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Colorado Passes Strong Lobby Reform Measure
On Nov. 7, Coloradans voted to strengthen ethics oversight and ban lobbyist gifts.
An impressive 62 percent of voters approved Amendment 41, a CoPIRG-supported initiative that aims to limit powerful interest control of politics.The amendment bans lobbyist gifts, establishes an independent ethics committee, and sets a “cool-off” period before an elected official can work as a paid lobbyist in the state.
“Amendment 41 is good for Colorado. It evens the playing field by keeping companies who can afford to hire lobbyists from buying favors in Denver,” said Rex Wilmouth, executive director of CoPIRG.
The Colorado ballot initiative sends a strong message to Congress that ambitious lobby reform is important to voters and can carry the day.
CoPIRG and allies gathered the signatures necessary to qualify the amendment for the ballot and then spent the fall educating the public on the way the bill could address corruption.
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| VICTORY FOR PAWCATUCK RIVER—National Environmental Law Center Senior Attorney Joshua Kratka (left) and Environment Rhode Island’s Matt Auten rebuke the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for giving Bradford Dyeing Association a “free pass” to violate the Clean Air and Clean Water acts. |
Victory For Pawcatuck, R.I. River, Polluters Pay
In October, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Ernest C. Torres ruled against Bradford Dyeing Association, Inc. (BDA).
The suit was brought by our partner organization, Environment Rhode Island, and the National Environmental Law Center to enforce violations of the Clean Air and Clean Water acts.
Under the settlement agreement, BDA agreed to implement numerous upgrades to its decades-old textile finishing mill; they also have to pay stipulated penalties for violations, which will fund conservation efforts.
Canoers and kayakers regularly reported that the normally pristine Pawcatuck River turns into a “dead zone” immediately downstream of the BDA plant.
Washington Approves Clean Energy Measure
Washington state took a major step forward for energy security and the environment when voters approved Initiative 937, the clean energy ballot measure. Passage of I-937 makes Washington the second state to adopt a clean energy standard through a statewide voter initiative and the 22nd state to adopt minimum clean energy requirements.
“We need to transition to a new energy future and the public understands that,” said Advocate Amy Peterson. “Passage of I-937 will break up the logjam that has stood in the way of progress on clean energy.”
After three years of having a renewable energy standards bill thwarted in the state Legislature by energy company lobbyists, allies built a coalition of environmental, consumer, business, religious and labor organizations to pass the measure.
The measure requires utilities to get at least 15 percent of their power from renewable energy and to provide more energy conservation programs for customers.
Oregon Voters Pass Rx Drug Bill To Lower Costs
Oregonians overwhelmingly voted to approve ballot measure 44 to cut prescription drug costs. That means that, beginning on December 7, the Oregon Prescription Drug Program will be open to all 1 million Oregonians lacking drug coverage.
The program uses the power of bulk purchasing to negotiate lower prices with the drug companies, and delivers consumers savings as high as 60 percent. Participants in the program can purchase the discounted drugs at nearly any pharmacy in the state.
OSPIRG-backed legislation created the original Oregon Prescription Drug Purchasing Program, helping individual members save an average of 43 percent, and up to 60 percent savings on generic drugs.
OSPIRG research and advocacy were integral to the victory, which will serve as a precedent for states looking for ways to help residents afford prescription drugs. |
