Sen. Joyce Gets High Marks on Environmental Legislative Scorecard

From the Office of Senator Brian A. Joyce:

The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund (ELM Action Fund) is pleased to recognize Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton), who achieved an excellent score in the organization’s 2015-2016 Legislative Scorecard on the environment. It rates true legislative action, not merely votes. And it challengesAIM’s recent scorecard criticizing legislators on energy policy as lost in the 19th century and failing to represent the long term interests of their own members.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the Environmental League of Massachusetts as one of the most dedicated advocates for the environment in the State Senate,” said Senator Joyce.

“When it came to votes this session, Senator Joyce supported our pro-environment agenda, but didn’t stop there. He demonstrated their commitment to conservation. The ELM Action Fund is pleased to recognize him as an environmental champion,” said ELM Action Fund President George Bachrach. “We look forward to continued work together to protect our environment, improve public health, enhance quality of life, and grow our green economy.”

Beyond votes, the ELM Action Fund awarded additional points to lawmakers who led by sponsoring important legislation or authored “Dear Colleague” letters, and deducted points from legislators who filed anti-environment legislation. The ELM Action Fund also challenges lawmakers for the practice of “voice votes” on controversial issues which are not recorded roll call votes. This practice prevents voters from truly gauging which representatives and senators are truly on their side.

“Legislative scorecards are common but this is unique, measuring leadership, not just votes,” said Bachrach. “This is our best effort to give voters a sense of who is really on their side in the critically important work that takes place out of public view.”

To view the scorecard, visit here.

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