Environmental Scores Mixed For Local Legislators

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters said that while 38 state legislators had a perfect voting record in supporting environmental legislation this year, 34 received failing grades.

The bipartisan organization, which advocates sustainable environmental policies, says that number is greater than the past three years combined. However, the organization said a number of bills they feel would have negatively affected areas such as environmental permitting and water management were defeated.

"There is a continuing need to remind our public officials that Connecticut's environment is one of the state's most precious assets," said G. Kenneth Bernhard, the League's co-chair, in a statement. "Protecting it is an essential role of government."

The scorecard, which looks at legislators' votes on 12 bills. The League gives legislators a 100 percent score for a vote considered pro-environment and a zero percent score for a vote considered anti-environment, and the aggregate score is tallied from these totals. Absences are not counted for or against the score, as the League says that absences may occur for many reasons or legislators may not have an opportunity to vote.

Rep. Ernest Hewett (D-New London) had the highest score of local legislators with 83 percent, scoring five "pro-environment" votes and one "anti-environment" vote, along with six absences. Sen. Andrea Stillman (D-Waterford) had five "pro-environment" and two "anti-environment" votes, along with five absences, for a 71 percent score. The League gave Rep. Ted Moukawsher (D-Groton) a 50 percent score on a river buffers vote as well as two "pro-environment" and two "anti-environment" votes, with seven absences.

The full scorecard can be viewed here.