2010

ELECTION YEAR
IN REVIEW
Victories for the
Environment
 2010 Election Year in Review
Maryland LCV, Making a Difference:
Dear Conservation Voter,

Wow, what a busy year 2010 was! In a year that saw a continuing recession and legislators running scared for their future, the
environment still came out on top. For sure, we didn’t get everything we wanted, which is why we will keep fighting everyday
to protect and restore the health of our citizens and the beauty of our state. But even in these tumultuous times, we are making
a difference.

In the final tally, we had a number of significant victories in the 2010 General Assembly session. We continued to protect
important parts of the “environmental budget,” such as Program Open Space, and secured $22.5 million for the Chesapeake Bay
and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. We also passed bills ensuring that Maryland’s transportation decisions improve our
quality of life and to accelerate Maryland’s solar energy production. But there is still much to do and, in the face of a continuing
recession, protecting our air, land, and water remained a huge challenge.

Because we know that who we elect matters, we felt the upcoming elections presented us with a great opportunity. That’s why
in the early part of 2010 we reviewed the political “lay of the land” and set out to develop a winning strategy that would increase
our chances of passing strong environmental bills over the next four years. With the entire state legislature and governor up for
election, Maryland LCV mapped out a strategy to protect our environmental champions, preserve the conservation majority in
the House of Delegates, and increase the number of conservation-minded senators. Our 30 years of electoral work in Maryland,
and our grassroots work over the last four years, indicated to us that we could tip the scales for the right candidates if we played
our cards right.

This was also a year of “firsts” for the Maryland LCV family: we kicked off our first county chapter, developed new
partnerships with organizations outside of the environmental community, and executed the largest voter education program in
the MDLCV Education Fund’s history. Maryland LCV’s new Anne Arundel County Chapter scored a huge victory with the
election of Chris Trumbauer (the West Rhode Riverkeeper) to the Anne Arundel County Council—what a great beginning for
this talented and hard working group of volunteers! We charted new ground by working in partnerships with the Maryland State
Educators Association (MSEA), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Sierra Club, and Progressive Maryland, and
by successfully combing our environmental messages with their messages, we created a winning narrative about working
families, kids, and our future—it proved to be a winning strategy.

As Maryland LCV entered its fourth decade in 2010, we celebrated our achievements, rallied the faithful, and reflected on the
challenges ahead at gatherings all over the state with dedicated environmentalists, community activists, and supportive elected
officials. The highlight of the year was our 10th annual John V. Kabler Memorial Award Event in October. Over 250 people
joined us in honoring Speaker of the House, Michael E. Busch, as the Kabler award recipient in recognition of his leadership and
his protection of the environment. The crowd listened as our guest speaker, Dr. Don Boesch, spoke of his experiences as a
member of President Obama’s National Commission of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling and the
lessons learned from that terrible disaster. Governor O’Malley’s remarks captured the importance of reaching a “precious
consensus” behind conservation efforts and underscored for everyone there the importance of sending him back to continue as
the Governor of Maryland.

Our success depended on you and tens of thousands of other like-minded Marylanders who made
their voices heard at the ballot box by voting for conservation candidates and supporting our work.

With strong environmental leaders at the helm, there is a lot of important work ahead to clean up our
state. We’ll continue to need your support in the months and years ahead to protect our natural
resources and build upon the strength of the conservation movement for future elections—but for
now, I sincerely thank you for investing in our joint future.

Cindy Schwartz
Executive Director
 2010 Election Year in Review
Protecting Environmental Champions:
Protecting environmental champions is central to the mission of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. We firmly
believe that if elected officials work for us in the General Assembly then it is incumbent on us to be there for them when
they need us in the elections. Over the past year, we have endorsed candidates, expended countless resources and advocated
for our champions—we are pleased that 89% of the candidates endorsed by Maryland LCV (a total of 121 out of 138
endorsed candidates) won their races.

On Election Day, Maryland voters sent a clear message—they care about moving Maryland forward by committing to
restore the Chesapeake Bay, halting over-development and reducing traffic, and creating clean energy jobs. Governor
O’Malley‘s wide margin of victory is a resounding signal that Marylanders believe we can work ourselves out of the
recession and protect the environment at the same time. In early January, Maryland LCV endorsed Governor Martin
O’Malley, the earliest endorsement in our 30 year history. This was a strong affirmation that he has not only made progress
for the environment but also has developed a strong relationship with the environmental community. We continue to believe
that he is the best choice to lead us for the next four years.

In the months prior to Election Day, Maryland LCV made over “Perhaps another key to the league's
83,000 voter contacts for our endorsed candidates and produced 11 high electoral batting average this
year was its teaming up with labor
web-based videos promoting the reelection of Governor O’Malley. (teachers and service workers) and
Voters responded by choosing candidates who promoted healthy with other environmental groups,
communities, education, and the environment. Sierra Club and E nvironment
Maryland, to pool efforts in making
phone calls, sending out emails and
Electing environmental champions to the State House means
producing campaign videos.”
Marylanders will have a stronger voice in Annapolis when it comes
to protecting our lands and cleaning up our air and water -- including
the Chesapeake Bay— not just now but for future generations. —Tim Wheeler, Baltimore Sun,
November 4, 2010

Maryland LCV 2010 Timeline

January July August
June and July—
January — May through September—
Hold receptions on Eastern Shore and in
Develop electoral strategy Send out 620 candidate
Bethesda —where concerned citizens enjoy
to protect our champions questionnaires and hold
words of wisdom from environmental
and increase the number of candidate endorsement
champions Gov. Harry Hughes and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
“conservation votes” in the interviews across the state.
Senate.
July through August —
June 10 & July 26- June 16- Joint campaign
January 21— Maryland LCV Release the newly launch with SEIU,
Maryland LCV makes releases designed 2010 Progressive Maryland
earliest endorsement endorsements for Maryland General and Sierra Club to
in it’s 30 year conservation Assembly Environmental elect Montgomery,
history—endorses heroes for the Scorecard - 45 state Kaiser, Luedtke and
Governor Martin primary in the legislators, out of 141 Zucker —contact over
O’Malley. Senate and House score 100%. 8,300 voters.
of Delegates.
 2010 Election Year in Review
Electing New Conservation Champions:
Over the past four years, as we fought to pass strong environmental legislation, we often found ourselves in the same
situation. We were achieving legislative wins in the House of Delegates but we met with resistance in the Senate;
too often our bills were weakened or killed outright. This year we made it our mission to change that dynamic by
increasing the number of senators who we can count on to vote for the environment. We are pleased to report that
in January there will be FIVE new members of the Senate, and in every case the winning candidate has either a
better record or has made commitments to be stronger on the environment than the senator he or she is replacing.

• Maryland LCV’s top priority race in the primary was in District 14 in Montgomery County. Delegate Karen
Montgomery, with a 96% MDLCV lifetime environmental score, triumphed over incumbent Senator Rona
Kramer, whose lifetime MDLCV environmental score is 65%. Maryland LCV worked in partnership with
SEIU, Sierra Club, and Progressive Maryland to mount an aggressive campaign,
making over 8,300 voter contacts.

• In the District 24 primary race in Prince George’s County, we helped elect

Delegate Joanne Benson, who sponsored key environmental legislation while
she was a member of the House, over incumbent Senator Nathaniel Exum, who in
2008 led the Senate’s effort to weaken the Global Warming Solutions Act.

• In the District 46 primary race in Baltimore City, voters rejected incumbent

Senator George Della’s career of voting against funding both to clean up the
Chesapeake Bay and invest in a clean energy economy, in favor of
Maryland LCV endorsed candidate Bill Ferguson’s clear plan to create
green jobs.

• Our top priority race in the general election was in District 38 on the Eastern Shore: to
elect Delegate Jim Mathias, who has a 82% lifetime MDLCV environmental score, to the
open Senate seat being vacated by outgoing Senator Lowell Stoltzfus, whose MDLCV
lifetime score was 11%. Senator-elect Mathias will be a welcome conservation vote in
the Senate!

• The fifth new conservation vote comes from District 3 in Frederick County—a newcomer to the Senate,
Maryland LCV endorsed candidate Ron Young, whose upset win unseated incumbent Alex Mooney, who has a
MDLCV lifetime environmental score of 13%.

September October

August & September — September 15—

Maryland LCV contacts thousands September 14— Maryland LCV Education Fund mails over 160,000
of registered environmental voters 88% of Maryland LCV- Absentee Ballot Applications to voters. Calls 55,000 of
through phone calls, direct mail, and endorsed candidates win them, encouraging them to use the applications.
on the web to their races in the primary
get out the Election— the primaries
vote for in the bring 3 new conservation October 18 —
primary. votes to the Senate with Maryland LCV honors
the election of Speaker Mike Busch with
Karen Montgomery, the annual Kabler Award.
Joanne Benson and We are joined by Governor
Bill Ferguson for O’Malley, Dr. Don Boesch
Senate. and legislators from across
the state.
 2010 Maryland LCV Education Fund
Educating Voters:
In 2010, the Education Fund managed the largest voter education campaign in its history and continued to build the strength and
effectiveness of environmentalists across the state. In September, the Education Fund mailed over 160,000 absentee ballot
applications to registered voters and called 55,000 of those voters to encourage them to complete the applications or vote early.
Additionally, they sent a series of seven emails to 10,000 registered voters over a six week period. The emails were designed to
encourage participation by assisting them with general information and giving them tools so they could choose how to vote:
absentee, early or on Election Day at their neighborhood polling place.
As part of our ongoing research to learn more about the voting
behavior of conservation voters, this project will be
evaluated against the results from the election to
determine its effectiveness. This evaluation will assist
our work in future elections and be added to the body
of knowledge that is being collected by the national
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.

During the 2010 legislative session, we educated and

engaged conservation voters across Maryland about
the big issues of our day: transportation, energy,
growth, and restoring the Chesapeake Bay through our
website, emails, and mailings. We encouraged
citizens to make their voice heard a number of ways:
organizing phone calls to members of the General
Assembly and the U.S. Congress to help pass strong
environmental legislation, through our annual Legislative Previews
in Baltimore County and on the Eastern Shore, and at the
environmental community’s Annual Legislative Kickoff in
Annapolis.

We trained activists and environmental leaders alike through our Over 160,000 Absentee Ballot
local grassroots skill trainings, partnering with the Alliance for Applications mailed in September
Justice to provide legal training, and through our “new media”
training. We produced the Citizens’ Guide to Activism, a one-stop
resource for activists.

November December

August through November 2 — October 29—

MDLCV contacts over 83,000 environmental MDLCV launches on-line video
campaign comparing the records December 1, 8 & 9—
voters in targeted districts with phone calls
of former Gov. Ehrlich and Gov. MDLCV Education
and mail.
O’Malley, encouraging voters to Fund holds three
go to the polls. Legislative Previews
August through November 2— for the upcoming
MDLCV Anne Arundel County 2011 General
October 20— Assembly session in
Chapter endorses county-wide November 2—
MDLCV Baltimore County and
candidates in the primary and the Election Day, 89% of
launches on- on the Eastern Shore,
general, sends mail and runs phone MDLCV endorsed
line video with over 300 in
banks to turn out the environmental candidates WIN, including
campaign, “Top Ten attendance.
vote—scores major victory with Gov. O’Malley!
Reasons Maryland Kids
election of Chris Trumbauer for
think you should reelect
County Council.
Governor O’Malley.”
 2011 Looking to the Future
The Fight Continues:
With the elections over, the Maryland LCV staff and board are pleased about many of the outcomes and our work to turn out
conservation voters. However, we can’t leave protecting our air, land, water, and people to election years alone.

With the reelection of Governor O’Malley, the environmental community will continue to have “a seat at the table” when it comes
to conservation policies. We will have many new
legislators to educate on the environmental challenges our
state is facing and to share new and innovative ways to deal
with such issues as climate change, growth, pollution, and
What’s Next?
the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Key Dates—2011 General Assembly Session
During the General Assembly session we will continue to
January 12 2011 General Assembly Session
produce the “Hot List” for advocates, the media and, most
importantly, every Senator and Delegate. It will detail the Begins; Swearing in of New
status of the most important environmental bills and our Legislators
position on the legislation every week. We will be January 25 Annual Citizens’ Campaign for
strategizing with our colleagues in the environmental the Environment Summit
community and lobbying in the halls of the State House. January TBD Annual State of the State
All along the way we are committed to keeping you
address from Governor
informed with emails and Facebook posts, and providing
you with effective tools so you can ensure your voice is O’Malley
heard. February 18 Key "Green Bag" appointments
submitted by Governor
Priority Bills for the 2011 Legislative Session: April 4 Budget bill to be passed by
both Chambers
Protecting the Green Infrastructure Budget April 11 Sine Die (last day of 2011
Over the past 10 years Maryland has prioritized
environmental protection by establishing dedicated funds
Session)
for Bay recovery, cleaning our air and waters, promoting
energy efficiency and reductions in greenhouse gases, and
protecting our most valuable lands. As the recession drags on and revenues continue to be down, so too will funding for these
programs. Cutting them will mean the loss of good local jobs and undermine our efforts to make progress for the environment. We
will oppose cuts to Program Open Space, the Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Programs, the
Heritage Structure Tax Credit (Historic Tax Credit), and fight to protect funding for our Environment, Natural Resources,
Agriculture, and Planning agencies.

Offshore Wind: Good Jobs, Price Stability, and Clean Energy

Offshore wind is one of America’s greatest untapped energy resources. The achievable wind capacity off our coast is nearly
900,000 megawatts. Capturing even a fraction of this potential will yield dramatic benefits for our nation’s energy security and the
environment. Developing Maryland’s offshore wind resources could lead to the creation of more than 15,000 jobs over the next 20
years and would enable us to meet our clean energy requirement of 20% renewable energy by 2022. We will be working to pass
legislation requiring Maryland’s utilities to enter into long-term contracts for offshore wind power.

Watershed Protection and Restoration Act

In order to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, each city and county throughout the region needs funding to invest
in its community to reduce the polluted runoff poisoning our waterways. We will be fighting for legislation that will give these local
jurisdictions a dedicated funding source by assessing a surcharge on impervious surfaces to clean up their rivers and the Bay, create
green jobs, and leverage additional dollars from the state and federal government for watershed protection and restoration.

For over 30 years, the 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 officials accountable through our
scorecards and reports.