The Maryland General Assembly is in session and a number of bills affecting the environment – and your pocketbook – are under consideration. The four priority issues are:

• Clean Water Healthy Families
• Offshore Wind
• Marcellus Shale - Hydraulic Fracturing
• Smart on Pesticides: Maryland- For Safe Water and Healthy Kids

Other important bills include the Green Infrastructure Budget, bills to establish a deposit on beverage containers, bills to establish a fee on single-use plastic and paper bags, bills requiring State properties to pay into the stormwater utility fee, bills to exempt certain properties from existing nutrient managements regulations, and bills to ban certain flame-retardant products in baby products and furniture.

There are several ways to stay informed and let your representatives know what you want them to do. Here are a few:

In Person

Tuesday, Jan. 29

Citizens’ Campaign for the Environment 19^th Annual Legislative Summit
4-6:30 p.m., Miller Conference Room, Miller Senate Building, 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis
Hear from top legislative leaders and advocates about the environmental priorities for the 2013 General Assembly Session. Free. Registration and Information at https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/288/personal2.asp?formid=meetedfund&c=8881579

immediately followed by:

Green Drinks Annapolis
6:30 – 8:30 p.m., O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant, 113 Main Street, Annapolis
The official after-party of the Summit to “Continue the Conversation” with interested citizens, business people, government officials and delegates and senators. Free. No RSVP required.
Information at http://www.annapolisgreen.com/greendrinks/index.html

On the Radio

Wednesday, Jan. 30

The Living Green in Annapolis Show
"2013 Legislative Session Environmental Issues: Offshore Wind and Hydraulic Fracturing," with guest Mike Tidwell, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
6 p.m., on the radio – WNAV 1430 AM or 99.9 FM or streaming live on wnav.com

Wednesday, Feb. 6

The Living Green in Annapolis Show
"2013 Legislative Session Environmental Issues: Smart on Pesticides," with guest Ruth Berlin, Executive Director of the Maryland Pesticide Network.
6 p.m., on the radio – WNAV 1430 AM or 99.9 FM or streaming live on wnav.com

All Living Green in Annapolis program are archived on http://www.annapolisgreen.com/radio/index.html, including this one, which was an overview of all the environmental legislation coming before the General Assembly: "Environmental Outlook for the 2013 Legislative Session," with guest Jen Brock-Cancellieri, Deputy Director; Maryland League of Conservation Voters. Click here to listen: http://www.annapolisgreen.com/radio/index.html#20130123

On the Web

The Maryland League of Conservation Voters updates the status of environmental bills daily. Click here for information an overview http://www.mdlcv.org/issues/2011-legislative-session/. For daily updates, go to this page http://www.mdlcv.org/.

The General Assembly’s excellent website has links to all legislation at the link below. There you can sign up for email updates, follow the General Assembly’s schedule of hearings, Committee calendars, and more. http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frm1st.aspx?tab=home

Delegates and Senators want to know what you think! Get informed and let them know.