Michigans Congressional Delegation Earns Above Average Scores Fom LCV
Dee-Ann Durbin February 20, 2002

LANSING, MI--Michigan's congressional delegation ranked higher than the national average on a 2001 environmental scorecard released Wednesday by the League of Conservation Voters. Democratic Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow cast environmentally friendly votes an average of 94 percent of the time, compared to the Senate average of 46 percent, the group said. House members from Michigan cast environmentally friendly votes 55 percent of the time, compared to the House average of 48 percent. LCV spokesman Jeff Irwin praised U.S. Rep. David Bonior, D-Mount Clemens, who is running for governor this year. Bonior took the environmental group's position on everything except tougher fuel efficiency standards for autos and increased weatherization assistance to low-income families. "We are all disappointed to see David Bonior leave Congress," Irwin said. "This is a representative who's been a really staunch defender of the environment." Environmentalists also praised U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers, a Grand Rapids Republican who received a score of 57 percent. Ehlers was the only member of Michigan's House delegation to support higher fuel efficiency standards in an August vote.Still, the League of Conservation Voters said some Michigan lawmakers had disappointing records. "The best have gotten better, but the worse have gotten worse," said Lisa Wozniak, regional director of the LCV. U.S. Reps. Nick Smith, R-Addison, and Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, opposed the position of the League of Conservation Voters on all 14 votes it identified.