Community Corner

Cheshire Legislator Gets "F" on Environmental Votes

Rep. Al Adinolfi, R-103, received a failing score for his vote on environmental issues in 2011.

Overall, Cheshire's state representatives and senators scored well in the 2011 "Environmental Scorecard" from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

However, Rep. Al Adinolfi received a score of 50, the lowest score of the five-person legislative delegation.

Environmental Scorecard for Cheshire Legislators Name Grade

Score

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(100 is best)

Key Votes
Rep. Al Adinolfi (R) F 50

Against BPA removal,

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For Haddam land swap


Rep. Mary Fritz (D) B 83

For land swap


Rep. Vicki Nardello (D) A 100 Against land swap

Sen. Len Suzio (R)

Sen. Joe Markley (R)

A

A

100

100

Against land swap

 

The scores for legislators are based on how they voted on 12 key environmental bills chosen by the bi-partisan conservation league. However, this year, a missed vote for legislation wasn't considered in the equation. It's possible, the league notes, that legislators purposefully skipped some controversial environmental votes.

Missed votes out of 12:

  • Markely,  7
  • Suzio, 7
  • Adinolfi, 8
  • Fritz, 6
  • Nardello, 8
  • Adinolfi, 8

A statement released Tuesday by the league, said 38 lawmakers had perfect scores in 2011 but 34 state lawmakers received failing grades, more than in 2008, 2009 and 2010 combined.

However, the league said supporters helped defeat bills that would have undermined environmental permitting processes, derailed important water management regulations, and mandated ATV trails on state property.

Additionally, Connecticut was one of the few states to preserve funding this year for clean water projects, open space, and farmland preservation. The Community
Investment Act, which supports conservation programs, enjoyed wide
backing from the legislative and executive branches.


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