TU Members,

TU members attended the the hearing on the Environmental Bond Bill on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 1 PM at the State House.
David Glater, President of Greater Boston TU testified on behalf of TU's support of the bill.

Also present were other organizations in support of the Environmental Bond Bill including Mass Audubon, The Trustees of the Reservations, Mass Environmental League, and the Nature Conservancy and several other of the over 250 organizations working as the Coalition for the Environmental Bond to get this bill passed.

Please note - there is an upcoming rally scheduled on April 9, 2008 >>Click here for more

This is a bill the Council supports. It contains significant funding for coldwater fisheries resource issues.

TU needs ongoing support on this bill.

Peter Schilling, Chairman of the MA / RI Council says: please contact your state reps and Senators and tell them you support this bill.

Identify yourself first by your town, and also as a member of TU, and that you as an individual, and the organization supports this.

Thanks.

Read pertaining excerpts of the bill >>here

Wednesday, March 19

1:00 pm

State House, Room 222

 ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. ATTEND THE HEARING: If you can attend the hearing your presence will be welcome and greatly appreciated. Filling the room will show members of the Bond Committee that there is broad and strong support – something important as they consider the Environmental Bond in addition to many others.
   
   If you want to testify please plan to arrive a few minutes early and sign up on the witness list.
2. PROVIDE WRITTEN TESTIMONY: Submitting written testimony either as an individual or on behalf of an organization is important and extremely valuable. It puts the legislators on notice that people around the state are paying attention to this important issue. IMPORTANT: please remember to cc your legislators in addition to the chairs of the committee. Sample testimony and contact information are below.
3. CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS: Calling the legislators that represent your district is another important way to let them know you are concerned and watching the progress of the Environmental Bond Bill.  

4. LOBBY DAY – EARLY APRIL: In early April the Coalition for the Environmental Bond will hold a lobby day. We are currently coordinating schedules with administration and legislative leaders and will let you know as soon as we have it scheduled. This will be a very important opportunity for all 240+ endorsing organizations to gather and show our combined strength in support of passing a strong Environmental Bond this session.  We will hold a rally, provide a brief training and background information, and visit legislative offices.  

Information about the newest version of the Environmental Bond (H4561) as well as fact sheets and more can be seen at www.envirobond.org.

 As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you in advance,

 Jeremy Marin

Campaign Manager

Coalition for the Environmental Bond

 TESTIMONY CAN BE SENT TO:

1. Your legislators (if you do not know who they are you can find out by going to www.wheredoivotema.com)  

2. Representative David Flynn
   House Chair, Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
   State House
   Room 466
   Boston, MA 02133
   FAX: (617) 722-2813  

3. Senator Mark C. Montigny
   Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
   State House
   Room 511-A
   Boston, MA 02133
   FAX: (617) 722-1068

SAMPLE WRITTEN TESTIMONY

The testimony below can be used verbatim or adapted as you see appropriate. The areas highlighted in yellow should be filled in with the appropriate information.

 The Honorable INSERT LEGISLATOR NAME HERE

State House

 Dear INSERT TITLE/NAME HERE:

 It has been six years since the Commonwealth last approved an Environmental Bond Bill. Since then much has changed but the need to protect our open spaces, the fabric of our communities, the quality and quantity of our water supplies, our municipalities from outdated dams, the productivity and viability of our seaports, our tourist economy – the third largest industry in the state -- and other items the bill addresses remain just as important as ever. 

The Environmental Bond Bill (H4561) must pass this session. Several important programs funded by the 2002 Environmental Bond are either out of funding or perilously close to it leaving communities, our economy and (in cases such as failing dams, DCR roads and bridges, etc.) our personal safety at risk. 

As you may be aware INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME HERE is a member of the Coalition for the Environmental Bond. We are working with more than 240 other organizations across the state to pass a strong Environmental Bond Bill this session because funding for critical environmental programs across the Commonwealth is running out.  

As the Environmental Bond Bill is heard by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets I hope you will work with legislative leadership to move the legislation through swiftly. 

The last Environmental Bond bill passed in 2002 – so passage this session of a new Environmental Bond is vitally important. 

You can see more information about the Environmental Bond, why it is so important, and the list of more than 250 endorsing organizations at the Coalition’s website at www.envirobond.org.

 Thank you.