A Message from OLCV ’s Executive Director

Tell your legislators you know The Score

Protecting the planet begins here at home in Oregon with the people we elect and the actions they take. This Scorecard is about evaluating the most important action our legislators take: voting. But it’s also about the action you take. It’s not enough just to know the score.

You need to let your legislators know what you think:

• Are they responsible stewards of Oregon’s natural heritage? Or would they destroy that heritage for the benefit of a few?
• Do they promote family-friendly policies that provide great neighborhoods where our kids can thrive, along with air and water free from poisonous chemicals?
• Do they invest in the legacy we leave our kids? Or do they make short-sighted decisions at the expense of future generations?

For the second straight session, we’re pleased to report that a clear majority of the Oregon Legislature answered these questions responsibly. Unfortunately, not all legislators did. And in a few cases, the Legislature took some steps backward, particularly on clean energy. It is critical that you thank your elected leaders for good votes, or let them know if you are disappointed in their choices.

That’s where OLCV’s Scorecard comes in. It provides not only the overall scores of your elected leaders, but also how they voted on individual bills and important issues, from clean water to the climate crisis.

How do we choose which scores to include? Experts from a wide range of Oregon conservation groups weigh in on what votes should be included in the Scorecard, and votes scored must represent a clear choice about whether to protect the environment. OLCV’s Board of Directors makes the final decision.

You can find a complete description of how we create the Scorecard here.

Remember: Knowing the score is just the first step. In a democracy, we all have a responsibility to let our legislators know what we think, and further, to share information like the Scorecard with our friends and neighbors.

As dramatic as it sounds, the future of the planet — and our children — depends on the actions our elected officials take here in Oregon and across the country. OLCV provides the tools you need to help them promote a more responsible environmental legacy for Oregon’s families.

Jonathan Poisner
Executive Director
Oregon League of Conservation Voters