Environmental Priorities for a Healthy Washington

Without question, 2005 was one of the best years for the environment in recent memory. The Legislature passed two of the environmental community's top priorities: reducing dangerous auto emissions and adopting green building standards for state-funded construction projects. The environmental community made significant progress on the other two priorities: phasing out toxic flame retardants and restoring Hood Canal. Other important bills we supported also passed. What’s more, the Legislature didn’t pass any bills in forms we opposed. Consequently, for the first time in years, we didn’t have any veto requests.

While there are many factors that contributed to this amazing session, three are most important. First, there were some important changes to the make-up of the Senate that resulted in a more responsive leadership and environmentally-oriented committee chairs as well as some new environmental champions. We also worked successfully with members of both parties to forge and maintain an environmental majority in the Senate on most bills.

Second, the community worked extraordinarily well together. Each year, the 18 environmental organizations active in the State Legislature collaboratively select four priorities for the next session. This coordinated effort focuses our resources, improves teamwork between organizations, and makes it easier for us to work with legislative leaders because we worked so well together, we were able to activate our memberships in key districts at strategic moments and bring swing legislators down off the fence, on our side.

The 2005 session would not have been a success without the active participation of the thousands of citizens who made phone calls, sent e-mails, or visited their legislators in person.

As the principal author of this report, I’d like to express my deepest appreciation to all the Sierra Club volunteers who freely give their time to improve our world.

-- Craig Engelking, Legislative Director