Contact: Rep. Chris Taylor, 608-266-5342
Celebrating Earth Day with Progressive Policies for the Planet
MADISON – Today, Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison), Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), and Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona) introduced legislation to enhance the health our state’s beautiful natural environment. The first bill would ban the use of harmful and toxic Styrofoam products, which is the primary source of urban litter and waterway pollution, and takes over 500 years to biodegrade. The second bill would allow local municipalities to regulate the use of pesticides. These chemicals are classified as toxic substances by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and can pose harmful risks to not only pets and humans, but to crucial insects our ecosystem relies on.
In celebration of Earth Day and these newly proposed pieces of legislation, Rep. Chris Taylor issued the following statement:
“I am so proud to celebrate our state’s strong history of conservation by introducing these two bills today. As the mother of two boys, I worry every day about the impact humans are having on our environment,” said Rep. Taylor. “While a Styrofoam cup of coffee may not seem that monumental in the morning, that cup will spend 15 minutes with you, but 500 years or more in a landfill. Reducing the use of Styrofoam not only improves the health of our environment, but of our communities as well.
This is a serious matter of public and environmental health. Whether it is the insects we can protect by reducing our use of pesticides or the quality of our water, the health of our environment is inextricably tied to public health. I look forward to continuing my work on environmental conservation efforts for the health and wellness of every Wisconsin community. Happy Earth Day!”
