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2007 California Environmental Scorecard

Year In Review

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Is There a Pattern?

A variety of distractions conspired to bollix the 2007 session, leaving much of the most important work for next year. Even as we go to press, the two issues the governor and legislative leaders identified as top priorities for 2007—health care reform and improved water supply—have gone unresolved, even after the governor called an October special legislative session. Capitol insiders are quick to point out, though, that 2007 is only the first year of a two-year session.

But we at CLCV have noted for several years that environmental legislation fares better in even years than in odd ones. Among the voting public in California, polls continue to show broad support for environmental protection, by Republicans as well as Democrats. 2005 was a rancorous year with only modest environmental gains; 2006 saw the enactment of the landmark AB 32 and other significant wins. In 2007 we have returned to a difficult session with fewer gains than last year.

This pattern may simply reflect the unfinished nature of the first year of the two-year session. But it also suggests that legislators are less willing to vote against the environment in an election year. At a minimum, that gives us reason to be hopeful that SB 974 and SB 375 will be signed into law and the 2008 session will improve on this year’s results.

Back to main 2007 Scorecard page.

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