Elect legislators who support clean air
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
Virginia’s General Assembly session is over. Now what? As Virginia’s lawmakers move forward from this year’s session and prepare fundraising campaigns to keep their jobs, it is a prime time to reflect on which legislators the people of the commonwealth should vote to rehire in November.
Richmond has been the asthma capital of the country twice in the past five years. Children are impacted more than adults by the poor quality of our air. According to the American Lung Association, children who live in places with poor air quality are at greater risks for premature death, increased asthma attacks, difficulty breathing, cardiovascular harm and lower birth weight.
While some politicians are OK with leaving the environment in horrible shape for future generations, a wide-ranging coalition of voters including, parents, grandparents and advocates say otherwise. Despite frigid temperatures, more than 60 moms, children, grannies, fathers and concerned citizens from across the state descended on our Capitol as part of the Mom’s Clean Air Force, Mama Summit on Feb. 19. We met with 30 senators and delegates to discuss children’s health and everyone’s right to breathe clean air. While some legislators were more supportive than others, most valued being pushed to do more to protect our little ones. However, a small group of legislators agreeing to do more is not enough.
It’s our responsibility to support any efforts that will improve children’s health and to elect officials who support efforts to reduce pollution from power plants and other toxins in our air. We can no longer afford legislators who prioritize money above human life.
In the eight months between now and the November election, voters must determine which politicians have not only the current generation in mind, but future generations as well. It’s our obligation.
Quan Williams, Policy Associate New Virginia Majority
http://www.richmond.com/opinion/your-opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article_9bfcf2ad-b2aa-5f78-9fbe-e839dfb80ad6.html
