USA Today (5/28, Cauchon) reports, “Federal, state, and local governments are boosting spending on open spaces and parks” in a “surprising development” that may “usher in an era of land conservation not seen in decades.” The movement to preserve open space apparently finds “favor among Republicans, Democrats, and voters.” USA Today notes that “new open-space spending from last week alone” included $1 billion in federal money “to buy easements to prevent farms and ranches from being developed,” $20 million for “the first major new state park in three decades” in Minnesota, and $300 million per year for 10 years to extend Florida Forever, “the biggest open space program in the nation.” Phoenix also will have “a 30-year sales tax” approved by voters “that could generate about $100 million over 10 years to buy land.” USA Today concludes that the “influx of cash is letting governments acquire land at bargain prices.” In Naperville, Ill., the president of the Conservation Foundation said the “timing could not have been more perfect. Our pockets are full of cash, and there’s little competition for land.”

CURRENT BILL STATUS

MEASURE : A.B. No. 2537
AUTHOR(S) : Furutani.
TOPIC : Public works: exemption: volunteers.
HOUSE LOCATION : ASM

TYPE OF BILL :
Active
Non-Urgency
Non-Appropriations
Majority Vote Required
Non-State-Mandated Local Program
Fiscal
Non-Tax Levy

LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 04/23/2008
LAST HIST. ACTION : Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
COMM. LOCATION : ASM APPROPRIATIONS
HEARING DATE : 05/07/2008

TITLE : An act to amend Section 1720.4 of the Labor Code,
relating to public works.

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For more informationFor more information concerning AB 2537 visit www.watershednetwork.org, or contact Michael Wellborn of the California Watershed Network, (714) 932-8689, or email: michael@watershednetwork.org.

To read the text of A.B. 2537, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html and search for �2537�.

BikersandSellers.com is a free to post site for individuals looking to buy, sell or trade new or used cycling goods. Retail stores, Organizations and News sources can also post information on “what they are all about” Need to hire someone in the cycling industry..post job or volunteer ads for free…Check it out..BikersandSellers.com Cycling’s Classified Connection

The House Congressional Resolution on Bicycling (H.Con.Res. 305), introduced in February, calls on the United States Congress to adopt a national bicycling strategy to fully realize the incredible benefits of getting more people bicycling, more safely, more often. There is a “sense of Congress” that complete streets policies are essential to ensure wise use of considerable Federal investment in transportation infrastructure, and that expanded funding for bicycling and walking programs is desirable and appropriate.

As we celebrate National Bike Month in May, cities and organizations throughout the country will be hosting events promoting bicycling as a healthy, fun, and viable form of transportation. This is also a perfect opportunity to contact your Congressional Representatives to thank those that have signed onto the Resolution and urge those that have not to so.

A good showing for the Resolution is essential as this would serve as the first ever comprehensive bicycling policy statement and would serve as an important policy statement guide for the next transportation reauthorization which begins next year (2009).

As part of National Bike Month please take a moment to Contact your Congressional Member to urge them to support HCONRES305.

Thank you.

WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE HERE