Ecominds-a Mailing List: Weatherization hearing next week, Equity bill starts moving

[Ralph Wyman (rwmuusja]

Greetings EcoMind-ers!

First, a message from HIRE Green Jobs co-chair Jeff Bauer:

During the 2009 legislative session, we fought side by side to win the
passage of a historic bill providing funding for green job training and
establishing a new program to bring energy-efficiency education to
low-income communities. Over the past year, we have been diligently watching
to ensure that this training and outreach was being done equitably and in
accordance with the new law.

At a hearing scheduled for next week, the state Office of Energy Security
will be reporting to the legislature on its progress toward the training and
hiring of people from low-income and tribal communities, and communities of
color. We need show up and send the message that we won?t go away until
green jobs and training opportunities make it to our communities!
The hearing is currently planned for Thursday, February 25, from 12:45 to
2:30 pm  at the State Capitol (room number TBD).

We need you there! Please sign up online,
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/393/personal2.asp?formid=meet&c=6257678 and
save this date and time. By RVSPing we can confirm the date, time and place
of the hearing with you next week.

If you have a HIRE Minnesota button, wear it! If you have a HIRE Minnesota
sign, bring it!  See you there!

Thank you! 

Jeff Bauer
HIRE Minnesota member
Director of Public Policy, Family and Children's Service


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Second - HIRE Minnesota's Hiring Equity bill has been drafted, reviewed by
council, and has left the House Revisor's office and is now "jacketed" --
which means that we're out getting legislators to sign as authors and
co-authors.  The bill, if adopted, establishes equity goals and reporting
for bonding projects, and helps focus bonding on energy efficiency and green
projects.

The House bill already has the full complement of 5 authors, plus 3
co-authors.  We have some great people from leadership as well as from key
communities as signatories.  I hope to share those names with you soon -
they are names you will recognize!

The Senate bill is also in its "jacket" and as of this afternoon has three
lead authors, with more expected soon.

We will be contacting you in the days ahead to help contact your legislators
to ask for a hearing by the State and Local Government Operations Committees
for this bill.

More soon!  And mark your calendars, the next MUUSJA EcoMinds meeting is
Thursday, March 11th @ 7 pm. 

- Ralph