Not Reflecting Their Districts
While the electoral process helps to ensure legislators stay in step with their districts, there are some who fail to recognize how important the environment is to their constituents.
Representative Bev Woods (R-23, Kitsap/Bainbridge Island): The 23rd is a suburban legislative district that encompasses Bainbridge Island and northern Kitsap County. While Representative Woods earned a C, certainly not the lowest grade, it falls significantly below both her seatmates. Representative Sherry Appleton earned an A this year, and Representative Phil Rockefeller not only scored an A+, he’s also our 2006 Senator of the Year.
Senator Tim Sheldon (D-35, Shelton) received a D this year, in large part because of his failed attempts to kill legislation to clean up and restore Puget Sound. His seatmates, Representative Kathy Haigh and Representative Bill Eickmeyer, earned an A and a C, respectively. Dissenting viewpoints can be healthy, especially in the legislative process; but Senator Sheldon goes too far.
Senator Cheryl Pflug (R-5, Issaquah) received a D this year. Her seatmates, Representatives Anderson and Rodne, also Republicans, both earned A’s this year. Unfortunately, Senator Pflug typically votes against the environment. Even more disappointing is her complete lack of interest in clean air and water, especially given her background as a Registered Nurse.
Representative Jim Buck (R-24, Sequim) received an F again this year. Meanwhile, both his seatmates, Representative Kessler and Senator Hargrove, earned A’s. One of Representative Buck’s lowest points this year came when he voted against the Renewable Fuels bill. Several months after the bill passed, a large biodiesel company announced plans to build a biodiesel processing plant in his district. The plant will create approximately 750 family wage jobs in the district. Unlike his seatmates, Representative Buck did not understand how the legislation could benefit not just the environment, but also the local, rural economy in his district.