Susan Culp

It’s not easy for most Republican legislators to be “green.”
In the shade of a tree outside the House on July 11, leaders of two environmental lobbying organizations said this year’s legislative session was one of the worst as far as environmental protection.
“…It was mean and not so green,” said Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club lobbyist.
Susan Culp, executive director of the Arizona Conservation League of Voters, said the session was “sobering.”
“The 2006 session has the noteworthy distinction of being the worst in terms of the Democratic process,” she said.
Ms. Culp, whose organization gave Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-22, and Sens. Ron Gould, R-3, Jack Harper, R-4, Karen Johnson, R-18, the lowest scores in their legislative scorecard, also dubbed Sen. Chuck Gray, R-19 and Rep. Russell Pearce, R-18 with the title of “tyrants” for blocking citizen testimony against bills the two lawmakers supported.
Ms. Bahr said the Legislature failed to address important water, air quality and land-use issues and took only small steps in environmental law by promoting solar energy, strengthening notification of pesticide use and limiting wildlife feeding.
The Sierra Club tagged Senate President Ken Bennett, R-1, and Speaker Jim Weiers, R-10, with “poor loser” titles — Mr. Bennett for refusing to bring the nomination of Jennifer Martin to the Game and Fish Commission to the Senate floor and Mr. Weiers for “setting a really bad tone overall for the session.”
“When you disagree, do you have to be so disagreeable?” the Sierra Club asked of Mr. Weiers.
Mr. Farnsworth, Rep. Colette Rosati, R-8, and Sen. Linda Gray, R-10, were placed “at the bottom of the barrel” on environmental legislation, the club said.
Sen. Bill Brotherton, D-14, who is leaving the Legislature, was given a “hall of famer” distinction by the Sierra Club.
The club gave Governor Napolitano an A-minus for the year.
Ms. Bahr was asked why the governor received such a high grade, when more freeway construction was one of her priorities, something the Sierra Club opposes. “We didn’t say she was perfect,” Ms Barr said, adding Ms. Napolitano vetoed a lot of bills unfriendly to the environment.
FYI
Arizona League of Conservation Voters Honor Roll — 100 percent pro-environmental voting records: Reps Meg Burton Cahill, D-17; Ted Downing, D-28; Steve Gallardo, D-13; Martha Garcia, D-13; Pete Hershberger, R-26; Leah Landrum Taylor, D-16; Linda Lopez, D-29; Tom O’Halleran, R-1; Tom Prezelski, D-29; Pete Rios, D-23; and Sens. Edward Ableser, D-17; Jorge Luis Garcia, D-27; Richard Miranda, D-13, and Mr. Brotherton.
Sierra Club grades and distinctions — A+ voting records: Sens. Paula Aboud, D-28, and Mr. Garcia; Reps. Burton Cahill and Ms. Garcia. A grades for Mr. Ableser, Sens. Linda Aguirre, D-16, Mr. Brotherton and Richard Miranda, D-13; Reps. David Bradley, D-28; Olivia Cajero Bedford, D-27; Mr. Gallardo; Mr. Hershberger; Ann Kirkpatrick, D-2; Ms. Landrum Taylor; Phil Lopes, D-27; Ms. Lopez; David Lujan, D-15; Debbie McCune Davis, D-14; Ben Miranda, D-16; Robert Meza, D-14; Mr. O’Halleran; Mr. Prezelski; Mr. Rios; Kyrsten Sinema, and Albert Tom, D-2.