http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/voting-amp-democracy/voting-amp-democracy-news http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/voting-amp-democracy/voting-amp-democracy-news/house-adopts-independent-ethics-oversight http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/voting-amp-democracy/voting-amp-democracy-news/house-adopts-independent-ethics-oversight Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:10:33 -0500 http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/voting-amp-democracy/voting-amp-democracy-news/calpirg-releases-2007-state-legislative-scorecards SACRAMENTO—CALPIRG released its scorecard today for the 120 members of the California legislature. Eleven Assembly members and fourteen Senators received an “A” for scores between 90% and 100%. The average score in the Senate was 61% and the average Assembly score was 59%. “With so many powerful special interests lobbying in Sacramento, CALPIRG is a voice for the public on issues including health care and prescription drug reforms, consumer protections, efficient, clean transportation, and good government. We applaud and thank the twenty-six legislators who received an “A”, because they consistently put the public interest ahead of special interests,” said Pedro Morillas CALPIRG Legislative Advocate. The scorecards enable California voters to learn more about their elected officials’ voting records, giving them the information needed to praise or criticize their actions from the previous year. CALPIRG makes the scorecards available to the public via our member newsletter, our email list, our citizen outreach staff, and our Website. Among the legislation included were bills to reform California’s health insurance system (AB 8, SB 840), reduce risks for patients taking prescription drugs (SB 606, SB 472), and provide new consumer protections in the marketplace (AB 1673, SB 250). Additionally, CALPIRG scored two budget trailer bills, one which significantly cut public transit funding (SB 79) and another that, if passed, would have enacted new corporate tax breaks (SB 98). “With the second year of the legislative session already underway, CALPIRG looks forward to working with legislators this year to continue advancing health care reforms, preventing another mortgage meltdown, and investing in world-class public transit,” said Morillas. The “A” List: Senator Elaine AlquistSenator Gilbert CedilloSenator Ellen CorbettSenator Denise DuchenySenator Dean FlorezSenator Christine KehoeSenator Alan LowenthalSenator Gloria Negrete McLeodSenator Jenny OropezaSenator Alex PadillaSenator Mark Ridley-ThomasSenator Gloria RomeroSenator Jack ScottSenator Darrell Steinberg Assemblymember Jim BeallAssemblymember Mark DeSaulnierAssemblymember Mike Feuer Assemblymember Mary HayashiAssemblymember Jared HuffmanAssemblymember Dave JonesAssemblymember John LairdAssemblymember Mark LenoAssemblymember Gene MullinAssemblymember Ira Ruskin Assemblymember Sandré Swanson http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/voting-amp-democracy/voting-amp-democracy-news/calpirg-releases-2007-state-legislative-scorecards Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:45:47 -0600