Legislators Needing Improvement

In 2005, the following legislators were out of step with their districts on environmental issues.

Senator Dale Brandland (R-42, final grade D) took a step backwards this year. He had previously demonstrated more of an interest in the environment, but this year he rarely voted with our position. We were particularly disappointed that he voted against the Clean Cars bill.

He appeared to be considering supporting it, but in the end, he sided with the auto makers over cleaner air and combating global warming. We hope he shows more interest in working with the environmental community in the future.

Senator Steve Johnson (R-47, F) has never shown much of an interest in the environment, and 2005 was no exception. He voted against our position on nearly every bill.

This is somewhat surprising considering that he comes from what has increasingly become a swing district. One of his seatmates, Representative Geoff Simpson, a Democrat, earned an A+ this year. His other seatmate, Representative Pat Sullivan, a freshman Democrat, earned a C.

Senator Cheryl Pflug (R-5, D-) was one of our biggest disappointments this session. Not only did she vote against the environment most of the time, but she was also inaccessible, not just to environmental lobbyists, but also to her own constituents. During the session, groups of her constituents from the 5th District tried to arrange meetings with her to discuss the Clean Cars bill, but Senator Pflug couldn't take time to meet them. This was particularly disappointing because she voted against the bill, even though both of her seatmates (also Republicans) supported it.

Representative Beverly Woods (R-23) received a C this year. Even though there are many others in the House who have worse grades, we're particularly disappointed with Rep. Woods because of her vocal opposition to the Clean Cars bill. She sided with the auto industry and opposed cleaner air. She even offered floor amendments that would have rendered the bill meaningless.

Representative Woods' poor performance contrasts sharply with her two seatmates, Representative Sherry Appleton, who received an A, and Senator Phil Rockefeller, who earned an A+.