Every two years, Michigan voters have a chance to vote directly for clean

water and healthy communities. Much is at stake this November. Our 15 U.S. Representatives and all 110 Michigan Representatives are up for re-election and, of course, a presidency will be decided. The Michigan Senate does not face re-election until 2010 at which time only six current Senators will be eligible to run due to term limits. In this special edition of our Michigan Sustaining News, we give Clean Water Action members the tools

Protect Michigan’s Water: Vote Environment on November 4th

ALSO INSIDE

2 BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

3 CLEAN WATER ACTION’S 2007-2008 LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

3 CLEAN WATER FRIENDS

3 CLEAN WATER FOES

4-5 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

6 VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

7 TOGETHER WE CAN ELECT STRONG VOICES FOR MICHIGAN’S FUTURE

8 THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT AND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

VOL. 22, NO. 2 MICHIGAN, FALL 2008sustaining news

50 additional Michiganders who will know how their lawmakers voted on clean water and 50 additional Michiganders who will be empowered to hold lawmakers accountable. Please consider a gift to support these efforts and to be a part of the long-term battle to protect Michigan’s amazing water. Thank you.

—Cyndi Roper, Michigan DirectorClean Water Action

you need to make informed decisions about pro-environment candidates at the polls on Tuesday, November 4th. You can help us keep your legislators focused on protecting our water through a contribution to Clean Water Action. To help get the word out about lawmaker voting records and candidate endorsements, please send $25, $60, $120 or any amount you can afford using the envelope attached to this newsletter. A gift of $25 covers the cost of printing and mailing this issue of the Sustaining News to 50 Clean Water Action members. That’s

CLEAN WATER ACTION STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ON THE STEPS OF THE STATE CAPITOL WORKING AS YOUR WATCHDOGS IN LANSING.

PHOTO BY NATHAN HARRIS

OUR WATER, OUR HEALTH, OUR FUTURE

Clean Water Actionsustaining news

VOL. 22, NO. 2, FALL 2008

Editor: Cyndi RoperEditorial Advisors: Dave Dempsey,

Christy McGillivray, Katie Kelly, Nikki Motson, and Susan Harley

Layout: Rose Homa

Clean Water Action, founded in 1972, is a national non-profit organization working for clean, safe and afford-able water, prevention of health-threatening pollution, creation of environmentally friendly jobs, and empower-ment of people to make democracy work. Clean Water Action organizes strong grassroots groups, coalitions and campaigns to elect environmental candidates and to solve environmental community problems.

President: John DeCockManaging Director: Kathleen Aterno

National Communications Director: David HoltzNational Development Director: Jon Scott

National Program Coordinator: Lynn ThorpNational Campaigns Director: Paul Schwartz

Michigan Director: Cyndi RoperMichigan Campaigns Director: Christy McGillivray

Policy Associate: Susan HarleyEast Lansing Canvass Director: Emily WoodcockAnn Arbor Canvass Director: Greg SobczynskiClinton Twp. Canvass Director: Heather Major

Mid-Michigan Office1200 Michigan Avenue, Suite A

East Lansing, MI 48823Phone: 517.203.0754 • FAX: 517.203.0760

Cyndi Roper: croper@cleanwater.orgSusan Harley: sharley@cleanwater.org

Nikki Motson: elansingcwa@cleanwater.orgBecky Jo Farrington: bfarrington@cleanwater.org

Dan Owen: dowen@cleanwater.org

Lake St. Clair Office38875 Harper Avenue, Clinton Twp., MI 48036Phone: 586.783.8900 • FAX: 586.783.4033

Chris Johnston: cjohnston@cleanwater.org

West Michigan Office949 Wealthy Street SE, Suite 207

Grand Rapids, MI 49506Phone: 616.742.4084 • FAX: 616.742.4072

Marta Johnson: mjohnson@cleanwater.orgMike Scruggs: mscruggs@cleanwater.org

Ann Arbor Office205 1/2 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104Phone: 734.222.6347 • FAX: 734.222.6473

Christy McGillivray: cmcgillivray@cleanwater.orgKatie Kelly: kkelly@cleanwater.org

Steve Gutterman: sgutterman@cleanwater.org

Oakland County Office1723 West Fourteen Mile Rd.

Royal Oak, MI 48073Phone: 248.549.9620

Lynna Kaucheck: lkaucheck@cleanwater.org

Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is permitted

with proper credit.

Website: www.cleanwateraction.org/mi

Barack Obama for President

Michigan has endured a great deal of change over the past eight years,

some of which has been positive but much of which has undermined environmental protections and left our economy suffering. These impacts are something we can all feel, regardless of political party affiliations. At a time when new choices for America are critical, we need a president who believes the environment is an issue we all have a stake in. This year, there are clear and marked differences between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party nominees. And it is

based on these significant differences that Clean Water Action is endorsing Senator Barack Obama for president of the United States. Barack Obama has worked hard promoting legislation that will help restore and improve the entire Great Lakes region*, and he isn’t stopping there. He supports clean up of our incredible Great Lakes, protection from harmful water diversions, improved wastewater treatment, reinvigorated drinking water standards, wetlands restoration, and zero tolerance for invasive species. He is a fierce advocate for protecting public health from harmful chemicals; he has sponsored and supported numerous bills to reduce our exposure to toxics such as lead and mercury. Unlike John McCain, Barack Obama has spelled out specific plans for increased energy efficiency, independence, and job creation through clean technologies. Obama supports energy efficiency, and he sponsored a 10% Renewable Energy Standard by 2020, while McCain voted against it. McCain is an enthusiastic promoter of nuclear power and supports vast public subsidies to prop up a new generation of nuclear power plants, even though this energy source is unsafe, expensive and can’t be put on line fast enough to meet global warming pollution reduction goals. Michigan is the world leader in freshwater—it is up to us to take the lead in securing healthy communities and a sustainable future for generations to come. It is up to us to create jobs that cannot be outsourced and that benefit the individual as well as our communities. Both Barack Obama and Joe Biden have proven track records supporting these goals. On Election Day, vote for a healthy, prospering, and sustainable Michigan—vote Barack Obama for President.

*See the following link for more details on Obama and Biden’s plan for Great Lakes Restoration: http://obama.3cdn.net/e0e3e4b93dd8ae9256_f3fumvlkc.pdf

BARACK OBAMA

2 • CLEAN WATER ACTION • SUSTAINING NEWS • FALL 2008

OUR WATER, OUR HEALTH, OUR FUTURE

Michigan continues to rely on coal burning to generate most of its electricity or moves to cleaner, renewable wind and solar power will affect the amount of mercury, greenhouse gases, and other pollution affecting both our water quality and the abundance. These energy choices will also determine whether permanent Michigan jobs are created in the emerging clean energy economy or if we continue shipping our jobs and dollars out-of-state. Because only members of the Michigan House of Representatives are on the November ballot this year, this Scorecard does not cover votes in the State Senate.

Our 2007-2008 Legislative Scorecard covers one of the most significant ses-sions in our state’s history when it comes to water protection. As Michigan and the other seven Great Lakes states considered approving an interstate agreement to pre-vent raids on Great Lakes water, Clean Water Action led the charge to ensure our lawmakers took a stand on critical issues such as retaining public control of Michi-gan’s water, ensuring our rivers, streams and groundwater are not over-pumped, and efficient use of the state’s water. There were also key votes on other matters important to the health of our water, including energy policy. Whether

Are your lawmakers on the side of clean, abundant water and

jobs from clean energy?

Water is the first concern of Michi-ganders when they’re asked about natural resources. We play in it, boat on it, fish from it, drink it, and make many other uses of the water whose abundance and beauty sets our state apart from all others. But is water also the first concern of our state officials? Do our elected representa-tives vote in favor of water protections and take other actions to make sure Michigan remains the Great Lakes state?

Clean Water Action’s2007-2008 Legislative Scorecard

Clean Water Friends

The most reliable defenders of Michigan’s waters and health are lawmakers who can be counted on for

every key vote. In this two year-session, the following 42 members—more than one-third of the House of Representatives—voted 100% of the time in favor of the public interest.

Rep. Kathy AngererRep. Joan BauerRep. Pam ByrnesRep. Marsha CheeksRep. Brenda ClackRep. Paul CondinoRep. Bob ConstanRep. Marc CorriveauRep. Andy CoulourisRep. George CushingberryRep. Robert DeanRep. Andy DillonRep. Marie DoniganRep. Kate EbliRep. Matthew GillardRep. Lee GonzalesRep. Richard HammelRep. Ted HammonRep. Morris Hood IIIRep. Hoon-Yung HopgoodRep. Bert Johnson

Rep. Robert JonesRep. Kathleen LawRep. Richard LeblancRep. Gabe LelandRep. LaMar Lemmons, Jr.Rep. Steven LindbergRep. Gary McDowellRep. Mark MeadowsRep. Andy MeisnerRep. Tim MeltonRep. Fred MillerRep. Gino PolidoriRep. Michael SakRep. Alma SmithRep. Virgil SmithRep. Steve TobocmanRep. Aldo VagnozziRep. Mary ValentineRep. Rebekah WarrenRep. Lisa WojnoRep. Coleman Young II

Clean Water Foes

Clearly, conservation and the environment are not partisan issues. Clean water and healthy communities

are interests of all Michigan citizens. Traditionally, the key House committee on environmental matters—currently known as the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee—consists of members of both parties committed to advancing clean water and health even though they may disagree on other issues. Some of the state’s legendary conservationists of both major parties have served on this committee in decades past. This year’s scorecard shows that the Republican Great Lakes and Environment Committee members voted consistently against environmental protections and the public interest. Sadly, these committee members have earned the status of Clean Water Foes in 2008.

David Robertson (R), 21% Brian Palmer (R), 7% Judy Emmons (R), 0% John Moolenaar (R), 21% Howard Walker (R), 34% Arlan Meekhof (R), 27%

In contrast, the remaining members of the Great Lakes and Environment Committee voted for strong Great Lakes Protections almost without exception.

NameParty / District

Out-of-State &

Canadian Trash

Better Waste

Manage- ment

Local Waste

Planning

Protecting Kids from

Toxics

Great Lakes

Compact

Protecting Michigan’s

Rivers

Water Conservation:

1

Water Conservation:

2

Enforcing Water

Protections

Public Control of Water: 1

Public Control of Water: 2

Water Assessment

Tool

Public Input in Water

Decisions

Clean Energy Jobs

Reducing Energy

Use & Bills TotalAccavitti, Jr. D-42 + + + A/NV + + + + + + + + + + + 93%

Acciavatti R-32 - - - - + - - - + - + - - - - 21%

Agema R-74 - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - 7%

Amos R-43 - - - - + - - - + - + - - - A/NV 21%

Angerer D-55 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Ball R-85 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + + 41%

Bauer D68 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Bennett D-92 + + + + + + + + + + + + + A/NV A/NV 87%

Bieda D-25 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Booher R-102 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Brandenburg R-24 - + + - + + + + + + + + + - A/NV 74%

Brown D-84 + + + + + - - - + - + - + + + 67%

Byrnes D-52 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Byrum D-67 + + + + + + + + + - + - + + + 87%

Calley R-87 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + + 41%

Casperson R-108 - + + - + - - - + - + - - - - 34%

Caswell R-58 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Caul R-99 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Cheeks D-6 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Clack D-34 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Clemente D-14 - A/NV A/NV + + + + + + + + + + + + 80%

Condino D-35 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Constan D16 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Corriveau D-20 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Coulouris D-95 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Cushingberry D-8 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Dean D-75 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

DeRoche R-38 - - + - + A/NV A/NV - + - + - A/NV - - 27%

Dillon D-17 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Donigan D-26 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Ebli D-56 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Elsenheimer R-105 - - - - + - - - + - + - - - - 21%

Emmons R-70 - - - - A/NV - - - A/NV - A/NV - - - - 0%

Espinoza D-83 + + + + + + + + + + + + + A/NV A/NV 87%

Farrah D-13 - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 93%

Gaffney R-1 - + + A/NV + + + + + + + + + + A/NV 80%

Garfield R-45 A/NV - - - + - - - - - - - - - A/NV 7%

Gillard D-106 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Gonzales D-49 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Green R-77 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + - 34%

Griffin D-64 + - - - + - + - + - + - + + + 54%

Hammel D-48 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Hammon D-50 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Hansen R-100 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Hildenbrand R-86 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Hood III D-11 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Hoogendyk Jr. R-61 - - - - + - - - - - - - - - A/NV 7%

Hopgood D-22 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Horn R-94 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + + 41%

Huizenga R-90 - - - - + A/NV A/NV A/NV + A/NV + A/NV A/NV - - 21%

Hune R-47 - - - - + - - - - - - - - + + 21%

Jackson D-9 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + A/NV 93%

Johnson D-5 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Jones, Rick R-71 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + + 41%

2007-2008 House of Representatives Legislative Scorecard

OUR WATER, OUR HEALTH, OUR FUTURE

Jones, Robert D-60 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Knollenberg R-41 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Lahti D-110 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + 93%

LaJoy R-21 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + + 41%

Law, D. R-39 - + + + + - - - + - + - - + + 54%

Law, K. D-23 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

LeBlanc D-18 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Leland D-10 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Lemmons Jr. D-2 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Lindberg D-109 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Marleau R-46 - + + + + - - - + - + - - + + 54%

Mayes D-96 + + + + + + - - + - + - + + + 74%

McDowell D-107 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Meadows D-69 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Meekhof R-89 - - - + + - - - + - + - - - - 27%

Meisner D-27 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Melton D-29 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Meltzer R-33 - - - + + - - - + - - - - + + 34%

Miller D-31 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Moolenaar R-98 - - - - + - - - + - + - - - - 21%

Moore R-97 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Moss R-40 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + + 41%

Nitz R-78 - - - - + - - - + - + - - - - 21%

Nofs R-62 - - - A/NV + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Opsommer R-93 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + + 41%

Palmer R-36 - - - - + - - A/NV - A/NV - A/NV - - A/NV 7%

Palsrok R-101 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Pastor R-19 - - - - + - - - - - - - - + + 21%

Pavlov R-81 - - - - + - - - + - + - - - - 21%

Pearce R-73 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Polidori D-15 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Proos R-79 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Robertson R-51 - - - - + - - - + - + - - - - 21%

Rocca R-30 - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 93%

Sak D-76 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Schuitmaker R-80 - - - + + - - - + - + - - + - 34%

Scott D-3 + + + + + + + + + + + + + A/NV A/NV 87%

Shaffer R-59 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Sheen R-88 - - - - + - - - - - - - - - A/NV 7%

Sheltrown D-103 + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + 93%

Simpson D-65 + + + - + - - - + - + - + + + 60%

Smith, A. D-54 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Smith, V. D-7 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Spade D-57 + + + + + - - - + - + - + + + 67%

Stahl R-82 - - - - + - - - + - + - - - - 21%

Stakoe R-44 - - - + + - - - + - + - - - - 27%

Steil R-72 - - - + + - - - + - + - - - - 27%

Tobocman D-12 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Vagnozzi D-37 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Valentine D-91 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Walker R-104 - - - - + - - - + - + - - + + 34%

Ward R-66 - + + + A/NV + + + A/NV + A/NV + + + + 74%

Warren D-53 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Wenke R-63 - - - - + A/NV A/NV - + - + - A/NV + - 27%

Wojno D-28 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

Young II D-4 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 100%

A/NV = absent or not voting

NameParty / District

Out-of-State &

Canadian Trash

Better Waste

Manage- ment

Local Waste

Planning

Protecting Kids from

Toxics

Great Lakes

Compact

Protecting Michigan’s

Rivers

Water Conservation:

1

Water Conservation:

2

Enforcing Water

Protections

Public Control of Water: 1

Public Control of Water: 2

Water Assessment

Tool

Public Input in Water

Decisions

Clean Energy Jobs

Reducing Energy

Use & Bills Total

OUR WATER, OUR HEALTH, OUR FUTURE

OUR WATER, OUR HEALTH, OUR FUTURE

Out-of-State & Canadian Trash (House Bill 4221) Passed House 56 to 53, Roll Call #108, 4/17/07 HB 4221 would make Michigan less attractive for out-of-state trash by imposing a surcharge on waste and funneling the money into a recycling and waste division fund. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Better Waste Management (House Bill 4485) Passed House 63 to 46, Roll Call #140, 5/3/07 HB 4485 modernizes state standards for waste facilities by banning the disposal of medical waste, low-level radioactive waste and other materials at incinerators and making other changes to incinerator and landfill rules. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Local Waste Planning (House Bill 4486) Passed House 64 to 45, Roll Call #142, 5/3/07 HB 4486 makes numerous changes to the county planning requirements to promote improved waste management and to minimize unneeded landfill space. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Protecting Kids from Toxics (House Bill 4569) Passed House 72 to 35, Roll Call #401, 5/15/08 Lindane is a toxic chemical banned in more than 50 countries, the U.S. military, and California. But elsewhere it is still used to treat head lice in children despite the fact that it is highly toxic and lingers in the environment. HB 4569 would restrict the use of Lindane in Michigan. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Great Lakes Compact (House Bill 4343) Passed House 108 to 0, Roll Call #389, 5/14/08 Since 1998, the eight Great Lakes states have been working to fashion an enforceable interstate agreement to protect the waters of the Lakes from exploitation and export. While not perfect, the resulting pact, which also requires Congressional consent, is a major step forward in Great Lakes conservation. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Public Control of Water: 2 (House Bill 5072) Passed House 99 to 9, Roll Call #391, 5/14/08 Traditionally a publicly controlled re-source, water is now in danger of commercial-ization and control by private interests. HB 5072 contained provisions requiring the state to assure the public trust is protected before approving large water withdrawals. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Water Assessment Tool (House Bill 5069) Passed House 56 to 52, Roll Call #474, 6/4/08 Protecting Michigan’s water from the potential impacts of large water withdrawals could be aided by the use of a science-based tool intended to predict possible harm to nearby waters. HB 5069 called for the testing and implementation of such a tool. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Public Input in Water Decisions (House Bill 5070) Passed House 62 to 45, Roll Call #430, 5/21/08 Existing law encourages large water users to establish water user committees to monitor watersheds and assist in planning. HB 5070 creates new avenues for citizens to provide information to local government officials serving on these committees. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Clean Energy Jobs (House Bill 5548) Passed House 86 to 21, Roll Call #301, 4/17/08 To create jobs while cleaning up air and water pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, more than 20 states have passed laws requiring a fixed percentage of electricity to come from renewable sources like wind and solar power. HB 5548 set a goal of 10% renewable electricity by 2015. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Reducing Energy Use & Bills (House Bill 5525) Passed House 81 to 18, Roll Call #303, 4/17/08 Increasing the efficiency of our buildings and appliances saves money and reduces pollution. HB 5525 set a goal for electric utilities of reducing electricity use 1% per year beginning in 2012. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

2007-2008 Legislative Scorecard

Vote DescriptionsProtecting Michigan’s Rivers (House Bill 5065) Passed House 57 to 50, Roll Call #424, 5/21/08 To prevent water raids on the Great Lakes and to protect the fishery and tourism values of the state’s lakes and streams, Michigan needs reasonable standards for water withdrawals. HB 5065 sets standards that protect rivers and streams from over use. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Water Conservation: 1 (House Bill 5066) Passed House 58 to 49, Roll Call #426, 5/21/08 Another water protection measure requires the Department of Environmental Quality and major groups of water users to develop guidelines for water conservation in order to protect water quantity and quality. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Water Conservation: 2 (HB 5071) Passed House 57 to 51, Roll Call #475, 6/4/08 This legislation expands water conserva-tion requirements to a greater number of pub-lic drinking water suppliers. Some of the larg-est water withdrawals in the state are for public drinking water supplies. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

Enforcing Water Protections (House Bill 5067) Passed House 101 to 7, Roll Call #390, 5/14/08 This measure toughens penalties for violations of water standards and water withdrawal permit requirements. A YES vote was a vote for clean water. Public Control of Water: 1 (House Bill 5068) Passed House 56 to 52, Roll Call #472, 6/4/08 Assuring public control of Michigan’s water is crucial in the 21st Century. HB 5068 contained strong provisions requiring the state to assure the public trust in water is protected before approving any water withdrawal. A YES vote was a vote for clean water.

OUR WATER, OUR HEALTH, OUR FUTURE

CLEAN WATER ACTION • SUSTAINING NEWS • FALL 2008 • 7

LISA BROWNMARY VALENTINESARAH ROBERTSMARK SCHAUERGARY PETERS

Thanks to your support, Clean Water Action made considerable gains

in working to protect Michigan’s environment, economy, and our health. We take seriously our job of helping you hold elected officials accountable. Without health, we have no wealth—and the candidates we have endorsed for 2008 understand the vital link between nurturing the livelihood of our families

Together We Can Elect Strong Voices for Michigan’s Future

and habitat, thereby growing a sustainable and prosperous future for our Great Lakes state. However, the improvements we made over the past two years were marginal. When it comes to protecting our public waters from private water-for-sale interests or reducing our reliance on fossil fuels in the face of climate change, the clock is ticking. Our lawmakers must

act boldly and quickly to secure our water future, our energy future and, clearly, our economic future. Along with rating current lawmak-ers in our scorecard, each election cycle Clean Water Action works to increase the number of environmental champions elected to office. Below we’ve highlighted five of our 2008 priority races featuring Michigan environmental leaders.

Gary Peters is running against incumbent Joe Knollenberg in the 9th Congressional District. Gary Peters distinguished himself in the Michigan Senate by fighting oil drilling in the Great Lakes and securing funds for sewer repairs in Michigan. Gary Peters earned a 100% pro-environment score on Clean Water Action’s legislative scorecard while serving in the Michigan Senate. His opponent Joe Knollenberg has earned a lifetime 7% score from the League of Conservation Voters and is currently on their “Dirty Dozen” list targeting members of Congress with the worst environmental voting records. Mark Schauer is challenging incumbent Tim Walberg in the 7th Congressional District. Mark Schauer has a lifetime pro-environment score of 98% on Clean Water Action’s legislative scorecard while Tim Walberg earned a 7%. As the current Senate Minority Leader, he is fighting for investments in clean, renewable energy and to stop the export of Great Lakes waters and the importation of out-of-state and Canadian trash. Sarah Roberts is running for an open seat in the 24th House District. While serving as Clean Water Action’s Macomb County community organizer, Sarah was actively engaged in efforts to protect Lake St. Clair. As a current Macomb County Commissioner, Sarah Roberts has fought the expansion of the Pinetree Acres Landfill and is committed to expanding recycling

and recycling-based manufacturing. She has also worked to prevent polluted runoff from entering Lake St. Clair. Sarah Roberts is a true Clean Water champion who will be a leader in protecting our water and our health in Lansing. Mary Valentine is running for her second term to serve the 91st House District. She has a 100% environmental voting record. Mary Valentine led the charge to stop corporate interests from selling our treasured waters, and she has been a strong advocate for protecting children from exposures. Clean Water Action has benefitted tremendously from Mary Valentine’s leadership in Lansing, and we will continue educating voters in her district about her environmental protection work. Lisa Brown is running for an open seat in the 39th House District. Lisa Brown is committed to revitalizing Michigan by creating a strong renewable energy economy and preserving Michigan’s unique natural treasures. She will also champion children’s environmental health issues and work to prevent the Great Lakes from being sold by international corporations.

We encourage all of our Clean Water Action members to vote for Clean Water Action endorsed candidates. For a complete list of endorsed candidates visit:

www.cleanwateraction.org/mi

OUR WATER, OUR HEALTH, OUR FUTURE

The Michigan Supreme Court and Your Environmental Rights

Despite their importance in interpreting the laws of the land, judicial races are often low priority at election time. Many

voters do not even make it to the end of the ballot, so there is a significant “drop-off” vote when it comes to electing our officials in the courtroom. While there are numerous judi-cial races this year, Clean Water Action urges you to be a part of the movement to fire Supreme Court Justice Clifford Taylor when you vote on Novem-ber 4th. In 2007, Taylor and three other justices handed down a ruling that emasculated one of Michigan’s most important environmental protections, the Michigan Environmental Protection Act (MEPA). MEPA was signed it into law by former Republican Governor William G. Milliken in 1970. MEPA gave all citizens the right to go to court to defend Michigan’s environmental laws. Milliken felt strongly about having this additional protection in place because all air and water is shared and necessary to life. The

Legislature’s use of the term “any person” was very deliberate. In the 2007 court decision, Taylor was an architect of a stunning ruling which removed our power to litigate in Michigan courts and prevent or stop damage to the air, water or other natural

resources. The court majority took away one of Michigan’s major environmental protection tools which enabled anyone to defend the health of their community when government agencies, for whatever reason, did not. It’s no accident that the Michigan Supreme Court majority consists of justices appointed and elected with the help of special interest contributions from those who seek to evade their environmental responsibilities, protect themselves

from consequences resulting from their faulty products, and run roughshod over local governments. This November, let’s take back the bench from the special interests and vote to remove Clifford Taylor from the court.

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