Legislative Summary

Environmental Progress Continues, Serious Work Remains

Oregon’s families and future generations will reap the benefits of stronger environmental protections thanks to the work of Oregon’s legislators in 2009. Despite significant budget challenges, legislators answered the call of Oregonians around the state who believe that protecting our unique natural legacy is a priority. We’re grateful for their work.

But some victories were only partial. Climate change legislation was scaled back, and the bills passed did not live up to the gravity or urgency of the problem. Further, when comparing scores from 2007, average pro-environment voting records for legislators fell 12 percent in the Senate and 9 percent in the House.

Overall, the conservation community tackled six Priorities for a Healthy Oregon this session, and legislators moved forward on four. Conservationists also fought six bills that were major threats to a healthy Oregon – defeating five of them.

Most notably, legislators passed bills creating marine reserves, preventing invasive species outbreaks, protecting the Metolius River basin from overdevelopment, and limiting pollution from fuel. Legislators also passed a landmark water management bill. These successes were the direct result of building partnerships with a broad range of Oregonians.

The direct action of citizens also made  a difference. Time and again, you called and e-mailed your legislators to make sure they knew the environment was important to you. Take the Metolius bill, which passed by just one vote: Rep. Galizio (D-Tigard) told The Oregonian he changed his nay to an aye because of citizen voices.

Assessing the Senate: Fighting Corporate Lobbyists

Counting to 16 never seemed so hard. In the Oregon Senate, a bill needs 16 votes to pass. The Senate retained pro-conservation leadership, and gained strong new leaders with the addition of former House representatives Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), and Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-Beaverton), all of whom scored 95 percent this session.

Unfortunately, the Republican caucus generally locked up against pro-conservation bills, led by Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day), who scored 10 percent this session. This, coupled with a set of swing Democrats under pressure from utilities, industry, timber, and oil groups, kept the Senate from taking bolder steps to lead Oregon into a clean energy future.

Senators deserve our thanks for taking leadership on protecting the Metolius Basin, phasing out the toxic chemical decaBDE, cutting back on hazardous field burning, and killing a bill that would have irresponsibly fast-tracked the siting of dirty liquefied natural gas facilities.

Assessing the House: Significant New Leadership

The Oregon House retained its general pro-environment direction under new Speaker Dave Hunt (D-Clackamas) and Majority Leader Mary Nolan (D-Portland). Reps. Hunt and Nolan pushed through a strong version of House Bill 2186, a climate change bill that would have improved truck and tire efficiency, and limited high-polluting consumer products. (The Senate passed a weaker version.)

Unfortunately, Speaker Hunt also pushed through an unbalanced, highways-heavy transportation package and bucked his caucus to push through legislation helping the dirty fossil fuels industry.

Notable champions of the session were up and-coming leaders. While the most impressive are highlighted in our Awards Section, freshman Reps. Nick Kahl (D-Portland), Chris Harker (D-Beaverton), Chris Garrett (D-Lake Oswego) and Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) also show tremendous promise to become key leaders in future sessions.

Meanwhile, 18 minority-caucus members scored 25 percent or less, led by Rep. Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg), who scored a House-worst 10 percent.

Assessing the Governor: Helpful Partner

Governor Ted Kulongoski made climate change a key priority of this session. Showing up to railagainst “Salem Beltway Naysayers” in a hearing on a key bill.  The governor and his staff partnered with conservationists to ensure Oregon remains among the nation’s leaders on climate laws. Kulongoski also stood up to the Legislature to protect Oregon’s commitment to a clean energy future, vetoing two bills.

Next Steps: 2010 and Beyond

The Legislature will return to work in February 2010, providing an opportunity to move forwardon important environmental laws. We’ll be there, and we hope you’ll be there, too. Protecting Oregon’s environmental legacy depends on all of us.