I spent today talking to New York assembly members and senators about election reform and climate action.

On electoral reform, we were shopping for a legislator to develop bills for proportional representation in the state legislature, for full public campaign financing (not partial matching funds public financing that is added on to, instead of replaces, private financing), and for ballot qualification reforms. We may have found one. On electoral reform, we were shopping for a legislator to develop bills for proportional representation in the state legislature, for full public campaign financing (not partial matching funds public financing that is added on to, instead of replaces, private financing), and for ballot qualification reforms. We may have found one.

On climate action, we urged legislators to adopt the strongest state climate action bill in the nation—New York Off Fossil Fuels (NY OFF)—which is a plan for 100% greenhouse gas reductions and clean renewable energy by 2030, with a ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure projects.

Unfortunately, the Democratic leadership is pushing a much weaker bill—Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA)—which is a plan for 100% greenhouse gas reductions and clean renewable energy by 2050, with no ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure projects.

I analyzed these two bills, the forces behind them, and how the debate is playing out in the climate movement and the state legislature last week in CounterPunch: “ Does the Climate Movement Really Mean What It Says?

The picture is from our news conference for the New York Off Fossil Fuels bill. The speaker is a 13-year-old student who skipped classes today to bring her heartfelt message that what the people with power do now about climate change will determine whether or not she will have a livable future.