Sen. Winfield Continues Environmental Leadership, Earns 95% on CTLCV Scorecard

HARTFORD – State Sen. Gary Winfield (D-10, representing New Haven and West Haven), was among the top scorers in the Senate on this year’s Environmental Scorecard issued by the CT League of Conservation Voters.

The 2023 Environmental Scorecard, published annually, is intended to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes on environmental policy. The final score for each legislator represents an average of their votes on specific bills. 

Winfield, who co-chairs the Judiciary Committee, is known for his commitment to criminal and social justice issues throughout his long tenure in both chambers of the General Assembly.  He is equally dedicated to reforms that will protect the environment. He cast pro-environment votes on 16 bills that came before committees on which he served or in the full Senate, earning a 95% rating on the League’s Scorecard.

“While Sen. Winfield has been laser-focused on social justice during his years in the House and his five terms in the state Senate, he has also been a strong supporter of pro-environment legislation,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director.   “Sen. Winfield is passionate about improving the lives of his constituents and all Connecticut residents whether through reforms to the justice system, or legislation to ensure future generations have clean air and water.”

True to his nature on both of these fronts, Sen. Winfield supported Senate Bill 1147, the Environmental Justice Program of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The law now gives DEEP authority to deny permits for new polluting facilities in already overburdened communities based on the cumulative impact on public health and the environment.

Sen. Winfield also voted to provide grants to towns for PFAS testing and remediation to help improve drinking water quality. He voted in favor of the Carbon-Free Schools bill to provide cleaner, healthier schools for our children and teachers. This bill would have leveraged state and federal funding to carry out cost-saving energy projects, fund solar and other energy efficiency studies, and provide technical assistance to evaluate and implement these projects. 

Sen. Winfield also supported wildlife protection, voting for the Seabird and Shorebird Protection Program which allows the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to designate and identify protected areas for nesting shore birds within the state’s coastal area. 

This year’s Scorecard covers 31 bills affecting the environment and three bills advancing voting rights. This was the first year CTLCV included a separate “Democracy” score for all lawmakers based on voting rights legislation.  Senator Winfield earned a Democracy Score of 100%.   

These and other important initiatives were deliberated and voted on at the CT General Assembly this year with input from CTLCV. More information about CTLCV’s work on behalf of the environment can be found at  CTLCV.org 

​The public is also invited to attend  CTLCV Education Fund’s annual Environmental Summit set for Jan. 23 where  advocates, lawmakers, and policy experts will preview upcoming legislative priorities for the 2024 legislative session. The day-long session will be held in person at the CT Science Center with an online option, and limited free access for young people.  
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