- Rep. Markey proposes 85% reduction in CO2 by 2050 with a cap-and-trade program. Auctioning pollution credits would raise $8 trillion for renewables in that time. Wow.
It's my impression that Sen. Kerry is likely to support the flawed Lieberman/Warner legislation, even in the face of a Presidential veto. This is in order to demonstrate to India and China that climate change legislation is indeed on its way, with what is likely to be a more progressive Congress next year. I'm concerned, though, that Lieberman/Warner not be seen as the left-limit of possible legislation, since its auction program is considerably more generous to industry and therefore less helpful to subsidies for renewables. In this light, Markey's stance is helpful.
UPDATE: NYT says support Lieberman/Warner for Big Mo going into next year:
Mr. Bush, predictably, opposes the bill. Add that to the slim Democratic majority and the complexity of the bill itself, and the chances of getting 60 filibuster-proof votes are modest at best. Even so, a majority vote would create positive momentum for the next Congress and send a strong signal to the country and the world that help on this issue is on the way.
I still don't totally understand the argument that we shouldn't simply wait until next year to get an adequate bill, but maybe I'm missing the international perspective.
- I'm pleased to hear from the Governor's team that the plan to reform police details is still alive. (i.e. “The Globe got it wrong.”) We look forward to hearing the plan when it arrives mid-June.
We understand that the police are a powerful interest group, and they can generate heat on legislators like few others. But man, the arguments for continuing the details are just so backwards. So cops depend on the income? Let's talk about their level of pay, then, and whether it's adequate. (I suspect that it is.)
But just to state the obvious: Currently, we're spending because an interest group “needs” the money, not because the state actually needs the service. That's the very definition of special-interest government. And those who accept or defend such a thing are not fooling anyone: Every time we see those details, we hear the cha-ching!
Taxpayers pay for services. And we want value. And if we're not getting value, we shouldn't pay. It's that simple.
Note to the Gov again: It's OK to take on the legislature on this one — even if you lose.
- In case you missed it, Sen. Kerry did a good turn for Iraq contractors who had been screwed out of Social Security benefits by KBR (i.e. Halliburton).
Things like this and the Webb GI Bill make it plain, obvious, and real who actually supports the troops, and who doesn't. It ain't about the rah-rah, it's about flesh and blood and minds and money.
- Gov. just signed the Oceans bill. More wind farms please? Tidal power? From the press release:
Appropriately Scaled Renewables: The bill amends section 15 of the Ocean Sanctuaries Act to allow for the siting of “appropriate scale” offshore renewable energy facilities in state waters except for the Cape Cod Ocean Sanctuary (offshore from the Cape Cod National Seashore on the Outer Cape) provided that the facility is consistent with the ocean plan.
- Benedetti's out of the 10th Suffolk race against Mike Rush — not enough sigs.
