People Power Needed In Olympia
Lobby Day participants in action!
In the early dark and rainy morning hours in January, I found myself still half asleep talking eagerly to a long time staff member of People For Puget Sound. We were on a chartered bus heading south to Olympia.
We had a mission- to garner support from our state legislators on three environmental priorities. Hell or high water, hundreds of passionate citizens from around the state were determined to clean up Puget Sound, establish a state wide electronic waste recycling program, and promote energy independence through renewable fuels.
At the end of the day we had made significant headway. At the end of the legislative session all three bills were passed and signed by the Governor. That was in 2006.
Each year thereafter, we have achieved many legislative successes and stood our ground as opponents attempted to roll back our environmental laws, regulations and funding.
2012 legislative session will be no different in terms of the scope of the issues, the urgency of the times, and the need for citizens to have a voice. As Rep. Dave Upthegrove (33rd) said last year in his address to lobby day attendees, “A citizen from our district who communicates an issue to us is more powerful than any paid lobbyist, because at the end of the day we represent you.”
Ah, music to any citizen’s years. Unfortunately not all our legislators have that perspective and therefore we need to hold them accountable. Remember elected officials work for us, not special interests.
On Wednesday, January 25th I will be in Olympia for the annual Environmental Lobby Day.
Will you join me in Olympia that day? Will you join the throng of hundreds of like minded citizens?
We will descend upon the state capitol advocating for three environmental priorities from our state legislators in the face of unprecedented budget deficits. We'll be celebrating 20 years of Environmental Lobby Day this year, so we have some major victories to remember and challenges to look forward to in the future.
See you in Olympia on January 25th!
Click here to learn more about the Environmental Priorities Coalition's -2012 legislative package.
For more info email our Advocacy Manager Rein Attemann.
