Legislative Scorecard – How It Works
New Jersey League of Conservation Voters
NJ League of Conservation Voters scores legislators on their votes on bills relating to the environment. Here are the key points about this scoring:
· We only score bills on which all Assembly members or Senators have a chance to vote, so the comparison of legislators will be fair. This means there are relatively few bills on which to score, since most bills never make it to a vote of the full Assembly or Senate.
· We also only score bills on which NJLCV has communicated with all legislators prior to their vote and told them how and why they should vote in accord with NJLCV’s position on the bill. This way no legislator can claim he or she did not understand the environmental implications of the bill.
· We compare legislators votes with NJLCV’s position on each bill, then calculate the percentage of their votes that are in accord with NJLCV’s positions. This gives a percentage of pro-environmental votes for each legislator.
· Abstentions are taken as votes against NJLCV’s position, unless we know the legislator could not vote due to some real necessity.
For more information on the scorecard, contact Carleton Montgomery.
NJ League of Conservation Voters scores legislators on their votes on bills relating to the environment. Here are the key points about this scoring:
· We only score bills on which all Assembly members or Senators have a chance to vote, so the comparison of legislators will be fair. This means there are relatively few bills on which to score, since most bills never make it to a vote of the full Assembly or Senate.
· We also only score bills on which NJLCV has communicated with all legislators prior to their vote and told them how and why they should vote in accord with NJLCV’s position on the bill. This way no legislator can claim he or she did not understand the environmental implications of the bill.
· We compare legislators votes with NJLCV’s position on each bill, then calculate the percentage of their votes that are in accord with NJLCV’s positions. This gives a percentage of pro-environmental votes for each legislator.
· Abstentions are taken as votes against NJLCV’s position, unless we know the legislator could not vote due to some real necessity.
For more information on the scorecard, contact Carleton Montgomery.
Legislative Scorecard as of October 2011
New Jersey League of Conservation Voters
Bill on Which Legislators Are Scored
A3139/S2126 An Act concerning solar energy 1and wind energy1 and supplementing P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.) and P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.)
NJLCV Position: Opposed
Synopsis: Permits development of solar and wind facilities and structures on landfills and resource extraction operations under certain circumstances.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: The bill would permit construction of industrial solar energy generation facilities in the Pinelands Preservation Area, and would make such facilities permitted uses in all parts of the state, regardless of environmental impacts on forested lands.
Status: Passed by both chambers, but conditionally vetoed by the governor.
A2290/S2554 An Act concerning the application, sale, and use of fertilizer, amending and supplementing P.L.1970, c.66, and supplementing Title 58 of the Revised Statutes.
NJLCV Position: Support
Synoposis: This bill, as amended, would establish standards for the application of fertilizer to turf, direct the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University (NJAES) to develop training and certification programs for professional fertilizer applicators applying fertilizer to turf, regulate the sale of certain fertilizer containing phosphorus and nitrogen, and require that additional information be included on certain fertilizer labels.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: Excess nutrients from lawn and turf fertilizers are contributing to the ecological decline of Barnegat Bay, and this bill will reduce the damage by controlling the timing and formulation of these fertilizers.
Status: Passed by both chambers and signed by the governor.
A2501/S1410 An Act concerning soil restoration measures and amending and supplementing P.L.1975, c.251.
NJLCV Position: Support
Synopsis: The bill requires the State Soil Conservation Committee to adopt standards modifying the current soil erosion and sediment control standards under “Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act” to include soil restoration measures. The bill defines “soil restoration measures” to mean those measures taken to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, restoration of the optimal physical, chemical, and biological functions for specific soil types and the intended land use.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: The compaction and alteration of soil during construction and other activities causes soil to lose its natural ability to absorb and cleanse storm water, causing contamination of our waterways and aquifers and aggravating flood hazards. This bill requires the State Soil Conservation Committee to adopt rules that will require builders and others to restore soils they have damaged during development activities.
Status: Passed by both chambers and signed by the governor.
A3415/S2341 An Act concerning the water quality of 1the1 Barnegat Bay 1ecosystem1 , and supplementing P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.).
NJLCV Position: Support
Synopsis: The Act requires, after study, DEP to adopt total maximum daily loads for Barnegat Bay ecosystem, and requires DEP to adopt nutrient standards for NJ marine waters.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: Barnegat Bay is in steep ecological decline, due principally to contamination with excessive nutrients – a condition known as eutrophication. The bill would require DEP to determine the total amount of nutrients the Bay can tolerate without ecological and recreational harms, then take actions to bring nutrient inputs due to human activities into line with these Total Maximum Daily Loads.
Status: Passed by both chambers, but conditionally vetoed by the governor.
A3606/S2275 An Act concerning the study and repair of certain stormwater basins in the Barnegat Bay watershed, and supplementing P.L.1984, c.73 (C.27:1B-1 et seq.) and P.L.1948, c.454 (C.27:23-1 et seq.).
NJLCV Position: Support
Synopsis: The Act requires the NJ Department of Transportation to study stormwater basins in Barnegat Bay watershed; requires DOT and NJ Turnpike Authority to include repairs of stormwater basins in capital project plans.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: Poorly built or maintained stormwater systems contribute to the excessive nutrients flowing into Barnegat Bay, and the NJDOT owns many such stormwater systems associated with state roads and freeways. By repairing these stormwater basins, NJDOT can reduce the flow of nutrients to the Bay, thus contributing to the Bay’s ecological restoration.
Status: Passed by both chambers and signed by governor
A3313/S2576 AN ACT concerning certain drilling techniques and supplementing 2 P.L.1985, c.432 (C.13:1M-1 et seq.
NJLCV Position: Support
Synopsis: The bill would prohibits the drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing in New Jersey.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is a method to extract natural gas from shale formations. Evidence to date indicates this method can be extremely harmful to people and the environment, because it requires the injection of toxic chemicals into the ground in order to release the gas for extraction. In addition, federal and state authorities have done little to regulate and ensure the use of this method will be safe and closely monitored in the interests of the public.
Status: Passed by both chambers, but vetoed by the governor.
A4108/S2946 An Act concerning the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and amending P.L.2007, c.340.
NJLCV Position: Support.
Synopsis: Clarifies intent of P.L.2007, c.340 regarding NJ’s required participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: The bill clarifies that it is the intent of the Public Law 2007, chapter 340, that New Jersey participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program to control greenhouse gas emissions and generate funding for initiatives to combat global warming and other negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The clarification is necessary because Governor Christie has taken actions to remove New Jersey from participating in RGGI.
Status: Passed by both chambers, but vetoed by the governor.
ACR195/SCR164 A Concurrent Resolution declaring the Governor’s withdrawal of New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to be inconsistent with legislative intent, and affirming the Legislature’s support for New Jersey remaining part of the Initiative.
NJLCV Position: Support.
Synopsis: This resolution declares Governor's withdrawal of NJ from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to be inconsistent with legislative intent; affirms support for and commitment to the Initiative.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: This resolution clarifies that it is the intent of the Public Law 2007, chapter 340, that New Jersey participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program to control greenhouse gas emissions and generate funding for initiatives to combat global warming and other negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The clarification is necessary because Governor Christie has taken actions to remove New Jersey from participating in RGGI.
Status: Passed by both chambers.
Bill on Which Legislators Are Scored
A3139/S2126 An Act concerning solar energy 1and wind energy1 and supplementing P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.) and P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.)
NJLCV Position: Opposed
Synopsis: Permits development of solar and wind facilities and structures on landfills and resource extraction operations under certain circumstances.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: The bill would permit construction of industrial solar energy generation facilities in the Pinelands Preservation Area, and would make such facilities permitted uses in all parts of the state, regardless of environmental impacts on forested lands.
Status: Passed by both chambers, but conditionally vetoed by the governor.
A2290/S2554 An Act concerning the application, sale, and use of fertilizer, amending and supplementing P.L.1970, c.66, and supplementing Title 58 of the Revised Statutes.
NJLCV Position: Support
Synoposis: This bill, as amended, would establish standards for the application of fertilizer to turf, direct the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University (NJAES) to develop training and certification programs for professional fertilizer applicators applying fertilizer to turf, regulate the sale of certain fertilizer containing phosphorus and nitrogen, and require that additional information be included on certain fertilizer labels.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: Excess nutrients from lawn and turf fertilizers are contributing to the ecological decline of Barnegat Bay, and this bill will reduce the damage by controlling the timing and formulation of these fertilizers.
Status: Passed by both chambers and signed by the governor.
A2501/S1410 An Act concerning soil restoration measures and amending and supplementing P.L.1975, c.251.
NJLCV Position: Support
Synopsis: The bill requires the State Soil Conservation Committee to adopt standards modifying the current soil erosion and sediment control standards under “Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act” to include soil restoration measures. The bill defines “soil restoration measures” to mean those measures taken to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, restoration of the optimal physical, chemical, and biological functions for specific soil types and the intended land use.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: The compaction and alteration of soil during construction and other activities causes soil to lose its natural ability to absorb and cleanse storm water, causing contamination of our waterways and aquifers and aggravating flood hazards. This bill requires the State Soil Conservation Committee to adopt rules that will require builders and others to restore soils they have damaged during development activities.
Status: Passed by both chambers and signed by the governor.
A3415/S2341 An Act concerning the water quality of 1the1 Barnegat Bay 1ecosystem1 , and supplementing P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.).
NJLCV Position: Support
Synopsis: The Act requires, after study, DEP to adopt total maximum daily loads for Barnegat Bay ecosystem, and requires DEP to adopt nutrient standards for NJ marine waters.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: Barnegat Bay is in steep ecological decline, due principally to contamination with excessive nutrients – a condition known as eutrophication. The bill would require DEP to determine the total amount of nutrients the Bay can tolerate without ecological and recreational harms, then take actions to bring nutrient inputs due to human activities into line with these Total Maximum Daily Loads.
Status: Passed by both chambers, but conditionally vetoed by the governor.
A3606/S2275 An Act concerning the study and repair of certain stormwater basins in the Barnegat Bay watershed, and supplementing P.L.1984, c.73 (C.27:1B-1 et seq.) and P.L.1948, c.454 (C.27:23-1 et seq.).
NJLCV Position: Support
Synopsis: The Act requires the NJ Department of Transportation to study stormwater basins in Barnegat Bay watershed; requires DOT and NJ Turnpike Authority to include repairs of stormwater basins in capital project plans.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: Poorly built or maintained stormwater systems contribute to the excessive nutrients flowing into Barnegat Bay, and the NJDOT owns many such stormwater systems associated with state roads and freeways. By repairing these stormwater basins, NJDOT can reduce the flow of nutrients to the Bay, thus contributing to the Bay’s ecological restoration.
Status: Passed by both chambers and signed by governor
A3313/S2576 AN ACT concerning certain drilling techniques and supplementing 2 P.L.1985, c.432 (C.13:1M-1 et seq.
NJLCV Position: Support
Synopsis: The bill would prohibits the drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing in New Jersey.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is a method to extract natural gas from shale formations. Evidence to date indicates this method can be extremely harmful to people and the environment, because it requires the injection of toxic chemicals into the ground in order to release the gas for extraction. In addition, federal and state authorities have done little to regulate and ensure the use of this method will be safe and closely monitored in the interests of the public.
Status: Passed by both chambers, but vetoed by the governor.
A4108/S2946 An Act concerning the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and amending P.L.2007, c.340.
NJLCV Position: Support.
Synopsis: Clarifies intent of P.L.2007, c.340 regarding NJ’s required participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: The bill clarifies that it is the intent of the Public Law 2007, chapter 340, that New Jersey participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program to control greenhouse gas emissions and generate funding for initiatives to combat global warming and other negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The clarification is necessary because Governor Christie has taken actions to remove New Jersey from participating in RGGI.
Status: Passed by both chambers, but vetoed by the governor.
ACR195/SCR164 A Concurrent Resolution declaring the Governor’s withdrawal of New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to be inconsistent with legislative intent, and affirming the Legislature’s support for New Jersey remaining part of the Initiative.
NJLCV Position: Support.
Synopsis: This resolution declares Governor's withdrawal of NJ from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to be inconsistent with legislative intent; affirms support for and commitment to the Initiative.
Reasons for NJLCV Position: This resolution clarifies that it is the intent of the Public Law 2007, chapter 340, that New Jersey participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program to control greenhouse gas emissions and generate funding for initiatives to combat global warming and other negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The clarification is necessary because Governor Christie has taken actions to remove New Jersey from participating in RGGI.
Status: Passed by both chambers.
Senate:
Assembly:
| NJLCV Legislative Scorecard: Senate |
| NJLCV Legislative Scorecard: Assembly |
The Environmental Scorecard
In order to judge our elected representatives to hold them to account for their actions, citizens need to know how they voted on key environmental laws. The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters will create and publicize a New Jersey Environmental Scorecard to rate the performance of state-level elected officials on votes they take on laws affecting the environment. The Scorecard will help citizens judge how well their representatives are protecting the environment, support them when they do well, and take them to task when they falter or fail. The Scorecard will also help our legislators understand how and when they should act to protect the environment, because we will always tell our senators and assembly persons before a bill is up for a vote that the bill is important, why the League supports or opposes the bill, and how we expect them to vote.
The Scorecard will be:
Objective – all legislators will be graded on the same votes and by the same standards;
Transparent – legislators and the public at large will be able to see exactly how and why a legislator received the grades he or she received;
Clear – the Scorecard will provide an accurate picture of each official’s commitment to, or against, environmental values; and
Comprehensive – the Scorecard will cover legislators’ actions on the full range of environmental values and issues.
The League will also produce a Report Card on the Governor and his or her administration, grading the Governor on whether he or she signs or vetoes important legislation, adopts or blocks regulations that affect environmental values, and demonstrates positive leadership to improve New Jersey’s health and quality of life by protecting our natural resources.