Ventana Chapter - Political Issues

Sierra Club California report card rates State legislators

December 2008

Most California Democratic legislators voted consistently to protect our air, water and wild places, while the vast majority of their Republican counterparts continued to be obstacles to environmental progress.

Sierra Club California tracked the votes of California’s Assemblymembers and Senators, recording each Earth-friendly vote as a positive score. From toxics prevention to water conservation to environmental education, the measures addressed many of California’s most urgent 2008 environmental priorities.

Statewide, 15 senators and 27 assemblymembers scored 100% green, all of them Democrats. Senator Joe Simitian and Assemblymember John Laird each received a 100% score.

Republican Senator Abel Maldonado Jr. voted with the environment only 4 out of 7 times, making him the highest-scoring Republican in the California Senate. Senator Jeff Denham received an eco zero.

To see the complete scorecard visit www.sierraclubcalifornia.org.