Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania supports elected officials with proven records of environmental stewardship and candidates with the right ideas for the future. In 2010, CVPA is proud to endorse the following candidates. With your help, we can send leaders like these to Harrisburg to ensure a cleaner, safer future for Pennsylvania.
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For Governor: Dan Onorato
Dan Onorato understands the key issues facing Pennsylvania’s environment. He supports a fair tax on drillers who take our natural resources and reasonable regulations on an industry that threatens to poison the drinking water of millions of PA citizens. He will help make the Commonwealth a leader in clean, renewable energy and will ensure that the PA Department of Environmental Protection has the resources it needs to protect our health and safety. For more info, click here.
For State Senate:
District 12: Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R – Montgomery/Bucks)
Senator Greenleaf is a leader on environmental issues in the Senate and in his party. For his efforts, he was earned both the 2002 Clean Water Fund Leadership Award and the Conservation Legislator of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation. He was also a principal author of Pennsylvania’s Rails to Trails Act.
District 26: Senator Edwin “Ted” Erickson (R – Delaware/Chester)
Having served as Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from 1989 to 1992, Senator Erickson brings a deep understanding of environmental issues and a strong environmental voting record to the Pennsylvania Senate. As Vice-Chairman of the Energy and Environmental Resources Committee, he will wield significant influence over environmental legislation at this vital time in the Commonwealth’s environmental history.
District 44: Senator John Rafferty (R – Berks/Chester/Montgomery)
As chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator John Rafferty plays an important role both in automotive emissions and public transportation. He has fought against legislation that would weaken car and mercury emission standards and worked with state and local environmental agencies to crack down on bad practices that contaminate groundwater and landfills. In his third term, he will continue to stand up for Pennsylvania’s environment.
District 46: Representative Tim Solobay (D – Allegheny/Beaver/Greene/Washington/Westmoreland)
A proven environmental voter in the House of Representatives, Tim Solobay offers an opportunity to give the people of Senate District 46 a new class of environmental representation. Rep. Solobay asks tough questions of both sides of the debate and comes down on the side of Pennsylvania’s environment – most recently in support of SB 1155, a reasonable tax on Marcellus Shale drillers that will pay to protect local communities and the environment.
For State Representative:
District 13: Representative Tom Houghton (D – Chester)
In his first term, Representative Houghton has proven himself a staunch advocate for Pennsylvania’s environment. Pennsylvania’s future will depend on young, dedicated environmental leaders like him. Houghton is a powerful ally on the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
District 31: Representative Steven Santarsiero (D – Bucks)
Throughout his career, Rep. Santarsiero has emphasized the importance of open space, clean energy, and environmental stewardship. His excellent record in his first term suggests that he will be a key environmental champion for years to come. He is another strong environmental presence on the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
District 61: Representative Kate Harper (R – Montgomery)
An instrumental environmental legislator, Representative Harper boasts both a strong environmental voting record and a deep understanding of the issues. She has been intimately involved in a number of major environmental initiatives, including Growing Greener II. On September 28, 2010, she introduced an amendment to the Marcellus Shale severance tax bill that would significantly increase the percentage of tax revenues used for environmental protection. She serves on both the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the Transportation Committee, both important power centers for pro-environment legislation.
District 70: Representative Matt Bradford (D – Montgomery)
Representative Bradford has an excellent environmental voting record in his first term. From his position on the Appropriations Committee, he is well positioned to shape important environmental legislation. For example, on September 27, 2010, he helped pass a severance tax on Marcellus Shale gas out of that committee and onto the House floor.
District 107: George Zalar (D – Columbia/Montour/Northumberland)
As a member of the Coal Township Commission, George Zalar has seen firsthand the effects that the extraction industry can have unless it’s carefully regulated. In Harrisburg, Zalar will be an advocate for all those who treasure Pennsylvania’s outdoors.
District 122: Justin Yaich (D – Carbon)
Justin Yaich believes that we must do everything in our power to develop an equitable balance between preserving our natural resources and returning economic prosperity to Carbon County. In Harrisburg, he will support legislation that protects the air, land and water of Pennsylvania.
District 130: Representative David Kessler (D – Berks)
During his four years in office, Representative Kessler has posted a near-perfect environmental voting record. He brings both that excellent record and a wealth of experience to the Environmental Resources and Energy committee on which he serves.
District 137: Charles Dertinger (D – Northampton)
Charles Dertinger’s experience as the Chairman of Open Space for Northampton County will be a great benefit to Harrisburg, ensuring that the local impacts of growth are not forgotten by the legislature. Dertinger will help ensure that families in every county in Pennsylvania have a clean environment to enjoy.
District 152: Representative Thomas Murt (R – Montgomery/Philadelphia)
A leader in his party and on the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Representative Murt has a keen interest in storm water and open space issues. He has maintained a strong voting record in his four years in office and, most recently, supported Representative Harper’s amendment to increase the amount of money flowing to vital environmental programs.
District 156: Representative Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D – Chester)
One of the legislature’s great environmental champions, Representative McIlvaine Smith’s commitment to the environment comes from years of experience. She’s worked as environmental educator for grades K-8, chaired the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Committee of the West Chester Council, and served as the President of Brandywine Water Systems. With a number of complicated issues facing the Commonwealth in the next few years, Representative McIlvaine Smith’s experience will be invaluable.
District 158: Representative Chris Ross (R – Chester)
As an important member of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Representative Ross has earned a reputation for pragmatism. His voting record is one of the best in his party and he possesses a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing the Commonwealth.
District 166: Representative Greg Vitali (D – Delaware)
Representative Vitali’s passion for environmental protection is legendary in Harrisburg. A sponsor for some of the most aggressive legislation and a vocal advocate for the health and safety of all of Pennsylvania’s citizens, Representative Vitali is the environmental conscience of the legislature both on the Environmental Protection and Energy Committee and on the House floor.
District 172: Kevin Boyle (D – Philadelphia)
Kevin Boyle represents a new breed of representation in northeast Philadelphia. Committed to protecting the health and safety of his district, Boyle will be an advocate for a cleaner, safer Pennsylvania.
District 189: Representative John Siptroth (D – Monroe/Pike)
As a hunter and sportsman, Representative Siptroth has a first-hand relationship with Pennsylvania’s environment. Recognizing the value of our lands and waters, he has been a strong supporter of environmental legislation since elected in 2005.
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