(Albany, NY) EPL/Environmental Advocates has released the 2013 Environmental Scorecard, and data demonstrates how the State Senate took dysfunction to new heights in 2013, with political gamesmanship and infighting sinking environmental issues. The Assembly remained an environmental leader, with eight Long Island representatives led by Environmental Conservation Chairman Bob Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) earning perfect scores of 100.
Assemblymember Sweeney was the lead sponsor on three of the four environmental community’s 2013 Super Bills, and was instrumental in passing them through his Chamber. The Assemblyman also shepherded a number of other environmentally beneficial bills to the floor for a vote including bills to keep mercury out of landfills and a bill to include future climate risks in municipal planning efforts. While no legislator received the 2013 Legislator of the Year, New York has no greater environmental champion than Assemblyman Sweeney.
Dave Gahl, executive director of EPL/Environmental Advocates said, “There could not be more divergent views of environmental protection than between Long Island’s Assemblymembers and Senators. While eight Assemblymembers earned perfect scores – with only six failing scores in the lot – the Senate’s disastrous record included failing grades from all but two Long Island Senators. Senate co-President Dean Skelos remains one of the most anti-environment legislative leaders in modern history, a sad turn given the personal and economic toll Long Island has felt as a result of climate change and an outdated energy infrastructure.”
Assembly
The Assembly passed all four of the environmental community’s Super Bills, and also prevented legislation that would have long-lasting negative environmental impacts from reaching a vote. Eight Assemblymembers earned perfect 100 scores, including Mr. Sweeney, Steve Englebright (D-East Setauket), Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove), Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood), Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck), Michaelle Solages (D-Valley Stream), Fred Thiele, Jr. (I-Bridgehampton) and Harvey Weinstein (D-Long Island). Chad Lupinacci (R-Huntington Station) and Brian Curran (R-Lynbrook) also scored well above their Republican Conference colleagues, earning 88 and 80 points, respectively.
Senate
The Senate continued to be the place where good legislation goes to die, with one environmental Super Bill, the Child Safe Products Act, not getting a vote despite having 37 cosponsors (only 32 votes are needed for passage). Additionally, the Senate Majority Coalition did not allow a vote on legislation that would close a gaping loophole in how fracking companies can dispose of their hazardous waste within our borders – the measure had 34 cosponsors. The Senate Majority Coalition also failed to finalize legislation that would expand solar energy development and green jobs in New York for the Governor’s signature.
Senators Kenneth LaValle (R-Mt. Sinai) and Jack Martins (R-Mineola) lead their chamber’s regional scores, earning 77 and 74 points, respectively. Senator Lee Zeldin, the 2011 recipient of the dubious Oil Slick Award, continued his head-scratching hostility towards Long Island’s environment, earning a paltry 36 points. Senate co-President Dean Skelos, who courted press in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) failures, earned a sorry 42 points.
The Scorecard
The EPL/Environmental Advocates 2013 Environmental Scorecard is the first and only record of New York State lawmakers’ votes on legislation that will impact the environment. The scorecard has been produced and distributed statewide for more than 40 years. For the complete Scorecard, visit www.eplscorecard.org.
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. It is the sister organization of Environmental Advocates of New York.
