Jerry Brown for Attorney General

JERRY BROWN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

By Bill Magavern, Senior Representative, Sierra Club California

While California’s Attorney General is often referred to as the state’s “top cop,” that title fails to capture the office’s importance to our air, water and wilderness. Indeed, among state officials, the AG’s job is second only to the governorship in its importance to our state’s environment.

The AG is in charge of enforcing California’s laws protecting public health and the environment. Furthermore, as incumbent AG Bill Lockyer has demonstrated, California’s lawyer can play the important role of challenging threats to our environmental protections that emanate from a national government in the grip of polluter lobbies.

With Lockyer termed out and seeking election as Treasurer (with the Sierra Club’s endorsement), the best choice for AG this year is Jerry Brown. Having served two terms each as Governor and as Mayor of Oakland, Brown now seeks to complete his public service career.

Environmental protection is one of Brown’s top campaign themes. He pledges to “highlight the role of the attorney general as environmental steward and protector of California laws against federal pre-emption,” and to “emphasize the seriousness of climate disruption.” As AG, Brown plans to “a) creatively and vigorously provide environmental legal advice to state departments and agencies, and b) initiate original legal actions in both state and federal courts to advance environmental objectives.”

Brown’s record of accomplishments includes: protection of wild and scenic rivers; creation of the California Conservation Corp; implementing the state’s first energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances; and promoting solar and wind energy.

Brown’s opponent, Republican Senator Charles Poochigian, has a record of siding with every polluting special interest that infests the Capitol. Over 2003-2005, Poochigian voted against all 25 of Sierra Club California’s most important bills. We simply can not afford to have an AG who would side with George Bush and big polluters against the health and resources of California.

To help elect Jerry Brown Attorney General, contact info@jerrybrown.org

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