About    Our Work      Chapters     Committees      Get Involved
Monday, March 21, 2011

Call today to protect Tennessee land and people
Surface coal mining bills, immigration bill up for consideration 

 

Dear SOCM members and supporters,  

Take a lunch break today for Tennessee mountains and people! It takes about five minutes of your day to call your Tennessee Senators and Representatives to ask that they vote YES on HB 0291, SB 0578 and SB 0577 and against an Arizona copycat bill - HB 1380 Carr. Your call does make a difference!

Find contact information for your state legislators by clicking here.   

 

The following bills will be considered:  

 

� Tuesday, March 22:
HB 0291 McDonald: Prohibition on surface mining at specified elevation levels. Prohibits the commissioner of water quality control from issuing or renewing a permit, certification, or variance that allows surface coal mining operations that will disturb ridgelines above 2,000 feet elevation above sea level with exceptions made for underground mining.
(SENATE: SB 0577 Stewart E.: Placed on Senate Environment, Conservation, & Tourism Committee calendar for 3/23).

� Wednesday, March 23:
SB 0577 Stewart E.: Prohibition on surface mining at specified elevation levels. Prohibits the commissioner of environment and conservation from issuing or renewing a permit, certification, or variance that allows surface coal mining operations that will disturb ridgelines above 2,000 feet elevation above sea level with exceptions made for underground mining.
(HOUSE: HB 0291, McDonald: Placed on House General Subcommittee of Conservation and Environment calendar for 3/22.)

SB 0578 Stewart E.: Prohibits surface coal mining if it disturbs ridgeline. Prohibits the commissioner of environment and conservation from issuing or renewing a permit that would allow surface coal mining operations to alter or disturb any ridgeline that is over 2,000 feet elevation above sea level.
(HOUSE: HB 0290, McDonald: Assigned to House General Subcommittee of Conservation and Environment.)

HB 1380 Carr: Threatens Tennessee's reputation as a state that protects community interests. The most dangerous provision of the bill requires every law enforcement officer in the state-every time he or she "makes a lawful stop"-to question the person's immigration status, contact federal agents if there is "reasonable suspicion" an immigration violation has occurred, and transport the person to a federal holding facility. The bill would invite racial profiling and further divide communities, while funding for the necessary training, personnel, and detention would further devastate local government budgets.
(SENATE: SB 0780 Carr: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.)  


Thank you for taking time to ensure that your voice is heard for measures that protect communities, mountains and water quality! 

 

Sincerely,  

Your SOCM Team  Board - Long Pic, Holding hands 

  Your Community
Needs You


Join SOCM today!  Click on the link below and designate your donation as membership dues or mail us a check with "new member" in the memo line.


Click HERE to donate!
Mailing List

Upcoming SOCM Events and Meetings

SOCM Board Meeting  

March 26, 2011   9:15 AM - 3:15 PM (CT)
Lebanon, TN

6th Annual End Mountaintop Removal Week in D.C.  

April 2 to April 6, 2011 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (ET)
Washington D.C.

Check out SOCM photos on Flickr! You may see yourself!
Flickr

For up-to-the-minute SOCM news, join us on:


  Facebook            Twitter
FBTwitter Icon




Youtube



 
Member of Community Shares                                                                     Privacy Policy         Site Map
Community Shares

Copyright � Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM)
All Rights Reserved