90 Sarah Stevens House 91 Kyle Hall House 92 Chaz Beasley House 95 John A. Fraley House 96 Jay Adams House 97 Jason R. Saine House 98 John R. Bradford III House 102 Becky Carney House 103 Bill Brawley House 104 Andy Dulin House 105 Scott Stone House 106 Carla Cunningham House 107 Kelly Alexander House 108 John A.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Comments Received
    NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING 16 W. Jones Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1030 March 5, 2020 Jamille Robbins NC Department of Transportation– Environmental Analysis Unit 1598 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1598 Submitted via email: [email protected] Re: Modernization of outdoor advertising rules 19A NCAC 02E .0225 To the NC Department of Transportation, We are North Carolina legislators who care about the scenic beauty of our state and We are writing to oppose the proposed changes to the modernization of outdoor advertising rules (19A NCAC 02E .0225) that would limit local ordinances and allow billboards with a state permit to be converted to digital and raised to 50 feet in height, even if such changes are not allowed by the applicable city or county ordinance. Instead, we support the considered “Alternative 2” described in the agency’s March 1, 2019, fiscal note. Alternative 2 would recognize local government ordinances and limit the changes that could be made to an existing billboard as part of modernization. Alternative 2 as described in the fiscal note: “The second alternate is to further limit activities that industry could do as part of modernization. An example includes restricting companies to modernize from static to digital faces. Some local governments have more stringent rules associated with outdoor advertising regulations including moratoriums on allowing digital billboards. NCDOT considered excluding digital faces as part of modernization. NCDOT chose not to make this exclusion since the state already allows digital billboards and that industry should be allowed to accommodate for technology enhancements.” We wish to protect the ability of local communities to control billboards, especially taller, digitized billboards that impact the scenic beauty of North Carolina and can be a distraction to drivers.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ..................................................................................................... iii INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 2 ARGUMENT .............................................................................................................................. 5 I. Legislative Defendants Must Provide the Information Requested in the Second Set of Interrogatories ............................................................................................................. 5 II. In the Alternative, or if Legislative Defendants Do Not Provide The Home Addresses By March 1, the Court Should Bar Legislative Defendants From Defending the 2017 Plans on the Basis of Any Incumbency Theory................................. 7 III. The Court Should Award Fees and Expenses and Other Appropriate Relief ..................... 8 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................... 9 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE .................................................................................................. 11 ii TABLE OF AUTHORITIES Page(s) Cases Cloer v. Smith , 132 N.C. App. 569, 512 S.E.2d 779 (1999)............................................................................ 7 F. E. Davis
    [Show full text]
  • June 9, 2021 the Honorable Susan M. Collins 413 Dirksen Senate Office
    June 9, 2021 The Honorable Susan M. Collins The Honorable Angus S. King, Jr. 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building 133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 Washington DC 20510 The Honorable Chellie Pingree The Honorable Jared Golden 2162 Rayburn House Office Building 1222 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Senators Collins and King, and Representatives Pingree and Golden: WHEREAS, the people living on the land that would eventually be designated as the District of Columbia were provided the right to vote for representation in Congress when the United States Constitution was ratified in 1788; and WHEREAS, the passage of the Organic Act of 1801 placed the District of Columbia under the exclusive authority of the United States Congress and abolished residents’ right to vote for members of Congress and the President and Vice President of the United States; and WHEREAS, residents of the District of Columbia were granted the right to vote for the President and Vice President through passage of the Twenty–Third Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1961; and WHEREAS, as of 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau data estimates that the District of Columbia’s population at approximately 712,000 residents is comparable to the populations of Wyoming (582,000), Vermont (623,000), Alaska (731,000), and North Dakota (765,000); and WHEREAS, residents of the District of Columbia share all the responsibilities of United States citizenship, including paying more federal taxes than residents of 22 states,
    [Show full text]
  • Lewiston City Council Agenda for May 19, 2020
    LEWISTON CITY COUNCIL AGENDA CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAY 19,2020 SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED REMOTELY AND MEMBERS WILL ONLY PARTICIPATE ELECTRONICALLY. THE MEETING CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE AT https :/ IV•l\VW .lewistomnaine. gov /2020cc Public Comment on any other item appearing on the agenda may be sent to [email protected] prior to or during the meeting, and all comments received will be forwarded to the City Council. People who would like to access the meeting by phone may contact (207)513-3021 for the access code. 6:00 p.m. Workshop A. Local Foods, Local Places Community Action Plan for Lewiston-Auburn 6:30p.m. Executive Session ES. Executive Session pursuant to MRSA Title 1, section 405(6) (c) to discuss an Economic Development issue of which the premature disclosure of the information would prejudice the competitive bargaining position of the City. 7:00p.m. Regular Meeting Update on City Actions Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic Situation and City Reopening Plan Acceptance of the minutes ofthe May 5, 2020 meeting. Public Comment period- Any member of the public may make comments regarding issues pertaining to Lewiston City Government (3 minutes per speaker; maximum time for all comments is 15 minutes) ALL ROLL CALL VOTES FOR THIS MEETING WILL BEGIN WITH THE COUNCILOR OF WARD 3. REGULAR BUSINESS: 1. Public Hearing & Final Passage for re-zoning the properties at 949 College Street, 2 East Merrill Rd, 4 East Merrill Rd, 6 East Merrill Rd, 8 East Merrill Rd, 10 East Merrill Rd and portions of 1 East Merrill Rd, 3 East Merrill Rd and 5 East Merrill Rd from the Rural Agriculture (RA) District to the Low-Density Residential (LDR) District.
    [Show full text]
  • Maine Legislature State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333
    MAINE LEGISLATURE STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333 April 20, 2020 Senator Susan Collins Senator Angus King 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building 133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 Representative Chellie Pingree Representative Jared Golden 2162 Rayburn House Office Building 1223 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Senator Collins, Senator King, Representative Pingree, and Representative Golden: th We, the undersigned members of the 129 ​ Maine Legislature, write today asking that you ​ support an amendment to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ​ ​ We are grateful for the passage of the CARES Act and the assistance it will provide, but in its ​ ​ current form, we are concerned that the funding Maine will receive cannot be used to address the massive losses in state revenue we expect to incur due to the coronavirus. Current guidance requires that approximately $1.25 billion of the funding Maine is expected to receive must be used for expenditures that: (1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID–19; (2) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 for the State or government; and (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020. These significant restrictions, and an inability to specifically use these funds to offset revenue shortfalls, will seriously inhibit Maine’s ability to respond to this crisis. More flexible federal funding will help us continue to provide vital services, prevent further shutdown of key sectors of the state economy and hasten recovery once social distancing measures are relaxed.
    [Show full text]
  • Townofcumberlandannua Lreport 2 0
    — — TOWN OF CUMBERLAND ANNUAL REPORT 2 0 1 7 – 2 0 1 8 A B O U T T H E P H O T O S I N T H I S R E P O R T . A few years ago, we put out a call for photos to Cumberland residents. We wanted to see Cumberland through the eye’s of our residents. In these pages, you’ll find beautiful shots taken in all seasons by people who live in this small town. We hope you enjoy the photography as much as we do! Please consider sending us your photos. All photos must be photographed in Cumberland or must feature a Cumberland resident participating in a Cumberland event. Photos used will include a photo credit. Submitting photos gives the Town of Cumberland permission to use or publish the photographs in a Town exhibit, in the Town’s Annual Report, on the Town website, in social media pages, and in program brochures. Please send your photo submissions to [email protected]. Front Cover by Emilie Sommer (The Community Band Summer Concert) Back Cover by Catherine Del Vecchio Fitz (Cross Country Skiing at Twin Brook) — 2 — TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION 4 OFFICIALS & ADMINISTRATION Town Council & Chairman’s Report 6 Boards & Committees 8 Town Manager 10 Human Resources 12 Communications 13 Assessing 14 Information Technology 15 Town Clerk 16 Health Officer 22 Finance 24 LAND USE AND PLANNING Code Enforcement 28 Planning 30 Board of Adjustment & Appeals 32 Housing Authority 33 Planning Board 34 Lands & Conservation Commission 36 PUBLIC SAFETY AND SERVICES Police Department 38 Fire & Emergency Management 40 Public Services Public Works 43 Parks Department 44 Waste & Recycling 45 Community Recreation 46 Val Halla 48 Aging in Place 50 Prince Memorial Library 52 LETTERS TO CITIZENS MSAD51 Superintendent’s Report 56 Letter from the Governor 60 Senatorial Report 61 Congressional Report 64 Legislative Report 65 MUNICIPAL DIRECTORY 68 (Photo by Natalia Provencher) — 3 — IN DEDICATION TO Dale Denno his spring, Cumberland lost a dedicated public servant, Tcommunity member, and friend after a courageous battle with cancer.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring the Feasibility and Political Landscape Surrounding a State-Level Carbon Initiative in North Carolina
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Carolina Digital Repository Taxes and Toxicity: Exploring the Feasibility and Political Landscape Surrounding a State-Level Carbon Initiative in North Carolina By Emily Hennen Senior Honors Thesis Environment, Energy, and Ecology Program University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill April 3, 2019 Approved: Dr. Léda Van Doren, Thesis Advisor Jonas Monast, Reader KD Brown, Reader Table of Contents I. Abstract 3 II. Prologue 4 III. Introduction 4 IV. Background 5 Global Relevance and Example Initiatives 5 Relevance for North Carolina 9 North Carolina’s Energy Production 12 Structuring a Carbon Tax 13 V. Methods 16 VI. Results 17 Nonprofit and Individual Perspectives 17 Dr. Stanley Meiburg – Wake Forest University, Former EPA Deputy Administrator, NCDEQ 17 Dr. Yoram Bauman – Washington and Utah Initiatives, Carbon Tax Center 19 David Kelly – NC Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): Senior Policy Manager 20 Grady McCallie – North Carolina Conservation Network, Policy Director 22 Bridget Hillyer – Citizens Climate Lobby, Lobby Team Leader 23 NC State Legislators 24 Charles McGrady – House of Representatives, Henderson, Republican 24 Pricey Harrison – House of Representatives, Guilford, Democrat 26 John Woodard – Senate, Durham Granville and Person, Democrat 27 John Autry- House of Representatives, Mecklenburg, Democrat 28 Detailing Mentioned Revenue Uses 28 Interview Summary 31 Table 1: Summarization of Interviews 31 VII. Discussion 32 Map 1: Senator’s Number of Terms in Senate by District 33 Map 2: Senator’s Number of Terms in General Assembly (House + Senate) By District 34 Map 3: Senate Republican and Democratic Distribution by District 34 Map 4: Representative’s Number of Terms in House by District 35 Map 5: House of Representatives Republican and Democratic Distribution by District 35 Map 6: Counties of Relevance for a Carbon Pricing Initiative 36 Map 7: North Carolina Urban, Suburban, and Rural Counties 37 VIII.
    [Show full text]
  • 2009 N. C. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTATION by COUNTY COUNTY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES Alamance...63
    North Carolina General Assembly HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK'S OFFICE Tel: (919)733-7760 Fax: (919)715-2881 2009 N. C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTATION BY COUNTY COUNTY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES Alamance...................... 63..................... Alice L. Bordsen ...................................... 64..................... Dan W. Ingle*** Alexander ..................... 88..................... Ray Warren Alleghany ..................... 90..................... Sarah Stevens Anson ........................... 69..................... Pryor Gibson Ashe.............................. 93..................... Cullie M. Tarleton Avery............................ 84..................... Phillip Frye Beaufort........................ 6....................... Arthur Williams Bertie ............................ 5....................... Annie W. Mobley Bladen........................... 22..................... William D. Brisson Brunswick..................... 17..................... Frank Iler**** ...................................... 20..................... Dewey L. Hill Buncombe..................... 114................... Susan C. Fisher ...................................... 115................... Patsy Keever******** ...................................... 116................... Jane Whilden Burke ............................ 85..................... Mitch Gillespie ...................................... 86..................... Hugh Blackwell Cabarrus........................ 82..................... Jeff Barnhart .....................................
    [Show full text]
  • S/L Sign on Letter Re: Rescue Plan State/Local
    February 17, 2021 U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Members of Congress: As elected leaders representing communities across our nation, we are writing to urge you to take immediate action on comprehensive coronavirus relief legislation, including desperately needed funding for states, counties, cities, and schools, and an increase in states’ federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP). President Biden’s ambitious $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan will go a long way towards alleviating the significant financial strain COVID-19 has placed on our states, counties, cities, and schools, and the pocketbooks of working families. Working people have been on the frontlines of this pandemic for nearly a year and have continued to do their jobs during this difficult time. Dedicated public servants are still leaving their homes to ensure Americans continue to receive the essential services they rely upon: teachers and education workers are doing their best to provide quality education and keep their students safe, janitors are still keeping parks and public buildings clean, while healthcare providers are continuing to care for the sick. Meanwhile, it has been ten months since Congress passed the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund to support these frontline workers and the essential services they provide. Without significant economic assistance from the federal government, many of these currently-middle class working families are at risk of falling into poverty through no fault of their own. It is a painful irony that while many have rightly called these essential workers heroes, our country has failed to truly respect them with a promise to protect them and pay them throughout the crisis.
    [Show full text]
  • Mark Bessire, Director Cyrus Hagge, President, Board of Trustees Portland Museum of Art 7 Congress Square Portland, ME 04101
    Mark Bessire, Director Cyrus Hagge, President, Board of Trustees Portland Museum of Art 7 Congress Square Portland, ME 04101 Dear Mr. Bessire, Mr. Hagge, and members of the Board of Trustees of Portland Museum of Art, It has come to our attention that employees at the Portland Museum of Art are in the process of organizing a union. They have notified the National Labor Relations Board in order to set up an election for union representation. These employees have a great love for their work and the museum. By forming a union, they believe they can better use their collective voice to help improve their working conditions, communication between workers and management and the valuable service this important institution provides to the community. We urge you to recognize that employees have the legal right to organize without retaliation or intimidation. The decision to organize is a fundamental right and should be up to the workers to make that decision free from interference. Unfortunately, it is an all too common practice for employers to spend an extraordinary amount of resources on anti-union campaigns. This often includes hiring expensive legal consultants to engage in fear tactics aimed to create uncertainty and delay. We, as elected leaders and members of the community, are requesting that PMA not engage in any anti- union tactics. This is the worker's decision to make. Specifically, we ask you to agree to a mail-in election, as has been granted by the labor board. This is the best option for the safety of the workers as well as making the election as accessible as possible.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Budget Priorities & Legislative Contacts
    Contact Information for Key State Budget Conferees KEY HOUSE CONFEREES & CHAMBER LEADERSHIP Title Name County(ies) Phone Email Senior Chair, Rep. Linda Johnson Cabarrus 919-733-5861 [email protected] Appropriations Senior Chair, Rep. Donny Lambeth Forsyth 919-733-5747 [email protected] Appropriations Senior Chair, Rep. Jason Saine Lincoln 919-733-5782 [email protected] Appropriations Chair, Appropriations Rep. Dean Arp Union 919-715-3007 [email protected] Chair, Appropriations Rep. William Brisson Bladen, Sampson 919-733-5772 [email protected] Chair, Appropriations Rep. Josh Dobson Avery, Mitchell, 919-733-5862 [email protected] McDowell Chair, Appropriations Rep. John Faircloth Guilford 919-733-5877 [email protected] Chair, Appropriations Rep. Chuck McGrady Henderson 919-733-5956 [email protected] Chair, Education Rep. Jeffrey Elmore Alexander, Wilkes 919-733-5935 [email protected] Appropriations Chair, Education Rep. John Fraley Iredell 919-733-5741 [email protected] Appropriations Chair, Education Rep. Craig Horn Union 919-733-2406 [email protected] Appropriations Chair, Education Rep. Pat Hurley Randolph 919-733-5865 [email protected] Appropriations Chair, Education Rep. John Sauls Harnett, Lee 919-715-3026 [email protected] Appropriations House Speaker Rep. Tim Moore Cleveland 919-733-3451 [email protected] House Majority Leader Rep. John Bell Greene, Wayne, 919-715-3017 [email protected] Johnston KEY SENATE BUDGET CONFEREES & CHAMBER LEADERSHIP Title Name County(ies) Phone Email Majority Leader & Sen. Harry Brown Jones, Onslow 919-715-3034 [email protected] Chair, Appropriations Chair, Appropriations Sen.
    [Show full text]