Archives for legislation

RadioActive 4/7/11

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Today we discuss five pesticide bills before the Maine legislature’s Joint Standing Committee Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Two bills being considered would essentially erase recently passed legislation. One would repeal the pesticide registry, which requires landowners to inform residents, within a certain distance, at the beginning of the season, that they can get on a list for aerial and air carrier pesticide spray notification. The second, would severely limit the distance within which landowners would be required to observe notification wishes, cutting it from a quarter mile to 100 feet.

Another bill before the committee seeks to restrict the use of herbicides and pesticides on the grounds of schools and childcare facilities.

This News Just In: The Maine Superior Court has just ruled to vacate the Land Use Regulatory Commission’s decision to grant Plum Creek’s development plan for the Moosehead Lake region. Attorney Phil Worden represented the Forest Ecology Network and RESTORE: The North Woods in this challenge to LURC’s decision. Chief Justice Humphrey called LURC’s action an “unauthorized, ad hoc procedure,” and concluded that the public was denied its legal rights to speak out on the final version of Plum Creek’s plan.

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RadioActive 2/25/10

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Topic:  Cell Phone Dangers & Pending Labeling Legislation

Interviews with investigative journalist & blogger Christopher Ketcham, author of a recent article that is drawing national attention to dangers associated with cell phones (“Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous to your Health”— GQ Magazine, Feb.2010), and with Maine State Representative Andrea Boland who is introducing LD 1706, “An Act To Create the Children’s Wireless Protection Act”.

The Health and Human Services Committee will hold a public hearing re: the proposed legislation, on March 2, 2010 at 1p.m.   The public may offer written or verbal testimony at that time.   Rep. Boland advises that in order for written comments to be entered into the record, the committee must receive 20 copies by mail at the following address:  Health & Human Services Committee, 100 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 prior to the hearing on 3/2/10 or the work session on 3/9/10.  If you are unable to make copies yourself, Rep. Boland can assist you.   Her email is [email protected], or mail her c/o Clerk of the House, 2 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04334  The H&HS Committee can by reached c/o Jan Clark, [email protected]

FMI:  www.christopherketcham.com  http://electromagnetichealth.org/ http://www.gq.com/cars-gear/gear-and-gadgets/201002/warning-cell-phone-radiation,  http://www.microwavenews.com/

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RadioActive 2/11/10

Producers/Hosts: Amy Browne & Meredith DeFrancesco

Segment 1: A deadline is looming for those hoping to get a public hearing on a large scale industrial wind project in Western Maine.  Today we talk with Jonathan Carter of the Forest Ecology Network, a group that vocally opposes the project.   (FMI: www.forestecologynetwork.org)  Requests for a public hearing on the Highland Wind Power Project (DP 4862) can be emailed by 2/19/10 to [email protected]

And we talk with Heather Spaulding of MOFGA, about LD1547, “An Act to Revise Notification Requirements for Pesticides Applications Using Aircraft and Air Carrier Equipment, which would Streamline Maine’s Pesticide Notification System.  FMI:  www. mofga.org , www.thinkfirstspraylast.org

Link to bill:  www.legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1547&snum=124

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RadioActive 1/21/10

Producers/Hosts: Amy Browne & Meredith DeFrancesco

The Natural Resources Council of Maine is calling upon it’s membership to attend public hearings in Augusta tomorrow on what it calls “Three of the most important bills of this legislative session”.   Matt Prindiville, the Project Director of the Toxics and Clean Production campaign at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, is with us today to tell us why the NRCM considers LDs 1662, 1631 and 1568 to be so important
And as we’ve reported in the past on RadioActive,  legislation has been introduced that would regulate the use of Solitary Confinement in Maine prisons, which many believe is being used abusively.    At a press conference in Augusta this morning it was announced that a coalition of groups has come together to work for the passage of LD 1611 “An Act to Ensure Humane Treatment of Special Management Unit Prisoners” (sponsored by Rep. Jim Schatz, Blue Hill), including the Maine Civil Liberties Union, the Jeremiah Project, the Maine Psychological Association, the NAACP- Portland Branch, and the Maine Council of Churches. We speak to Emily Posner of Mainers Against the Abuse of Solitary Confinement.  FMI: maineprisonjustice.org

The Natural Resources Council of Maine is calling upon it’s membership to attend public hearings in Augusta tomorrow on what it calls “Three of the most important bills of this legislative session”.   Matt Prindiville, the Project Director of the Toxics and Clean Production campaign at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, is with us today to tell us why the NRCM considers LDs 1662, 1631 and 1568 to be so important.  FMI: www.nrcm.org

And as we’ve reported in the past on RadioActive,  legislation has been introduced that would regulate the use of Solitary Confinement in Maine prisons, which many believe is being used abusively.    At a press conference in Augusta this morning it was announced that a coalition of groups has come together to work for the passage of LD 1611 “An Act to Ensure Humane Treatment of Special Management Unit Prisoners” (sponsored by Rep. Jim Schatz, Blue Hill), including the Maine Civil Liberties Union, the Jeremiah Project, the Maine Psychological Association, the NAACP- Portland Branch, and the Maine Council of Churches. We speak to Emily Posner of Mainers Against the Abuse of Solitary Confinement.  FMI: maineprisonjustice.org

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