Sierra Club Endorses Gabby Giffords

The Sierra Club has endorsed Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who is facing Republican Tim Bee in Congressional District 8.

From the Sierra Club release:

The Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club today announced its endorsement of Representative Gabrielle Giffords in the 2008 election.

“We are very pleased to announce today that the Sierra Club officially endorses Gabrielle Giffords for re_election,” said Lynn DeMuth, Political Committee Chair. “She has demonstrated leadership in the effort to support clean, renewable energy and protect Arizona’s wild lands and endangered species habitat. We are confident that Representative Giffords will continue work to protect Arizona’s environment, for our families and for our future.”

In her first term, Representative Giffords has either sponsored or co-sponsored several pieces of legislation to address climate change, water conservation and the preservation of public lands. She has also has fought to ensure an open, transparent and comprehensive evaluation of the proposed Rosemont Mine in Southern Arizona. In addition she voted to revise the outdated and environmentally damaging 1872 Mining Law, as well as to protect the Grand Canyon environs from uranium mining. Her top priority is clean, especially solar, energy.

“I am truly honored to

Sierra Club: T.I.M.E. Out

The Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club has come out against the T.I.M.E. initiative that would increase the statewide sales tax by one penny per dollar to fund a mix of highway construction, rail alternatives and local transportation projects. Over three decades, the tax would raise an estimated $42 billion.

From the Sierra Club press release:

“We are disappointed that the proposal relies heavily on a large sales tax increase for this road-based program, includes a relatively small percentage for transit measures, and an even smaller percentage for wildlife programs,” said Jim Vaaler, chairperson of the Grand Canyon Chapter. “The exclusion of development impact fees in the package is also discouraging–the Sierra Club has long supported development paying its way in Arizona.”

Supporters of the initiative, including Gov. Janet Napolitano*, have until July 3 to collect 153,365 valid signatures from Arizona voters to get the measure on the ballot.

*To the best of our knowledge, Napolitano is not personally helping gather signatures.