Gov. Janet Napolitano rated no better than a C on environmental issues this session, according to the Arizona chapter of the Sierra Club.
The grade came after backto-back A’s from the environmental group. But Sandy Bahr, lobbyist for the organization, said Wednesday that Napolitano needs to do more.
"One of the things she could do is not sign bad bills,’’ Bahr said.
The Sierra Club is unhappy about a bill that expands the tax credits available to logging companies and related firms that help clear the forest of material that can fuel fires.
Napolitano originally vetoed the measure, but reversed course after lawmakers removed one provision she said would have stripped her of her power to serve as the liaison with the federal government and private industry on issues of forest health.
Bahr noted, though, the governor also said in her veto message that expanding the tax credits "will have a minimal impact at best on forestrelated job growth.’’ Yet she signed the revised version of the bill even though no changes were made in those provisions. And Bahr said the bill is so broad that logging companies can qualify for state tax breaks for cutting small and large trees.
The Sierra Club also criticized the governor for signing legislation that creates a new crime of "ecological and environmental terrorism.’’
