NC: Don't Gut Environmental Laws in the State Budget
North Carolina's legislative leaders are poised to pass a state budget that could undo decades of progress to clean up and protect what North Carolinians love most: their land, water, beaches and mountains.
The budget is loaded with noxious policies like:
- Dramatic funding cuts for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, threatening the state's ability to protect our air, water and natural areas;
-Elimination of funding for university energy centers at NC State, Appalachian State and North Carolina A&T;
- Deep cuts to funding for the North Carolina Environmental Education program.
Worst of all is the Hardison Amendment, which would bar North Carolina from adopting any rules stricter than federal standards for environmental, agriculture and labor policy.
This budget cannot become law. Tell Governor Perdue to veto this extremely irresponsible budget.
Dear Governor Perdue,
As your constituent, I'm writing to urge you to veto the state budget, as it is irresponsible on many levels. The most damaging part of this proposed budget is a special provision, known as the Hardison Amendment, which would limit state environmental regulations to minimal federal requirements. If passed, the budget would also result in dramatic cuts to funding for DENR, which will slow any permitting process as fewer staff attempt to do more work.
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North Carolina has long been a leader in creating environmental protections that target our state's local needs. Dirty air, polluted water and fewer land conservation programs will only hurt our attractiveness for new jobs and investments.
Please use your veto power on this extremely irresponsible budget!
Thank you.
