On our choice for Lieutenant Governor

For nearly four decades, the California League of Conservation Voters has ranked California legislators on their environmental voting record in our California Environmental Scorecard. Over this time, California’s voters have consistently elected candidates who support a strong environment and a strong economy.

Currently appointed Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado, a candidate for a full term, simply has not made the grade.  His poor votes on clean air, clean water and climate change have earned him a lifetime average of 43 out of 100. That is a failing grade by any measure.

After comparing Mr. Maldonado’s record as a legislator with the record of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, his opponent, the League endorsed Newsom.

Mr. Maldonado not only opposed AB 32, the most important environmental law in a generation – he voted down everything from asthma protection for kids, to cutting smog in the Central Valley, to monitoring groundwater for contamination.

In addition to opposing AB 32, Maldonado has taken the side of the Texas oil companies attempting to roll back that landmark law.  He’s also called for the new Governor to suspend AB 32, which would have the same effect as Prop 23.  It would kill the investment climate that is now making California the nation’s leader on clean energy industries.

In contrast, Mayor Newsom’s record is stellar.

• Mayor Newsom has made San Francisco a national leader in protecting the environment and will bring that same level of commitment to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.
• The Environmental Protection Agency recently rated San Francisco second in the nation in terms of energy-efficient commercial buildings.
• San Francisco has one of the most aggressive local solar power incentive programs in America.
• San Francisco has lowered carbon emissions well below the levels called for in the Kyoto Protocol and has one of the highest recycling rates in the nation.
• Newsom has helped attract more than $500 million to clean up and convert former industrial and military sites.

For us, it was an easy choice: Gavin Newsom is our choice for Lieutenant Governor. (See all of CLCV's endorsements here.)