Polluters Pay Bill Rally
Have you heard of California’s Polluters Pay bill (SB 684 and AB 1243) that’s currently making its way through the gauntlet that is the CA state legislature? It basically aims to hold major fossil fuel companies financially accountable – ie makes them pay! – for all the damage they’ve caused to the environmental and public health due to their role in climate change. All the money collected would be used to help communities recover and prepare for future climate impacts.
A bunch of our elected officials are still on the fence about supporting the bill. One of those officials is Assemblymember Rick Zbur. Which is why HODG’s CLIMATE TEAM is joining Climate Reality Project (Al Gore's org) outside of Zbur's office in West Hollywood to hold a rally and ask him to commit to voting yes on AB 1243.
Look, the truth is more complicated than I make it sound. Zbur actually voted for the bill the first time around. But now, he is apparently getting pressure from labor unions to vote it down. I should also mention that the majority of Zbur’s campaign funding – $672,000! – came from unions. Why are unions against this bill? My very lame understanding is that they’re worried that the increased financial burden on fossil fuel companies could result in job losses for unionized workers. And hey, that is important. But when weighed against all the damage our state’s endured -- and will endure in the future -- because of climate change, I choose our environment over jobs. So Zbur won't commit to a yes. And the reason why we care is that Zbur is on the 10 person Judiciary Committee which is where the bill is sitting right now.
If you feel similarly, if holding fossil fuel companies responsible for the damage – and existential threat – their product causes sounds like an idea worth pursuing, then please join me and Polly and the rest of the team at this rally. The more voices the better!
Oh, and fyi – New York and Vermont already have Polluters Pay bills just like this. (Yes, California’s supposed to be at the forefront of climate and environmental legislature, but clearly we are just catching up!)
Hey RICK ZBUR, SAY YES TO CALIFORNIA'S POLLUTERS PAY BILL:
A RALLY
WEDNESDSAY, MAY 21
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Assembly Member Rick Zbur's Office, 1445 N Stanley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, USA
MORE DETAILS HERE
RSVP to Polly: pollymorf9@gmail.com
(option to meet at Polly's and carpool together: 134 South Van Ness Ave)