House Good Green Deeds
These Representatives have demonstrated their commitment to the environment in an especially critical way on a bill or a number of issues.
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.
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.
