SW Arizona News

Climate Cabinet Action, an organization dedicated to holding state legislators accountable for their votes on climate legislation, has awarded Rep. John Gillette (R-AZ) an F grade for his insufficient support of such policies. The evaluation came as part of the group's recent National Scorecard release, which brought Arizona Republicans under scrutiny.

"How did you get an F-, I only received an F. These climate change socialist tax hungry grifters will get my full attention this session. Gas stoves 4ever!" said John Gillette in response to the rating.

In its most recent National Scorecard, Climate Cabinet Action scrutinized state legislators' voting habits concerning crucial climate legislation. According to this assessment, Republican lawmakers in Arizona predominantly scored either F or F-. Their Democratic counterparts mostly received grades A or A-. While the organization's website does not clarify the specific reasons behind these ratings, some Republican legislators from Arizona suggest that it reflects their lukewarm support for the Green New Deal and related climate policies.

The scorecards revolve around how legislators cast their votes on issues pertinent to sectors like housing, transportation, energy, agriculture, industry and environmental justice. Climate Cabinet Action is a known advocate for robust climate measures such as the Green New Deal and restrictions on gas stoves. It also encourages purchasing electric vehicles.

The Green New Deal is an ambitious plan designed to resolve what many are calling a "climate crisis". Its ultimate objective is transforming the United States into a nation entirely powered by clean energy by 2030. To accomplish this goal, it proposes significant investments in renewable energy sources and expansion of public transport systems among other strategies meant to promote job growth in green industries while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Founded by volunteers committed to promoting environment-focused information and policies at local levels in 2018, Climate Cabinet Action aims at supplying "local climate talking points, messaging, policy solutions and incumbent voting records for any district in the US". Over the years, it has contributed to numerous campaigns across different states, including Arizona, Texas, Minnesota and Michigan.

In contrast to Gillette's reaction to the rating, fellow Republican Rep. Justin Heap (R-AZ) took a more humorous stance. "The best test you can ever fail," Heap reportedly said on platform X, referring to his scorecard. As the Vice Chair of Ways and Means and a member of Commerce, he is part of the Arizona Freedom Caucus. This group staunchly opposes the Green New Deal agenda they see as threatening farmers, ranchers, mining, energy production and individual liberty in Arizona.