Press Release
January 5, 2011
Contact: Jenesse Miller, 510.844.0235
California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) Applauds Appointment of John Laird as California Secretary for Natural Resources
OAKLAND, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2011) – The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) – the non-partisan political arm of the environmental movement in California – today applauded Governor Jerry Brown’s appointment of the Honorable John Laird as California Secretary for Natural Resources.
“Governor Jerry Brown has made a superb decision in appointing longtime environmental champion John Laird as California Secretary for Natural Resources,” said Warner Chabot, Chief Executive Officer of CLCV. “The California League of Conservation Voters enthusiastically endorsed John when he ran for state office, and we’re thrilled that he will continue to protect California’s natural, historical and cultural resources in this new role. We plan to work closely with John on solutions to the difficult choices presented by the state budget crisis. ”
Laird has an impressive record of environmental leadership during his twenty-three years in elected office. He is a former member of the California Assembly who distinguished himself as a leader both in the environmental community and with his colleagues, and earned recognition with his outstanding 100% score on environmental legislation in CLCV’s annual California Environmental Scorecard.
During his six years in the Assembly, Laird demonstrated both political sophistication and compassion in his efforts to protect and invest in California’s precious natural resources. As noted in CLCV’s 2008 Scorecard, Laird was “the highest-ranking voice for the environment in the inner circle of leadership, the trusted and respected chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, and a dedicated friend and mentor to environmental advocates.”
As Budget Chair, Laird worked hard to reverse the persistent trend of the state’s under-funding of natural resources and environmental protection. One of his most significant achievements included allocating $250 million to the state budget to begin funding the $1 billion backlog in state parks deferred maintenance, providing for $19 million to protect and manage California’s ocean resources and augmenting the Department of Fish and Game’s funding by over $70 million.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
