Sierra Club California Report Card Shows Many Green Donkeys, But Few Green Elephants in Our Midst

By Bill Magavern
Director
Sierra Club California

Every year, Sierra Club California tracks our state lawmakers’ environmental voting records via our annual Legislative Score Card.

This year, we graded lawmakers on 10 bills with clear environmental impacts on our state, including legislation to turn back toxics, conserve water, save Californians from fire damage, and promote environmental education. (Only 7 of the 10 bills made it to the Senate floor.)

Certain perennial truths held fast again this year: very few Republican legislators vote green, while a strong core of Democrats consistently stand up for our air, water, coast and parks.

Of course, we depend upon our 100% green lawmakers to vote for and carry legislation that makes a real difference. Statewide, 15 senators and 27 Assemblymembers scored 100% green, all of them Democrats.

Scoring 100% green were: Senators Elaine K. Alquist; Gilbert Cedillo; Ellen Corbett; Dean Florez; Christine Kehoe; Sheila James Kuehl; Alan S. Lowenthal; Carole V. Migden; Alex Padilla; Mark Ridley-Thomas; Jack Scott; Joe Simitian; Tom Torlakson; Patricia Wiggins; and Senate President pro Tem Don Perata.

Assemblymembers with perfect records were: Jim Beall Jr.; Patty Berg; Julia Brownley; Kevin de Leon; Mark DeSaulnier; Mike Eng; Noreen Evans; Mike Feuer; Warren T. Furutani; Loni Hancock; Mary Hayashi; Edward P. Hernandez; Jared Huffman; Dave Jones; Betty Karnette; John Laird, Mark Leno; Lloyd E. Levine; Sally J. Lieber; Tony Mendoza; Pedro Nava; Anthony J. Portantino; Ira Ruskin; Mary Salas; Lori Saldaña; Sandre R. Swanson and Lois Wolk.

Not all Democrats voted green, however. Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani scored a dismal 3 out of 10, while Senators Lou Correa and Ron Calderon voted green just 3 of 7 times.

Scoring Eco- Zeroes (all of them Republicans) were: Senators Dick Ackerman; Mark Wyland; Sam Aanestad; Roy Ashburn; Dave Cox James Battin; Jeff Denham; Bob Dutton; George C. Runner Jr.; Dave Cogdill; Dennis Hollingsworth. Assemblymembers Joel Anderson; Chuck DeVore; Michael D. Duvall; Jean Fuller; Ted Gaines; Martin Garrick; Doug La Malfa; Jim Silva; Michael N. Villines; Mimi Walters; Sharon Runner.

The number of “Eco-Zeroes” in a state so committed to its beautiful coasts and rugged mountains, to natural beauty and public health, is shameful.

While all “Eco-Zeroes” were Republican this year, not all Republicans are eco-zeroes. California Republicans have a positive example in Assemblymember Sam Blakeslee, who recognizes that protecting our atmosphere and holding polluters accountable really is a bipartisan issue. Blakeslee sided with the environment on 6 of the 10 key votes, giving him by far the best record among GOP Assemblymembers, and took a leadership position in passing key legislation like AB 1879, which will reduce toxics in products.

Comments

Get Email Updates

Want the California Progress Report by email? Once a week, we'll send you the latest and greatest headlines.