2005 Montana Legislative Scorecard

Montana Conservation Voters Legislative Scorecard Shows Legislative Trends on Conservation Votes, Attacks on Citizen Initiatives.

Montana Conservation Voters (MCV) has released its fourth State Legislative Scorecard, grading lawmakers on their votes to support the development of clean, renewable energy, protect clean water and air, protect public health and maintain Montana’s fishing and hunting heritage.

“The progress we made in 2005 reflects the fact that Montanans know conservation and environmental protection are vital to our well being and prosperity. People want to live and work here, and that is fueling the economic growth that we are experiencing in much of the state,” said University of Montana economist and MCV Co-Chair Richard Barrett.

Each legislator’s score represents the percentage of times he or she voted the pro-conservation position on about a dozen bills conservationists identified as important for the 2005 session. Bill topics included the development of alternative energy, preservation of wildlife habitat, and additional safe guards to clean water.

The Montana Conservation Voters’ Scorecard features a comparison of legislators’ votes from the 2005, 2003, 2001 and 1999 regular State Legislative Session, as well as county-to-county comparisons.

The average House score improved substantially among both Democrats and Republicans. House Democrats averaged a 97% pro-conservation voting record, up from an 88% rating in 2003, while House Republicans improved their scores from a 5% in 2003 to 22% in 2005.

Senate members showed comparable improvements, with Senate Democrats increasing pro-conservation votes from a 78% rating in 2003 to a 94% in 2005, and Senate Republicans shifting upward from a 13% in 2003 to a 19% in 2005.

“Between preserving the way of life we treasure, serving as a magnet for new businesses, creating jobs to clean up some of our past mistakes, and pointing the way to sustainable development, there's just no question that environmental protection makes economic common sense,” said Barrett.