Hartford, CT - State Representative John Piscopo is once again running uncontested in the 76th House district, representing the towns of Burlington, Harwinton, Litchfield, and Thomaston.  In fact, he has not had a serious challenge since 2006.  For as many years, Piscopo has adamantly denied global warming as a hoax and has routinely ignored important environmental issues in our state.  This, despite living in a state with a proclivity for conserving its resources and protecting clean air, water, and open space.  His record is clearly out of sync with his constituents’ core values.

Piscopo is the First Vice Chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council, (ALEC).  ALEC is an organization sponsored by large corporations seeking to undo protections for the environment. This group writes model legislation that can be introduced by ultra conservative lawmakers in their home state.  Piscopo’s association with ALEC’s mission is clearly reflected in his abysmal voting record as reported in by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voter’s 2012 Environmental Scorecard. 

Based on a possible 100% rating, Piscopo earned the lowest of all the legislators: 39%. 

He received this score by voting against legislation that would have protected children from toxic chemicals and pesticides, against safe disposal of unwanted pharmaceutical waste, and against open space protection.  This pattern of voting is no anomaly. In the last three years, he scored a 43%, 25%, and 24%, and has earned a staggeringly low lifetime score of 38%. 

This is surprising given the scores Legislators from both sides of the aisle have received from the surrounding communities. Senators representing the same towns as Piscopo have an average 2012 score of 85%. The House districts neighboring Piscopo’s district also elect more environmentally responsible candidates.  The average 2012 score for members of the House from these towns was 94%. 

Even though Piscopo is running uncontested, his constituents should know how he is representing them at the Capitol.  The residents of Burlington, Harwinton, Litchfield, and Thomaston may want to consider letting Piscopo know that they expect a better environmental record from their elected representative.

Email Rep. John Piscopo at [email protected], and tell him it is time he starts representing you at the Capitol and not ALEC.

Hartford, CT (August 10, 2012) - Today, the bipartisan Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) named its slate of endorsed candidates for election to the Connecticut General Assembly in the November 6 elections.

To date, CTLCV has endorsed a bipartisan slate of 27 candidates, all of whom demonstrate strong leadership on environmental issues. All endorsed candidates must be committed to protecting Connecticut's land, water, air, and wildlife, and to working for sustainable solutions to pressing state issues like transportation, energy, and waste management.

“If you care about the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the wonderful parks and landscapes in Connecticut, then pay attention to what candidates are saying about environmental issues,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown.  “The candidates we endorse are reliable in their core environmental values and we urge people in their districts to support them at the polls on November 6.”

In Connecticut General Assembly races, CTLCV endorses:

• Rep. James Albis (D-House 99)
• Rep. David Baram (D-House 15)
• Sen. Toni Boucher (R-Senate 26)
• Candidate Jason Bowsza (D-House 57)
• Rep. Michelle Cook (D-House 65)
• Rep. Andrew Fleischmann (D-House 18)
• Rep. Mae Flexer (D-House 44)
• Rep. Livvy Floren (R-House 149)
• Rep. Gregory Haddad (D-House 54)
• Candidate John Hampton (D-House 16)
• Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-House 143)
• Rep. Matthew Lesser (D-House 100)
• Candidate Liz Linehan (D-House 103)
• Rep. Geoff Luxemberg (D-House 12)
• Sen. Edward Meyer (D-Senate 12)
• Rep. Philip Miller (D-House 36)
• Rep. Mary Mushinsky (D-House 85)
• Candidate Christopher Phelps (D-House 32)
• Rep. Matthew Ritter (D-House 1)
• Rep. Kim Rose (D-House 118)
• Rep. Jonathan Steinberg (D-House 136)
• Rep. Diana Urban (D-House 43)
• Rep. William Wadsworth (R-House 21)
• Rep. Patricia Widlitz (D-House 98)
• Rep. Roberta Willis (D-House 64)
• Rep. Terrie Wood (R-House 141)
• Rep. Elissa Wright (D-House 41)

By endorsing candidates who care about environmental values, the League is helping to elect people who will make good decisions that affect the state’s environment every day.

“Connecticut’s economic and environmental quality of life has always depended on our natural resources.  We are counting on our endorsed candidates to champion smart environmental policies that will protect these irreplaceable assets,” said Brown.

Every election year, CTLCV surveys candidate on their positions, records, and plans for protecting the environment. The League also interviews candidates as appropriate and reviews incumbents' record in its Annual Environmental Scorecard. CTLCV will only consider endorsing candidates who have responded to the survey.