AUGUSTA – Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, earned a perfect score from the Maine Conservation Voters for his votes this session to preserve Maine’s natural resources, promote energy independence and protect the public from harmful chemicals. President Jackson was one of 18 state senators to earn a perfect score on the 2021 Environmental Scorecard released earlier today, which tracks how lawmakers voted on seven key proposals debated by the Maine Legislature this past year.
“In Maine, our economy and environment are deeply intertwined. Our clean air, healthy environment and vast natural resources have shaped our way of life, provided for our families – from our foresters and farmers to our fishermen – and fueled our economy, giving rise to a year-round tourist industry. More importantly, it’s where Mainers turn to spend time alone or with loved ones whether hiking, hunting, skiing or snowmobiling,” said President Jackson. “Maine’s environment and natural landscape are too important for the future of our state to take for granted. It’s why Maine lawmakers must continue to protect Maine’s way of life, and the environment that makes it possible, for the next generations of children, workers and families.”
President Jackson has a long history of supporting initiatives to promote, protect and preserve Maine’s environment, which supports the health and well-being of Maine people and the economy. This year, President Jackson supported a landmark investment in the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program, led by Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. LMF is a popular program that has successfully leveraged public-private partnerships to preserve and protect Maine’s natural resources and public lands for tourists and Mainers alike to enjoy.
President Jackson also introduced legislation to ban the aerial spraying of the toxic chemical known as glyphosate for the purpose of forestry in the Maine woods. Although the measure received strong support in both the House and Senate, it failed to become law.
This practice of aerial herbicide spraying in forestry is used by landowners to kill off less favorable trees to facilitate the growth of more profitable trees despite the adverse effects these chemicals have on the local ecosystem, wildlife, neighboring lands, drinking water and the health of the people working 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.”
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.
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