State Supreme Court candidate's environmental pitch challenged

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

By Maureen O'Hagan
Seattle Times staff reporter

Jim Johnson has been the legal brains behind Tim Eyman's tax initiatives. Johnson has gone to court to fight endangered-species listing of certain Northwest salmon. And much of his financial backing comes from the state home-builders association, which some environmental groups see as the enemy.

So when local environmentalists saw Johnson's Web site for his Washington Supreme Court campaign — in which he portrays himself as an environmental crusader — they cried foul.

"For him to claim that he's a friend of the environment is analogous to claiming that cows can fly," said Bruce Gryniewski, executive director of Washington Conservation Voters. "If you just look at his campaign contributions, that's really a telling story."

Exhibit A, according to Gryniewski? The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) contributed $95,000 to Johnson's campaign. Most state Supreme Court candidates don't raise that much from all their donors combined.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002049097_envirojudge29m.html

[bahrbearian]

1. The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW)

That says it all,, As far as they are concerned Woodland Park is enough wilderness for the whole state,, now get out of my way I have a Casino and a new Mall to build, after that a new Race Track,, I say Pave it Pave it all.