We still have a lot of work to do.
On Feb. 27, the League of Conservation Voters released its 2018 National Environmental Scorecard. It scores all members of the U.S. House and Senate on votes placed for or against bills related to your conservation values.
I bet you’re wondering how Idaho’s two House members and two Senators did.
The answer is: not very good. On a scale between 0 and 100, with 0 being anti-environment and 100 being a conservation champion, our four lawmakers scored a combined average of 8.5. Here’s the breakdown.
Rep. Raul Labrador 6
Rep. Mike Simpson 14
Sen. Mike Crapo 7
Sen. Jim Risch 7
Let’s get to the good news. Rep. Simpson voted against gutting funding for clean energy, he voted against eliminating environmental justice grants and he supported the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
It’s also worth noting that, even though it’s not on this year’s LCV scorecard, Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, as well as Rep. Simpson, voted in favor of a landmark public lands bill that permanently funded the LWCF. This is the type of pro-Idaho pro-conservation leadership we should see from Idaho’s congressional delegation!
Earlier this year, Colorado College released its annual Western States Survey that found Idahoans are overwhelmingly in favor of protecting public lands and the environment. A whopping 68 percent of Idahoans consider themselves conservationists and 64 percent believe protecting sources of clean water and wildlife habitat should be prioritized over oil and gas drilling when it comes to public land management.
Clearly, there is a divide between the values of Idaho’s people and the actions of Idaho’s elected officials. That’s where Conservation Voters for Idaho comes in. It is our job to make that divide smaller. As you can see by the scores above, we still have work to do. When you donate, take action, or become a CVI member, you give us the tools to make a lasting difference. We won’t quit until Idaho politicians stand up for the conservation issues that Idahoans care about. We’re up to the task. Thanks for being part of it!