Clean Energy Economy

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for a “clean energy economy.” I appreciate hearing from you and would like to take this opportunity to respond to your concerns.

President Obama’s budget proposal spends significant funds to prioritize renewable energy technologies like wind and solar energy. While these investments are certainly laudable, this budget plan misses the opportunity to expand emission-free nuclear energy production. According to the non-partisan Electric Power Research Institute, nuclear power currently supplies approximately 73 percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas-free electricity generation. We are faced with the dual goals of meeting our energy demands and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In pursuit of these goals, I have supported nuclear energy expansion along with increased use of renewable fuels including not only wind and solar but also biomass and municipal waste. Each of these solutions would provide increased amounts of clean energy, moving our nation toward energy independence in an environmentally-responsible manner.

We must also ensure that any solution is affordable for individual consumers and industries that depend on energy to keep our economy growing. Thus, any proposal must be considered in the context of its economic impact on our nation and those in our society who are most vulnerable to rising energy prices. Reliable, clean, and abundant energy will be crucial to our nation’s economic recovery and its future economic success.

I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Senate to address the energy needs of our nation. As always, I appreciate hearing from you. Please contact me with any additional comments or questions. For more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

America and it’s Energy concern

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the current status of the energy bill. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to take this opportunity to respond to your concerns.

In the first session of the 110th Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives passed two markedly different versions of omnibus energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation. The Senate version of H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007, passed the Senate by a vote of 65-27 on June 21, 2007. I voted against the Senate passed version of the energy bill because of it did not include any language for increased domestic energy production, debate was not allowed to discuss a possible repeal of the Brazilian ethanol tariff and Senate Democrats promised to reinsert the $32 billion tax title in conference. The House passed H.R. 3221, The New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act, on August 4, 2007.

There are several fundamental differences between these two pieces of legislation that have made it difficult for a conference committee to be arranged without further action from either chamber. The Senate passed bill includes both a raise in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards and a Renewable Fuels Standard, while the House passed version does not deal with either in any capacity. Furthermore, the House passed version included a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, which was not included in the Senate version, as well as a lengthy tax title that was not added to the Senate passed energy bill.

Appointing a conference committee for these bills has been a slow and laborious process. To date, Senate leadership has yet to name conferees which has delayed any further action on the Energy Bill. Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind as we continue working on these important bills. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the full Senate to promote America’s energy independence.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any additional questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. In addition, for more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Hate Crimes bill S.1105 or H.R. 1592

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding hate crimes legislation. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

On April 12, 2007, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105). This legislation would broaden federal jurisdiction of hate crimes by adding gender, disability, and sexual orientation to the categories protected by civil rights laws and would create a separate federal criminal charge for committing a hate crime. S. 1105 has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where it awaits further consideration.

A similar measure (H.R. 1592) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative John Conyers (D-MI) on March 20, 2007. H.R. 1592 was passed by the House on May 3, 2007, by a vote of 237 to 180. This measure now awaits consideration by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

While there is an urgent need to reduce the incidence of these crimes in our nation, it is important that federal legislation not invade an area constitutionally reserved to State and local law enforcement officials. Should S. 1105 or H.R. 1592 come before the full Senate, rest assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Again, thank you for sharing your views with me. If you have any additional questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. In addition, for more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Regards toward a safe Marijuana Policy

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

The production, sale, and consumption of illicit drugs pose a serious threat to the well being of our nation. In addition to causing significant social and health problems, drugs contribute directly to crime levels in our communities. For these reasons, the ONDCP must work efficiently and effectively to combat the flow of illegal drugs into our country and engage in preventative efforts to reduce illegal drug use among Americans.

ONDCP was created in 1988 to establish policies, priorities, and objectives for the Nation’s drug control program. This office is charged with creating and implementing these programs to reduce the prevalence of illicit drugs in our society. I appreciate you sharing your concerns about the Office of National Drug Control Policy with me. I believe that ONDCP is a critical component in our war on drugs; however, I will be sure to keep your concerns in mind as we proceed in the 110th Congress.

Again, thank you for sharing your views with me. If you have any additional questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. In addition, for more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Credit Card Crisis on America

Remember the credit Card crisis that this nation was facing? The following is a response from Senator Mel Martinez before he left office.

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding credit cards. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

Florida’s families are facing many challenges right now, including rising fuel costs, falling home values, and increasing levels of debt. Credit cards are powerful tools. When used properly, they allow Americans the flexibility to weather economic downturns and build credit history to support future financial goals like homeownership or financing a child’s education. Unfortunately, an increase in the use of credit cards has lead to instances of predatory practices and unfair rates and fees. I share your concerns, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to ensure that we maintain the availability of credit to American families and that the intended consumer protections are practiced.

Again, thank you for sharing your views with me. If you have further questions or comments, please contact me. For more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Gonzales v. Raich in regards to Medical Marijuana

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding medical marijuana.

On June 6, 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in Gonzales v. Raich that Federal laws supersede state medical marijuana laws since Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce. In the majority opinion, Justice Stevens wrote, “limiting the activity to marijuana possession and cultivation ‘in accordance with state law’ cannot serve to place respondents’ activities beyond congressional reach.”

As you may know, marijuana is defined as a schedule I narcotic, meaning medical professionals cannot prescribe cannabis. However, tetraydracannabinol (THC), the ingredient that has been found to help medical patients, is available in Marinol. Marinol is a schedule II narcotic that can be prescribed by doctors.

Please know that I will keep your views in mind should this issue come before the Senate. Your communication helps me better serve you in the Senate.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the Florida Pre-Paid College Program

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding higher education funding in Florida. I understand and share your concerns about recent proposals regarding the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the Florida Pre-Paid College Program.

As you may know, these programs are handled solely by the Florida Legislature and Florida Board of Education. I encourage you to express your opinions to your state representatives and education officials, and I will continue to work on the Federal level to ensure that all children have equal access to post-secondary education. I believe a college education is the passport to a bright and industrious future for our children.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me. Your communication enables me to serve you better in the Senate. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm

Wanting to legalize marijuana?

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding proposals to legalize marijuana.

I oppose legalizing this dangerous drug. At this time, no legislation is pending in the Senate to decriminalize the possession or use of marijuana. If such a proposal is introduced I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Your communication is important and enables me to better serve you in the Senate. Please contact me again with any input or concerns you have.

Office of National Drug Control Policy response in regard to medical marijuana

Thank you for contacting ONDCP.

On April 20th, 2006, the FDA issued an advisory concluding that no
sound scientific studies have supported medical use of smoked
marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human
data support the safety or efficacy of smoked marijuana for general
medical use.

There are alternative FDA-approved medications in existence for
treatment of many of the proposed uses of smoked marijuana. For
example, a prescription drug, Marinol, is currently available to
anyone with a doctor’s prescription. Marinol contains THC, the active
ingredient in marijuana, and has been approved for some of the same
uses as medicinal marijuana.

To learn more about “medical marijuana,” please visit the following
Web sites:

Medical Marijuana Reality Check

Click to access marijuana_fs.pdf

Inter-Agency Advisory Regarding Claims That Smoked Marijuana Is a
Medicine
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01362.html

Medical Marijuana – Marinol
http://www.dea.gov/ongoing/marinol.html

Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base
http://books.nap.edu/html/marimed/

Marijuana Studies/Articles from the National Institute on Drug Abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/marijuana.html

Marijuana Research Report
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/default.html

The DEA Position on Marijuana
http://www.dea.gov/marijuana_position.html

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

ONDCP Clearinghouse
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

Educational Funding cuts in Central Florida’s schools 2009

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for sharing your concerns about education funding cuts in Central Florida’s schools. Hearing from you helps me better represent Florida’s Eighth District.

As the father of five, I will be the first to tell you that nothing is more important than a child’s education. I share your frustrations regarding education funding cuts in the state of Florida. These cuts impact everything from the jobs of quality teachers and administrators, to after school activities and athletic programs. That is why I voted for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included an important provision that would increase education funding nationwide, by approximately $47 billion. Initially, Florida was not eligible for Recovery education funding because the state legislature was not meeting funding obligations. However, myself and other members of the Florida Congressional delegation personally asked the U.S. Secretary of Education to grant Florida an emergency waiver, making our state eligible for increased education funds.

On May 12, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that Recovery funding of up to $1.8 billion was available to the state of Florida, with the opportunity to apply for another $891 million this fall. This money will benefit the children of Florida because it will help save the hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs that were at the risk of state and local budget cuts. Although this is just a first step, please know that as the 111th Congress debates issues related to education and federal funding, I will have the best interests of my constituents, like you, in mind.