Capital Catch-Up: September 26, 2022
Join Michigan LCV This Thursday for our 2022 Annual Gala!
The Michigan LCV family will gather at the Gem Theatre in Detroit on Thursday, September 29 for our 10th annual gala. In addition to throwing a great party, Michigan LCV will recognize and celebrate the people making real change to protect Michigan’s land, air, water, public health, and democracy. Our 2022 Gala awardees are Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, MLive reporter Garret Ellison, the Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice, and Planet Detroit.
You can purchase tickets here. We hope you will join us!
Bipartisan “Filter First” Legislation Passes Senate; On To The House
Nearly two years after being introduced, critical Filter First legislation – Senate Bills 185 and 186 – passed the Senate last Tuesday by a 35-1 vote. The bills have now been referred to the House Regulatory Reform Committee.
As discussed last week, these bills – sponsored by Sen. Curt Vanderwall (R-Ludington) and Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) – aim to ensure clean, safe drinking water for children across the state by requiring the installation of hydration station water fixtures with filters that meet the NSF 53 standard for lead reduction and NSF 42 for particulate reduction in schools and childcare facilities.
With $50 million already appropriated to fund the implementation of Filter First in schools and childcare facilities, the overwhelming Senate vote is a critical step towards passage.
Michigan LCV will continue to update on these bills as they move through the House.
Filter First legislation is supported by the following organizations: 482 Forward, American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, Ecology Center, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Nurses Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Safe Water Engineering, and Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
House Committee Grills Ethanol Tax Subsidy Proponents
Last Wednesday, Michigan LCV submitted testimony in opposition and tough questions to the Michigan House Tax Policy Committee on Senate Bill 814. Sponsored by Sen. Kevin Daley (R-Lum), the bill would provide gas station retailers tax credits for selling ethanol E15 and E85 blended ethanol gasoline.
Read MLCV’s Testimony Here >>>
The bill quickly sparked a debate over the impacts of the tax credit. Points were made by both Democrats and Republicans questioning who would benefit from the bill, along with comparisons of the benefits of ethanol compared to gas, and the impact on Michigan’s air and water quality of growing ethanol production.
MLCV’s testimony highlighted how ineffective the tax credit would be in reducing gas prices for consumers. Instead, the benefits would largely go to the gas station owners and ethanol suppliers. With more land and water needed to produce it – along with the pollutants emitted when burned and dispensed – ethanol is simply not the environmentally-friendly alternative it presents itself as.
Quick Hits!
Michigan Climate Corps Funding
Using $1 million in existing federal funding, the state of Michigan announced the creation of the Michigan Climate Corps – a new branch of AmeriCorps that will help train participants on conservation efforts to implement and reach the climate goals outlined in the MI Healthy Climate Plan introduced earlier this year.
Whitmer Announces Midwest Hydrogen Partnership
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan’s participation in the Midwestern Hydrogen Coalition. Along with Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Indiana, the partnership aims to accelerate hydrogen energy development in the region as a clean energy source.
Help Us Reach a Conservation Majority in Michigan!
Michigan LCV needs you to help us achieve a conservation majority in the Michigan Legislature. Join us at one of our next canvasses!
Canvass for Padma Kuppa for State Senate and Sharon MacDonell for State Representative
Sept. 28 from 3 – 5 pm
Troy, MI
Canvass for Winnie Brinks for State Senate and John Fitzgerald for State Representative
Oct. 1 from 11 am – 2 pm
Wyoming, MI
Canvass for Betsy Coffia for State Representative
Oct. 1 from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Traverse City, MI
Canvass for Veronica Klinefelt for State Senate
Oct. 4 from 1 – 3 pm
Farmington Hills, MI
Stay tuned for future volunteer opportunities in your area!