OLCV’s 2007 Environmental Scorecard for the Oregon Legislature released today

Highlights Ratings of Oregon Legislators on Energy, Forests, Farmland & Water

 

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters' 18th Environmental Scorecard for the Oregon Legislature is now available.

The Scorecard outlines the impact of legislators’ votes on key environmental issues, and highlights individual legislators’ scores, the overall score for the Legislature, the Governor’s actions, and the honor and dishonor rolls.

Is the 2007 Oregon Legislature the most pro-environment in 30 years? Find out who voted in support of renewable energy and independence from foreign oil, who fought hard to clean up our waterways and protect our high quality farms and forests. Learn who’s out of step with voters and what pro-environment bills passed in one of the most pro-environment sessions in decades.

Then tell us what you think?  Whose score surprised you most?  What vote was most outrageous? 

Comments

[Emily George]

Nice scorecard.

I think it's pretty positive that the new, incoming House Republican leader Bruce Hanna of Roseburg got a 55%, in contrast to the outgoing leader Wayne Scott, who got the lowest House rating of 15%. This bodes well for the future.

[Amy Tutimer]

I am glad to see that our legislators are becoming leaders in the fight against global warming.

It's nice to see that the folks in Salem are finally getting the message.

Without a healthy environment, Oregon won't have a healthy economy.

I hope to see even more steps taken to protect Oregon's water quality and ground water supplies next time around.

[oregon2008]

We’ve done better in Oregon, now let’s do better in the country. U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith got a miserable 14% rating from the LCV in 2006, lower even than Wayne Scott.

We need you to be the voice and let your friends and family in Oregon know about Gordon Smith’s true record and the danger that he poses to the environment.

Help Stop Gordon Smith today!
http://stopgordonsmith.com

[Molly L'Ivins]

Wow, this is beautiful. We are so lucky to have an organization who will be a watchdog for Oregonians- I can't believe how many scores went up!

[Jack Move]

Killer job on this year's scorecard. It's encouraging to see how much better our leaders are representing our interests. This is a far cry from just a few years ago. Thanks for the hard work OLCV!

[Jeremiah Jones]

Hmm. Seems to me this is just designed to make Democrats look good in comparsion to Republicans.

The highest rated Republican (Senator David Nelson of Pendleton who scored 72%), only did better than two Democrats (Senator Joanne Verger of Coos Bay at 68% and Rep. Mike Schaufler of Happy Valley at 70%).

Isn't this just more evidence that the enviros are fond of Democrats?

[Evan Manvel]

I see it as a sign that, on average, Democrats are fond of the environment. Can you argue for a bill that was clearly about the environment, and that people had to make a tough choice on, that wasn't in the scorecard?

That said, two Democrats scored a D+ and C-, respectively.

Nice job on the scorecard, OLCV!

[Peter Raffles]

While most of our legislators improved on this scorecard, we still have a few who are completely out of step. We should point out that Larry George of Sherwood was had the lowest score of any legislator in both the house and the senate. His dismal 13% really shows just how out of touch he is. I think we should call him and let him know how we feel 503-925-9650.

[sally mackler]

Your scorecard does not accurately reflect legislators' track record on wildlife. I am disappointed you did not score hb2971, the most important wildlife bill of the session. This bill repealed Measure 18, the ballot measure that banned using packs of dogs and buckets of bait to hunt bears and cougars. Otherwise, the scorecard is impressive. Thank you.