Sullivan Takes Issue with Hershman on position Lugar & Bayh should take on pending federal climate change legislation

Editor's note: State Rep. Mary Ann Sullivan (D-Indianapolis) responded to State Sen. Brandt Hershman's Letter to the Editor urging that Hoosiers contact Sens. Lugar and Bayh to oppose climate change or cap and trade legislation pending before the U.S. Congress. We urge everyone to educate themselves on this important issue and communicate your views to Sens. Lugar and Bayh.

For our health, jobs, we must pass climate legislation

Indianapolis Star, October 22, 2009
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910220378

While I agree with my colleague, state Sen. Brandt Hershman, that hearing from constituents is important (Letters, Oct. 4), I take issue with his comments regarding how U.S. Sens. Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh should vote on economy-boosting climate legislation.

The Senate clearly has an opportunity not just to cut carbon emissions that endanger our health and the health of our children and grandchildren, but also to grow jobs in Indiana.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the cost of implementing the elements of a federal climate bill would add up to the equivalent of a postage stamp a day per family, with low-income families realizing a $40 benefit by 2020. By 2030, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy estimates an average saving of nearly $4,000 per U.S. household through the energy efficiency provisions alone.

Legislation that creates jobs, saves consumers money and reduces our dependence on foreign oil makes sense for Indiana and the country. I join millions of my fellow Americans in encouraging Lugar and Bayh to vote for this crucial bill, and help put Hoosiers back to work.

State Rep. Mary Ann Sullivan

House District 97

Indianapolis

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Cap-and-trade disadvantages outweigh any potential good

Indianapolis Star, October 4, 2009
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910040328

As an elected official, I know the power of contact by constituents. Therefore, I encourage you to join me in writing, calling or e-mailing U.S. Sens. Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh and urging them to vote against the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade legislation now pending in the U.S. Senate.

This is dangerous legislation that will harm the U.S. economy far more than it will help the world's ecological condition.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, some estimates show the cost of living for a typical Hoosier household could rise by as much as $1,600 per year if this proposal becomes law. Others say this is a conservative inflationary figure and Indiana residents might pay substantially more.

One study conducted by the National Manufacturers Association revealed this legislation could cost Indiana nearly 60,000 jobs over the next two decades. Other estimates assert as many as 3 million American jobs could be lost by 2030.

And for what noble purpose? Ecologically, some say the impact will be minimal, at best, if the U.S. is the only participant. Two of our biggest global economic partners, China and India, have no plans to enact cap-and-trade legislation of their own. Their factories will keep on humming, putting pollutants in the air, money in their own bank accounts and, likely, more Americans out of work.

Cap-and-trade could be called a job killer and a massive new tax on energy. Congress should wait until there is an international agreement on carbon dioxide emissions that includes other industrial powers like India and China before committing to painful and perhaps futile reductions at home.

Brandt Hershman

Indiana State Senator, Senate District 7

For more information visit http://www.indianarenew.org.