2008 Session in Review
Dear Maine Conservationist,
By reading this scorecard, you’re taking an important step towards protecting Maine’s environment: you’re educating yourself on how your legislators voted. Are they voting for bills that steward our natural resources wisely and protect public health from environmental toxins? Or would they allow Maine’s natural resources to be exploited to benefit a few?
We’re pleased to report that overall, the 123rd Legislative Session was a remarkable one for Maine’s environment. Lawmakers passed three significant bills to address the dangers of global warming including a 10-state initiative to strictly limit carbon dioxide pollution from new power plants. They enacted two nationally groundbreaking laws to reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals in everyday products. Legislators supported renewed funding for land and river conservation, updated and strengthened Maine’s endangered and threatened species list, and helped curb sprawl with downtown redevelopment.
A record eighty-nine legislators appear on the MLCV’s Honor Roll this year. Why are so many legislators scoring so well? We can identify three reasons: regardless of political party, they know constituents care about protecting clean air and clean water and conserving land; the Environmental Priorities Coalition, led by MLCV and representing 25 organizations and 100,000 members, used its collective voice and muscle to win 11 out of 12 priorities; and MLCV clearly and regularly communicates with legislators on the year’s top environmental priorities to help them make the best decisions.
To double the effectiveness of this Environmental Scorecard take a moment and call or write to your legislators and let them know what you think of their scores.
If you are currently a MLCV member, thank you and congratulations for your role in bringing about these protections! If not, please join us and turn your environmental values into political priorities.
Sincerely,
Maureen Drouin, Executive Director
Caroline M. Pryor, Board President
