LANSING - Today, Clean Water Action and Sierra Club Michigan Chapter released their legislative scorecard for the 101st Michigan Legislature. In a move unprecedented in the history of either organization they did not score environmentally focused bills, instead scoring bills that would have harmful impacts on our democracy.
“We have to be honest in our assessment of the current legislature, and right now our democracy itself is under attack," said Mary Brady-Enerson, Clean Water Action Michigan Director. "Too many elected leaders have bought into the ‘Big Lie,’ some of them were even complicit in working to overturn the results of the 2020 election, ultimately leading to the violent insurrection of January 6th, 2021. We can’t begin to address the climate crisis and create the kinds of reforms necessary to protect our water without a strong and healthy democracy.”
Throughout the 2021-2022 legislative session, several bills were introduced that would bolster environmental protections and strengthen Michigan’s ability to respond to the climate crisis. These policy aims are supported by a majority of Michigan voters, however most of these bills failed to even receive committee hearings. Instead, bills were prioritized that would make it harder for Michigan voters to make their voices heard.
“Without a healthy democracy, we will never be able to effectively protect our environment and position Michigan to lead on the climate crisis,” said Christy McGillivray, Political and Legislative Director for Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Protecting and strengthening our democracy to ensure that all Michigan voters can exercise their right to be heard is integral to building a state where residents can prosper in a clean and healthy environment.”
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Since our founding during the campaign to pass the landmark Clean Water Act in 1972, Clean Water Action has worked to win strong health and environmental protections by bringing issue expertise, solution-oriented thinking and people power to the table. Clean Water Action has over 135,000 members across the state. Through direct advocacy and education we organize Michigan residents to protect the Great Lakes and our water resources. Learn more at cleanwateraction.org/mi
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide, and over 150,000 in Michigan. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit sierraclub.org