Rep. Craig Miner Named One of "Dirty Dozen in the States"

Targets Most Anti-Environment State-Level Candidates in Country

​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.