BishopThe Michigan League of Conservation Voters is targeting Attorney General candidate Mike Bishop with a new website — MI Eye on Bishop — that will track his promises, actions and lack of action on environmental issues.

Mike Bishop (R- Rochester), leader of the Senate Republicans, has claimed that protecting the state’s natural resources is a priority. In 2007 he announced a Green Michigan Initiative that was supposed to focus on Great Lakes and water protection, expansion of recycling in Michigan, development of green energy alternatives, and reduction of waste in Michigan landfills.

On the website launched today the League warns that Bishop failed to deliver on these promises during his tenure in the Senate, and has earned only a 26 percent lifetime average for his legislative work on environmental issues. The group also notes that Bishop has failed to weigh in on what should be done about Asian Carp — an issue that that current Attorney General Mike Cox is pursuing through a lawsuit filed in the U.S. Supreme Court.

“The economic landscape of Michigan has changed. We are at a crucial juncture where we can either move forward toward a 21st century clean energy economy or remain stagnant by clinging to the coal-powered, chemical-coated, rust-belt 20th century past,” Michigan LCV Executive Director Lisa Wozniak said in statement announcing the web campaign. “At this point in Michigan’s history, it is essential that we have leaders in Lansing who recognize the connection between our state’s economic and our environmental health. They need to know that their actions and votes speak louder than words.”

The League promises to report on Bishop‘s actions on environmental issues over the next few months.

In the immediate future, we will keep an eye out for action or stalling on House Bill 4699, which bans a toxic flame retardant found in many everyday and children’s products. Senator Bishop assigned this bill to his Government Operations Committee, which unfortunately, is where good legislation often goes to die.

Bishop’s campaign website does not discuss protection of the state’s natural resources.

The top item on Bishop’s page on Protecting Michigan is:

SUPPORTING A CONSERVATIVE AGENDA

Mike Bishop stands for conservative values and supports our Republican platform.
*Co-sponsored legislation to ban partial-birth abortion
*Supported numerous bills to uphold the right to bear arms
*Co-sponsored legislation to commemorate the National Day of Prayer in Michigan

Other items mentioned include keeping children safe, putting a stop to identity theft and cutting government waste.