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A Shout Out to Our Newest HEC Green Businesses!

Thanks to all of our newest HEC Green Business Partners!

emPowering Progress:
NUVO/Indiana Living Green

Get on the Bus:
GreenCycle (Danville, Indianapolis, Noblesville, Whitestown)
Silver in the City (Indianapolis)

Sowing the Seeds:
Natural Born Juicers (Indianapolis)
Smoking Goose (Indianapolis)
Sun King (Indianapolis)

Keeping Afloat:
Ezra's Enlightened Cafe (Indianapolis)
Foods Alive (Waterloo)
Natural Awakenings (Indianapolis)

Affiliate:
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Is your business fostering cleaner water and air, promoting sustainable & local food, investing in clean energy & 21st century transportation, and other green-minded activities? Learn how to become an HEC Green Business Supporter!
Dear HEC Supporter,

It's been a very challenging legislative session, with aggressive efforts to roll back Indiana's environmental progress. But HEC, working with great partners and green-minded citizens like you, is pleased to share two major breakthroughs this week in the Indiana General Assembly for the cause of environmental sustainability. Your support makes such progress possible.
"Right to Harm" Amendment Defeated in the Senate!

 

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In a stunning victory for the public good, SJR 12 - the proposed "Right to Harm" constitutional amendment - was defeated on the Senate floor: 22 in favor, 28 opposed!

 

HEC played an organizing role in coalition building, produced the legal analysis, briefed many lawmakers, and engaged thousands of committed citizens like you. The public outcry over this resolution - your calls, emails and meetings - were absolutely critical in this win! Many thanks to our partners in the animal welfare, consumer, environmental, family farm, and health communities who worked together to defeat this dangerous policy proposal as well as several courageous small farmers who stood up for a sustainable and healthy vision for Indiana agriculture.

 

Our appreciation to the 28 state senators who were willing to stand up for Indiana's people, animals, and environment with their vote.  We offer our gratitude to Senators Mike Crider, Tim Lanane, and Mark Stoops for their floor speeches against this measure. Please take time to personally thank your state senator if he or she voted in opposition to SJR 12. 


Always remember that your voice matters. Keep speaking out! 

Anti-Solar Energy Bill, HB 1320, Stopped in the Indiana House, But May Reemerge

A diverse number of agricultural, consumer, environmental, libertarian, religious, and social justice groups - along with several solar entrepreneurs - appeared in the House Utilities committee hearing on February 18th to testify against HB 1320, but most were not given the opportunity to speak when the acting Chairman halted testimony on grounds of time. This deeply troubling decision ended with the bill moving through the committee by a vote of 9-4.

Encouragingly, House Speaker Brian Bosma decided to not move HB 1320 to a floor vote, effectively killing the bill. While this does not ensure that anti-solar language is "dead" for the legislative session, we are pleased by the Speaker's recognition of the outpouring of opposition.

Despite this win for rooftop solar advocates, utility lobbyists are trying to find ways to insert the language of HB 1320 into other legislative bills this legislative session. Do not give up the fight! Please continue to stay in touch with  your state representative and state senator and tell them to oppose any legislation that would threaten Indiana's promising rooftop solar industry.

Please thank Representatives Matt Pierce, Christina Hale, Dan Forestal, and Cherrish Pryor for voting against the bill in committee and House Speaker Brian Bosma for not moving this bill to a floor vote.
The 2015 Indiana General Assembly has just reached its half-way point, so there is still much to do!  Take an additional moment to read about the latest developments in the realm of mass transit and passenger rail, and take action, below!
Contact Your State Legislator in Support of Transit & Rail Funding, and Join Us on March 10th!

House Bill 1001, the 2015-2017 state budget bill, has passed the House and moves to the Indiana Senate for further action.  HB 1001 includes funding for public mass transit and the Hoosier State passenger rail service from Indianapolis to Chicago.  For FY 2016, $46 million is appropriated, and for FY 2017, $49 million.  From these amounts the Indiana Department of Transportation must allocate $3 million a year to the Hoosier State. For Indiana's 65 local transit agencies, this represents an increase over the Governor's budget of $1.7 million in 2016, and $4.7 million in 2017.

Transit advocates are seeking $60 million a year which would allow transit systems to meet growing demand and cover increasing costs. Please thank Rep. Randy Truitt (R-W. Lafayette) for his tireless support of both transit and rail funding, and Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.  And contact your state senator to urge his or her support for increased transit funding, and for the $3 million a year Hoosier State appropriation.

Please plan to attend Transit Day on Tuesday, March 10th at the Statehouse to join hundreds of advocates seeking to push for greater investment in mass transit!
In addition to supporting HEC, please continue to follow HEC developments on Facebook, Twitter, and our Bill Watch page.

With much appreciation for your advocacy and support,


Jesse Kharbanda, Executive Director, and the HEC Team