2007 Political Review
Citizen Actions are one of the many tools we offer busy people who want to speak
out on issues they care about. In 2007, CREDO members directed nearly a million
calls, letters and e-mails to targeted decision-makers — and got results.
States scrub coal-fired power plants
With states all over the country set to approve new coal-burning plants, members
urged legislators to abandon coal power. Florida, Iowa and Kansas halted plans for
coal-burning plants. Texas called off eight plants. All in all, 30 coal-fired plants
were halted.
Target scotches PVC
PVC is a dangerous toxic used in thousands of products. Wal-Mart, Ikea, Microsoft
and Nike all agreed to phase out PVC. Target, the nation’s second-largest retailer,
refused. Members urged Target to favor safer alternatives and Target agreed.
Congress raises wages, fuel standards
Members have repeatedly asked Congress to raise the federal minimum wage and fuel-efficiency
standards. We finally got results, as Congress agreed to both.
California gets more sun power, less firepower
Thanks to members' calls and letters, legislators passed and Gov. Schwarzenegger
signed bills to boost solar power and track the use of handguns in crimes.
Massachusetts protects clinics
For years state law has allowed abusive anti-choice activists within a mere six
feet of women on their way into family-planning clinics. We asked members to urge
legislators to establish a buffer zone around clinic entrances and they responded
with a 35-foot zone, the strictest in the nation.
Oregon gets healthier, greener, cleaner
Members’ calls and letters achieved remarkable results in Oregon. They helped pass
legislation to rein in urban sprawl; a law that requires insurers to cover prescription
birth control; a rule that calls on utilities to get 25% of their power from renewable
sources by 2025; and an updated bottle bill to curb plastic containers.
Washington douses toxic flame retardant
PBDE is a toxic flame retardant and it's everywhere: in your furniture, your mattress,
your body. A study of breastfeeding mothers in the Northwest showed PBDE levels
20 to 40 times higher than nursing mothers in Europe, where PBDEs are prohibited.
Thanks to members' calls and letters, legislators voted to ban all PBDEs, the nation's
first such law.