NW Valley Times

Climate Cabinet Action, an organization focused on climate policies, has assigned Representative Austin Smith (R-AZ) a failing grade for his lack of support towards the Green New Deal. This news comes in the wake of a broader evaluation of legislators' attitudes towards significant climate legislation.

"Proud to have an "F" from Climate Cabinet Action. As Vice Chair of Arizona House Republicans Natural Resources, Energy and Water I am standing in the way of Green New Deal policies that attack Arizona farmers, ranchers, miners, business owners and individual freedoms. Yes, this policy maker does value freedom and individualism over climate collectivism, Michael Crow.", said Austin Smith.

The latest National Scorecard by Climate Cabinet Action holds state legislators accountable for their votes on critical climate legislation. The scorecards showed Arizona Republicans receiving either an F or F-, while Democrats were awarded A or A- grades. Though no specific reasons for these ratings were given by the website, Arizona Republican lawmakers believe it is due to their limited support for the Green New Deal.

How legislators vote on issues such as housing, transportation, energy, agriculture, industry, and environmental justice determines their ratings. The organization supports climate policies like the Green New Deal and restrictions on gas stoves as well as promoting electric vehicles purchases according to its official statement.

As per the claims by Green Party US, The Green New Deal aims at addressing the 'climate crisis' by setting a goal for the United States to transition entirely to clean energy by 2030 through investment in renewable energy sources and expansion of public transportation among other methods.

Founded in 2018 by a team of dedicated volunteers with an aim to promote climate-based information and policies at state and local levels is Climate Cabinet Action. They provide local climate talking points policy solutions voting records for any district across states such as Arizona Texas Minnesota Michigan amongst others

Another legislator who echoed similar sentiments was Rep. Justin Heap (R-AZ), who took to Platform X to express his disdain for the Green New Deal, stating that it is "The best test you can ever fail," further explaining that he would hang this report card on his fridge as a badge of honor.