October 25, 2024

Legislative Democrats Earn Top Marks in 2024 Environmental Scorecard

By Hugh McQuaid
October 25 @ 12:45 pm

Senate Democrats earned an average of 97% in an annual environmental scorecard, released Tuesday by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, which evaluated state legislators based on their votes related to more than a dozen environmental policies.

All told, 18 Senate Democrats received perfect scores of 100% in CTLCV’s 32-page scorecard, which assigned every Connecticut legislator an numerical grade based on their support or opposition to proposals to reduce pollution, promote climate resilience, or preserve natural resources.

This year’s scorecard evaluated votes on more than a dozen environmental bills including policies to prohibit the use of toxic PFAS chemicals, finance energy efficiency projects in public schools, and protect water sources from herbicides.

In addition to awarding 18 perfect scores to Democratic senators, CTLCV specifically recognized Sens. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, Christine Cohen, D-Guilford, and Ceci Maher, D-Wilton, as Environmental Champions for their “unwavering commitment to environmental advocacy.”

“We extend our gratitude to these leaders for their dedication to the protection of our land, air, water, wildlife, and climate,” the environmental group said of the Environmental Champions.

The senators said they were honored to receive the distinction.

“This year, my colleagues and I worked to prevent pollution from the forever-chemical PFAS, support increased access to solar and renewable energies statewide and take action against invasive plants, among other actions,” Anwar said in a statement. “The CTLCV’s focus on voting rights is a further reminder of the way our world is interconnected, reinforcing its overall mission.”

The environmental advocacy group awarded Democrats in the House an average score of 97%, mirroring their Senate colleagues.

Meanwhile, Republican legislators in both chambers generally earned failing grades as a result of their voting records. Members of the Senate Republican Caucus earned an average score of 50%, while members of the House Republican Caucus scored an average of 37%, according to the CTLCV scorecard.

The Senate’s lowest score on environmental policies went to Sen. Ryan Fazio, a Greenwich Republican, whose voting record earned him a 25%. The lowest score in the House went to Rep. John Piscopo, R-Thomaston, who scored 23% on his environmental votes.

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