New York's Environment Among Biggest Losers in Aftermath of State Senate Coup

Steep Drop in Scores for Many of NYS Senate's Environmental Champions; Lawmakers Can Fix Scores by Voting Green

ALBANY, NY (09/08/2009)(readMedia)-- In 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, EPL/Environmental Advocates documented a significant drop in lawmakers' scores this year. Many of the State Senate's long-time green leaders received failing grades in the first-round scorecard, a result of the Senate's June coup and the few bills acted upon in that house. To date, only six bills that would advance environmental protection have passed the Senate in 2009, compared to 15 or more in previous years. Last Friday, the Senate released a draft proposed legislative agenda for Thursday, September 10th, which includes three high priority environmental bills. The complete environmental scorecard, including Assembly scores and awards for green legislators, will be released in October.

The June Senate coup impacted every senator negatively and the disparity in scores includes state legislators in both parties, but overall, Republican senators scored worse than their Democratic Party colleagues on average (25 to 70). The Senate's overall average dropped precipitously by 32 points, from 80 in 2008, to 48 this year. Many of the State Senate's long-time green stewards fell down on the job this year. The Senate President Malcolm Smith (D-St.Albans) has a failing score of 55, while Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. (D-Bronx) has a 61, and Senate Conference Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) has a 75. Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) received a 23 this year, 53 points shy of his 2008 score.

"Almost every New Yorker believes the State Senate should shape up or ship out after this year's shenanigans," said Richard Amper of the Long Island Environmental Voters' Forum. "We're prepared to vote some of them off the island."

"Right now, more than half of our senators have failing grades in the environmental Voters' Guide, but if lawmakers vote 'yes' on just one or two bills when they return to Albany, their scores can change for the better," said David Gahl for EPL/Environmental Advocates. "Passing bills that will reduce global warming pollution, create green jobs, and encourage e-waste recycling could turn the Voters' Guide into a report card the Senate is proud to show New York voters."

"The New York State Senate's return to Albany offers our elected officials a tremendous opportunity to act on legislation that we know will have a positive impact on our air quality," said Michael Seilback, Vice President of Public Policy and Communications at the American Lung Association in New York. "Our 2009 State of the Air Report shows that far too many New Yorkers are forced to breathe unhealthy air. For the millions of New Yorkers suffering daily with asthma and lung disease, the passing of these bills cannot come soon enough."

"The actions of the New York State Senate bring to mind the old saying 'Nero fiddled while Rome burned.' It's time for the Senate to stop fiddling around and address the vast needs of New Yorkers. Time is short but the clock is still ticking. The Senate can still pass meaningful environmental bills if they put aside internal strife and place public need as a priority," said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

EPL/Environmental Advocates calculates lawmakers' scores using the ratings of its sister organization, Environmental Advocates of New York. Legislators earn between one and three points respectively for votes in support of bills that received one, two or three "trees." Tree-rated bills are those deemed beneficial to the environment. Likewise, legislators earn between one and three points for voting against bills that were give a rating of one, two or three "smokestacks." Smokestack-rated bills are those deemed detrimental to the environment. Votes on priority "Super Bills" receive extra points.

The environmental community's Super Bills are legislative priorities and are selected annually by the Green Panel, which includes representatives of groups from across New York State. The 2009 Super Bills include:

  • The Global Warming Pollution Cap would reduce New York State's climate change pollution from all sources until total greenhouse gas emissions are reduced 80 percent by the year 2050. The Cap has 30 sponsors from both parties;
  • Electronic Waste (E-waste) Recycling would remove tons of toxic e-waste from landfills by requiring manufacturers to collect and recycle their products;
  • The Environmental Access to Justice Act would restore New Yorkers' right to enforce environmental review laws;
  • Wetlands Protection would close a loophole in New York law and give the state authority to protect wetlands less than 12.4 acres in size; and
  • An expansion of the state's bottle deposit law to include bottled waters was passed in this year's budget agreement.

Although not among this year's Super Bills, Green Jobs - Green New York would establish a statewide building efficiency retrofit program by financing energy efficiency audits and installations in residential, multi-family, not-for-profit and small business structures. It would also create a workforce training program to ramp up the state's labor supply to fill the jobs created by the Act. Grants awarded under the Act would target recipients in low-income communities and those living in areas that fail to meet air quality under the federal Clean Air Act.

An additional high profile bill supported by the environmental community would require a reduction in the sulfur content of heating oil for residential, commercial or industrial use to no more than 15 parts per million, a threshold consistent with public health standards. The bill would result in dramatic improvements in air quality for millions of New Yorkers.

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 2009 Voters' Guide will be available in October.

PRELIMINARY VOTERS' GUIDE SCORES FOR THE NYS SENATE

Last Name First Name District Party Score

Adams Eric L. 20 D 82

Addabbo Joseph 15 D 68

Alesi James S. 55 R 23

Aubertine Darrel J. 48 D 55

Bonacic John J. 42 R 23

Breslin Neil D. 46 D 82

DeFrancisco John A. 50 R 18

Diaz, Sr. Ruben 32 D Incomplete

Dilan Martin Malave 17 D 57

Duane Thomas K. 29 D 68

Espada Pedro 33 D 61

Farley Hugh T. 44 R 23

Flanagan John J. 2 R 30

Foley Brian 3 D Incomplete

Fuschillo, Jr. Charles J. 8 R 30

Golden Martin J. 22 R 23

Griffo Joseph 47 R 18

Hannon Kemp 6 R 30

Hassell-Thompson Ruth 36 D 68

Huntley Shirley 10 D 64

Johnson Craig M. 7 D 55

Johnson Owen H. 4 R Incomplete

Klein Jeffrey 34 D 61

Krueger Liz 26 D 82

Kruger Carl 27 D Incomplete

Lanza Andrew 24 R 23

Larkin, Jr. William J. 39 R 23

LaValle Kenneth P. 1 R 36

Leibell, III Vincent L. 40 R 36

Libous Thomas W. 52 R 18

Little Elizabeth O'C 45 R Incomplete

Marcellino Carl L. 5 R 43

Maziarz George D. 62 R 18

McDonald Roy 43 R 18

Monserrate Hiram 13 D 64

Montgomery Velmanette 18 D 68

Morahan Thomas P. 38 R 36

Nozzolio Michael F. 54 R 23

Onorato George 12 D 77

Oppenheimer Suzi 37 D 82

Padavan Frank 11 R 43

Parker Kevin 21 D 75

Perkins Bill 30 D 82

Ranzenhofer Michael 61 R 18

Robach Joseph E. 56 R 23

Saland Stephen M. 41 R 23

Sampson John 19 D 75

Savino Diane J. 23 D 75

Schneiderman Eric T. 31 D 82

Serrano Jose M. 28 D 82

Seward James L. 51 R 23

Skelos Dean G. 9 R 23

Smith Malcolm 14 D 55

Squadron Daniel 25 D Incomplete

Stachowski William T. 58 D 61

Stavisky Toby Ann 16 D 75

Stewart-Cousins Andrea 35 D 75

Thompson Antoine 60 D 82

Valesky David J. 49 D 61

Volker Dale M. 59 R 23

Winner, Jr. George H. 53 R 18

Young Catharine M. 57 R 18

Max 82

Min 18

w/bonus avg. 48

w/bonus median 49

D avg. 70

R avg. 25

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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.