Lawmakers Cited For Environmental Work

By John Voket

All three members of Newtown’s state legislative contingent — Senate Minority Leader John McKinney and State Representatives Chris Lyddy and DebraLee Hovey — were recently recognized for their environmental advocacy and support of certain green legislative initiatives.

Sen McKinney was recognized with two specific honors, the first being named an “environmental champion” by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) for his “persistent efforts to protect the environment.” In addition, the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Connecticut presented Sen McKinney with its Legislative Champion Award for his “steadfast leadership in support of Green Cleaning legislation.”

Citing their voting records on various pieces of environmental legislation, Rep Lyddy earned a 100 percent rating, while Rep Hovey was scored 90 percent on their respective CLCV 2009 “environmental scorecards.” Sen McKinney’s district encompasses several Fairfield County communities, including Newtown, while Rep Lyddy represents all but one of the community’s voting precincts which, along with all of Monroe, is represented by Ms Hovey.

Formed ten years ago, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters is a bipartisan environmental advocacy group that focuses on getting smart, sustainable environmental policies enacted in Connecticut.

CTLCV works with Connecticut’s environmental advocates to promote important bills that affect Connecticut’s air, water, wildlife, open space, transportation, energy choices, and health. CTLCV educates state legislators about these bills through scorecard alerts and urges them to cast a pro-environment vote.

Sen McKinney, a ranking member on the General Assembly’s Environment Committee, has been recognized frequently by the league for his work on pro-environment issues, including efforts to preserve Connecticut’s open spaces, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and clean up Long Island Sound.

“Protecting our environment is one of the most important things we do as legislators,” said Sen McKinney. “Connecticut continues to set a positive example for the rest of the country on important environmental policies.”

This year, CLCV recognized Sen McKinney for supporting a number of legislative initiatives, including efforts to encourage nonmotorized transportation by improving and increasing the number of bicycle paths and sidewalks on Connecticut roads, and protecting inland wetlands and watercourses throughout the state.

While Sen McKinney’s 2009 scorecard ranks him with a 74 percent rating, CLCV Executive Director Lori Brown told The Newtown Bee that the Republican lawmaker has “been a go-to guy on environmental issues for many years.”

“Some people who have done a lot behind the scenes may not score too high in any given year. And some score high because they simply voted yes on all the environmental legislation we took into consideration for the scorecard,” Ms Brown said. “John really made a point, even at the end of the session and in the heat of the battle, to come out and communicate with environmental groups about the status of certain pieces of legislation.”

Ms Brown said that in his leadership capacity, Sen McKinney was able to bring several key items to a full floor debate through his GOP caucus.

“The bottle bill is a perfect example,” Ms Brown said of a successful bill that added a deposit to certain plastic water and juice containers.

Rep Lyddy was one of only 24 members of the house to earn a rating of 100 percent in 2009, in part by supporting legislation addressing such issues as inland wetlands regulation, smart growth, “green” cleaning materials in schools, beverage container recycling, and the use of pesticides in and around daycare centers.

“I am honored by the League of Conservation Voters’ recognition of my legislative work,” Rep Lyddy stated. “Newtown is a beautiful place with so many natural treasures that need our protection.”

Ms Brown noted that this year, the CTLCV based its scorecard on legislators’ voting records on 19 separate bills, and noted that Rep Lyddy was 11 for 11 in the affirmative for votes he attended.

“He took our position on the ‘complete streets’ bill which will help towns become more pedestrian and bike friendly in their land use planning,” the CLCV exec said. “And he took a difficult stand on a bill imposing a marine licensing fee which will fund important DEP programs.”

Citing Newtown among “communities that take pride in their rural charm and pristine natural resources,” Rep Hovey reaffirmed that strong environmental stewardship is a responsibility that all public officials share and must work together to fulfill.

“Not only is a cleaner, greener Connecticut good for our environment,” Rep Hovey said in a statement, “it is good for residential property values, helps to improve public health, and serves as an attraction for businesses or individuals considering relocation to Connecticut.”

Rep Hovey’s rating was based in part on her support for strengthening of enforcement powers given to the Department of Environmental Protection, incentives for green building projects, and a law that encourages municipal recycling efforts.

Ms Brown said Rep Hovey lost points for filibustering against proposed inland-wetland legislation that passed the Senate and would have reaffirmed the state’s mission in preserving and preventing the despoliation of inland wetlands and watercourses, thus guaranteeing them the same protection as tidal wetlands.

During the 2009 legislative session, Sen McKinney also joined a bipartisan group of legislators and child health advocates, which also included Rep Christopher Lyddy, to pass legislation requiring Connecticut school boards to purchase and properly use cleaning products that meet health and air quality standards approved by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in consultation with the environmental protection commissioner.

“Hazardous cleaning chemicals have long been recognized to have harmful effects on human health and our environment,” said Sen McKinney in a release. “The Green Cleaning law is a win, win, because it encourages our schools to use products that are not only safer, but more cost-effective. By doing so, we improve the air quality in our schools and set a positive example for our students.”

Sen McKinney specifically thanked his friend and constituent Joellen Lawson of Newtown for bringing this issue to his attention. Ms Lawson’s 23-year teaching career was cut short due to the effects of long-term and acute mold exposure.

Rob Sibley, Newtown’s deputy director of planning and land use, was pleased to hear that all Newtown’s lawmakers received positive marks for their work in the 2009 session.

“I applaud them all for their support of environmental legislation,” Mr Sibley said. “And I strongly encourage them to continue working to protect Connecticut’s and our region’s natural resources.”