Latest news with #LobbyDay
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
American Heart Association hosts annual ‘Lobby Day' at State Capitol
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Advocates and survivors of heart disease, cardiac arrest and stroke will join caregivers, researchers and volunteers at the State Capitol Tuesday for the American Heart Association's annual Lobby Day event. There, they will talk with lawmakers about policies that lead to longer, healthier lives – including funding for Cardiac Emergency Response Plans and healthy meals in Michigan schools. 6 News anchors Jorma Duran and Megan Viecelli talked with Remi Monaghan and Amanda Klein from the American Heart Association to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislature approves bill to prevent development at Florida state parks
A citizen protesting proposed plan for state parks at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin on August 27, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) A day after the Senate unanimously approved a proposal to prevent development in state parks, the House followed with a similar unanimous vote on Thursday, sending the bill to the governor in a big win for environmentalists and all those who enjoy recreating in any of the 175 state parks in Florida. The measure (HB 209) makes a number of changes to state law to prevent what happened last August — that's when a former Department of Environmental Protection employee leaked to the Tampa Bay Times information about the state's plan to build golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts, and more at nine state parks. That led to an uproar from citizens up and down Florida, with protests taking place outside those state parks, leading state officials to drop the plan. The measure voted on by lawmakers on Thursday prohibits construction of specified sporting facilities and public lodgings in state parks, such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and ball fields. The Florida chapter of the Sierra the unanimous votes in both chambers. 'Since last summer, Sierra Club Florida and its members have been on the front lines fighting to keep development out of our state parks,' said Javier Estevez, the Sierra Club's Florida political and legislative director. 'From rallies and protests, to delegation meetings, district visits, our State Park Love Fests, and Lobby Day — we made our voices impossible to ignore. The Florida Legislature heard us loud and clear. And today, we can proudly say: WE WON!' 'It's a great bill to take back home and let the people know that we put real plans in place to make sure that, for generations to come, our state parks will be preserved,' said Southeast Republican Rep. John Snyder, co-sponsor of the House bill. 'They will be protected. They will be here for millions of Floridians and visitors from around the world to come and enjoy.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
School officials share concerns with state representatives during Lobby Day
Mar. 23—MASSENA — School officials from the 18 component districts of the St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services had an opportunity to share their concerns with elected officials during a recent Lobby Day held at the BOCES Center. Massena Central School Board member Patricia F. Murphy and Superintendent Ronald P. Burke were among the attendees who met with Sen. Mark C. Walczyk, R-Watertown, Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown, and Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River. "Dan Stec (Sen. Daniel G. Stec, R-Queensbury) tried to come in via Zoom, but was unsuccessful," Murphy told school board members. She said that among the topics they covered were the transition to zero-emission buses, the use of personal devices in schools, workforce shortages, an increased aid ratio for BOCES Career and Technical Education and staff, and foundation aid. Murphy said there were concerns over the state mandate for electric buses. New York's enacted 2022-23 state budget included a requirement that, by 2035, all student transportation be done with zero-emission vehicles. Under the law, all school district purchases or leases of new vehicles for pupil transportation must be zero-emission by July 1, 2027. School districts may request a delay in the implementation of the July 1, 2027, deadline and be granted an extension for up to two years. But, all purchases and leases by school districts or transportation contractors will need to be electric by July 2029. "There were concerns about the thickness of cement pads in the bus garages because these are significantly more heavy buses and if there wasn't a sufficient cement pad, they would crack and we would need to address that," Murphy said. Travel distance for the buses was also addressed. "In our part of New York state, weather is a big factor, and making sure that the students are warm enough and able to travel out and back, which also led to the number of bus runs. Some superintendents who did have electric buses were finding that these buses were unable to do multiple runs. So, that would influence the fleet size," she said. Cost was another concern. "They're almost three times more expensive than the traditional diesel buses. Also, the state may not have enough funds to reimburse districts," Murphy said. In addition, she said, "The life of the buses may fall short." "Typically, we tend to trade in our buses and get a certain amount of money back, which helps offset the costs. But, if we bond for seven years, some are afraid that these won't last that long. The typical theoretical distance is 1% of charge per mile, but that's only in the best of conditions," she said. "And then Mr. Blankenbush brought up on YouTube that there were videos of electric fires on buses and the danger to students that could happen." School officials also discussed cell phones in school with the state representatives. In her proposed budget, Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul allocates $13.5 million for cell phone pouches and cubbies to restrict the use of devices throughout the school day. The New York State United Teachers union supports the governor's proposal. But, Murphy said, that's not the case locally. "It was the consensus of the superintendents that the governor not mandate this, that it should be left to the locals. Superintendents would like to have local control," she said. "If it is mandated, they are afraid that it will be an unfunded mandate. So, we will be required to buy some sort of device pouch which, right now, they're very expensive and we might not be able to absorb that cost." Board member Zachary J. Monroe said the pouches cost about $30 each. "Multiply that times 2,500 students, it's $62,500 in cell phone pouches for our school district," he said. Foundation aid was also discussed during the meeting. "Some of the smaller districts will not be able to operate in the near future if the aid formula is not totally revamped. One assemblyman admitted that even he cannot figure out how to budget with this type of formulation," Murphy said.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois police advocate for and against bills at State Capitol on Lobby Day
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Association Chiefs of Police gathered for Lobby Day on March 18 to talk with lawmakers in Springfield about bills they support — and oppose. Chief Dwayne Wheeler represented Taylorville in Springfield this year. Taylorville Lieutenant Michael Toberman told WCIA that Wheeler advocated for several bills which he hopes will make the Taylorville community safer. State Police Director testifies before Senate on human trafficking bill Toberman said that on Lobby Day, the IACP gives the attendees a list of bills with information on how it might impact their jobs. Then, the police chiefs engage in conversation with lawmakers. Senate Bill 2192 would create the Preventing Targeted Violence Act. It would create a community support team, made up of law enforcement, mental health experts, threat assessors, and various community organizations, to prevent targeted violence. The team would review potential threat cases, serve as a centralized information hub for local, state and federal resources and educate the community in identifying concerning behaviors. The team members would sign agreements, making the information in case reviews protected from being disclosed in legal proceedings or public record. It also grants immunity to team members who act in 'good faith' of the protocols established with this law. Senate Bill 1557 would amend the Illinois Municipal Code, giving municipalities the right to use a utility pole within public rights-of-way for safety purposes. This could include placing equipment 'associated with public safety,' like emergency communication equipment, surveillance cameras, or other safety-related technology. UPDATE: Illinois homeschool bill passes; hundreds gather at State Capitol in protest The bill also requires the fee charged for the use of the pole to be at the lowest rate charged by the entity Senate Bill 1796 would amend the the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act and the Criminal Code. It expands the list of individuals who can request body camera footage to include: The subject captured on the recording The legal representative of the subject The officer who wore the camera The legal representative of the officer who wore the camera A person who has written permission from the subject of the encounter A person who has written permission from the officer who wore the camera And, it allows body camera recordings to last after 90 days (the previous language stated that the footage must be destroyed after 90 days, unless the recording was flagged for whatever reason). It also exempts recordings (which follow the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act) from Illinois' eavesdropping regulations. House Bill 1072 would create the Mobile Panic Alert System Act. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, public schools would be required to implement a mobile panic alert system, which can connect to multiple first responder agencies. Bill protecting Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration passes House committee And, in fiscal year 2026, the State Board of Education would be required to begin to solicitate a system that can be used by each school district. Senate Bill 0042 would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code by removing the requirement that cannabis in a motor vehicle must be in an odor-proof container. It would still require that cannabis is stored in a secured, sealed or re-sealable child-resistant container. Law enforcement would not be allowed to stop, detain or search a vehicle based only on the odor of burnt or raw cannabis, as long as the drivers and passengers are 21 or older. House Bill 1611 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Courts would no longer be able to issue 'search 'no knock' warrant when the only known offense is possession of a controlled substance. However, police officers may enter a home without knocking when necessary to prevent injury to officers or others. And, the warrant must be executed between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Bill in State Capitol would protect federal prescription drug discount program Officers also must be in uniform, wear a body-worn camera, and have a paramedic or emergency medical technician nearby. When police are executing a warrant, they would also not be allowed to handcuff or restrain a child or a parent in the presence of children (unless they are in danger of harming themself or another). You can read more about the bill here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
