Climate obstruction, coal ash cleanup highlight fast-paced session
RICHMOND – Hoy, la Virginia League of Conservation Voters publicó su 2019 General Assembly Conservation Scorecard, the only comprehensive tool for voters in Virginia to see whether their lawmakers are prioritizing the environment when they’re in Richmond.
The votes scored in this year’s scorecard cover a wide range of issues important to conservation causes in Virginia, everything from climate action, clean energy policy and protecting water quality, to transportation, land use, open space preservation and redistricting reform. Overall, this year’s legislator scores reflect votes cast on 20 bills in the House of Delegates and 15 pieces of legislation in the Senate.
In addition to the vote tallies, the Scorecard takes a deep dive into policy analysis and the politics that framed the 2019 session, including a look at the February controversies that engulfed Richmond and how they will impact Virginia LCV’s work going forward.
“We made serious gains for our environment in 2019, including the passage of landmark legislation eliminating the threat of toxic coal ash throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Unfortunately, we also saw big setbacks when it comes to addressing our largest environmental threat – climate change,” said Michael Town, director ejecutivo de Virginia LCV. “Virginians shouldn’t have to choose between clean water and clean air – we deserve both. With all 140 seat up for grabs this fall, we will be working in 2019 to ensure the next General Assembly takes the climate crisis seriously and acts to protect our environment for all Virginians.”
The Scorecard helps hold lawmakers accountable when they fail to vote on the right side of conservation, and also showcases the many delegates and state senators who have prioritized our environment and have the strong voting record to prove it.
Overall, 49 legislators (11 state senators and 38 delegates) earned a perfect 100 percent voting record, giving them the designation of “Legislative Hero” for 2019.
Virginia LCV 2019 Legislative Heroes
Senator George Barker
Senadora Jennifer Boysko
Senador Creigh Deeds
Senadora Barbara Favola
Senator Janet Howell
Senadora Mamie Locke
Senador Dave Marsden
Senator Monty Mason
Senator Jennifer McClellan
Senador Jeremy McPike
Senator Dick Saslaw
Delegate Dawn Adams
Delegate Lashrecse Aird
Delegate Hala Ayala
Delegate Lamont Bagby
Delegate John Bell
Delegate Jeffrey Bourne
Delegado David Bulova
Delegada Betsy Carr
Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy
Delegate Lee Carter
Delegada Kelly Convirs-Fowler
Delegada Karrie Delaney
Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn
Delegate Wendy Gooditis
Delegate Elizabeth Guzman
Diputado Cliff Hayes
Delegada Charniele Herring
Delegado Patrick Hope
Delegate Chris Hurst
Delegate Jay Jones
Delegate Kaye Kory
Delegado Paul Krizek
Delegate Mark Levine
Delegado Alfonso López
Delegate Michael Mullin
Delegate Kathleen Murphy
Delegar Cia Price
Delegado David Reid
Delegate Debra Rodman
Delegate Danica Roem
Delegado Mark Sickles
Delegado Mark Simon
Delegado Rip Sullivan
Delegate David Toscano
Delegada Kathy Tran
Delegado Schuyler VanValkenburg
Delegada Jeion Ward
Delegada Vivian Watts
Another 10 delegates and eight state senators earned scores between 75 and 99 percent, making them Legislative Leaders for 2019.
Virginia LCV 2019 Legislative Leaders
Senator Rosalyn Dance
Senador Adam Ebbin
Senator John Edwards
Senator Lynwood Lewis
Senadora Louise Lucas
Senator Chap Petersen
Senator Lionell Spruill
Senator Scott Surovell
Delegate Steve Heretick
Delegate Matthew James
Delegate Mark Keam
Delegate Joseph Lindsey
Delegada Delores McQuinn
Delegate Ken Plum
Delegado Sam Rasoul
Delegado Luke Torian
Delegate Cheryl Turpin
Delegate Roslyn Tyler
In addition to these honors, Virginia LCV recognized four lawmakers for their individual leadership on the environment with 2019 Legislative Leadership Awards: Delegate Karrie Delaney, Delegate Charniele Herring, Delegate Lee Ware and Senator Jennifer McClellan.
At-a-glance legislator scores can be found Aquí. The full 2019 Conservation Scorecard is accessible Aquí.