You didn't vote for polutting New York. Did your legislators?
by Robert Moore

It should come as no surprise that dysfunction in Albany has crept into every aspect of the political process. From pork-barrel spending to getting new laws passed, many of our lawmakers are too busy with business as usual to consider New Yorkers’ everyday concerns, such as protecting our air and water, and planning for a cleaner, safer energy future. EPL/Environmental Advocates’ 2006 Voters’ Guide (www.eplvotersguide.org) gives you an unbiased, unvarnished look at legislators’ voting records on environmental issues.

In general, this year’s environmental scorecard shows widespread bipartisan support for measures that protect New York’s water, air, and land. In the Assembly, Democrats and Republicans both stood up for important environmental issues this year, passing all four of the environmental community’s priority Super Bills. In the State Senate, however, not one of the Super Bills was allowed an honest vote on the Senate floor, despite strong bipartisan support and enough votes to pass.

The 2006 Super Bills include the Wetland Protection Act, which would protect wetlands of an acre or more; the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, which would expand the definition of returnable containers to include drinks like iced tea and bottled water; the Community Preservation Act, the ‘opt in’ bill which would give communities the power to set aside funds to protect natural heritage when and if they chose to do so; and the Environmental Protection Fund Enhancement Act, which would raise the Fund to $300 million over a two-year period beginning in 2008.

How can it be that bills with so much support never make it to the floor for a vote? In short, it boils down to leadership in both houses. And the Voters’ Guide shows the clear distinction between the leadership in both houses and both parties. In the Democrat-controlled Assembly, Speaker Sheldon Silver earned a perfect 100 and Majority Leader Paul Tokasz earned a 94. In the Republican-controlled Senate, Majority Leader Joe Bruno scored a 53 while Democratic Minority Leader, and candidate for Lieutenant Governor, David Paterson earned an 86.

But party affiliation isn’t what defines lawmakers’ environmental credentials. Just look at Republican Minority Leader Jim Tedisco who earned a 93 — 40 points higher than his Republican colleague in the Senate, Joe Bruno. Indeed, Assembly Republicans on average scored 24 points higher than their Senate counterparts.

So why the big difference in scores? It comes down to the difference between leaders who are willing to address the concerns of New York’s citizens and those leaders who are more interested in protecting the status quo. Clearly there is bipartisan support for much-needed environmental protections in both houses but the Senate’s leadership is increasingly out of step with their peers.

If the health of New York’s environment is something voters care about, they should take notice of what this year’s scorecard reveals about their legislators. When most New Yorkers cast their ballots in the last election, they didn’t vote for polluting New York State. Did their legislators? The EPL/Environmental Advocates Voters’ Guide can give New Yorkers the information they need to answer that question before deciding how to cast their vote this November.

Robert Moore is executive director of EPL/Environmental Advocates. 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. Through lobbying, advocacy, coalition building, citizen education and policy development, EPL/Environmental Advocates has been New York’s environmental conscience—ensuring that environmental laws are enforced; that new measures are enacted when necessary; and that the public is informed of, and participates in, important environmental policy debates. For more information call 518.462.5526 or visit www.eplvotersguide.org.