Conservation group releases ratings of state lawmakers

Tennessean.com
October 23, 2007

Democratic state Sens. Beverly Marrero and Rosalind Kurita tied for the top score in the Tennessee Conservation Voters' annual ratings of lawmakers released Monday.

Kurita, of Clarksville, and Marrero, of Memphis, each scored 11 points on the group's scale based on votes cast on selected legislation affecting the environment.

Sen. Raymond Finney, of Maryville, was the top-rated Republican, with 10 points.

Five lawmakers received negative scores.

They were: Rep. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville; Rep. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville; Rep. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald; Rep. Frank S. Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains; and Rep. John Mark Windle, D-Livingston.

The group praised Gov. Phil Bredesen for proposing the acquisition of 124,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau, and Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, of Memphis, for his role passing the funding for the state's largest-ever land conservation plan.