29 Senators Get Failing "Green" Grade on Mid-Term Report Card

ALBANY, NY (05/11/2010)(readMedia)-- EPL/Environmental Advocates released a preliminary version of the only scorecard that grades New York State lawmakers according to their votes on bills that could harm or benefit the state's air, land and water today. The mid-term report card for the New York State Senate shows 29 Senators with failing scores. Nearly 90 percent of the Republican minority conference has a failing grade on their mid-term environmental report card.

To date, the mid-term scores are based largely on individual Senators' votes on the Environmental Access to Justice Act, a bill that would restore the right of citizens to challenge the results of environmental reviews, a high-priority bill for the environmental community in 2010. "No" votes on this bill negatively affected 32 Senators' scores and separated the green villains from the super stars.

"There's a big split in the chamber and it looks like some Senators may go home with a big green frowny face on their report cards," said Robert Moore, Executive Director of EPL/Environmental Advocates.

The Republican minority in the Senate has a house average of 48, with 26 of the 30 members receiving failing grades. Among those failing is Senator Vincent Leibell (R-Brewster), who has a score of 50. Senator Leibell has long been a champion of measures to protect water quality, parklands, and drinking water, but his failure to vote for the Environmental Access to Justice Act in April is a black mark on his green credentials.

A few Democrats should also be very concerned about their green grades. Among them are Senators Darrel Aubertine (D-Watertown), William Stachowski (D-Buffalo) and David Valesky (D-Syracuse) who all have scores of 60, bringing their conference's average down to 86. All three Senators voted against the Environmental Access to Justice Act.

"There's still time for these three Senators to improve their grades, but they have to work harder," said Moore. "They can't turn in someone else's homework or take credit for their colleagues' good environmental record."

There are a few legislators earning their green stars so far this year. Twenty-three Senators, all Democrats, have tied for the highest mid-term score of 90 out of 100. These Senators have consistently voted for and passed legislation that would benefit New York's natural resources. Among the high-scorers are Senators Antoine Thompson (D-Buffalo), who chairs the Environmental Conservation Committee, and John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), the Democratic Conference Leader.

There is still time for all Senators to improve their grades. A favorable vote on the Global Warming Pollution Control Act-a bill that would reduce climate change pollution from all sources until total greenhouse gas emissions are reduced 80 percent by the year 2050-and votes to restore the State's Environmental Protection Fund and securing agency funding in the budget, as well as keeping state parks open, would give under-preforming legislators a munch-needed boost in this year's "Voters' Guide."

For a full list of the entire New York State Senate preliminary "Voters' Guide" scores, go to http://www.eplvotersguide.org/2010PrelimScores_PR.html.

The "Voters' Guide" is the first and only record of New York State lawmakers' votes on legislation that will impact the environment. The Guide has been produced and distributed statewide for more almost 40 years. The 2010 "Voters' Guide" will be available in October.

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EPL/Environmental Advocates was founded in 1969 as one of the first organizations in the nation to advocate for the future of a state's environment and the health of its citizens. Through lobbying, advocacy, coalition building, citizen education and policy development, EPL/Environmental Advocates has been New York's environmental conscience-ensuring that environmental laws are enforced; that new measures are enacted when necessary; and that the public is informed of, and participates in, important environmental policy debates.