Weekly Policy Update: April 19, 2012
Events
Save the Date: ASBC Policy Forum June 11-13, 2012
Please come to Washington, D.C. in June to participate in a full day meeting at the White House with key Administration officials, a reception on Capitol Hill, an ASBC strategy session and congressional office visits. A reception on Capitol Hill is schedule for the evening of June 11. The White House visit takes place June 12, and on June 13 we?ll focus on ASBC strategy as well as spend time visiting Congressional offices. Contact Richard Eidlin for more details.
WEBINAR: Reforming Chemical Regulation is Good for Business
Join us May 16, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CDT for this free webinar where we’ll hear from Crystal Saric, Sustainability Program Manager at Fairview Health Services and Barry Cik, CEO of Naturepedic and ASBC Business Supporter, representatives from two companies that support better chemicals regulation to meet their business needs.
There is broad agreement that the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) fails to address the interests of companies seeking to meet consumer demand for safer products without the use of harmful chemicals. American businesses are recognizing that safer chemicals reduce the costs of regulation, hazardous waste storage and disposal, worker protection, and future liabilities, while supporting values of protecting human and environmental health.
This webinar is cosponsored by the American Sustainable Business Council and partner organization Small Business Minnesota.
Register today as space is limited.
Conference Call with MN Rep. Ellison – May 15
MN Rep. Ellison will participate in a conference call May 15, 3:30 pm EST describing the work of the Congressional Progressive Coalition. Rep. Ellison sits as the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Details to follow.
News
ASBC Participates in Special Briefing with Vice President
ASBC was invited to an exclusive briefing with Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday on the topic of taxes and competing budget frameworks being considered in Washington. Biden delivered a heartfelt presentation in support of the Buffett Rule tax legislation, which ASBC supported in a letter with partner organizations. The conversation also addressed the looming budget fight Congress is expected to take up in a lame-duck session after the November elections. Contact Bryan McGannon for more information.
ASBC Sponsors Stakeholder Dialogue on Toxic Chemicals
ASBC co-sponsored with and participated in a two-day dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders around the issue of toxic chemical information sharing and policy reform efforts. The participants included chemical industry players, trade associations, reform advocates and policy non-profits. ASBC is engaged in moving reform legislation (S.847 – the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011) forward in the Senate that would modernize the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. For more information visit the Toxic Chemicals campaign page or contact Bryan McGannon.
Policy Actions to Send Your Members
Comment Period Open for EPA Carbon Rulemaking
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a historic effort to reign in carbon pollution from new power plants. Now, a 60-day public comment period is open to express support for this critical first step at controlling the pollutant that is the leading cause of climate change. The EPA needs to hear from business leaders to understand that this rule will spur innovation in clean energy technology, create jobs, and produce cleaner air. Read a recent article about ASBC’s support of the carbon rule. For more information contact Bryan McGannon.
Tell the EPA you support a strong rule on carbon pollution. Please share this action alert with your networks.
ASBC in the Press
In the News
“Buffet Rule Would Only Hit 1% of Small Business Owners” CNN Money & Entrepreneur
Op Eds
“Buffett Rule Makes Main Street Sense” The Hill
“Eliminating Saturday Postal Service Would Hurt our Competitive Advantage” Washington Post