For Immediate Release
September 13, 2016 Contact: Lori Brown 860-236-5442 lori.brown@ctlcv.org CT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS RELEASES 2016 ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD Hartford, CT- The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV), a bipartisan environmental legislative watchdog, has just released its annual Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecardevaluates how members of Connecticut's state legislature performed on the most important environmental bills of 2016. According to CTLCV, all Connecticut Legislators say they are in favor of protecting the natural environment. But are they? The Scorecard gives the votes that were scored and explains bills that really mattered for the environment this year. Equally important, the Scorecard exposes legislators whose maneuverings quietly killed good bills, or who tried to dismantle important laws that we count on to protect our public water supply, our open spaces, and prevent exposure to toxic chemicals. CHAMPIONS On the other hand, there are legislative champions who fought very hard against efforts to weaken environmental protections. In a legislative session dominated by fiscal woes and disputes, our champions managed to push through critical legislation that safeguards our land, air, and water for the benefit of our entire state. A special section of this year's scorecard is dedicated to legislators who took leadership on one or more key environmental issues this year. "To enact good environmental laws, we need good people at the state legislature to fight for us," said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. "The Scorecard is our best tool for giving credit where it is due. This year's Scorecard reflects some very hard-fought wins, and we owe thanks to our champions in both chambers." KEY LEGISLATION A major victory this year was passage of a bill calling for a state referendum to better protect state-owned lands. Another big win resulted in better protections for habitat that supports important pollinators and restricts the use of certain pesticides that are especially lethal to them. These and other statewide successes are shared by every community in Connecticut. Pro-environment legislation that did not pass this year sought to protect our public water supply against the extractive water bottling industry. That battle is expected to continue next session along other efforts that were derailed, such as an initiative to ban toxic flame retardant chemicals in children's clothing, and enacting a ban on single-use plastic bags. THE BUDGET IMPACT By and large, funding for environmental programs was reduced. But for some key programs, such as the clean water fund, cuts were not extreme. The most serious damage to environmental protection in Connecticut is caused by recurring budget cuts to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). DEEP is having difficulty meeting its core mission and responsibilities, and this year's cuts make the problems worse: help to towns and cities on wetlands issues no longer exists. Oversight of pesticide application is now only paperwork, not verified in the field. Monitoring of sewage treatment plants and hazardous waste has been greatly reduced, leaving uncertainties about how serious problems may be. Public parks are ever under threat of closure and disrepair. And non-compliance with environmental laws is increasing, apparently because no one is watching. MORE INFO The public may learn more about the 2016 session, view theScorecard, and track the progress of legislators regarding environmental issues next session by visiting www.ctlcv.org, or by calling the League at 860-236-5442. ******* The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters publishes the annual Connecticut Environmental Scorecard, which rates the actions of every state legislator on the state's environmental priorities each year. CTLCV educates voters on state environmental concerns, fosters collaboration between environmental groups, endorses supportive candidates during the elections, and holds all legislators accountable in an annual Scorecard after each legislative session. Connecticut League of Conservation Voters 553 Farmington Avenue, Suite 201 Hartford, CT 06105 860-236-5442 www.ctlcv.org The 2016 Scorecard is paid for by the CTLCV Political Action Committee. This message was made independent of any candidate or political party. Contributions to the CTLCV PAC of $5,000 or more were made by CTLCV, Inc and David Bingham. Additional information about the CTLCV PAC may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission's internet website.
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