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For over 30 years, the non-partisan Maryland League of Conservation Voters has served as the political voice for the environment. We advocate for sound conservation policies, promote environmentally responsible candidates, and hold individual elected ocials accountable through our scorecards and reports.
Board of Directors Frederick Hoover, Chair Kevin Rackstraw, Treasurer Marcia Verploegen Lewis, Secretary Jennifer Bevan-Dangel Anthony Caligiuri George Chmael Jay Falstad Bob Gallagher Dr. Beth Garraway Peter Hamm Chuck Porcari Terri Shuck Staff Jen Brock-Cancellieri, Deputy Director Pete Johnson, Outreach Manager Dannielle Lipinski, Senior Organizer Alicia Luckhardt, Administrative Assistant Eddie Chen, Organizer
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Dear Marylander,
The last votes have been cast and now we turn our attention to the question, did your elected ocials represent your environmental values? We are pleased to introduce the 2011 Maryland League of Conservation Voters Environmental Scorecard. With our mission as the political voice for the environment in mind, we catalogued the performance of each of Marylands Senators and Delegates on the conservation issues that matter most. In our view, the 2011 General Assembly session started strong. Governor Martin OMalleys budget supported environmental programs and he introduced legislation to promote oshore wind energy and electric vehicles, and to restrict pollution from septic systems. We cheered the moves of legislators like Delegates Hucker, Mizeur and Carr and Senators Frosh and Pinsky with their forward-thinking bills to address stormwater runo, drilling for natural gas by injecting water and chemicals into shale formations (hydraulic fracturing or fracking) and pollution from single-use bags. With the election of ve new conservation-minded senators thought to be strong on environmental issues, the future looked bright. Unfortunately, the legislature failed to enact signicant protections for Marylanders water, air, and public health as they appeared to be stuck in a neutral mindset. As the session drew to a close, it became clear that many chose to react
to short-term economic costs over longterm investments in our economy and our environment. Legislators missed many critical opportunities, leaving Maryland LCV, the environmental community, and citizens all across the state frustrated. Without question, this inaction will hurt our state down the road. In the end, inaction won over vision. In the nal tally, the General Assembly was strong on the budget, including $24 million for the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and preserving of most of the funding for Program Open Space. On the other hand, they missed important opportunities to promote oshore wind power (SB 861 Raskin / HB 1054, Hucker, Administration), reduce pollution from plastic bags (SB 602, Raskin / HB 1034, Carr), regulate natural gas extraction from Marcellus Shale (HB 852, Mizeur) and create a funding stream for much needed stormwater management projects (Raskin / HB 1064, Hucker). The defeat of these bills was disappointing coming on the heels of an election cycle that saw many of our legislators promising to clean up the bay and create green jobs. We oer this scorecard as a representation of these missed opportunities and the real lives aected by these decisions. For next year, Maryland LCV will be back demanding real progress for our environment, and the long-term health of our economy. The votes in this scorecard were chosen by Maryland LCVs Board of
Directors in conjunction with our colleagues at Environment Maryland. We wish to thank those who helped this year, including our designer, Julie Burris, and our hard-working interns and volunteers. An interactive online edition of the scorecard is available at www.mdlcv.org, and you can call us for an extra copy at 410-280-9855. Ultimately, this scorecard is a tool for youthe conservation voter. We urge you to tell your Senator and Delegates how you feel about their scores. Share this with your friends, family and neighbors because ultimately it is we, the voters of the state of Maryland, who will determine the type of state we leave for the next generation. Sincerely,
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Please visit our website, MDLCV.org, where youll nd an interactive map, so you can see how your part of the state stacks up, as well as links to your legislators, so you can contact them and tell them what you think of their scores.
(Senator Brochin) Requires recycling in apartment buildings. The correct vote is yes. The bill died in committee.
SB 487 Fertilizer Pollution
fertilizer. The correct vote is yes. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
SB 721 Plastic Bag Fee in Prince Georges County (Senator Pinsky)
Authorizes Prince Georges County to charge, a fee on disposable bags, under certain circumstances. The correct vote is yes. The bill died in Committee.
ery n gom ngs nni ont Pinsky Je M Reil ly Ros ape ire pe ona oung Sim Y
43 + + + 3/3
24 + + 2/3
29 + + 2/3
46 + + + 3/3
7 + 1/3
14 + + + 3/3
22 + + + 3/3
33 0/3
21 + + + 3/3
31 + 1/3
3 a + + 2/3
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Makes the burning of garbage eligible for the highest level in the state renewable energy standard. The correct vote is no. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
SB715 Solar Energy Credits
allow the procurement of solar renewable energy credits. The correct vote is no because of a bad amendment. The bill died in committee.
SB 151 BPA in Baby Bottles (Senator Frosh) Bans the use of toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) from infant formula containers. The correct vote is yes. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
le Kitt eier as man usem thi Muse la K Ma Pipk in Pug h
28 + + 2/3
30 + + 2/3
15 + + 2/3
35 + 1/3
10 + 1/3
9 + 1/3
8 + + 2/3
38 + + 2/3
26 + 1/3
36 + 1/3
40 + 1/3
Requires a seller of a home to provide prospective buyers with information about the
sh, Fro ir Cha 16 + 1/1 Bro chin For eha nd y t Get 5 0/1 Gla 41 0/1
cost of utility payments. The correct vote is yes. The bill died in committee.
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Jaco
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Sha
Sto
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42 0/1
17 + 1/1
34 0/1
47 + 1/1
20 + 1/1
2 0/1
6 0/1
11 0/1
+ Proenvironment vote
Antienvironment vote
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Makes the burning of garbage eligible for the highest level in the state renewable energy standard. The correct vote is no. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
SB 538 Oyster Sanctuaries
(Senator Middleton) Requires that lawn fertilizer does not contain phosphorus and limits fertilizer application by lawn care companies, golf courses, and others. The correct vote is yes. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
SB 176 Electric Vehicle Council
(Senators Colburn and Pipkin) Prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from expanding oyster sanctuaries. The correct vote is no. The bill did not come to a vote in the house.
rty Sc ime
(Senate President Miller) Creates a council to oversee the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations. The correct vote is yes. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
George C. Edwards, R Christohpher B. Shank, R Ronald N. Young, D David R. Brinkley, R Joseph M. Getty, R Norman R. Stone, Jr., D J. B. Jennings, R Katherine A. Klausmeier, D Allen H. Kittleman, R Delores G. Kelley, D Robert A. Zirkin, D Edward J. Kasemeyer, D James N. Robey, D Karen S. Montgomery, D Robert J. Garagiola, D Brian E. Frosh, D Jennie M. Forehand, D Richard S. Madaleno, D Roger Manno, D Jamin B. Raskin, D James C. Rosapepe, D Paul G. Pinsky, D Douglas J. J. Peters, D Joanne C. Benson, D Ulysses Currie, D C. Anthony Muse, D Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., D Thomas M. Middleton, D Roy P. Dyson, D John C. Astle, D Bryan W. Simonaire, R James E. DeGrange, Sr. D Edward R. Reilly, R
32% 18% 71% 20% 20% 68% 20% 60% 14% 81% 85% 64% 71% 95% 82% 99% 81% 92% 100% 97% 96% 99% 83% 84% 76% 69% 71% 64% 54% 63% 41% 54% 20%
50% 0% 71% 50% 20% 40% 40% 57% 43% 71% 80% 50% 50% 86% 57% 100% 80% 75% 100% 100% 86% 100% 75% 71% 50% 43% 50% 57% 71% 57% 57% 50% 29%
0/1 2/3 0/1 0/1 1/3 2/3 1/3 1/3 0/1 3/3 2/3 1/1 1/1 1/1 3/3 3/3 2/3 1/3 2/3 2/3 2/3 1/3 0/3
+ e A + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + +
+ + + + e + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + continued
a Not voting (disadvantage for the environment) A Not voting (advantage for the environment)
e Excused absence
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34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47
Nancy Jacobs, R Barry Glassman, R Edward J. Pipkin, R Richard F. Colburn, R James N. Mathias, D Nancy J. King, D Catherine E. Pugh, D Lisa A. Gladden, D James Brochin, D Joan CarterConway, D Verna L. JonesRodwell, D Nathaniel J. McFadden, D William C. Ferguson IV, D Victor R. Ramirez, D
9% 49% 28% 14% 78% 81% 77% 90% 88% 94% 85% 75% 83% 94%
20% 43% 29% 25% 57% 75% 43% 60% 75% 86% 100% 50% 83% 100%
0/1 1/3 1/3 2/3 1/3 0/1 0/1 3/3 3/3 1/1
+ + + + A + +
+ + +
+ + + + + + + + + e +
+ + + + + + + + e + + + + +
a Not voting (disadvantage for the environment) A Not voting (advantage for the environment)
e Excused absence
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(Delegate McHale) Makes the burning of garbage eligible for the highest level in the state renewable energy standard. The correct vote is no. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
iccio ay-R n ki hair n n ria y oy ale ler innick lszews dolph huh hultz ier is, C arkley arnes raveb urns eldma addawarriso ershe ucker pallaameso ramer ove ghn H F J B M K B H H L Ru Sc Sc St McH Mil Dav B Im B H Vau O
District HB 1121 HB 164 Total 25 e e 0/2 39 + 1/2 21 + 1/2 25 + 1/2 10 a 0/2 15 + 1/2 37B + 1/2 45 + 1/2 36A 0/2 20 + + 2/2 7 0/2 28 + 1/2 19 + 1/2 32 + 1/2 46 + 1/2 9A 0/2 6 + 1/2 6 + 1/2 34B + 1/2 31 + + 2/2 4A + 1/2 35A + 1/2 24 + 1/2
(House Speaker Busch) Requires the establishment of a pilot program to include incentives for residential, commercial, and governmental customers to recharge electric vehicles. The correct vote is yes. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
Requires the establishment of a public information program on uses of pesticides in Maryland. The correct vote is no because of the amendments attached to this bill. The bill died in the Senate.
ir Cha ell sh, n t on s y nn lan e son IntoBeidleBobo ane arr Frush ilchris lenn HealeyHoganHolme Jacobs affertMalon McMil NiemaNorma Donn tto RobinsStein itale eir Mc L W Wil V C C O G O G
District HB 852 HB 660 HB 179 HB 1050 Total 43 + + 2/4 32 + + 2/4 12B + + + 3/4 37A + + 2/4 18 + + e 2/4 21 + + 2/4 17 + + 2/4 45 + e 1/4 22 + e + e 2/4 3A + 1/4 23B + + 2/4 36 0/4 42 + + + 3/4 12A + e + 2/4 30 e e 0/4 29 + + + 3/4 35A 0/4 29C + 1/4 38A 0/4 39 + + + 3/4 11 + + 2/4 33A + 1/4 6 + 1/4 28 + + + 3/4
+ Proenvironment vote
Antienvironment vote
e Excused absence
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Bans the use of toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) from infant formula containers. The correct vote is yes. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
ir iam Cha e lnyk rass ughaim hy Pull en, well r ard ghu y on nt s -Me erg ane ik ono amm Brom Costa Cullis Dono Elliot Frank Hubb Kach Kelly Kipk Kreb McD Morh Murp Nath Oaks Pena Pend Read Rezn Tarra Turne H
District HB 4 Total 56 + 1/1 8 + 1/1 33B + 1/1 19 + 1/1 2C + 1/1 4B + 1/1 42 + 1/1 23A + 1/1 5B + 1/1 16 + 1/1 31 + 1/1 9B + 1/1 7 + 1/1 11 + 1/1 28 + 1/1 10 + 1/1 41 + 1/1 21 + 1/1 13 + 1/1 5A + 1/1 39 + 1/1 40 + 1/1 26 + 1/1
Kai
14 0/1
Sera
2A 0/1
+ Proenvironment vote
Antienvironment vote
e Excused absence
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Prohibits natural gas drilling with hydraulic fracturing (fracking) until studies are completed to determine necessary safety measures. The correct vote is yes. The bill did not come to a vote in the Senate.
HB 573 Fertilizer Pollution (Delegate Hubbard)
Creates a council to oversee the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The correct vote is yes. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
HB 1121 Incinerators (Delegate McHale) Makes the burning of garbage eligible for the highest level in the state renewable energy standard. The correct vote is no. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
Requires that lawn fertilizer does not contain phosphorus and limits fertilizer application by lawn care companies, golf courses, and others. The correct vote is yes. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
Dist rict am N ar e, P ty
re tion icles s Sco ing ore h ollu r ore tee e Sc ll er P tric Ve erato Sc im mit as Dri ertiliz lec 011 ifet om ncin E F 2 I L G C
Wendell R. Beitzel, R Kevin Kelly, D LeRoy E. Myers, Jr., R Andrew A. Serani, R Neil C. Parrot, R John P. Donoghue, D Galen R. Clagett, D Patrick N. Hogan, R Michael J. Hough, R Kathryn L. Afzali, R Kelly M. Schulz, R Donald B. Elliot, R Justin D. Ready, R Nancy R. Stocksdale, R A. Wade Kach, R Joseph J. Minnick, D John A. Olszewski, Jr., D Michael H. Weir, Jr., D Richard K. Impallaria, R Patrick McDonough, R Kathy Y. Szeliga, R Joseph C. Boteler III, R Eric M. Bromwell, D John W. E. Cluster, R Gail H. Bates, R Warren E. Miller, R Susan W. Krebs, R Emmett C. Burns, Jr., D Adrienne A. Jones, D Shirley NathanPulliam, D Jon S. Cardin, D Dan K. Morhaim, D Dana M. Stein, D Steven J. DeBoy, D James E. Malone Jr., D Elizabeth Bobo, D
44% 40% 21% 23% 50% 53% 89% 42% 25% 60% 33% 25% 40% 22% 60% 53% 90% 68% 18% 29% 25% 19% 81% 24% 11% 9% 36% 74% 94% 90% 96% 95% 90% 83% 75% 99%
50% 50% 25% 20% 50% 40% 100% 50% 25% 60% 33% 40% 40% 50% 80% 50% 67% 50% 17% 40% 25% 20% 80% 25% 25% 0% 40% 50% 75% 100% 80% 100% 75% 75% 86% 88%
0/1 0/1 1/1 1/4 0/1 1/2 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/2 1/2 1/4 0/2 1/1 0/1 1/1 0/2 1/1 0/2 1/1 0/1 1/1 2/4 2/3 3/4
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + a + + + + + + + + + + e + + + + + +
e + e + + + + + + + + + + + continued
a Not voting (disadvantage for the environment) A Not voting (advantage for the environment)
e Excused absence
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94% 94% 94% 91% 80% 100% 90% 82% 60% 93% 100% 93% 85% 88% 94% 93% 98% 94% 100% 100% 83% 88% 98% 97% 89% 89% 92% 93% 90% 94% 96% 100% 89% 100% 89% 84% 79% 80% 92% 93% 85% 84% 83% 61% 20% 59% 89% 88% 37% 65% 20% 80% 46% 41%
100% 100% 80% 60% 80% 100% 75% 67% 60% 80% 100% 100% 80% 75% 100% 86% 100% 100% 100% 100% 67% 80% 100% 100% 67% 75% 100% 75% 75% 75% 100% 100% 63% 100% 80% 67% 67% 75% 75% 80% 75% 75% 75% 75% 20% 67% 100% 88% 50% 75% 38% 75% 60% 67%
1/1 0/1 0/1 0/1 1/2 0/1 0/1 1/1 0/1 2/4 2/3 1/1 1/2 0/1 2/2 1/2 2/4 1/1 2/2 1/1 2/4 0/1 1/2 1/2 1/1 0/1 0/1 1/2 1/1 3/4 1/4 0/1 0/2
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + e + + + + + + + + + + + e + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + e + + + + + + + + + + + e + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + A + e + A + +
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a Not voting (disadvantage for the environment) A Not voting (advantage for the environment)
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(Governor OMalley, Senator Pinsky, Delegate Hucker) The United Steelworkers and environmental groups joined forces in support of oshore wind legislation. SB 861 / HB 1054 would have required the Public Service Commission to negotiate longterm contracts of up to 25 years between Maryland utilities and oshore wind energy companies. If passed, this bill would have satised a modest protion of each large electricity suppliers load with oshore wind power, locked in stable energy prices, and created thousands of local jobs. We are disappointed that this bill died without a vote in either the House Economic Matters Committee or the Senate Finance Committee.
Septics (Governor OMalley, Senator
hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The bill passed the House of Delegates but died in the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Aairs Committee.
Bag Bill (Senator Raskin, Delegate Carr) SB 602 / HB 1034 would have established a ve-cent fee for singleuse plastic and paper bags distributed at stores, with the proceeds to be split among the retailers, the Chesapeake Bay Trust for environmental restoration projects, and program administration and enforcement. This bill died without a vote in the Environmental Matters Committee in the House of Delegates. Chesapeake Pollution Diet
are assessed. Both bills died in the House Environmental Matters Committee.
Arsenic in Chicken Feed (Senator Pinsky, Delegate Hucker) SB 417 / HB 754 would have prohibited the use of poultry feed that contains roxarsone or any other feed additive that contains arsenic. This bill died without a vote in the Education, Health and Environmental Aairs Committee in the Senate. Chemicals (Senator Benson, Delegate
Frosh, Delegate Laerty) SB 160 / HB 177 would have required alternatives to septic systems in major new developments by requiring that major new subdivisions include technology to treat sewage waste before it is discharged. This bill died in the House Environmental Matters Committee.
Gas Drilling (Senator Frosh,
Delegate Mizeur) SB 634 / HB 852 would have established restrictions on the issuance of permits for drilling natural gas wells until there is a comprehensive assessment of the direct and cumulative impacts of
(Delegates Hucker and Carr) In order to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, each city and county throughout the region is required by the Federal and State Government to invest in reducing the polluted runo poisoning our waterways. HB 1064 would have required counties and municipalities to adopt laws to establish a stormwater remediation fee and a local watershed protection and restoration fund. HB 668 would have required state agencies to pay stormwater utility fees to municipal and county governments if they own property in those localities where fees
Waldstreicher) SB 637 / HB 759 would have established comprehensive chemical reform by giving the Maryland Department of the Environment the authority to regulate multiple chemicals of concern. This bill died without a vote in either the Finance or the Education, Health and Environmental Aairs Committees in the Senate.
Pesticides (Senator Montgomery,
Delegate Frush) SB 785 / HB 660 would have established a centralized reporting system on pesticides for access by government agencies, scientists, and the public. This bill got an unfavorable report from the Education, Health and Environmental Aairs Committee.
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Thanks to our photographers: Lori Rossbach (cover, page 5); Julie Burris (page 2, page 3 top, page 6 top, page 7); Karen Czarnowski, (page 4 top); Alana Wase, (page 4 bottom); Eddie Chen (page 6 bottom, page 8 bottom, page 16); Kelly Carneal (page 8 top); Richard Sack (pages 910); Rolla Chng (page 11); Marchella Merrit (page 12); Gay Meekins (page 13); Raechelle Edminston (page 14); Mary Norrell (page 15). Scorecard design: Julie Burris
Your Voice Matters. The 2011 General Assembly session started out strong, with Governor OMalley leading the way with a budget that supported environmental programs and bills to promote oshore wind energy, promote electric vehicles and restrict pollution from septic systems. With the inclusion of ve new conservation-minded senators, we felt our chances were good for some big wins. But unfortunately, the legislature failed to enact signicant environmental legislation. The legislators appeared to be stuck in a mindset that was shortsighted. The one source of hope for protection of Marylands air, land, and water, was the protection of funding for Program Open Space. In this tough budget year, advocates feared that Program Open Space would take a big hit. This program has been a big success and has helped create the Maryland that we all love. The call went out to activate folks just like YOU to inuence the debate by telling their stories, humanizing this vital program and making it come alive for legislators. Through many contacts to legislators we were able to beat back this attack and save the program. Its not enough to just know their score.
You have a responsibility to let your legislators know if you approve or disapprove of the job they are doing. If they are doing a good job, thank them for representing you and ghting for a better Maryland. If you are disappointed in their votes, let them know that as well.
Its easy.
Visit MDLCV.org/scorecards and send them an email telling them what you think.
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Are your elected ofcials representing your environmental values? The scores are in, nd out how your legislators are measuring up.
Did your legislators vote to:
O Restore the