I wanted to update you on a couple of quick items. While I don’t want to make this e-newsletter simply about me, in the upcoming week I will be receiving a few honors that I wanted to share with you -- and invite you to. Regarding politics, right now the central battleground is the U.S. Congress, not Annapolis. You’ll find a few thoughts on those national battles, health care and climate change, below. Be well and be in touch.
Environmental Honors to be Awarded—And you're Invited!
I have been notified that I will be the recipient of the 2009 'Maloney Award' from the Prince George’s County Sierra Club on Sunday June 7th and honored by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) as one of Maryland’s ‘Climate Heroes’ along with Congressman Chris Van Hollen and others on Tuesday June 9th. I am indeed honored. You are, of course, invited to both. Details for each and how to RSVP and purchase tickets (for the CCAN event) are described below.The Prince George’s County “Green Picnic” will be hosted by the Sierra Club and Councilmembers Andrea Harrison, Eric Olson, Will Campos, and Tom Dernoga. The Sierra Club will also present the 2009 Maloney Environmental Public Service Award to state Senator Paul G. Pinsky for his efforts to improve our environment.
When: Sunday, June 7th, 2-5pm
Where: Kentland Columbia Community Park, 2411 Pinebrook Avenue, Landover, MD 20785
Please RSVP today to Alex Hirtle at (301) 952-5349 or ajhirtle@co.pg.md.us.
More details are available here.
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network Celebration, a cocktail reception, will honor Sen. Pinsky, sponsor of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act and the Healthy Air Act, as well as some of Maryland’s top climate leaders including Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Delegate Kumar Barve, and others.
When: Tuesday, June 9th, 7-9pm
Where: Charlene R. Nunley Student Center, at the Silver Spring/Takoma campus of Montgomery College.
Directions: The Nunley Student Center is at the corner of Fenton St and New York Ave. in Takoma Park, Maryland. Full map of campus at http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/maps/tpcamp.html. Parking available at the “East Campus Garage” one block north of the Student Center on Fenton Street. Parking on surrounding streets also available. The official address of the school is 7600 Takoma Avenue, Takoma Park, Md 20912.
Dress: Cocktail attire suggested
To purchase tickets and get more information, go to: www.chesapeakeclimate.org/mdaward
The National Debates
The debates over national health care and the climate change bill are now front and center in Congress. While the center of the health care debate should be on how to implement a single payer health system where people have a choice of doctors (and other providers) and insurers’ private profit motive is removed, it is not. At a minimum, and it should be a non-negotiable minimum, the health care reform bill must include a public component as one of the options. Medicare has worked, why not expand it? If we’re trying to experiment with new policy options, we should allow for another approach. It is cheaper and more efficient than the private market. It appears than 40 members of the Progressive Caucus in Congress have voiced that they will oppose any bill without a public option. They must be held to their word and other Congress members should be pressed to join that group.
The climate change bill, also known as the American Clean Energy Solutions Act, has already been weakened through amendments and it appears that more will be coming. At some point the Democrats and their leadership are going to have to draw a line in the sand. Compromise and pragmatism are fine -- to a point. If we get to a point where the fundamental purpose and goal comes into question, it may be time to reevaluate. I fear with the climate change bill, it is rapidly getting closer.
EPA Awards Stimulus Money to Town of Edmonston
The EPA awarded over $121 Million to Maryland for Clean Water Projects from the Stimulus Bill enacted by Congress in February. The Town of Edmonston has received nearly $1.2 million dollars to transform Decatur Street into a pedestrian friendly “Green Main Street” with a lush green canopy and natural stormwater controls -- using innovative technology -- to divert rain water and runoff from sewers and state rivers. Additionally new streetscape and energy efficient street lighting will be installed.Congratulations to the Town of Edmonston for an innovative project that will put people to work and protect our rivers and streams and the Chesapeake Bay!
Over 80 Scholarships Awarded to Local Students
Nearly $70,000 in scholarships were awarded to deserving students from the 22nd District. A scholarship committee made up entirely of volunteers from our community met last month to recommend the awards. The full list of award winners is on our website. Congratulations to all the recipients; the scholarships are all well deserved.
Applications for next year's Senatorial Scholarship will be on available in January.
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