Political Chair’s Column

Political Chair’s Column
by Claus Wawrzinek, Chapter Political Chair

2006 Election Outcome
At the federal level the November 2006 election was seen as a victory for the environment. Leadership in the House and Senate changed hands with the Democrats gaining control of both chambers by a narrow margin. Many of the new legislators have vowed to make environmental protection a priority. Statements have been made that the 110th Congress will focus on Global Warming, energy and other environmental issues.

The results of the election in Missouri, however, left the makeup of the Missouri legislature essentially unchanged. If the history of this legislative body gives us a clue about the future, environmentalists will be working hard to prevent the passage of potentially environmentally damaging legislation. In the past few years, legislation for environmental protection has, for the most part, been nonexistent. In fact, many legislative efforts have focused on weakening our clean water and clean air regulations.

Therefore, once again, we will all need to keep informed about the bills that are introduced that, if enacted, would threaten the quality of our air and water. Fortunately, the Ozark Chapter of the Sierra Club has a lobbyist in Jefferson City to help keep us informed about such bills and any action we need to take.

2007 Missouri Legislative Priorities
We will, once again, be working for a renewable energy portfolio; fighting any bills that would lower Missouri’s environmental standards to “no greater than federal standards;” watching for the reintroduction of the bill that would allow businesses to “self-audit” their environmental actions and eliminate the public’s right to know when a business has violated environmental protection laws; checking for sand and gravel bills that would contribute to degradation in Missouri’s streams; and working for bills that would require the Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to protect the quality of our air, water and land as they conduct their business.