House Champions
In addition to our Legislators of the Year, these Representatives stand out as Environmental Champions for their commitment to environmental issues.
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.
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.
