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Hartford, CT - In one of the most unpredictable election seasons of all time for the Connecticut state legislature--with 22 open seats, hotly competitive races, razor thin margins for some incumbents, and control of our state Senate in the balance--every single vote is going to count. To help move the dial in favor of some of the state's most active environmental leaders, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has identified and endorsed candidates from both parties for election to the Connecticut General Assembly. "The economy may dominate the headlines and candidate debates, but the people we elect will also decide how we protect our public water supply, preserve state lands, prevent pollution, and manage energy and transportation options for all citizens," said David Bingham, CTLCV co-chair. In Connecticut General Assembly races, CTLCV endorses the following candidates:
Several of the League's top environmental champions are being targeted for defeat by special interests with big dollars to spend. In response, CTLCV has created its own Political Action Committee to promote a strong bi-partisan slate of endorsed candidates for voters to consider on election day.
"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 about environmental issues," said Bingham. "The candidates we endorse are reliable in their environmental values, and pledge to prioritize environmental matters important to their constituents. We urge people in their districts to support them at the polls on November 8," said Ken Bernhard, CTLCV Co-Chair. According to CTLCV, 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. 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. Responses of all candidates, regardless of endorsement, are posted at www.ctlcv.org. CTLCV has kept tabs on how legislators are voting once in office. An annual Environmental Scorecard is also posted on its site, reporting how each incumbent lawmaker voted on key bills each session. "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 Bernhard. "The environment is our greatest asset, worth investing in through thick and thin for the long term health of our state." Hartford, CT- The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV), a bipartisan environmental legislative watchdog, has just released its annual Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard evaluates 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 shows 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 we count on to protect our public water supply, our open spaces, and prevent exposure to toxic chemicals. CHAMPIONS Connecticut it also has its share of 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 the Scorecard, 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. Hartford, CT - On October 13, 2014, the bipartisan Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) named its second slate of endorsed candidates for election to the Connecticut General Assembly in the November 4, 2014 elections.
CTLCV endorses candidates for the state legislature every election cycle based on their positions and track record on the environment. 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. To date, CTLCV has endorsed a bipartisan slate of 31 candidates, all of whom demonstrate strong and devout leadership on environmental issues. In Connecticut General Assembly races, the CTLCV endorses:
By endorsing candidates who care about environmental values, the League is helping to elect people who will make meaningful decisions that affect the state's environment every day. "Connecticut's economic and environmental quality of life have 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. CTLCV surveys candidates on their positions, records, and plans for protecting the environment. The League also interviews candidates as appropriate and reviews incumbents' voting records in its Annual Environmental Scorecard. CTLCV will only consider endorsing candidates who have responded to its annual Survey on the Environment. Hartford, CT - The bipartisan Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) named additional endorsed candidates for election to the Connecticut General Assembly in the November 6 elections.
To date, CTLCV has endorsed a bipartisan slate of 29 candidates, all of whom demonstrate strong leadership on environmental issues. Of those who requested endorsement from CTLCV this year and turned in surveys in a timely manner, only 25% of all Republicans and 25% of all Democrats were endorsed. 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. Cathy Osten (D-19): As the First Selectmen of the Town of Sprague, Cathy has shown commitment to environmental protection. Some of her accomplishments include saving over 280 acres of open space, working to establish a greenway from Lisbon through Windham, cleaning up local brownfields, creating a smart growth council, and creating community gardens. Jim Crawford (D-33): As a freshman legislator, Jim worked to promote water conservation, the preservation and protection of Long Island Sound and the development of mass transit. As a member of both the Shoreline Preservation Task Force and the GMO Task Force, Jim has shown willingness to devote time and energy to the environment. 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 Lori Brown, Executive Director of CTLCV. 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. 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:
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. |
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