Washington Conservation Voters release 2009-2010 Legislative Scorecard

Contact: Kurt Fritts, Executive Director
206-910-8777, kurt@wcvoters.org

Seattle- Washington Conservation Voters, the political voice of the environment, today released the scorecard for the 2009 and 2010 state legislative sessions.

Published every two years since 1992, the Scorecard is read by thousands of environmental voters, elected officials, and opinion leaders across the state. It not only scores the environmental voting records of state legislators, but also tells the story of the past two sessions- the “Champions”, the “Good Green Deeds”, and the “Green Duds."

“From cleaning up Puget Sound to addressing climate change, the State Legislature has failed to make significant progress on our biggest environmental challenges during the past two sessions, costing Washington the opportunity to create thousands of green jobs in the process,” said Kurt Fritts, Executive Director. “The Scorecard gives voters a close look at why we haven’t made these environmental and economic gains, and holds those who have stood in the way accountable."

The Scorecard names Rep. John McCoy (D-38) as the 2009 Legislator of the Year for his work to defend the Citizen’s Clean Energy Initiative, I-937. Rep. Sharon Nelson (D-34) was awarded 2010 Legislator of the Year for her work to protect Puget Sound and Maury Island.

Senator Craig Pridemore (D-49) is singled out as the only “Senate Champion”, along with 8 “House Champions”.

Five Democratic legislators are singled out as “Green Duds” for their poor voting records on environmental issues. Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10), Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-35), Rep. Chris Hurst (D-31), Rep. Troy Kelley (D-28), and Rep. Tim Probst (D-17) stand out as being “out of step” with the environmental values of their constituents.

“We hope this scorecard will increase the awareness of the Legislature on these critically important issues to our environment and our economy,” said Clifford Traisman, State Lobbyist. “We have challenges ahead, but with a renewed commitment to our public health, air, and water, we can get the job done."

The complete WCV 2009-2010 Legislative Scorecard can be viewed online at www.wcvoters.org/scorecard/2010.

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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, preserve the beauty of our state and protect our economic future.