COUNTYWIDE : Environment Group Rates Legislators

A statewide coalition of environmental organizations awarded Ventura County’s two Democratic legislators high marks for their voting records on environmental issues.

Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) voted correctly on 100% of the bills considered environmentally significant by the California League of Conservation Voters. Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) voted correctly on 95% of the bills, a league spokeswoman said.

The ratings reflect the legislators’ votes on bills covering environmental issues that include land-use priorities, the handling of toxic substances and the protection of endangered species, league spokeswoman Tracy Grubbs said.

The organization also praised Republican Sen. Ed Davis of Santa Clarita, who earned the highest score of any Republican in the Senate with correct votes on 62% of environmental issues.

But the league, which selects the bills in consultation with the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, said two of the county’s three Republican legislators scored poorly.

“We are most disappointed” with Assembly members Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) and Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks), said Lucy Blake, league executive director. Wright voted correctly only 10% of the time and McClintock voted correctly only 5% of the time, the second-lowest score in the Assembly, a league spokeswoman said.

McClintock said Tuesday that he was not surprised with the rating he received from the league.

“That organization has opposed the development of water sources for Southern California and has spearheaded massive regulations on business that are driving the productive segment out of California,” he said.

Wright could not be reached for comment.