Columbia, MD – On September 13, 2018, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV) announced the 2018 Environmental Scorecard. The annual report highlights the environmental voting record of all 188 legislators and describes the General Assembly’s overall record on those issues each year.

The organization reports that 2018 Session was a complicated year for the environment in the Maryland General Assembly. On the one hand, legislators did pass several bills of environmental importance and in multiple instances the environment was a bipartisan concern. While those bills were important, based on the 2018 Environmental Scorecard, leaders in the General Assembly lacked the courage to allow top environmental priorities for a vote in their committees. This inaction short changes Marylanders from truly understanding where their elected officials stand on top environmental issues in our state and further disenfranchises the voters in a key election year.

“Disappointingly, we saw long-time elected environmental champions fail to support environmental priorities, or refuse to bring them up for a vote. ” Karla Raettig, Executive Director of Maryland LCV. “In particular, we are particularly concerned at the shelving of top environmental legislation, such as the styrofoam ban. These bills are supported by strong community-led coalitions with broad legislative support that key leaders in legislative committees refused a vote on. Once legislators return to Annapolis in January, Maryland LCV will be there to hold them accountable for their actions, or inactions.”

The organization also unveiled the 2018 “Green Champions,” an exceptional group of legislators whose superlative leadership on environmental legislation includes a current 2018 Environmental score of 100 percent, lifetime scores above 95 percent, and primary sponsorship of priority environmental legislation during the previous three years.

“We are proud to present our 2018 Green Champions, who are leading the way on environmental progress in Maryland,” said Ed Hatcher, Maryland LCV Board Chair.  “Our Green Champions not only vote right, but they also understand the urgency of the environmental agenda and are making it part of their political identity. We need to support them in every way we can.”

The thirteen legislators honored this year are Senators Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, Paul Pinsky, and Victor Ramirez, along with Delegates Luke Clippinger, David Fraser-Hidalgo, Bill Frick, Tawanna Gaines, Anne Healey, Steve Lafferty, Clarence Lam, Brooke Lierman, Shane Robinson, and Robbyn Lewis.

The scorecard is available online and includes records of votes cast on the floor of the House and Senate and in committees, along with past voting records.  Go to http://scorecard.mdlcv.org to see the scorecard and follow #MDLCVScore on social media.

Maryland LCV has also created an interactive map with legislative voting information, which provides Marylanders with contact information for their legislators.

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 Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) is a state-wide nonpartisan organization that uses political action and education to protect our air, land, public health, and water. Maryland LCV endorses and elects pro-conservation candidates and holds elected officials accountable through legislative scorecards. A leading legislative watchdog in Annapolis, we have advocated for smart environmental policies for almost 40 years, working to make Maryland a healthy and prosperous place for families and communities. Maryland LCV protects public health by fighting for restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and local waters, preserving green spaces, promoting smarter growth and increasing Maryland’s investment in clean energy.

For Immediate Release
August 16, 2018

Contact: Kristen Harbeson, Political Director kharbeson@mdlcv.org
cell: 410 952 8100

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Announces General Election Endorsements

(Annapolis, MD) Today the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) released a round of endorsed candidates for the Maryland General Assembly in the 2018 state general elections. With a success rate of over 90% after the June primary elections, the organization said the two Senate candidates and sixteen House candidates are ready to lead their communities with the environment as a central issue to their campaign.

“The general election is 83 days away and these strong conservation leaders are fresh from the primary victories, hitting the ground to be strong advocates in their communities and for the environment,” said Karla Raettig, Executive Director of Maryland LCV. “These candidates will lead in the General Assembly with our values to protect our air, land, water, and communities at the forefront.”

Latest Round of Endorsements as of August 16, 2018

Maryland LCV’s endorsement process is based on proven leadership on the environment for incumbents and a thorough evaluation of new candidate’s background and commitment to the environment.

Before each state election, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Board of Directors and staff evaluate questionnaires and conduct interviews with dozens of candidates for state-wide office, including Comptroller, Attorney General, and Governor as well candidates as for the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate. In the 2018 Primary and General elections, Maryland LCV will once again campaign to elect pro-conservation candidates.

More endorsements will be released in the coming months.

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June 27, 2018 (Annapolis, MD) With 91 percent of their endorsed candidates winning races in yesterday’s Primary Election, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) says the results were a big win for the environment – and that the increased turnout and excitement bodes well for November and future gains for air, land, water and public health in the state. Maryland LCV made 117 endorsements in primary elections, in races across the state, including incumbents, challengers, and candidates for open seats; 106 of those candidates won their races.

“Last night was about change and excitement,” says Karla Raettig, Executive Director of Maryland LCV, “Voters chose values over incumbency. With at least three new Committee Chairs and four new Committee Vice Chairs, both the House and Senate were transformed – we’re excited to work with many new leaders who have the potential to take the General Assembly in a new direction.”

“The voters sent a pro-conservation message yesterday,” said Maryland LCV Board Chair Ed Hatcher. “Maryland LCV’s endorsed candidates have all made strong public commitments to increase renewable energy, protect our Bay and waterways and safeguard the health of our communities – and voters showed these priorities are also important to them.”

Maryland LCV and the Maryland LCV Political Action Committee put significant resources into several Delegate and Senate races, where their efforts helped to secure victories. “We were thrilled to support ‘Green Champions’ Delegates David Fraser-Hidalgo (D-15, Montgomery County) and Brooke Lierman (D-46, Baltimore City), as well as rising stars Delegate Robbyn Lewis (D-46, Baltimore City) and Senate candidate Sarah Elfreth (D-30),” Raettig added. “We will miss the leadership of Green Champion, Delegate Shane Robinson (D-39).”

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(Annapolis, MD) On June 12, 2018 the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) has announced that, after careful consideration, the organization will not be endorsing a candidate in the Maryland Democratic primary election for Governor because all candidates would be a good choice for conservation-minded voters.

After reviewing candidate questionnaires and conducting interviews, Maryland LCV board and staff came to the conclusion that each candidate would be a leader on such important issues as climate change, clean water, land conservation, and public health.

“We were impressed by all of the candidates’ commitment to strong environmental policies for Maryland’s people and our environment,” said Maryland LCV Board Chair Ed Hatcher. “While we know some people will be disappointed that Maryland LCV is not endorsing in this primary, the environment is clearly a top priority for each one of these candidates — and that is good news for Maryland voters.”

“The environment has been front and center in all of the gubernatorial candidates’ campaigns,” said Karla Raettig, Maryland LCV Executive Director. “Along with education, economic development and health care, the environment is one of the only issues which all the candidates are making a priority – and they all understand how these issues are linked. The candidates’ platforms show they understand what is at risk in the next four years and what the solutions could be.”

All candidates who file for office are invited to participate in the endorsement process, which includes the completion of a questionnaire responding to specific policy proposals and concerns and an interview by members of the Maryland LCV Board of Directors. Candidates asking to be considered for endorsement included Rushern Baker, Ben Jealous, Rich Madaleno, Alec Ross, Jim Shea, and Krish Vignarajah. Before his passing, Kevin Kamenetz also filled out a questionnaire.

The organization noted that Governor Hogan has not yet chosen to participate in the endorsement process, and they invited him to do so, particularly given his public statements about the importance of environmental issues.

“The door remains open for Governor Hogan, and for any third-party candidates, to participate in the endorsement process for November’s general election,” said Hatcher.

Maryland LCV expects to endorse a candidate for Maryland’s Governor in the general election and will release more endorsements for the General Assembly in the coming months.

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