Press Release
February 26, 2019
CONTACT:
Andy Kelley – (510)844-0229
[email protected]
CLCV Scorecard Reveals Asm. Jim Frazier sides with Big Oil over his constituents
Analysis of 2018 legislative year finds Frazier – who invests more than $1 million in Chevron – worse scoring Bay Area Democrat.
Antioch, CA – The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) announced today the release of its annual California Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard reveals how members of the state legislature and Governor Jerry Brown performed in 2018 on the most important environmental and public health bills. By in large, Bay Area Democrats’ scores ranged from 80 – 100%, but one Bay Area lawmaker’s score doesn’t add up.
Assemblymember Jim Frazier earned a meager 44% score. Frazier’s score earns him the distinction of being the lowest scoring Bay Area Democrat. In fact, only two other members of the entire Democratic Caucus performed worse than Frazier. Notably, Republican Asm. Catharine Baker (R-Walnut Creek) and then-Republican Asm. Brian Maienschein (R-San Diego) both scored 67% — 23 points higher than Frazier.
Frazier’s anti-environmental votes include voting against stricter safety oil and gas well testing requirements, refusing to support expanded offshore oil drilling, and voting against California’s new 100% renewable energy standard. He also voted against 2 measures that would have addressed long term planning for drought and local climate adaptation.
An analysis of Frazier’s financial disclosure statements going back to 2014 reveals he holds more than $1 million in Chevron stock. Campaign records show that since taking office in 2012, Jim Frazier has received $91,375 in direct contributions from oil companies, that’s in addition to more than $8,000 in gifts reported from the oil industry and related policy organizations.
What’s more, during the Woolsey & Camp fires last year, Jim Frazier attended an annual Hawaii legislator trip sponsored by the “Independent Voter Project,” a group supported by many corporate entities including oil, gas, and utility companies.
“Jim Frazier has sided with Big Oil to vote against key environmental protections time and time again,” said Mike Young, Political and Organizing Director of the California League of Conservation Voters. “With more than $1 million invested in Chevron, you have to wonder who Jim Frazier is really representing. It certainly isn’t his constituents.”
More about the California Environmental Scorecard
Members of the California legislature were graded for the 2018 scorecard on their responses to 19 pieces of key legislation, then given a percentage score for their pro-environmental actions. This year, 47 legislators, including 21 State Senators– the majority of the chamber — and 26 state Assembly members, received a perfect score of 100%. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon scored 100%, and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins scored 100% as well. Governor Jerry Brown scored 80%.
Though the Democratic caucus continues to score far higher than their Republican peers, there are notable exceptions:
Republican Asm. Catharine Baker (R-Walnut Creek) and then-Republican Asm. Brian Maienschein (R-San Diego) both scored 67%, matching low scoring Democrats: Asm. Tom Daly (AD 69), Asm. Tim Grayson (AD 14), Asm. Freddie Rodriguez (AD 52) and Asm. Blanca Rubio (AD 48).
Only five Democratic Assemblymembers scored lower than these GOP Assemblymembers: Asm. Ken Cooley (61%), Asm. Jim Frazier (44%), Asm. Rudy Salas (44%), Asm. Jim Cooper (39%), and Asm. Adam Gray (33%).
To learn more about each legislators’ score and see how they voted on key environmental legislation, visit ecovote.org/scorecard.
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.
