The LWVWA Environmental Lobby Team wowed the October 17th Natural Resources Meeting Committee with a dynamic presentation on their 2026 Legislative priorities. Available on
YouTube, this powerful program showcased the leadership of Ann Murphy for Waste Management, Cynthia Stewart in Transportation and Martin Gibbins for Climate Action and Sustainability. Their clear PowerPoints presented information on waste diversion initiatives, forest protection, agricultural practices, and transportation challenges. They also included climate and energy policy discussions centered on reducing emissions, investing in clean energy, and addressing environmental justice. The presenters described this as their dress rehearsal for the Action Workshop on November 15th!
Ann presented updates on a recycling refund bill (“the bottle bill”), and proposed litter tax increases, while highlighting the need for revenue neutrality due to budget constraints. She also addressed further work on reducing plastic waste and banning intentional release of party balloons to avoid polluting the environment. Kate Lunceford's forest priorities were discussed, including funding for mature forest protection and wildfire response, as well as opposition to certain land use proposals. Ann also presented Phyllis Farrell’s agricultural issues, including sustainable farming practices, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation concerns, and the need for continued monitoring of “forever chemicals” in biosolids.
Cynthia discussed the shift in transportation priorities towards preservation and safety rather than building. She stressed the need for public behavior change to reduce emissions. We love our cars rather than public transit! Cynthia also covered various policy changes and funding mechanisms, including the recent $.06 gas tax increase and plans for transit-oriented development. The discussion touched on the need for a statewide public transportation plan and better integration of existing systems such as shared streets that add bike and pedestrian access. On questions about rail development, particularly for east-west corridors, Cynthia explained ongoing efforts to improve existing Amtrak services and freight transportation.