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Thursday, March 15, 2012
Lobby Day 2012_3Lobby Day 2012_1Lobby Day 2012_2

Thanks to All Who Attended Lobby Day! 

 

Put another successful Lobby Day in the books! About 40 SOCM members and friends joined us on Legislative Plaza in Nashville on Wednesday, March 7th. What a great crowd!

 

The group started the day with a quick lobby training by member and seasoned lobbyist Brian Paddock. Everyone then broke out into four groups- three groups tackled bills while the fourth group was charged with stopping by offices and getting the word out about SOCM's legislative agenda. The bills we discussed were The English-Only Driving License Exam Bills, The Scenic Vistas Protection Act, and the Responsible Coal Operator's Act of 2012. A special thanks goes to Organizing Director Kazi Wilkins for setting up the groups and all the appointments with key players.

 

Lobby Day was great, but we still have work to do! Read on for updates on the bills SOCM is following. You can also always check out the legislative section of our website for updates and we will be periodically sending out action alerts when important action is needed.

 

Many members are in the process of following up with legislators they met with- we appreciate your dedication!

 

Check out more Lobby Day pictures on our flickr site!

 

 

SOCM's Legislative Priorities

 

SOCM members and friends have been doing a wonderful job keeping the pressure on our legislators to protect the rights of the people of Tennessee. An addition to a wonderfully successful Lobby Day, members have called, emailed, and written their senators and representatives about SOCM's legislative priorities. There is still nearly a month left in this session so keep up the good work!

 

 

The Scenic Vistas Protection Act

After the last legislative session, SOCM joined with community and advocacy groups throughout the state to form a strong coalition to work to pass the Scenic Vistas Protection Act. The Scenic Vistas Protection Act would ban mountaintop removal coal mining on ridgelines above 2,000 feet in Tennessee.

 

Update- SOCM and partners have been working hard advocating for the Scenic Vistas Protection Act. On February 29th, SVPA passed the Senate Energy and Environment Committee with an amendment that basically "guts" it. On March 12th, the amended bill went to the Senate floor. After an impassioned speech by its sponsor, Senator Eric Stewart, the Senate voted 19-14 to move the vote to April 2nd. 

 

In the meantime, SVPA is making its way through the House of Representatives. The House subcommittee on Conservation and Environment will vote on Tuesday, March 20th.

 

Action- Call or write to your senator and representative to remind him or her that we want SVPA passed AS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN. We also need Governor Haslam on board. He is quoted as being "neutral." Go to our website (sample letter is provided) to send him an email or call him at 615-741-2001.

 

 

Responsible Coal Operators Act of 2012

The Responsible Coal Operators Act of 2012 authorizes the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to consider past practices when deciding whether to issue, renew or deny a permit for a coal mine.

 

Update- The Senate Energy and Environment Committee postponed hearing the Responsible Coal Operators Act from March 14th to March 21st. The House subcommittee on Conservation and Environment is scheduled to hear it on March 20th.

 

Action- Call and email the Senate Energy and Environment Committee members and the House Conservation and Environment subcommittee members encouraging passage of the bill out of committee THIS year!

 

 

The Sewanee Prohibition Bill 

The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) has issued multiple exploratory drilling permits in the Sewanee coal seam area and members fear this could lead to the Lands Unsuitable for Mining (LUM) designation being overturned.

 

Update- This has not been added to the calendar yet.

 

Action- There is no specific action to be taken at this time. Keep an eye on our legislative page for updates.

 

 

The English-Only Driving Exam Bills 

The English-only Driver License Exam Bills would narrow the language options on the state's written portion of the driver license exam from four (English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) to just English.

 

Update- House Bill 2721 has been placed on the calendar for the Transportation subcommittee on March 20th. There is no action in the Senate.

 

Action- Tell your representative that Tennessee needs measures that will attract investors, not drive jobs away and violate the civil rights of Tennesseans. Keep an eye on our legislative page for updates. 

See the SOCM Sentinel Legislative Guide 
 
March 2012 Sentinel
Want an in-depth look at SOCM's legislative work this year? Keep an eye out for your SOCM Sentinel, which should be arriving any day. In it, you'll find a detailed description of all the bills SOCM is following, tips for the citizen lobbyist, and important contact information.
 
The Sentinel is one of the benefits of a SOCM membership, so if you haven't been receiving it, become a member today!
In This Issue
Lobby Day Wrap-Up
Legislative Priorities
  Your Community
Needs You


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Mailing List
 
Roaring River Chapter Meeting*
Wednesday, March 28
Dean's Conference Room in Johnson Hall at Tennessee Tech, Cookeville
7 - 9 p.m.
*correction from last E-News

  

SOCM Board Meeting
Saturday, March 31
Lebanon, TN
9:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

  

Cumberland County Chapter Meeting
Monday, April 9
Art Circle Library, Crossville
3 - 5 p.m.

  

The EarthBeats Festival
Saturday, April 21
World's Fair Park Amphitheater
1 - 7 p.m.

  

Other Events of Interest 

  

"The Last Mountain" Screening
Sunday, March 18
Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville
1:30 p.m.
SOCM is co-sponsoring a screening of "The Last Mountain"
 
Youth Empowerment Summit
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 1
The Tennessee Youth Environmental Network will hold a Youth Empowerment Summit at The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Townsend, Tenn., June 4-8. See their website for more information or to register.
 
Green Rebate Incentive Program
Application Deadline: Monday, April 2
The City of Knoxville is offering rebates for the purchase of energy star appliances purchased between August 2011 and April 2012. Click here for more information.
 
Alliance for Appalachia's Week in Washington
Application Deadline: Friday, April 6 if applying for a scholarship, otherwise Sunday, April 15th.
SOCM is taking applications for the Annual Week in Washington, June 2-6. Please contact Ann League at [email protected] or 865-249-7488 to apply. 
 
Free Solar Photovoltaic Technology Training Course
April 16-20
Spring Hill, TN
Learn the basics of solar instillation in this course sponsored by the Tennessee Solar Institute. For more information, click here.
 
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- Cecile Andrews
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