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News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from national and international trade associations influencing the debate on federal policies.

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SaveMICity Initiative Honored in Diamond Award Program

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Jan. 18 -- The Michigan Municipal League issued the following news release:

The SaveMICity initiative supported by the Michigan Municipal League and several partner organizations received a statewide honor recently through the Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE).

The League received a Silver Certificate in the 17th annual Diamond Award for the SaveMICity campaign that aims to fix Michigan's broken municipal finance system. The award was in the government relations campaign for organizations with an annual budget of $1 million and greater.

The purpose and goal ... Show Full Article ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Jan. 18 -- The Michigan Municipal League issued the following news release: The SaveMICity initiative supported by the Michigan Municipal League and several partner organizations received a statewide honor recently through the Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE). The League received a Silver Certificate in the 17th annual Diamond Award for the SaveMICity campaign that aims to fix Michigan's broken municipal finance system. The award was in the government relations campaign for organizations with an annual budget of $1 million and greater. The purpose and goalof SaveMICity campaign, found at SaveMICity.org, is to raise awareness among the public, business leaders, state legislators, and the media that Michigan's system for funding its communities is broken and must be fixed for the state's economy to succeed.

Across the country, Michigan ranks 50th--DEAD LAST--in investing in its communities since 2002. The results of this disinvestment are clear--crumbling roads, deteriorating infrastructure, cuts to local police and fire protection, and cost-cutting measures that led to disastrous consequences, such as the Flint water crisis.

After years of working within the existing paradigms, the Michigan Municipal League (MML), with the support of the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, started the SaveMICity legislative and policy push in 2016. The SaveMICity effort was dramatically enhanced into a broader public relations campaign in early 2018 thanks in part to the generous support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. January 2018, MML retained Vanguard Public Affairs team to put in place a multi-year strategy to fix Michigan's broken system for funding its municipalities and to take the SaveMICity work to the next level.

Two separate EPIC-MRA polls commissioned in 2016 and again in 2018 clearly showed that the public wants their tax dollars spent on local services, but there is a dramatic lack of understanding about how communities are funded and why they continue to struggle as the state and national economy improves.

Several additional components have been added to the SaveMICity initiative in recent months, including the release of a three-minute animated video that explains the issue; a series of shorter, 30-second videos to drive home important messages for cities and villages across the state; storytelling efforts; messaging training for a new group of municipal ambassadors; an improved savemicity.org website with fresh content; more podcasts; and an updated social media presence. A new video was created toward the end of 2018 featuring League members talking about the impact of the broken system on their communities. You can find all the videos on the SaveMICity YouTube channel.

[Category: Government/Public Administration]

Pentagon Report on Vulnerable Bases Incomplete

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Environmental and Energy Study Institute issued the following news release:

* * *

- Climate Change Resilience Requires Stronger Response

* **

Today, the Department of Defense released a Congressionally-mandated report on the effects of a changing climate on America's military bases. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute welcomes the report but finds it incomplete, as it fails to list the most vulnerable bases, per Congress's directive. More importantly, the report doesn't list and price out actionable measures that could be taken to better prepare America's ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Environmental and Energy Study Institute issued the following news release: * * * - Climate Change Resilience Requires Stronger Response * ** Today, the Department of Defense released a Congressionally-mandated report on the effects of a changing climate on America's military bases. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute welcomes the report but finds it incomplete, as it fails to list the most vulnerable bases, per Congress's directive. More importantly, the report doesn't list and price out actionable measures that could be taken to better prepare America'sarmed forces for the impacts of climate change.

"The Department of Defense has long recognized climate change as a major threat to U.S. national security," says EESI Executive Director Carol Werner. "It has taken steps to make its bases and activities more resilient. But to truly ensure we can continue to defend our nation and protect our allies, more resources are needed. Regrettably, the Department has failed to list which bases are most vulnerable, and what it would cost to strengthen them. Not only is that a lost opportunity, it also bypasses the clear directions of the National Defense Authorization Act, which had broad bipartisan support."

The report begins by stating that "the effects of a changing climate are a national security issue with potential impacts to Department of Defense missions, operational plans, and installations." It echoes November's National Climate Assessment, which stated that "the evidence of human-caused climate change is overwhelming and continues to strengthen, that the impacts of climate change are intensifying across the country, and that climate-related threats to Americans' physical, social, and economic well-being are rising."

The 22-page Pentagon report focuses on 79 key military installations and looks at how vulnerable they are to flooding, drought, desertification, wildfires, and thawing permafrost--which are all exacerbated by climate change. Rising sea levels make flooding more likely in coastal bases, for example, while wildfires threaten inland bases. According to the report, about two-thirds of these 79 installations are (or will be) vulnerable to flooding, and about half are vulnerable to wildfires. However, the report doesn't look at hurricanes or other extreme wind events, even though Hurricanes Michael and Florence caused $5 billion and $3.6 billion in damages, respectively, to Tyndall Air Force Base and Camp Lejeune last year. These two bases were not even evaluated by the report.

In a statement, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) and Senior Committee Member Jim Langevin (D-RI) were both very critical of the report. According to Chairman Smith, the report "fails to even minimally discuss a mitigation plan to address the vulnerabilities. The Department of Defense presented no specifics on what is required to ensure operational viability and mission resiliency, and failed to estimate the future costs associated with ensuring these installations remain viable. That information was required by law." Rep. Langevin agreed, saying, "I expect the Department to reissue a report that meets its statutory mandate and rigorously confronts the realities of our warming planet."

[Category: Environment]

New From ACRL, 'Motivating Students on a Time Budget'

CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 18 -- The Association of College and Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association, issued the following news release:

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) announces the publication of "Motivating Students on a Time Budget: Pedagogical Frames and Lesson Plans for In-Person and Online Information Literacy Instruction," edited by Sarah Steiner and Miriam Rigby, a collection of lesson plans, activities, and techniques that utilize motivational strategies and pedagogies to help keep students engaged.

As librarians, we often find ourselves ... Show Full Article CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 18 -- The Association of College and Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association, issued the following news release: The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) announces the publication of "Motivating Students on a Time Budget: Pedagogical Frames and Lesson Plans for In-Person and Online Information Literacy Instruction," edited by Sarah Steiner and Miriam Rigby, a collection of lesson plans, activities, and techniques that utilize motivational strategies and pedagogies to help keep students engaged. As librarians, we often find ourselvesoutside the traditional structure of our education system. Time limits add another layer of complexity; how can we motivate students to learn when we only see them for an hour or two

"Motivating Students on a Time Budget" begins with a section of research-based, broad-level considerations of student motivation as it relates to short-term information literacy instruction, both in person and online. It then moves into activities and lesson plans that highlight specific motivational strategies and pedagogies: Each encourages the spirit of play, autonomy, and active learning in a grade-free environment. Activities and plans cover everything from game-based learning to escape rooms to role playing to poetry, and are thoroughly explained to be easily incorporated at your campus.

While librarians have made great strides in integrating information literacy into long-term curricula, many of us have only one class session to make a difference. Consideration of human motivational strategies can have a profound effect on our attitude toward and approach to learners and, ultimately, on their levels of engagement, satisfaction, and success. The techniques outlined in Motivating Students on a Time Budget can help you feel empowered to use motivation research to meet your students where they are intellectually and emotionally, and empower and inspire them to cross conceptual thresholds critical to information interpretation and use.

"Motivating Students on a Time Budget: Pedagogical Frames and Lesson Plans for In-Person and Online Information Literacy Instruction" is available for purchase in print and as an ebook through the ALA Online Store; in print through Amazon.com; and by telephone order at (866) 746-7252 in the U.S. or (770) 442-8633 for international customers.

[Category: Libraries]

NEHA and Partners Award HiAP and Lead Poisoning Prevention Funds

DENVER, Colorado, Jan. 18 -- The National Environmental Health Association issued the following news release:

The National Environmental Health Association, National Center for Healthy Housing, National Association of County and City Health Officials, and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials have offered support to local governmental agencies to implement a Health in All Policies (HiAP) strategy as part of their lead prevention implementation program and activities. This effort is supported through cooperative agreements with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National ... Show Full Article

NARUC Recognizes 2019 MLK Holiday as a National Day of Utility Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners issued the following statement:

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and utility commissions across the United States will observe the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 21, 2019. In recognition of this date as a national day of service, the NARUC Board of Directors passed a resolution in 2008 designating the holiday as a Day of Utility Service.

To further recognize this day, NARUC issues the following statement:

"In answering the call as public servants and to honor Dr. ... Show Full Article

Barber Trucking, Inc.'s Daniel Barnett Renders Aid at Scene of Accident

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 18 -- The Truckload Carriers Association issued the following news:

Daniel Barnett of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, a professional truck driver for Barber Trucking, Inc. of Brookville, Pennsylvania, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). He is being recognized for his willingness to stop at the scene of an accident and render aid until emergency services arrived.

On Tuesday, July 24, Barnett had reloaded his flatbed and was on his way to Buffalo, New York. As he turned onto Highway 19 in West Virginia, the driver saw brake lights ... Show Full Article ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 18 -- The Truckload Carriers Association issued the following news: Daniel Barnett of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, a professional truck driver for Barber Trucking, Inc. of Brookville, Pennsylvania, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). He is being recognized for his willingness to stop at the scene of an accident and render aid until emergency services arrived. On Tuesday, July 24, Barnett had reloaded his flatbed and was on his way to Buffalo, New York. As he turned onto Highway 19 in West Virginia, the driver saw brake lightsup ahead. Coming around a bend in the road, Barnett noticed a two-vehicle accident just ahead in an intersection. As he approached, other motorists were frantic, struggling to open the driver's door of a small minivan. Nearing the scene, Barnett noticed smoke rolling out from underneath the hood. Acting swiftly, the professional truck driver safely stopped, positioning his truck to divert traffic away from the accident scene. Barnett quickly pulled tools from his truck and went around to the passenger side of the inoperable minivan and broke the window. Without a moment to spare, he then gave someone his pocketknife to cut the driver's seatbelt so that one of the bystanders, a nurse, could administer aid. Barnett quickly ran back to his truck for a fire extinguisher--he wanted to ensure nothing caught fire as they waited for emergency vehicles to arrive. Fortunately, it turned out to be steam coming out from under the hood.

Thinking back on that day, Barnett says he doesn't believe he did anything particularly heroic. "I would hope someone would do it if my wife or daughter were in that situation and not just drive by thinking someone else will do something."

For his willingness to assist his fellow driver, TCA has presented Barnett with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. Barber Trucking, Inc. also received a certificate acknowledging their driver as a Highway Angel. Since the program's inception in August 1997, hundreds of drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for the exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage they have displayed while on the job. EpicVue sponsors TCA's Highway Angel program.

[Category: Transportation Equipment/Services]

A Near-Record 168 Teachers Are Candidates for Minnesota Teacher of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Jan. 18 -- Education Minnesota issued the following news release:

The 2019 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be chosen from a field of 168 candidates. These candidates have accepted their nominations and completed the required materials to become eligible for the honor. The number of candidates this year is the third-most in the 55-year history of the award.

This year's program will name the 55th Minnesota Teacher of the Year, celebrating the tradition of excellence in teaching in Minnesota. Candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade and Adult Basic Education ... Show Full Article

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