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If this was to become law, the estimate is that Alabama would receive about $7 million dollars per year for Outdoor Recreation projects. In 2008 we received $364,000.
The House of Representatives' Natural Resources Committee is preparing energy legislation and strongly considering full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at the authorized annual level of $900 million. The funding amounts to $450 million for state and local matching grants to acquire and develop recreation parks, forests, and recreation facilities and $450 million to expand and protect national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges as well as other federally managed public lands. The bill will be introduced upon legislators' return in September after the August Recess.
Your support is needed NOW to let your members of Congress know how much you care about the LWCF and the special places that it protects such as parks, refuges, trails, cultural and historic places, public lands, and access to close to home recreation areas in your community. It is important for parks and recreation advocates to connect with legislators during the August recess, through meet and greet events and arranged meetings with district offices. Tell your Representatives that their support is needed to ensure that an LWCF full funding provision is a top priority in the Energy Bill and that you will be counting on them to help get this provision enacted into law. The link below is a briefing paper with key message points on the Land and Water Conservation Fund to bring up while you meet with legislators.
The House of Representatives' Natural Resources Committee is preparing energy legislation and strongly considering full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at the authorized annual level of $900 million. The funding amounts to $450 million for state and local matching grants to acquire and develop recreation parks, forests, and recreation facilities and $450 million to expand and protect national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges as well as other federally managed public lands. The bill will be introduced upon legislators' return in September after the August Recess.
Your support is needed NOW to let your members of Congress know how much you care about the LWCF and the special places that it protects such as parks, refuges, trails, cultural and historic places, public lands, and access to close to home recreation areas in your community. It is important for parks and recreation advocates to connect with legislators during the August recess, through meet and greet events and arranged meetings with district offices. Tell your Representatives that their support is needed to ensure that an LWCF full funding provision is a top priority in the Energy Bill and that you will be counting on them to help get this provision enacted into law. The link below is a briefing paper with key message points on the Land and Water Conservation Fund to bring up while you meet with legislators.
The Alabama tourism industry will have a rally at the steps of the State House in Montgomery on Tuesday, Feb.17 to voice their support for several bills before the legislature. "The Rally for Tourism" will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Union Street side of the State House Office and will include speeches by Huntsville Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Judy Ryals, and members of both the Alabama House and Senate. According to the latest Economic Impact Study by the Alabama Tourism Department, more than 22.4 million people visit the state each year, generating over $9.3 billion in expenditures within Alabama and helping to provide more than 169,000 jobs for Alabama families. "Tourism is a vital part of the economic health of Alabama and the rally is a means for us to express to the state's elected officials our support for their initiative to strengthen the industry," said Ryals. "In particular we want to express our support for a later school start date in Alabama, the Alabama Movie Bill (HB 69), and seven day sales," she said. For additional information, please contact the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association at 800-648-5381 or email angie@northalabama.org.
The Alabama Tourism Partnership is sponsoring a "Getting to Know Your Alabama Legislature" seminar on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The seminar will be from 10 a.m. to noon with registration at 9:30 a.m. All parts of the legislative process from bill introduction to passage will be covered in this educational seminar. The seminar will be moderated by Bob McCurley director of the Alabama Law Institute and will feature a panel consisting of Sen. Wendell Mitchell, Rep. Cam Ward, Sen. Bobby Singleton, and Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, and Kim Adams. After the seminar there will be a tour of the legislative chambers and an opportunity to observe the joint budget hearings. There is no charge for the seminar, but pre-registration is required. To register contact Patti Culp, executive director of the Alabama Travel Council at patticulp@alabamatravel.org
from the organization Conservation Alabama
In two separate committees Tuesday, legislators will hear bills that would enhance local communities' ability to control their own future in regards to landfill and quarry operations. Legislators need to hear from you in order to get these important bills out of committee.
A few years ago, activists helped pass a bill that gave county commissions a say in the siting of landfill operations. But there was a small provision in the bill - if a county commission takes no action on a landfill application within 90 days, the landfill is automatically approved.
SB330, sponsored by Senator Wendell Mitchell, would simply change the language of the law to make a landfill application denied after 90 days of inaction. This change should push county commissions to take a vote so citizens see where their commissioners stand on proposed landfills.
In two separate committees Tuesday, legislators will hear bills that would enhance local communities' ability to control their own future in regards to landfill and quarry operations. Legislators need to hear from you in order to get these important bills out of committee.
A few years ago, activists helped pass a bill that gave county commissions a say in the siting of landfill operations. But there was a small provision in the bill - if a county commission takes no action on a landfill application within 90 days, the landfill is automatically approved.
SB330, sponsored by Senator Wendell Mitchell, would simply change the language of the law to make a landfill application denied after 90 days of inaction. This change should push county commissions to take a vote so citizens see where their commissioners stand on proposed landfills.
Continue reading Communities fighting landfills and quarries need your help.
On January 31, 2008, the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform (ACCR) Foundation launched its inaugural High School Constitutional Reform Education Contest. The goal of this education initiative is to give high school seniors an opportunity to express themselves and, in the process, learn more about the 1901 Constitution. The contest, which ends on March 14, 2008, is open to all public and private high school seniors in the state.
Students are encouraged to submit essays and multimedia entries based on the following theme for 2008: “Who needs a new Alabama Constitution?” Additional information including the contest guidelines and an entry form can be found on the ACCR Foundation website: www.constitutionALreform.org
The ACCR Foundation will offer first place ($500) and second place ($250) scholarship awards for the top two winners in both the essay and multimedia categories. In addition, the winners will be recognized through the local media and at their respective high school awards ceremonies. The first-prize winners will present their work during the annual Bailey Thomson Awards Luncheon on August 28, 2008.
For more information or to order a free “It’s a Thick Book” DVD, please contact Jasmine Hodges, the ACCR Foundation Coordinator: (205) 441-6805 or Jasmine@constitutionALreform.org
Students are encouraged to submit essays and multimedia entries based on the following theme for 2008: “Who needs a new Alabama Constitution?” Additional information including the contest guidelines and an entry form can be found on the ACCR Foundation website: www.constitutionALreform.org
The ACCR Foundation will offer first place ($500) and second place ($250) scholarship awards for the top two winners in both the essay and multimedia categories. In addition, the winners will be recognized through the local media and at their respective high school awards ceremonies. The first-prize winners will present their work during the annual Bailey Thomson Awards Luncheon on August 28, 2008.
For more information or to order a free “It’s a Thick Book” DVD, please contact Jasmine Hodges, the ACCR Foundation Coordinator: (205) 441-6805 or Jasmine@constitutionALreform.org
