2001 Session in Review
Dear Maine Conservationist,
The Maine League of Conservation Voters has analyzed and published the environmental voting records of Maine legislators in even numbered years since 1986. With this edition, our ninth, we begin the new policy of issuing our scorecard annually. This mid-session evaluation offers both lawmakers and their constituents the opportunity to assess how Maine’s natural resources are faring in the current legislative session, and whether a mid-course correction is called for.
The decisions our legislators make have a direct impact on our lives. They determine our health and quality of life. Because our natural resources are the backbone of our economy, they determine our wealth. Perhaps most importantly, they determine whether we will leave the Maine we love to our children and grandchildren.
That’s why Maine citizens should know how their elected representatives voted on the most important conservation issues in the first half of the legislative session. It’s also why each of us should let our elected officials know how we feel about the job they’re doing. It’s a good time to say thank you or to ask your representatives to do a better job protecting our natural resources for the remainder of the term.
Voicing your opinion now is important; participating in the process is even more effective. To encourage readers to do so and to help you understand how, we have added a description of the key policy-making committees and a guide to the legislative process.
As in the past, we have chosen bills on a range of issues, from land use to wildlife to the control of toxins and invasive species. We feel the bills selected give us insight into a legislator’s commitment to protecting what makes Maine special. We chose the key vote on each bill, knowing that the final roll call isn’t always the most relevant. On the Senate chart, we chose two roll calls on proposed amendments which would have substantially weakened the bills in question.
As in the past, we have counted unexcused absences as an anti-environment vote, because being present to vote is a key responsibility for a legislator.
We realize, however, that roll calls don’t tell the entire story, so with this edition of the Environmental Scorecard, we have attempted for the first time to share information that can’t be gleaned from roll calls. Sponsoring bills, forging compromise, derailing damaging proposals, and convincing other legislators to vote correctly are important activities that a roll call can’t measure. Our new Noteworthy section goes beyond the roll calls to get a more complete picture of legislators’ actions.
Because this scorecard only documents votes cast in the first session of the 120th Legislature, we have chosen not to issue percentage ratings of individual senators and representatives. We simply noted how often members cast a pro-environment vote. Next year, when the picture is complete, we’ll issue ratings and compile our Honor and Dishonor Rolls.
There are other exciting changes going on at the Maine League of Conservation Voters. We now have a website: www.mlcv.org. You’ll find this and our two previous scorecards on it, in downloadable format. You’ll also find useful information about the Maine Legislature, links to related organizations, and tips on how you can help determine public policy. Watch in 2002 for our candidate endorsements.
We also have a number of new members on our Board of Directors. They each are leaders in protecting Maine’s natural resources, and we’re delighted to have such experienced and well-respected individuals join the League.
If you are concerned about protecting what makes Maine special for the future, please take action. Share this scorecard with a friend. Let your representatives know that conservation is a priority for you. Learn how the lawmaking process works, and become a part of it. Support the Maine League of Conservation Voters so that we can continue to hold legislators accountable and elect strong leaders.
Sincerely,
Daniel Amory, President
Eliza Townsend, Executive Director
