Other Legislators of Interest

Senator Mark Doumit (D-19, final grade C) continues to stay involved in many environmental issues and plays a leadership role on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. He loses points for offering an amendment to the Green Buildings bill that would have rendered it meaningless. The amendment died, narrowly.

Senator Doumit also offered the amendment to the Clean Cars bill that says we can only implement it in Washington if Oregon does the same. Although we didn't support the amendment - and it has proven troublesome - without that amendment and his vote, the bill would not have passed at all.

Senator Dan Swecker (R-20, C+) co-sponsored a number of important environmental bills and remains one of the easiest Senators to work with. Although he co-sponsored the Clean Cars bill, his support wavered when the vote neared; he eventually voted against it.

On the positive side, he helped shape the transportation package supported by the environmental community, and he continues to be a leader for environmental protection with the Senate Republican Caucus.

Although suburban Republican Representative Toby Nixon (R-45) spoke and voted against the Clean Cars bill, he received a C this year, largely because of his good behind-the-scenes work on a few important issues.

He worked to help make energy efficiency and renewable energy more of a priority within the House Republican caucus. He was also a leading supporter of the Hanford Cleanup legislation. He isn't with the environment on every issue, but when he is, Representative Nixon works hard and follows through on his word.