Hartford, CT - The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has identified and endorsed David Lawson as the pro-environment candidate for election to the Connecticut General Assembly, representing Senate District 30. The League says there has never been a more vivid contrast between the candidates when it comes to protecting our state's open spaces, or in their understanding of the need to keep our public lakes and streams healthy and clean.

This is one of the most unpredictable election seasons of all time for the Connecticut state legislature. CTLCV wants to be sure that voters who care about the environment have the facts to make informed choices at election time.

"David Lawson is committed to the things that make District 30 such an incredible place to live, work and play. Northwest Connecticut contains beautiful, diverse landscapes, with abundant wildlife, fresh air, and a multitude of lakes and streams. Residents of the district expect that the person they send to Hartford to represent them will work to preserve these irreplaceable assets," said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. "David Lawson shares these core values of the residents he seeks to represent."
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The League points out that Lawson's opponent, Representative Craig Miner, is on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to conservation.

CTLCV has tracked and published the voting records of all CT legislators since 2000. Miner's lifetime voting history shows he cast anti-environmental votes 85 times since his first year in office, 2001. Beyond voting poorly on important issues, he has repeatedly fought against good environmental initiatives, often sacrificing the environment for some unrelated legislative pursuit. The most recent example was this past session, when he filibustered a bi-partisan bill that would have required transparency in town applications about the nature and scope of pending development projects. There are many instances where he has used his position on the legislature's environment committee to weaken environmental initiatives ranging from habitat protection and wetlands conservation, to opposing creation of the Community Investment Act that funds farmland preservation and open space. Miner is nationally recognized as one of the 12 most anti-environment candidates running for state office, according to the national League of Conservation Voters.

"If you care about the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the wonderful parks and landscapes in Connecticut, then pay close attention to what candidates are saying and doing about environmental issues," said David Bingham, CTLCV co-chair.

Since 2000, CTLCV has surveyed candidates on their positions, records, and plans for protecting the environment. This year's candidate survey contained questions about environmental issues that are likely to be considered during the 2017 legislative session beginning this January. David Lawson's responses are posted at www.ctlcv.org. Craig Miner did not respond to the survey.

David Lawson's positions on a multitude of conservation issues demonstrate that he is in sync with the residents of the district. The person elected to the powerful senate seat will help decide how to protect the state's public water supply, preserve state lands, prevent pollution, and manage energy and transportation options for all citizens. 

With 33 years as an educator, Lawson knows that good information is key to ensuring the public is involved in protecting the environment, especially farmland and open space. He is committed to protecting the district's waterways and addressing polluted "runoff" impacting many in the Northwest who rely on wells. In an interview, he said he would build public consensus around solutions by helping to inform people about the issues and bring all parties to the table. His candidate survey notes his support for reducing single use plastic bags that clog waterways and harm wildlife, and he also supports stronger efforts to reduce pesticides as an essential means to help maintain the ecosystem and reduce health risks. Lawson states, "It is time to support environmental legislation that is proactive."

"The candidates we endorse are reliable in their environmental values, and pledge to prioritize environmental matters important to their constituents. We urge people in Senate District 30 to support David Lawson at the polls on November 8," said Bingham.

Connecticut's economic and environmental quality of life has always depended on its natural resources. CTLCV's endorsed candidates pledge to champion smart environmental policies that will protect these irreplaceable assets. According to the League, people don't often know whether or not a candidate shares their core values on the environment. CTLCV has done the research and wants to be sure voters know who will best represent them on these issues.

Additional information about CTLCV's Scorecard and Endorsements can be found at www.ctlcv.org.

*Senate District 30 includes the towns of Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren, Winchester.
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​Hartford, CT - As a key part of its electoral work this year, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) announced today that Representative Craig Miner is being named to national LCV's "Dirty Dozen in the States." Modeled after LCV's trademark federal "Dirty Dozen," the state version highlights 12 of the most anti-environment state-level candidates from around the country who state LCVs are working to defeat.

"Craig Miner's record made him an obvious choice for this list of dubious distinction," said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive director. "By naming Miner to the Dirty Dozen in the States, we are highlighting his misguided prior​ities for the State and the larger Senate District he now wants to represent. We're ready to inform voters about Miner's positions, which threaten our water, air, wildlife and the overall stewardship of our natural resources."

There are many reasons that Craig Miner, a 16-year incumbent in the Connecticut House of Representatives, has been recognized nationally for the Dirty Dozen state list. To name a few:

• Ranked among the four lowest LIFETIME SCORES of all CT state lawmakers in both parties for votes against the environment during his tenure in the Connecticut General Assembly. Based on annual legislative scorecards released every year since 2000, Miner has sunk to 58%.
• Voted against the Community Investment Act. Despite Miner's opposition, the state created a critical funding stream dedicated to farmland, open space, affordable housing and historic preservation, with direct benefits to farms and local programs in Senate District 30.​
• ​Blocked legislation that would have protected CT from "fracking" waste until he was able to remove a prohibition against the harvesting of glass eels, an important species in our river ecosystems.
• Cast 85 anti-environment votes since 2001 on issues ranging from solar energy, Long Island Sound, fracking waste, dam safety, recycling, water quality, state land swaps, inland wetlands, pesticide use at daycares, bottle recycling, global warming, and many more. 
• Opposed a bill to protect children and firefighters from toxic flame retardant chemicals in children's clothing and upholstery.
• Attempted to block restrictions on a pesticide that is especially harmful to pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, which are critical for our agricultural sector.
• Filibustered and killed an important bi-partisan bill that called for greater transparency of local development permits and would have helped inform local citizens about pending projects in their communities.
• Spoke at length on the floor of the House against a constitutional amendment to protect open space.

"Craig Miner's current constituents may not have known about his record on the environment while he represented them in the House. We are certain, however, that the people of Senate District 30 care deeply about protecting their lakes, open spaces, wildlife and clean air. They would be appalled to learn that their representative in Hartford does not have these interests in mind," said David Bingham, CTLCV co-chair.  

According to the League, Miner was radically anti-environment in the House, and elevating him to the more powerful senate seat would have terrible consequences.

"This is a man who has used every tool at his disposal, including his position as a senior member of the state legislature's Environment Committee, to weaken many of our state's critical protection laws," said Bingham.
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Conservation Voter Leagues across the nation are working to defeat state lawmakers on the "Dirty Dozen in the States" national list. The candidates named are some of the most anti-environment politicians running in competitive state-level races for governor, state senate or state house this cycle.

The "Dirty Dozen in the States" is modeled after LCV's "Dirty Dozen," which has targeted candidates for federal office - regardless of party affiliation - who consistently side against the environment, and are running in races in which LCV has a serious chance to affect the outcome. LCV has named candidates to the Dirty Dozen for twenty years. Last cycle, state LCVs defeated seven of the twelve "Dirty Dozen in the States" candidates.

Additional information about CTLCV's Scorecard and Endorsements can be found at www.ctlcv.org.

​Senate District 30 includes the towns of Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren, Winchester.

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This communication 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 were made by CTLCV, Inc., the League of Conservation Voters, Inc., and David Bingham. Additional information about the CTLCV PAC may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission's internet website.