Legislators
The champions, green duds and those legislators that did good deeds in the 2009 and 2010 sessions.
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36)
Continuing to be the Seattle delegation’s most visible champion on environmental issues, Representative Dickerson once again led the effort to pass the Safe Baby Bottle Act. Always willing to fight for the health of our kids and our communities, Representative Dickerson overcame intense pressure from the chemical industry to pass one of the nation’s strongest toxics laws. The legislation makes Washington the second state to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in sports bottles and the fifth to take action on the chemical in children’s dishware. She is a permanent fixture as a champion for the environmental community.
Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-44)
Every two years, this scorecard sings the praises of Representative Dunshee as one of our state’s strongest environmental champions. In 2009-2010, he was instrumental in passing significant climate, energy, and green jobs bills. He was the architect of the JOBS Act, which passed onto the November 2010 ballot and would make public schools more energy efficient, creating thousands of green jobs along the way. He was also one of the Legislature’s strongest advocates for the Clean Water Act to address the stormwater runoff crisis and save Puget Sound. As Chair of the Capital Budget Committee, Rep. Dunshee is well-positioned to secure critical state dollars for natural resource programs and projects. He combines in-depth knowledge, smart tactical strategies, and strong personal relationships to achieve big victories for the environment. In 2004, Representative Dunshee was named the WCV Legislator of the Year, an award that we could bestow upon him year after year for his accomplishments.
Sen. Craig Pridemore (D-49)
Once again Sen. Craig Pridemore was the conscience of the Senate on matters pertaining to the environment. He is the institution’s most studied member on environmental issues and has the unique skills to foster broad support by working well with both the business community and his colleagues across the aisle. In 2009, he led the fight in the Senate to ensure that I-937, the citizens’ Clean Energy Initiative, was not weakened. In 2010, he worked with Republicans on an amendment against rolling back the green renewable tax credits that the community fought so hard to pass just one year earlier.
Senator Pridemore has made creating green jobs and protecting the clean energy sector a cornerstone of his career. Between his leadership on these issues and his multi-year effort to find ways for the state to tackle global warming pollution, it is no wonder that he is alone in his class as the Senate’s environmental champion in 2009-2010. Sen. Craig Pridemore was named WCV’s 2006 Legislator of the Year during his first term in office.
Rep. Zack Hudgins (D-11)
Representative Hudgins is a long-time advocate in the House for environmental protection, particularly in his role as Vice Chair of the Environmental Health Committee. In addition to his work on toxics issues, he has helped lead the fight for Priority bills and the effort to maintain the strength and integrity of Washington’s Clean Energy Initiative, I-937. As a key member of the Technology,Energy, & Communications Committee, Rep. Hudgins worked closely with the Chair to fend off attacks from various utility and business interests and help kill any effort to seriously weaken the initiative. We welcome Representative Hudgins into this select category of champions.
Rep. Skip Priest (R-30)
Once again, even in tough budget times and as a member of the minority party, Representative Priest found ways to champion our environmental agenda. A consistent supporter of the Environmental Priorities, he was one of only two Republicans to vote for the stormwater fee bill in 2009. He continued to be the first Republican sponsor on many environmental priority bills, and he worked successfully to build bridges between the leadership of his caucus and the environmental community. Rep. Priest is leaving the Legislature in 2011 to seek other elected office. We will sorely miss working so closely with a man of unquestioned integrity and commitment to environmental protection.
Rep. Christine Rolfes (D-23)
Representative Rolfes continues to be one of the rising stars in the House and is well-positioned to be an effective champion for the environment for many years to come. She was the prime sponsor of the Efficiency First legislation, the community’s 2009 priority energy bill. That bill’s passage was one of the few bright spots of the 2009 session. Representing much of Kitsap County, she makes the clean-up of Puget Sound one of her highest priorities and was an early and active supporter of the Clean Water Act. Rep. Rolfes shares her constituents’ passion for protecting our natural heritage. She will undoubtedly continue as one of the Legislature’s truest and most effective environmental champions.
Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-47)
As Chair of the House Local Government Committee for many years, Representative Simpson has not wavered in the tiring fight to protect the Growth Management Act from constant attack. He also continues to champion transit and the effort to provide tax options for local governments for transportation. Representative Simpson is the conscience of his caucus on progressive issues, and he views protecting the environment as one of the state’s highest priorities. We are honored once again to recognize him as one of our movement’s true champions.
Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-33)
Representative Upthegrove has demonstrated a unique ability to build broad support on environmental issues even when pitted against intense opposition, such as with climate change. As Chair of the Ecology & Parks Committee, he plays a leadership role in ensuring that environmental programs are funded in the budget. In 2010, he led efforts by the House’s “Blue-Green Alliance” to ensure that every dollar for environmental budget priorities was restored in the final package. Representative Upthegrove also helped craft the environmental community’s Clean Water priority bill, and he was instrumental in 2009 in the effort to successfully fend off legislative attacks on I-937, the Clean Energy Initiative.
Rep. Scott White (D-46)
Representative White is off to an impressive start working on environmental issues as a freshman legislator. He scored 100% on his first WCV Scorecard and was a strong advocate for the community’s agenda as a member of the Local Government and Capital Budget Committees. He prime sponsored and passed an important bill addressing flood plains during his first year and was an active member of the “Blue-Green Alliance” of legislators. He might be the most eager member in the House, always seeking ways to assist in the community’s efforts and offering to introduce or work on our priorities and overall agenda. Representative White is running for the state Senate in 2010 and we view him as a rising star in that chamber as well.
Sen. Jim Hargrove (D-24)
Senator Hargrove has become the surprise gift that keeps on giving when it comes to the community’s work on climate change. Who would have predicted that this “old guard” veteran from the Olympic Peninsula would continue to stand up as one of the Senate’s principal leaders on climate change issues? Yet Senator Hargrove was the Governor’s “go-to guy” on the Cap and Invest climate priority bill in 2009, and he continues to lead the charge by convincing his colleagues that by tackling climate change now, we can also stimulate our natural resource-rich rural economies at the same time.
Sen. Mike Hewitt (R-16)
As the Senate’s Minority Leader, Senator Mike Hewitt meets regularly with the environmental community in Olympia. Through his leadership over the past few years, the Republican caucus has led the effort against raiding of the Model Toxics Control Account (MTCA) in order to preserve those dollars for toxic cleanup. In 2010, he worked alongside Senator Jim Honeyford (R-15) to solidify his caucus in fighting attempts to roll back the renewable energy tax credits that had been passed in 2009. Those efforts fell just short on close votes on floor amendments, but nevertheless they are worthy of praise. Senator Hewitt also voted for the Safe Baby Bottle priority in its strongest form. We are optimistic that these are all signs of more good things to come.
Sen. Karen Keiser (D-33)
As the prime sponsor of the Safe Baby Bottle Act, Senator Keiser showed tenacity in her ability to steer the bill to the Governor’s desk in 2010 after a two-year fight. Although her Senate Health Committee did not initially have the votes to pass the strong version of this historic legislation, Senator Keiser persevered and ultimately won. She also defied many in her own party by not supporting a bill that would have decimated I-937, the citizens’ Clean Energy Initiative. Her work on behalf of the environment is to be commended.
Sen. Ed Murray (D-43)
As the prime sponsor of the Clean Water Act of 2010, Senator Murray took on the oil lobby in one of the biggest fights in Olympia. Although the bill came up short, he has committed to taking on these special interests once again in 2011. We appreciate having Senator Murray fighting alongside us in the face of substantial opposition from Big Oil as we strive to address our state’s number one water pollution problem.
Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (R-12)
As a leader of Senate Republicans and through her work supporting the development of the clean energy sector, Senator Parlette has been working this biennium to build bridges with the environmental community. She supported the Safe Baby Bottle priority in 2010 despite strong opposition from parts of the business community. We recognize these “good green deeds” and look forward to continuing to build a stronger relationship with her in coming years.
Sen. Kevin Ranker (D-40)
Senator Ranker came to the Senate steeped in knowledge of ocean and shorelines policy and with a demonstrated commitment to the environment. In 2010, he was the prime sponsor of a successful bill to eliminate copper brake pads in order to protect the health of our waterways. Senator Ranker also helped craft the deal that ensured passage of the Safe Baby Bottle Act in 2010. He is an emerging environmental leader in Olympia.
Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-23)
Despite being in the unenviable position of chairing a Senate environmental committee dominated by conservative voices, Senator Rockefeller was able to help pass many of the environmental community’s most important bills over the past two years. He is the Senate’s leader on cleaning up Puget Sound and worked closely with the environmental community in seeking passage of the Clean Water Act in 2010. He was also one of the community’s strongest supporters for passing comprehensive climate change legislation in 2009.
Rep. Deb Eddy (D-48)
Through her work to promote electric vehicles and her efforts to fend off attacks from large utilities and businesses on the Clean Energy Initiative, Representative Eddy stepped up significantly for the environment over the past two years. She was a strong advocate for the community’s Clean Energy agenda and helped shepherd through the Efficiency First priority bill in 2009. Her improved focus on passing a strong environmental agenda has not gone unnoticed; we appreciate her efforts and look forward to working alongside her to achieve big victories in the future.
Rep. Tami Green (D-28)
Perhaps the greatest untold story in 2010 was the effort of Representative Green as a behind-the-scenes watchdog on environmental issues. She embodies the “Blue-Green Alliance” in the House and is the conscience of her caucus on the importance of labor and the environment working together. Over the past two years, she advocated vigorously for both clean water bills. She also led on the environmental budget priority package and threatened to pull her support for the overall budget unless it restored funding of critical natural resources programs. Representative Green has become one of the most effective legislators in the institution; her colleagues both respect and fear her ability to galvanize broad caucus support for issues that she cares about, including environmental protection.
Rep. Ross Hunter (D-48)
Once again, Representative Hunter stepped up in a big way on behalf of the environment. He was an early and consistent opponent of efforts to weaken I-937, the Clean Energy Initiative. In 2009, he used his role as Chair of the Finance Committee to push through the green renewable tax credits. The following year, he successfully fended off the Senate’s effort to roll back those same credits. Representative Hunter is a strong advocate for the environment, and understands that protecting the environment is critical to ensuring our strong economic future.
Rep. Timm Ormsby (D-3)
As prime sponsor of our clean water priority bills in both 2009 and 2010, Representative Ormsby was one of the strongest advocates for the environment in the Legislature over the past two years. Using his role as one of the principal “Blue-Green Alliance” leaders, he worked around-the-clock to seek passage of this legislation. Representative Ormsby succeeded in getting the bill through the House in 2009, overcoming all kinds of obstacles. He has emerged as a tenacious leader on the environment and has built a strong foundation to be a champion for these efforts in the future.
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10)
Despite serving a district that includes Whidbey Island, one of our state’s natural treasures, Senator Mary Margaret Haugen voted against the environment at nearly every turn. Over the past two years, she vigorously opposed clean energy, clean fuels, local transit options, renewable energy development, and green jobs. She uses her position as Transportation Chair to intimidate her committee colleagues, many of whom would otherwise be strong supporters of an environmental agenda.
As the Legislature’s most vocal advocate for the oil and gas lobbyists, Senator Haugen was the single biggest obstacle 2009 and 2010 to passing meaningful legislation that addresses stormwater runoff, the state’s number one water pollution problem. This “polluter pays” approach was led not only by the environmental community but also by local governments, whom she has previously purported to champion. Senator Haugen also worked against the environment and local governments by opposing the chance for voter-approved local tax options for transit, again arguing that the Legislature needs to “hold” those options hostage in exchange for support for increased road funding.
Senator Mary Margaret Haugen’s 40% score is an embarrassment for her constituents and her caucus. It is time for a new generation of leadership in the 10th Legislative District, one that represents the future rather than the distant past.
Rep. Matthew Shea (R-4) and Rep. Richard DeBolt (R-20)
Although their overall scores are low, these two leaders caused us to take notice when they stepped up to do something extraordinary for the environment. Over the years, the environmental community has not enjoyed a very constructive partnership with House Republican leadership; in fact, they have often been our most vociferous opponents. However, in 2010, Minority Leader Richard DeBolt agreed to have his caucus work with us to strengthen the Safe Baby Bottle Act so that it included sports bottles in addition to children’s dishware, making Washington only the second state in the nation to do so. The amendment was offered in committee by Representative Shea, who then carried the agreement through on the House floor and all the way to the Governor’s desk despite opposition from the business community. We have high hopes that this positive effort will result in the foundation for future partnerships with Minority Leader DeBolt and House Republicans.
Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-35)
Senator Tim Sheldon prides himself in being Olympia’s naysayer and contrarian. We get that, but enough is enough. A district like this that includes Hood Canal and is so dependent upon a natural resource-based economy deserves better. In contrast to his seatmates’ respective scores of 78% and 89% on this Scorecard, Senator Sheldon’s 27% demonstrates nothing short of downright hostility toward protecting our air, land, water, and public health. Not even the Senate’s “anti-everything” Val Stevens (R-39, lifetime score of 13%) scored as low as you, Senator Sheldon.
Rep. Christopher Hurst (D-31)
Representative Hurst appears to go out of his way to play politics in order to secure re-election. His approach to environmental issues is no different, as evidenced by his low score of 44%. His record is shameful and will likely backfire on him in the near future. Over the past two years, Representative Hurst voted against clean water, against the protection of our shorelines, against energy efficient televisions, and against transit for Pierce County. Unfortunately for constituents in the 31st Legislative District, Representative Christopher Hurst can no longer be counted on to protect the health of their communities and to improve their quality of life.
Rep. Troy Kelley (D-28)
Representing a suburban district where his seatmate scored a strong 79% on this Scorecard, Representative Kelley’s score comes close to bringing up the rear of the House Democratic Caucus. He voted against clean water, against protecting shorelines, against increasing energy efficiency for televisions, and against transit for Pierce County. After a disappointing first term in office, Representative Troy Kelley had an even worse second term. He is severely out of step with both his party and his constituents.
Rep. Tim Probst (D-17)
The environmental record of Representative Tim Probst stands out and will undoubtedly come as a big surprise to many, including his constituents. Representative Probst’s 33% score is the lowest in both his caucus and his district, where even Senator Don Benton’s 50% was higher. Amongst the many disappointing positions taken by Representative Probst are votes against protecting shorelines, combating global warming, and supporting transit. As a member of the House Technology, Energy, & Communications Committee, he also supported the business industry’s efforts to weaken I-937, the Clean Energy Initiative. His record over the past two years is out of step with the values of his district.
