Category: 2020

Blue Virginia Now In Session | High Expectations

Washington (GGM) Analysis | January 8, 2020
by Noreen Wise

A new legislative session has begun in states all over the country. But the one to keep our eye on is Virginia, which has just turned all blue. There’s very high expectations of what can be accomplished if legislators can smooth over the intense divisions that have surged ever since Trump was elected.

Virginia has been struggling with a turbulent force of white nationalism and hate —as we saw in Charlottesville on August 12, 2017 — as well as the combative NRA which is headquartered in Fairfax, VA, as the state perseveres through this emotionally charged environment in the hopes of steadying the course in order to pass legislation that will improve safety, security and quality of life in counties all across the state.

The apparent Democratic strategy that will be used to pass the long awaited new laws, will be a slow and steady course of action so that those in the more conservative rural areas can buy in. The goal is to find common ground and unify, rather than the typical pendulum swing that results in the opposition party getting all riled up.

Gun safety legislation is at the TOP of the LIST. Both Virginia and Congress hope to pass two critical bipartisan pieces of gun safety legislation:

Universal Background Checks
Extreme Protection Orders

Let’s GO!

2020, Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security January 3, 2020January 7, 2020

Renewable Portfolio Standard | Solar Energy

Washington (GGM) Analysis | January 3, 2020
by Noreen Wise

State Renewable Portfolio Standards are often the driver behind how quickly residents switch to solar energy. We all must know where our state stands on critical
renewable energy policies that will be the catalyst for how quickly the United States can lower our nation’s carbon footprint. States like Massachusettes, New York, California and Maryland are way out in front, while states like Texas, Florida and G eorgia are at the very bottom, and are several of the country’s largest carbon emitters.

Foreign countries are angry about the largest carbon emitter’s lack of movement in reducing carbon levels and have become staunch advocates against climate injustice. On December 20, 2019, a Dutch court issued a strong warning to world leaders demanding they take climate action to reduce their nation’s carbon footprint or one day be held accountable by victims.

What are Renewable Portfolio Standards?

According to Solar Power Rocks, an exceptional hub of vital information for anyone seeking details about installing solar panels on home or business roofs or property, Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) are state laws requiring that utility companies generate a certain percentage of renewable energy by specific dates. For example, Maryland passed a law in 2019 that requires 50% of it’s energy to be renewable by 2030. this is considered aggressive and quite significant. There are now 170 solar companies that have sprung up in Maryland since the law was passed.

Very exciting to be living in the states that’s a frontrunner. Terrifying to be a resident in a state burying its head in cement, rigidly fixated on the past. This is a matter of life and death.~

2020, Climate Action, Trump December 30, 2019January 7, 2020

State Blue Wave Arriving | 2020 Climate Action

Washington (GGM) Analysis | December 30, 2019
by Noreen Wise

There are two new Democratic governors arriving into office next week, one of which flipped the governor’s seat from red to blue. Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, stunned the GOP with an unexpected upset that outed Trump and McConnell ally, Matt Bevin. Louisiana’s John Bel Edward, held off a fierce rival backed by Trump, and will return to Baton Rouge to finish the progress he started four years ago. There’s so much positive energy for long awaited changes (sidelined by Mitch McConnell the past three years at the federal level, particularly in 2019 with the Democratic House passing nearly 400 bills that are currently stacked under McConnell’s desk), that constituents feel optimistic much needed legislation will soon follow.

In November 2016, the year Trump came into power through the electoral college rather than popular vote, the net outcome on the gubernatorial side of things was 33 red governors and 16 blue. But, after three years of Trump’s continued defiance of the rule of the law and our Constitution, Americans appear to be venting their frustration through their choice of governors. The tides have shifted significantly with Democrats picking up 8 governorships. After the 2019 election, there are 26 red governors and 24 blue. Just one away from being an even split.

Voters are hoping to see legislative movement with these gubernatorial pivots, particularly gun safety legislation and clean energy & sustainability. States with Democratic governors for more than a decade, are much further ahead with clean energy infrastructure and regulation, and their low carbon levels reinforce the positive impact legislation has on outcome. The states that have flipped from red to blue recently, now have to catch up. The ones that remain red will be left in the dust.

But all eyes should be on Virginia in 2020. The governorship, and both levels of the state legislature, are now blue. The Virginia legislative calendar begins next Wednesday January 8, 2020. Mom’s Demand Action and the NRA will both be descending on the state capitol in Richmond the first day to lobby the new arrivals about gun safety. Virginia is a state with two extremes. Charlottesville highlighted the tension. Trump has fueled the stormy division in the two years that have followed since that tragic day in Charlottesville, August 12, 2017.

One step at a time. Our Founding Fathers taught us that the way a democracy works is through the art of compromise. Let’s get this right! ~