Sunday, August 28, 2022

Leave a public comment telling the GSA to reduce federal spending on plastic.

 


Tell the GSA to reduce the amount of plastic it purchases for the federal government before the public comment period closes on Sept. 5.

As one of the biggest contributors to our planet's plastic waste crisis, our country needs to do everything it can to reduce our consumption of plastic. Add your voice to help shift government spending away from single-use plastic products.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/07/2022-14403/general-services-administration-acquisition-regulation-gsar-single-use-plastics-and-packaging

Every 15 and a half hours, Americans throw out enough plastic to fill the largest NFL stadium in the country, and the pile grows larger every year.1

As one of the biggest contributors to our planet's plastic waste crisis, our country needs to do everything it can to reduce our consumption of plastic -- and especially the single-use plastics that we just don't need.

One way our federal government can act right now? By phasing out its own purchase of plastic bags and other single-use plastic products. Add your name today.

The U.S. government is the biggest purchaser of consumer goods and services in the world, spending $650 billion per year. The goods it purchases include a mountain of plastic products -- the single-use plastic bags, utensils, straws, bottles, packaging and other plastic products purchased for use in government buildings and at official events.2,3

By wielding its purchasing power more responsibly -- phasing out the purchase of all these single-use plastics -- the federal government can make a dent in our country's overall plastic consumption.

Right now, the Goods and Services Administration (GSA) is reviewing a proposal that would do just that. We can't miss any opportunity to take a bite out of our growing plastic waste crisis.4

Tell the GSA to reduce the amount of plastic it purchases for the federal government before the public comment period closes on Sept. 5.

Given that the lifespan of a single plastic bag is 1,000 years and doesn't ever fully degrade, this kind of regulation is long overdue.5

1. Alex Truelove, Adrian Pforzheimer, "Trash in America," U.S. PIRG Education Fund, September 2021.
2. Sharon Udasin, "NGOs petition the Biden administration to stop buying single-use plastic," The Hill, February 4, 2022.
3. Jack Forrest, "Feds consider phasing out single-use plastics," E&E News, July 8, 2022.
4. Jack Forrest, "Feds consider phasing out single-use plastics," E&E News, July 8, 2022.
5. Sharon Udasin, "NGOs petition the Biden administration to stop buying single-use plastic," The Hill, February 4, 2022.

More information: 

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/federal-purchases-of-single-use-plastics-targeted-by-bidens-gsa

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Stop housing discrimination by landlords who don’t accept Section 8 Housing vouchers

The City of Tucson is considering a Source of Income Protection Ordinance which would help protect those who need rental assistance from being discriminated against by landlords who don’t want to accept Section 8 Housing vouchers and similar programs. We have a housing crisis in Tucson right now and the amount of people living on the streets is skyrocketing due to a huge lack of affordable housing. This is one baby step that the city can take to support those on the brink of losing their homes or just starting to get back into a home after being houseless. Please read more about this at the website listed, sign the petition in support if you agree with me that this is a good idea, and spread the word to others. You can also show up to either the virtual or in person public meetings to show your support for this ordinance.


Source of Incoming Protection survey linked on the City of Tucson website you can take to give your input - in addition to signing the petition in support and/or in lieu of attending a public meeting!

Link to City of Tucson (COT) website with more information, including FAQs, meeting dates and times, link to survey, and more: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/hcd/soi

Link to petition in support of the Source of Income Protection (SOI) Ordinance: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/support-for-local-source-of-income-soi-protection-ordinance/(edited)

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

URGENT ACTION: EV Readiness Survey and Virtual Discussion


The City of Tucson is collecting input for a proposed code amendment for new multi-family, commercial and retail buildings to be EV ready. These changes are an implementation step within the M&C approved EV Readiness Roadmap.. EV readiness is one of the many strategies the City is undertaking to address climate change. 

 

To provide you with some content, this process began last year and over 10 meetings have taken place, including two public hearings on April 19, 2022 and July 12, 2022.  

 M&C will be voting on this issue at the August 23 meeting. Please share your thoughts on EV readiness requirements by:  

  1. Filling out this short survey  
    Responses will be collected until Wednesday, August 10. Comments will be reviewed by staff, shared with M&C, and presented at a virtual discussion.  
       
  2. Attending the virtual discussion  
    Via Zoom  
    Friday, August 12, 2022 
    9:00am – 10:30am  
    Register in advance for this meeting  
    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  
       
  3. Joining Call to the Audience  
    In person  
    Tuesday, August 9, 2022 (today) and Tuesday, August 23, 2022  
    Regular Agenda, 5:30pm  
    M&C Chambers  
    City Hall, 1st Floor  
    255 W. Alameda  

    For background information on how the proposal has been developed, please visit the Commercial Parking Amendments project page  
    The Commercial Parking Amendments presentation from July 12 can be seen here.  
    The M&C meeting can be viewed here.  

    Please share this information within your networks,  

 

Fátima Luna  

Climate and Sustainability Advisor 

Office of the Mayor  |  City of Tucson 

fatima.luna@tucsonaz.gov