Sen. Maxmin earns perfect score for voting record on environment and natural resources
AUGUSTA – Sen. Chloe Maxmin, D-Nobleboro, earned a perfect score from the Maine Conservation Voters for her votes this session to preserve Maine’s natural resources, promote energy independence and protect the public from harmful chemicals. Sen. Maxmin was one of 17 state senators to earn a perfect score on the 2021 Environmental Scorecard, which tracks how lawmakers voted on seven key proposals debated by the Maine Legislature this past year. Maine Conservation Voters also recognized Sen. Maxmin with a lifetime pro-environment score of 100 percent.
“The Legislature made some great strides this year to align Maine’s policy and investments with the values of Maine people,” said Sen. Maxmin. “Mainers value our environment because we know that we rely on it for so much, from our economy to our recreation, to fundamental basics like our health. I’m proud of the work we accomplished this year, and I’m looking forward to continuing it when the Legislature reconvenes in January.”
As a member of the Legislature’s Committee on Marine Resources and the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, Sen. Maxmin works closely on issues to support healthy lands and waters in Maine. This year, Sen. Maxmin introduced legislation that would add an amendment, known as the Pine Tree Amendment, to Maine’s constitution guaranteeing the right to a healthy environment. Maine Conservation Voters testified in support of the amendment, which was carried over for more work next session.
Sen. Maxmin also cosponsored three of the seven key proposals identified by MCV this year. One new law directs the Maine Public Employee Retirement System (MainePERS) to divest from the fossil fuel sector which has been underperforming while damaging the climate for years. As a community organizer of over 17 years, Sen. Maxmin has long been a leader in the fight to divest from fossil fuels. This includes her time as a leader of Harvard College’s student divestment movement. Last month, on the heels of years of pressure from the movement, Harvard announced that it will end its investment in fossil fuels.
Sen. Maxmin also cosponsored legislation to ban the aerial spraying of the toxic chemical known as glyphosate for the purpose of forestry in the Maine woods. Glyphosate, the central ingredient in many herbicides, has been banned in several towns, cities, states and countries over the past few years due to links to cancer. The World Health Organization’s International Agency on the Research of Cancer has declared the chemical “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Although the measure received strong support in both the House and Senate, it failed to become law.
MCV is a nonprofit organization committed to protecting Maine’s environment and democracy. MCV’s Scorecard can be viewed online at www.maineconservation.org/scores.