California budget agreement could allow offshore oil drilling, close state parks

The bottom line for green groups is the that the budget deal crafted by Governor Schwarzenegger and top lawmakers allow drilling for oil in state waters for the first time in the past forty years and a scheme to close as many as 200 state parks; some estimates are lower.

The agreement contains no provisions for higher taxes; only budget cuts were included in the final measure, details of which will be disclosed by Thursday.

“Drilling is dirty and dangerous and will not solve our over-dependence on fossil fuels,” said Dan Jacobson legislative director for Environment California. “Our coast is our economy and our economy is our coast. The Governor has made the oil companies happy and now we face the threat of a major oil spill off our coast for the next 40 years.”

The California League of Conservation Voters notes that most of the cuts are to health and welfare programs.  Only about two percent of the state budget goes to environmental initiatives.

According to the website of CLCV:

Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to cut park funding and close all of the state’s parks was one of the proposals that environmental voters opposed most vocally, and as a result of this very public push-back, most of the 220 state parks appear to have been spared. However, approximately $70 million of the parks’ general fund allocation will be eliminated, with other funding sources backfilling $62 million. The $8 million gap remaining for the Department of Parks and Recreation could mean dozens of park closures.

The state Integrated Waste Management Board has been dissolved as one of the casualties of the cutbacks.

Lawmakers are yet to vote on the budget.

Harry Osibin hosts earth witness news on radio and the Internet.  Information at earth witness news.  My email.  My blog.

H2O Africa and WaterPartners merge to deliver on safe water promise for those in need

Actor Matt Damon, co-founder of H20 Africa, and WaterPartners executive director and co-founder Gary White have announced the launch of a new organization, Water.org, which will work to improve access to safe water and sanitation in the developing world.

Building on nearly two decades of innovation in the sector, Water.org will work to champion innovative business models, local partner development, improved project selection and oversight, and post-development monitoring and evaluation.  Executives of the two organizations expect the merger to also improve efficiencies, leverage their respective grassroots awareness-building expertise, and increase the overall social return on donations.  To that end, the organization will launch a new Web site later this year that is designed to bring unprecedented transparency and connectedness between donors and those in need.

Matt Damon,  a long-time advocate for safe water issues,  explains the importance of launching Water.org,  “Every 15 seconds, a child in the developing world dies from water-related disease.  After visiting project sites in Africa and Asia with Gary, I’ve seen the problem and the impact of safe water.” Damon said, “As a clear leader in the sector at delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for those in need, WaterPartners was the natural choice with whom to work to truly affect lasting change.”

Gary White sees a bright future for Water.org and the people it serves. “For more than 20 years I’ve been working to realize the vision of global access to safe water, and with the help of our donors, staff, partner organizations, and the H2OAfrica team, I’m confident we can accelerate our impact,” said White, the Executive Director of the new organization. White, who recently received the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, said Water.org will set the stage for even broader impact in the sector. “It will open the door to advocacy work, and bring the water issue to new heights in the public’s consciousness.”

Water.org is a non-profit organization whose founders have transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia and Latin America by providing access to safe water and sanitation.  To learn more, visit www.water.org.

Governor declares fiscal emergency, blames lawmakers for budget crisis

Governor declares fiscal emergency, blames lawmakers for budget crisis

Governor Schwarzenegger has proclaimed a fiscal emergency and has called a Proposition 58 legislative special session, following the legislature’s inability to pass a comprehensive solution to solve California’s entire $24.3 billion deficit.  The governor blames both houses of the legislature for the impasse.

Sacramento Statehouse Examiner Shawn E. Hamilton has detailed the on-going crisis.

Audio of the governor’s remarks (about 45 minutes).

Harry Osibin hosts earth witness news on radio and the Internet.  Information at earth witness news.  My blog.  Social Bookmarking 

 

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