Posted on 04/15/2007 1:08:32 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
ANNAPOLIS -- From the soap used to wash dishes to the cars driven to work, Marylanders will feel large and small effects from the recent legislative session some have called the most environmental in years.
Democrats this year celebrated their stronger grip on state government and their return to the governor's mansion with a spate of earth-friendly bills that became the dominant theme of the session.
Lawmakers tightened emissions standards on new cars. They slashed the amount of water-polluting phosphorus allowed in dishwashing detergent. They ended the commercial harvest of diamondback terrapins and set new goals for solar energy. Oysters got some new protections, and developers were given new rules to prevent runoff pollution into the Chesapeake Bay.
"We have a real confluence of events we've never had before," said Attorney General Douglas Gansler, a Democrat who billed himself as an environmental watchdog during last year's campaign. "We've got the governor, the [House] speaker, the [Senate] president, the legislature, the comptroller, the attorney general all on the same page. We're all thinking, 'What do we need to do to make the environment better in the 21st century?' "
Observers say the lawmaking session that wrapped up last week was chock-full of environmental efforts. Often mentioned was the difference after four years under Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., a Republican, who appeared to some Democrats to be hostile to environmental interests.
"It's a different ballgame," said Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, Baltimore Democrat. "Greens did pretty well. I think that they got the majority of what they wanted. It's definitely a departure from the last four years."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Land of Peasant Living BUMP!
Just a taste of 2008 if we lose on the national level.
BTTT!
PING!
Observers say the lawmaking session that wrapped up last week was chock-full of environmental efforts. Often mentioned was the difference after four years under Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., a Republican, who appeared to some Democrats to be hostile to environmental interests.
^^^
Notice how the reporterette makes no mention of Ehrlich’s efforts on behalf of the Bay. Typical AP bias all over this piece.
This is what happens when you close the state mental hospitals. Sad.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.