http://www.tompco.net/legislature/highlights/20080617.html
Highlights of the June 17, 2008 meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature 2nd Item..... Legislature Urges Adoption of Federal Carbon Tax The Legislature has gone on record in support of federal legislation to enact a federal carbon tax, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas, including carbon dioxide, said to be a major contributor to global warming. The vote was 10-4, with Legislators Frank Proto, Greg Stevenson, Mike Hattery and Mike Sigler voting no; Legislator Tyke Randall was absent. The county’s Environmental Management Council had recommended county support for the carbon tax. The action, advanced by Legislator Carol Chock, calls for the carbon tax to be levied on importers and domestic extractors and refiners of fossil fuels, “with revenues directed to tax relief for low- and moderate-income households and financial support for conservation and sustainable energy programs, with public monitoring to ensure compliance.” But legislators, also by a 10-4 vote, struck a provision that would have also voiced the Legislature’s support, with conditions, for the so-called “cap-and-auction” approach, as a next-best alternative if a carbon tax fails to pass at the Federal level. Copies of the resolution will be forwarded to the County’s state and federal representatives and the appropriate Senate and House committees. Legislator Greg Stevenson called it a complex issue that should have had committee review and said his constituents hadn’t been in touch to ask for any new taxes. Legislator Mike Hattery added that he didn’t like to “clog the legislative process with everyone’s federal issues.” But Legislator Martha Robertson said the issue is one the County needs to lead on, one which is “affecting everything we do.” Not mentioned in the legislative summary was that the motion to strike the cap/trade was made by Kathy Luz Herrera (Dist 5). This was what we at the Climate Change action Group wanted; it made for a stronger, unequivocal resolution. I didn't get who seconded the amendment or the main resolution. Jeanne _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
