Mike DiSanto Criticizes League of Conservation Voters for Endorsing Golden

Aug. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- New York State Senate Candidate Mike DiSanto, D,WF-Gravesend, criticized the League of Conservation Voters as "an organization content with the political status quo and a failed environmental agenda in Albany." DiSanto stated that "while they gave the most dysfunctional legislature in the nation a C grade, the League of Conservation voters has endorsed a majority of its incumbents."

During the endorsement interview, DiSanto was told that while his opponent had not done anything great for the environment, he had not done anything terrible, so they would continue to endorse Martin Golden.

The panel touted Golden's vote for congestion pricing as the major reason for their support.  However, DiSanto believes that congestion pricing is not a new or sufficient enough economic mechanism to effectively cut greenhouse emissions or create green jobs.  He argues that congestion pricing puts a heavier burden on car-dependent middle-class families, who comprise a large portion of his district.

Golden’s vote for congestion pricing is but one amongst many that have been against key environmental legislation.  EPL/Environmental Advocates ranks Martin Golden as one of 29 Senators with a failing "green" grade.  He has one of the lowest grades on their “2010 Voters Guide,” which is based on a Senator’s environmental voting record.  Senator Golden has voted against key environmental legislation, such as the recent Senate Appropriations for Environmental Conservation (A9705).

Senator Golden’s voting record also reveals that 88% of his last 160 bills have been commendations or commemorations, indicating that, overall, he has not been sponsoring any legislation.  Reform and progress on public policy is clearly absent from Golden’s agenda, ringing especially true when it comes to environmental legislation.

Mike DiSanto believes that New York is lagging behind other states and countries in green industry and losing much needed revenue and job opportunities. "The residents of this state cannot afford to wait any longer for reform. Jobs and innovation are the keys to our financial recovery," DiSanto stated. DiSanto believes that environmental conservation and industry can go hand and hand to foster sustainability through innovation and better the lives of New York residents.

DiSanto also maintains that green initiatives can lower energy costs and provide tax relief to New York residents. His plan includes initiatives to lower energy bills for families across the state and provide tax breaks for green repairs to homes and apartment buildings.

“I believe that the current state legislature suffers from a lack of vision.  My opponent is not committed to environmental issues because he has not proposed any legislation dealing with environmental issues," stated DiSanto.