outtake:

This year, the CWV honored seven conservation "champions": Rep. Rosie Berger, R-Big Horn; Rep. Wayne Reese, D-Cheyenne; and Sens. Bruce Burns, R-Sheridan; Mike Massie, D-Laramie; Tony Ross, R-Cheyenne; Cale Case, R-Lander; and John Schiffer, R-Kaycee.

CHEYENNE - In Wyoming, the reddest of the red states, the Legislature appears to be turning green - not grass green but a mossy hue, perhaps.

According to the 2005 scorecard compiled by the Wyoming Conservation Voters (WCV) the Legislature's average performance on environmental issues moved up to 72 percent.

This compares to the 49 percent average score of the 2002 Legislature.

In its fourth annual scorecard issued recently, the WCV evaluated lawmakers on 20 bills, ranging from a proposal to set up a state land preservation account for the state's 3.6 million acres of state trust land (it passed) to a measure to reduce registration fees for vehicles that get 50 miles per gallon of gas or more (it failed).

Only three legislators, all Democrats, scored 100 percent ratings: Reps. George Bagby of Rawlins and Pete Jorgensen of Jackson, and Sen. Rae Lynn Job of Rock Springs.

The average Republican score was 67 percent in 2005, up from 37 percent in 2002. The average Democratic score was 88 percent for this year, up from 82 percent in 2002.

Jason Marsden, WCV executive director, attributed the increase in the pro-conservation scores to a growth of moderates and younger people in the Legislature.

Marsden also said that many people awakened to the need for conservation during the last energy boom in the 1970s and 1980s.

"I would not say they are knuckling under to the conservation agenda," Marsden added.

Critics carp that all legislative scorecards with their stark numerical ratings cannot recognize the subtleties involved in crafting legislation.

The WCV report acknowledges the scoreboards have flaws and are just one tool people can use to evaluate their elected officials.

As a reporter I value scorecards for presenting a global view of a legislative session, even if it is from a specific viewpoint.

The comprehensive WCV narratives of each bill's history are valuable in offering insight to the various players involved in the dynamics of passing legislation and the issues on either side.

They offer much richer reading than the skeletal reports of bill fates and votes in the digest of the legislative journals.

This year, the CWV honored seven conservation "champions": Rep. Rosie Berger, R-Big Horn; Rep. Wayne Reese, D-Cheyenne; and Sens. Bruce Burns, R-Sheridan; Mike Massie, D-Laramie; Tony Ross, R-Cheyenne; Cale Case, R-Lander; and John Schiffer, R-Kaycee.

In 2002, Sen. Gerald Geis, the Worland Republican, Senate Agriculture Committee chairman and legislative veteran, received a low 25 rating. Geis was an unlikely candidate for any honors from WCV.

This year he drew a 50 percent rating and made the "distinguished deeds" honor roll for pushing for stiffer penalties for water law violators and for his efforts to broker a compromise to give towns the power to use stored water temporarily to enhance instream flow.

You can view the scorecard by clicking on the link from the WCV home page (www.wyovoters.org), or by calling (307) 265-0870 or e-mailing wyovoters@wyovoters.org.

Capital bureau reporter Joan Barron can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or at joan.barron@casperstartribune.net.