7/2/2013 - By Gregory Nicoll

Connecticut Residents,

Connecticut Environmental Council needs your immediate action on two legislative proposals currently under consideration by the Environment and the Planning & Development Committees.

 Support - HB 5155 in the Environment Committee

The Environment Committee is scheduled to vote on CTEC’s top legislative priority for the 2012 session HB 5155 which would remove the ban on pesticide use at schools K to 8. This legislation would permit pesticide use on all public and private schools K to12 if they adhere to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program overseen by DEEP.

 Oppose - HB 5121 in the Planning & Development Committee

The Planning & Development Committee is scheduled to vote on this proposal, which seeks to ban pesticides use on all residential, municipal and commercial lawns (including public and private golf courses). This proposal would ban pesticides at all public and private schools as well as municipal recreation fields. In addition, this bill seeks to repeal the state’s longstanding oversight of pesticides thereby permitting municipalities to regulate the use of these products, which will most certainly lead to a patchwork of municipal regulations.

 Step 1:

By using your home and business addresses, use the attached list of members of the Environment Committee and Planning & Development Committee to determine if your state representative or state senator serves on either one or both of these committees.

 Step 2:

If your state representative or senator serves on these committees send them an email today. Use the attached position papers on each one of these bills to craft a short email to your legislators. Your action could mean the difference between success or failure on these two very important issues.

 Step 3:

Ask your employees, family and friends to contact their legislators on these committees.