VLCV: Conservation Can't Wait!!

VLCV E-NEWS
September 7, 2010

Conservation Can't Wait!!

Hello Green Voters,

"I believe in a third way - The Vermont Way - that recognizes the codependence of our economy and our environment. My administration will work on behalf of each so that we may improve on both." Governor Jim Douglas
But, Governor Jim Douglas is proposing to cut funding to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) by 70%! The Governor's proposal includes eliminating funding for conservation entirely. This action will result in a huge lost opportunity. Right now, Vermont could protect 40 high quality farms and thousands of acres of forestland. Protecting family farms and forests means producing local food, creating jobs, and adding cash into our economy.

Please help by letting the Governor know that you thought he was right about the codependence of our environment and our economy and that he should honor the "The Vermont Way" by restoring funding to the VHCB.

A great way to show your support for VHCB funding is by attending the upcoming Legislative Day at the Vermont State House. Please join hundreds of others this Thursday, February 26th. The schedule for the day is as follows:

Tentative Schedule:

7:00	Display Set up
7:30 - 9	Legislative Breakfast & meetings with individual legislators – Cafeteria (best time to meet with legislators)
9 (sharp) - 10	Welcome & meet with legislative leaders – Room 11 * House Speaker Shap Smith & Rep. Martha Heath * Senate Pro-Tem Peter Shumlin & Sen. Susan Bartlett
10 - 11:15	Joint meeting of Senate Economic Development & Housing and House General, Housing & Military Affairs Committees – Room 11 (if time permits, there will be open testimony at the end)
10 - 11	House Institutions & Corrections Committee – Room 33
10 - 11:15	House Fish, Wildlife & Water Resources Committee – Room 47
10:45 - 12	Joint meeting of Senate & House Natural Resources & Energy Committees – Room 10
11:15 - 12:15	Joint meeting of Senate & House Agriculture Committees – Room 11
12 - 1:30	Lunch (and throughout the day) – Meetings with Individual Legislators
1:30 - 2:30	Senate Institutions Committee – Room 7
1:30 - 2:30	Ice cream social

If you are not able to attend on the 26th, please take the time to go to the Vermont Land Trust's website to learn more about why Conservation Can't Wait.

And in case you missed it, there was an article in Sunday's Burlington Free Press regarding this very issue, Saving Vermont's working landscapes

As always, thank you for all that you do for Vermont's environment.

Best Wishes,

Todd Bailey
Executive Director
Vermont League of Conservation Voters

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