• The Gov Hub
  • Posts
  • 4 Climate-focused action items, must-bookmark resources, stories to know.

4 Climate-focused action items, must-bookmark resources, stories to know.

Author

Gov Hub
June 20, 2023

Welcome to The Gov Hub Newsletter by Girl and the Gov®. This weekly pop of politics is designed to share action items, resources, and quick links to civic engagement tools and topics to inboxes far and wide.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

THE ACTION ITEMS

ACTION 1:

The Ask: Tell Amazon to stop selling bee killing pesticides.

The Action: Sign this petition urging Amazon to stop selling chemicals that kill critical pollinators.

The Background: Despite attempts made federally to pass protective measures for pollinators [cutie bees, that’s you], the legislative route has stalled on it. Regardless, the approach to protecting pollinators which are critical for the environment and the food chain includes a look at the corporate players [and sellers] like Amazon, with the idea of stopping the sale of chemicals that kill. Amazon, as one of the world’s largest marketplaces, has a unique ability to reduce a major sales point for these bee-killing pesticides – tell ‘em to step up and save the bees [and all of the eco-systems that rely on them].

ACTION 2:

The Ask: Tell the CEOs of major activewear brands to take BPA out of our workout gear.

The Action: Sign this petition from the Center for Environmental Health and demand BPA-free activewear.

The Background: We know that BPA is an endocrine disruptor and has been proven to cause “altered brain development, reproductive abnormalities, and obesity, among other conditions,” and more health issues like these. BPAs do not belong in our activewear – literally on our bodies. Tell the following companies to remove BPAs + not to replace them with a chemical or chemicals that are just as bad: Athleta, Champion, Kohl’s, Nike, Patagonia, Sweaty Betty, Fabletics, Adidas, Champion, and Nike.

ACTION 3:

The Ask: Tell your [federal] Senators to co-sponsor and support the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA).

The Action: Send this pre-written letter to your Senators and tell them to get on board with PACTPA.

The Background: Senator Cory Booker reintroduced the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA), which is designed to increase protections for farmworkers and the general public from exposure to toxic pesticides. Specifically, “the legislation would ban some of the most toxic pesticides currently in use and would significantly reform the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) process for approving pesticides for sale and use.” Details of note:

  • It would ban the sale and use of organophosphate pesticides, a class of chemicals that has been proven to cause neurological and developmental damage.

  • It would ban neonicotinoid pesticides, a type of insecticide associated with developmental effects in children.

  • It would ban paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide that is linked to Parkinson’s disease among farmworkers and has been implicated in multiple poisoning deaths.

  • It would impose a 2-year time limit on EPA’s conditional pesticide authorizations

It doesn’t just stop there – it would also check these important things off the reform list.

ACTION 4:

The Ask: Tell the EPA to finalize strong mercury and air toxics standards.

The Action: Make sure these standards get across the finish line and limit coal plants from emitting dangerous air pollutants – like mercury – by sending in your public comment [click ‘read entire message’].

The Background: The EPA is taking comments from the public on a plan to strengthen Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants [coal plants, it you, bb]. The public comment period is open, which means it’s go-time. Positive reinforcement >>>

Looking for more action items? Check our library of past Gov Hub’s.

BACK ON OUR BILLSH*T

New bills, new BILLsh*t. We’re always keeping an eye out for the bills that make us go YAY and the ones that make us scream NAY. For ones that are floating our boat, see these two:

  • FEDERAL: This bill means business quite literally – the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2023 is designed to amend the Small Business Act to codify the Boots to Business Program. The program provides entrepreneurial-focused training for transitioning veterans and their spouses, giving the 411 on biz ownership. The bill’s support is bipartisan.

  • FEDERAL: A bill, first introduced in 2015, is back at it, with the idea of making college tuition free for students at public colleges and universities. Known as the College For All Act, the proposed legislation would make four year schools for those making up to $125K free, and community college fee-free for all. The bill also includes a laundry list of other notes: from cutting student loan interest rates to tuition reduction for low income students at private colleges that serve underrepresented minorities. The whole list of things can be viewed here.

BOOKMARK IT

Don’t lose the link you love, bookmark it

FORESTS & FINANCE: There’s always a money trail, and for these types of companies, a paper trail. More specifically, companies that are directly involved in the supply chain for pulp and paper [and all of these things] that are impacting the health of natural tropical forests and the communities that rely on them, can be tracked – or at least, the top 300 involved in major deforestation efforts for profit, can be tracked here. Forests & Finance let users track which companies are wreaking havoc on forests, and see trends along the way too – it’s like OpenSecrets but for deforestation. Bookmark it here.

LCV’S NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD: The League of Conservation Voters doesn’t keep track of how many times the Republicans have beat the Democrats at the Congressional Baseball Game, but they do keep track of how members of Congress vote on environmental issues and democracy issues. The tracking results in a scorecard per representative – sharing a score for the latest year of votes [2022 is what is currently live] and their lifetime score [captures their time in federal office]. The scorecard also includes a simple, easy to read run-through of what they voted yes versus no on. Pop in your zip code and see what grade your reps go on climate x democracy legislation via the scorecard, and bookmark it here.

CANDIDATE WATCH ‘24

The following have said put me in coach for….

  • Texas State Representative Julie Johnson has announced that she’s running for Congress, specifically for the current U.S. Congressman Colin Allred’s seat [running for Senate]. Learn more about her campaign here.

  • Former Houston city council member Amanda Edwards is running for Congress. Learn more about her campaign here.

ELECTION SZN ‘23

  • 22 candidates – yes, 22 – are in a race for a Utah seat that will open in September when Utah Congressman Chris Stewart will step down. The special election will have a primary for Republicans on September 5, the Democratic nominee will be picked via convention in July, and candidates of other affiliations will join the crew to duke it out in a general election on November 21, 2023.

  • If you’re a Virginia voter and opening this before polls close on June 20, 2023, this is your reminder that today is primary day. Go vote!

Subscribe while you scroll, sign up for The Gov Hub Newsletter here if you’re not already on the list.

FULL SEND….IT TO A FRIEND

  • Biden uses weird words. We use weird words. And when we mean words, we mean remixes of phrases and the use of classics in close but no cigar ways. You’re welcome.

  • MI House Dems are asking their LGBTQA+ members who their queer heroes are. Get to know their picks here.

WEEKEND CATCH UP - THREE TOP STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

ANDREW TATE CHARGED WITH RAPE & HUMAN TRAFFICKING: The misogynistic, right-wing wack-a-doo and his partner in literal crime – his brother – were charged with rape and human trafficking in Romania. They’re set to stand trial in the country. This comes after his high profile arrest in December that weirdly combined the scary part of the internet with Greta Thunberg – a quick trip down memory lane on that one. According to the BBC, the trials will not begin immediately and take several years.

HUNTER BIDEN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES: In more men doing strange things and possibly facing the consequences news, Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors, and will strike a deal on a felony gun charge. As of now, the sentencing recommendation is looking like probation for the tax related crimes.

JUDGE PICKS LEO SZN DATE FOR TRUMP TRIAL: Apparently, we have a theme going today, and this story really brings that thought home. Florida Judge Aileen Cannon has set a preliminary trial date for Republican presidential front runner, Donald Trump for August 14, 2023. Rumor has it this date is likely to get moved, but as of today, it’s expected that all pre-trial motions will be filed by July 24, 2023, with the August trial date in mind. Interestingly, a different Judge – Judge Bruce Reinhart also sided with the Department of Justice [DOJ] in only allowing Trump to only view the classified discovery [the docs] under the supervision of his attorneys. He also isn’t allowed to distribute the docs on social media – find us holding our breath there, TBH. What will also be interesting here – and legal nerds, please gather round – is whether the Silent Witness Rule will come into play.

Have you forwarded this newsletter to a friend yet? Make their inbox shine, send it their way :)

NEW ON THE POD

ICYMI, AP News noted that this year’s legislative sesh in Nebraska was most akin to reality TV. And, when you think about the current landscape for reality tv – Vanderpump Rules we’re looking at you – that’s a pretty curiosity piquing statement. But, the statement meets the reality with the way that this last legislative sesh transgressed with bad bills and wild rides of rambles from the GOP paired with marathon filibusters led by progressive state senators that pledged they would burn it to the metaphorical ground to prevent movement on abortion and gender affirming care bans. It’s that POV and approach that we needed to know more about – and that approach involved Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt. Cue this episode on how it all went down and what this fight for human rights shone a light on:

What’s also included and key for understanding future seshes [reality show seasons] is how the Nebraska legislature works in its unicameral design and its interestingly transparent one-issue bill design. It’s an explainer meets backgrounder meets eyeopener on how business is conducted and the impacts of it all, which can be listened to via Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, and just about anywhere you listen to pods.

PREVIEW: Coming to a podcast app near you Wednesday, this week’s interview features a conversation with Latino Victory Executive Director, Sindy Benavides. The conversation looks at the work Latino Victory has done to increase Latino representation throughout elected offices across the country – from the strategies to the goals ahead in 2024. The current status quo is also discussed, looking at where the areas of growth are for voter engagement and for representation.

ALL THINGS GIRL AND THE GOV®

THE GOV CLUB: Focused on political networking and community amongst civically engaged besties, The Gov Club provides members access to free virtual networking events, 1v1s, and connections with one another. The Gov Club has also made moves from its old Slack channel home to the Geneva platform to make connecting with one another easy as pie. Sign up for the Gov Club, here.

#VIRAL, THE NEWSLETTER: Skip the meeting, make it an email – subscribe to Girl and the Gov®’s paid newsletter, #VIRAL, dedicated to providing the 411 on the social media trends, tricks and tips, and how-to’s for politicos is hitting inboxes with a splash, weekly. A sample of the newsletter, which we dub ‘social media consulting to your inbox,’ can be viewed here, and interested humans can subscribe here.

PODCAST AUDITS: Girl and the Gov®’s Podcast Audit service provides a comprehensive review of the client’s existing show with the goal of identifying areas of improvement. This is for clients with existing podcasts at any stage that want to bring their show to the next level. Start the process with a Discovery Call.

SOCIAL MEDIA AUDITS: Think it’s time for a social media audit? Girl and the Gov® can help with that. Get up to speed on what needs to stay, and what needs to go on your social media accounts for it to go from zero to hero. Book a Discovery Call to learn more about what an audit can do for your accounts.

*things* of note on the comms front:

For pitches, PR, partnerships, and collaborations, and more, send all details to [email protected].