FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Conservation Voters Releases 2007-2008 Legislative Scorecard
High Scores Reflective of Strong Environmental Majority
Seattle— Following two of the most successful legislative sessions for the environment in Washington Conservation Voters’ 27-year history, Washington Conservation Voters has released its 2007-2008 Legislative Scorecard. The scores in the Legislative Scorecard are the highest ever, reflective of the progress that was made during the last two sessions on efforts to tackle climate change, promote local farms and open spaces, protect public health and clean up Puget Sound.
Seattle— Following two of the most successful legislative sessions for the environment in Washington Conservation Voters’ 27-year history, Washington Conservation Voters has released its 2007-2008 Legislative Scorecard. The scores in the Legislative Scorecard are the highest ever, reflective of the progress that was made during the last two sessions on efforts to tackle climate change, promote local farms and open spaces, protect public health and clean up Puget Sound.
“The environment had two landmark sessions,” said Executive Director Kurt Fritts. “With the vision of Governor Gregoire and the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, we were able to make significant progress on a range of issues and set a strong foundation for our efforts in 2009 and beyond – and the scores reflect that progress.”
The scores, however, are not the full story. The Legislative Scorecard also provides a deeper understanding of the effort that specific legislators put forth to deliver for the environment by naming Environmental Champions and Good Green Deeds. And recognizing that not all went smoothly in Olympia, the Legislative Scorecard calls out those legislators who worked against the environment in one or more ways by naming the Green Duds.
With strong environmental majorities in the House and Senate, there are fewer Floor votes each session that truly distinguish between those who lead on our issues and those who are impeding environmental progress. “Much of the leadership – and the roadblocks – happen before the votes and behind the scenes,” said Lobbyist Clifford Traisman. “That’s why the stories of the Champions, the Green Deeds and the Green Duds are more important than ever to truly distinguish between the exemplary environmental legislators and those who are not representing the interests of Washington.”
The Legislative Scorecard tallies scores for legislators on environmental bills during the 2007 and 2008 sessions. Legislators were scored on the number of pro-environment votes cast out of the total number measured. The Senate was scored on 13 floor votes and the House of Representatives was scored on 11 floor votes. Among the votes included in the 2007-2008 Scorecard are those tackling climate change, reducing air pollution, eliminating toxic flame retardants, establishing the Puget Sound Partnership, connecting local farms to schools and reducing toxics in toys.
For an online copy of the scorecard, visit www.wcvoters.org/scorecard/ to download as a PDF.
2007 Legislator of the Year
Senator Phil Rockefeller (D-23)
2008 Legislator of the Year
Senator Chris Marr (D-6)
Senate Environmental Champions
Senator Lisa Brown (D-3)
Senator Craig Pridemore (D-49)
House Environmental Champions
Representative Tom Campbell (R-2)
Representative Frank Chopp, Speaker of the House (D-43)
Representative Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36)
Representative Hans Dunshee (D-44)
Representative Fred Jarrett (D-41)
Representative Skip Priest (R-30)
Representative Christine Rolfes (D-23)
Representative Geoff Simpson (D-47)
Representative Dave Upthegrove (D-33)
Senate Good Green Deeds
Senator Darlene Fairley (D-32)
Senator Jim Hargrove (D-24)
Senator Margarita Prentice (D-11)
House Good Green Deeds
Representative Bill Fromhold (D-49)
Representative Zack Hudgins (D-11)
Representative Sam Hunt (D-22)
Representative Ross Hunter (D-48)
Representative Ruth Kagi (D-32)
Representative Kelli Linville (D-42)
Representative John McCoy (D-38)
Representative Sharon Nelson (D-34)
Representative Eric Pettigrew (D-37)
Representative Jay Rodne (R-5)
Senate Green Duds
Senator Steve Hobbs (D-44)
Senator Jim Kastama (D-25)
Senator Cheryl Pflug (R-5)
House Green Duds
Representative Richard DeBolt (R-20)
Representative Jim Dunn (R-17)
Representative Deb Wallace (D-17)
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Washington Conservation Voters is the statewide political voice for the environment. We work to elect environmentally responsible candidates to state and local offices. Working with our allies in the community, we advocate for strong environmental policies and hold our elected officials accountable both during and after the legislative session. Through our political work we are strengthening laws that safeguard the health of our communities, the beauty of our state and our economic future.
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