When he was a green, community activist Mike Morrill ran for governor. That was in 2002. Although I eventually became disenchanted with the greens, I met Morrill several times, and he impressed me as one person who represented what was right about the green party. He advocated clean election laws and a living wage. He was also the best trash talking candidate.Now I don't mean the kind of trash talk you usually get from me. Here's what Mike said at the time. "Pennsylvania imports more trash than any other state in the nation, by more than two to one. As a matter of fact, we import right now about a ton of trash for every man woman and child in the state. We import it from 28 states. We import it from Canada. We import it from Puerto Rico. Which tells you something about the economics of trash." His solution? Lower daily volume permits.
Now Mike is a Democrat. Instead of running for governor, he was elected to West Reading Borough Council. There, he's persuaded fellow council members to adopt, unanimously, a clean air ordinance that deals with a kind of trash we can't see. It imposes restrictions on mercury emissions eleven times tougher than our current federal standard. This may sound a bit draconian to those of you who just hate when Big Brother meddles in business. But that neurotoxin is dangerous. One of every twelve women of childbearing age, has levels high enough to endanger her unborn children.
Over the weekend, John Morgan at Pa. Progressive asked me to tell you about Morrill's current bid for election to the state house in Berks County. "Mike Morrill has devoted his life to liberal and progressive causes, for working families, for improving our communities, our state and our nation. He has stood for labor rights, social justice and for US. It’s time we elect someone in the 127th who will truly represent the people of the 127th instead of the legislator’s family. It’s time we elect Mike Morrill, someone who won’t vote for the Republican Speaker of the House in Harrisburg."
"I believe candidates with strong, sound stances deserve our support, and this is a race where your dollars can make the difference. Please make a contribution to this critical cause."
If you can afford to contribute, Morrill's ActBlue page is here.
