Last week, the New York League of Conservation Voters issued its 2024 New York State Environmental Scorecard during what we view as a critical moment in our collective battle against climate change.
“Early voting begins on October 26 – and with candidates up and down the ballot having widely divergent views on climate change and the solutions needed to fight it – this scorecard comes at a critical moment,” said NYLCV President Julie Tighe. “While the environmental sirens are blaring in the form of scorching summers, shorter winters, and devastating floods, our scorecard cuts through the noise and talking points so
New Yorkers can clearly see how lawmakers performed, and vote accordingly.”
The climate crisis demands immediate and decisive action, yet in 2024 we saw a mixed bag, with a high-profile step backward in New York on a particularly important issue.
During the final days of the 2024 legislative session, Governor Kathy Hochul shockingly and unexpectedly placed a pause on the congestion pricing plan that had been years in the works and was scheduled to start June 30. This diverted attention from new and necessary legislative climate action.
We need to be clear: NYLCV remains resolute in our commitment to seeing congestion pricing through, and we commend the courage of our state representatives who stood firm against this misguided delay.
Despite this setback, there were some important legislative successes in 2024, including passage of bills to expand the Food Donation and Scraps Program and the Electric Vehicle Charging in Public Lots bill, the NY Wildlife Crossing Act, the Suffolk County Water Restoration Act, and the NYC Green Roof Tax Abatement – the latter two of which have already been signed into law.
We also were pleased that legislators continued to fund The Clean Water Infrastructure Act with $500 million and that funds for the Environmental Protection Fund were protected.
We urge our state legislators to increase these investments in the coming years to address flood mitigation, replace lead service lines, tackle emerging contaminants like PFAS, and remove lead from school drinking water.
On the individual front, we applaud the current state senators and assembly members from Westchester County for all earning a 100 percent score in 2024 on environmental issues. Four other state regions scored 70 percent or higher. Here’s the breakdown: New York City, 97 percent; Hudson Valley, 85 percent; Capital Region, 72 percent; Long Island, 70 percent; Central New York, 69 percent; Western New York, 67 percent; and North Country, 38 percent.
In 2024, 31 of the 63 New York state senators received a 100 percent rating, while in the Assembly 43 of the 150 members received a perfect score.
NYLCV gave special recognition to five members of the state legislature.
The Scorecard highlighted Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Tony Simone as Rising Stars for not only earning perfect 100 percent ratings, but also for their knowledge about and unwavering commitment to environmental issues and their willingness to champion important policies in the face of adversity.
Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Fred Thiele were named the Leaugue’s Environmental Champions for both their 100 percent scores and their continued and staunch support for the climate issues.
NYLCV applauded Assemblymember Thiele for his support during his entire career as he concludes his final year in office.
Assemblymember Thiele’s 100 percent score includes his sponsorship of the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, which will have a direct and positive impact on improving the quality of drinking water for Suffolk County residents.
Last but by no means least, the League offered a Special Thanks to Assemblymember Pat Fahy for her tremendous leadership in moving our clean energy initiatives forward.
As a member of the Committees on Transportation and Environmental Conservation, Assemblymember Fahy has worked tirelessly for land protection, zero emission vehicles, removing forever chemicals from our products, and fighting for the NY HEAT Act, which is critical for our clean energy future.
NYLCV’s scorecard is an annual evaluation of state legislators based on their support – or lack of support – for environmental legislation. Voters have come to rely on the scorecard as an easy way to gauge the environmental performance of their elected state officials. When they go to the ballot box, the legislators can be held accountable.
The following legislators received perfect scores:
STATE SENATE
Joseph Addabbo
Jamaal Bailey
Neil Breslin
Samra Brouk
Iwen Chu
Cordell Cleare
Leroy Comrie
Jeremy Cooney
Nathalia Fernandez
Michael Gianaris
Kristen Gonzalez
Andrew Gounardes
Peter Harckham
Michelle Hinchey
Robert Jackson
Brian Kavanagh
John Liu
John Mannion
Shelley Mayer
Zellnor Myrie
Kevin Parker
Roxanne J. Persaud
Jessica Ramos
J. Gustavo Rivera
James Sanders, Jr.
Luis Sepúlveda
Jose M. Serrano
Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Toby Ann Stavisky
Kevin Thomas
Lea Webb
ASSEMBLY
Khaleel Anderson
Juan Ardila
Harry Bronson
Chris Burdick
Kenneth Burgos
Robert C. Carroll
Sarah Clark
William Colton
Brian A. Cunningham
Jeffery Dinowitz
Harvey Epstein
Patricia Fahy
Phara Souffrant Forrest
Eddie Gibbs
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Andrew Hevesi
Jonathan Jacobson
Chantel Jackson
Ron Kim
Charles Lavine
Dana Levenberg
Jennifer Lunsford
Demond Meeks |
Amy Paulin
J. Gary Pretlow
Steven Raga
Karines Reyes
Linda Rosenthal
Jenifer Rajkumar
Manny De Los Santos
Nader Sayegh
Rebecca Seawright
Maryjane Shimsky
Gina Sillitti
Jo Anne Simon
Tony Simone
Phil Steck
Steve Stern
Al Stirpe
Yudelka Tapia
Alfred Taylor
Fred Thiele
Latrice Walker
David Weprin
Peter Aronson, a volunteer writer at the New York League of Conservation Voters since September 2022, is a former journalist and retired attorney. He is the author of Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma: The United States of Anthropocene, a novel for middle-grade readers about kids fighting global warming. Kirkus Reviews, in a starred review, wrote: “A scathing work and an essential blueprint for youth battling climate change.” To read more about Peter, visit his website www.peteraronsonbooks.com or to purchase his book, click here.