Rallies at the Capitol-Why Should Conservationists Care? 2-23-2011

   Perhaps you’ve heard about some activity in Madison (and across the state) over the last nine days? Governor Walker’s so-called Budget Repair Bill has ruffled a lot of feathers, including ours. Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters has been joining teachers, firefighters, DNR scientists, nurses and many others on the front lines fighting this bill since the very beginning…but our reasons for doing so may not be ones you’ve heard during the debate thus far.Here’s why we have joined so many others in working to KILL THE BILL:

It Threatens Wisconsin Forests  - Large companies like Time-Warner use Wisconsin’s forests for their paper needs because of our excellent sustainability practices. Without collective bargaining, Wisconsin foresters won’t be able to qualify for forest certification standards, a move that will threaten the health of Wisconsin’s forests and lose Time-Warner’s and other magazines’ business to other states.

- What’s at risk? Thousands of acres of healthy forest land and a $20.5 billion dollar forest products industry that supports more than 300,000 jobs in Wisconsin! Learn more here. Call your Senator right now! Ask them to oppose Special Session Bill 11. Find their contact info here.
It Will Decimate Public Transportation - Wisconsin receives federal transportation dollars to support its local transit systems - only if our transit workers are protected under state law.

- What’s at risk? Without collective bargaining for our transit workers, Wisconsin could lose $51.3 million in federal dollars that promote our local transit systems, like buses and rideshare programs. What would this mean for Wisconsin? - Fewer transit options or higher fees for these programs.

Email Governor Walker and tell him your reasons for opposing Special Session Bill 11:  govgeneral@wisconsin.gov
It Will Politicize the Department of Natural Resources- Buried in the bill is a provision that would make legislative liaisons, lawyers, and spokespeople political appointees of the Governor, making it harder for them to represent the public - Us! - without fear of retribution.

- What’s at risk? If having a political appointee as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources wasn’t harmful enough, just imagine MORE people in our agencies who are only accountable to the Governor. This is an unprecedented power grab that does nothing to create jobs or solve the budget shortfall!

Attend an event in your community!

Support our Efforts to KILL THE BILL

The staff of Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, bundled up and ready to serve as marshals for the Madison rallies.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters will continue our fight to protect precious natural resources and the health of our families from the opposition’s political maneuvering. With rapid response, bold communications, and unwavering organizing, we will build the momentum for the protection of our state’s water, air, and land.

WHAT DO WE WANT?

To protect Wisconsin’s forests and the jobs they support
To protect Wisconsin’s public transportation
To protect Wisconsin’s state agencies from more political appointees
To KILL THE BILL!

WHEN DO WE WANT IT? - NOW!

Will you help give us the resources we need to KILL THE BILL?
Donate to Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Today.
What You Can Do

1. Call your Senator right now! Ask them to oppose Special Session Bill 11. Find their contact info here. 2. Email Governor Walker and tell him your reasons for opposing Special Session Bill 11:

govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

Attend an event in your community.

Thanks for all you do for conservation!

Anne Sayers and the entire team at Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters
Program Director
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters
608-661-0845

P.S. All signs point to this debate continuing for some time. Please support our efforts to protect Wisconsin’s natural resources.  Donate to Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters TODAY!  Special Message
The future of natural resources in Wisconsin is in your hands!  Join WLCV Today!

©2011 Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute, 133 S. Butler St. Ste. 320, Madison, WI 53703. (608) 661-0845 www.conservationvoters.org.