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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 4/10/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
Clean Energy Challenge
In anticipation of climate change impacts expected to include rising sea levels, an increase in extreme weather events, and conflict over natural resources, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has challenged Congress to commit to powering the US with 100% clean electricity in the next 10 years. A non-binding resolution adopted by the House cites "the effects of catastrophic climate change" as motivation for the drastic energy shift. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), chair of the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.
Community Preservation Act Now in 142 Municipalities!
This week, the towns of Seekonk and Rehoboth adopted the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Seekonk residents voted 942-824 to approve a 1.25% property tax surcharge. Rehoboth adopted 1% by a vote of 1,756 - 1,140. In other CPA news this week: - Voters at town meetings in Duxbury, Kingston and Plymouth all voted against reducing CPA surcharges.
- Northfield town meeting attendees favored reducing their CPA surcharge. If the measure passes in the May 5 election, Northfield's surcharge will be reduced from 3% to .5%.
- Six more communities will vote on CPA surcharge reduction or revocation at town meetings this spring: Hingham, Norwell, Westport, Longmeadow, Marshfield and Groveland.
- Lynnfield and Hardwick voters will have the opportunity to adopt CPA this spring.
For more information, visit our Coalition web site at: www.communitypreservation.org.
Good News for DCR in House Transportation Bill
This week the House voted in support of a transportation bill that includes the formation of the independent Massachusetts Transportation and Infrastructure Authority and eliminates the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Many amendments were added to the bill during the 13-hour session, including an amendment by Representative Paul Donato (D-Medford) removing language that would have transferred ownership of Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) parkways and bridges to the state highway system. Mass Audubon was opposed to this transfer due to concerns that such changes would have been detrimental to the Commonweatlh's naturally and historically valuable park system. Also adopted were three amendments from Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline) that call for state transportation plans to take climate change and the Green Communities Act into account, as well as effects on pedestrian and bicycle access.
Ocean Management for the Bay State
The Massachusetts Ocean Management Act was recently signed into law by Governor Patrick as a first-in-the-nation effort to manage state ocean waters. Mass Audubon was appointed by the Governor to the 17-member Ocean Advisory Commission to represent the Commonwealth's environmental interests and work with the administration to write the ocean plan. As a founding co-chair of the Massachusetts Ocean Coalition, we provide details on ocean management progress at our web site: www.massoceanaction.org. And, as partners to the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership, additional details are available at: www.massoceanpartnership.org.
Calendar
The Great Marsh Symposium: A Coastal Treasure in our Backyard
Saturday, April 11, 2009
8:30 a.m.-- 2:30 p.m.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
$15, registration required
To register, please call 978-462-9998, or download a registration form. The Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters and the Environmental League of Massachusetts will host a series of environmental and legislative briefings over the next few months. All hearings will be in room 348 in the State House. Environmental Budget
Thursday, April 16, 2009
10:00 a.m. These are lean times for all agencies in the Commonwealth, but especially for environmental programs. The "Green Budget FY '10" will be discussed: what have we cut and what have we lost?
Presenters: Mass Audubon and Environmental League of Massachusetts
Safer Alternatives
Thursday, April 30, 2009
10:00 a.m.
A wide array of toxic chemicals we encounter in our everyday lives contribute to an epidemic of chronic diseases, including asthma, birth defects, and cancer. Yet many of the most toxic chemicals can safely and cost-effectively be replaced with alternatives. Join a discussion of the "Safer Alternatives" bill (SB442; Sen. Steven Tolman and Rep. Jay Kaufman).
Presenter: Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow Land Conservation
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Massachusetts loses 40 acres of open space a day to development. Ironically, some of it is disposed of by municipal and state government. How do we respect municipal needs while preserving open space? Come learn about the Public Lands Preservation Act ("PLPA") (SB396; Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Ruth Balser). Other bills may be discussed and updates to the schedule will be posted in the Roundup.
Presenters: Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club
Please contact us if you have any questions at: action@massaudubon.org.
About The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup
The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup tracks the legislative priorities of Mass Audubon, focusing on the protection of the nature of Massachusetts. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to friends, family, and colleagues and to enlist their support.
If you are not already a member of Mass Audubon's Action Network, we encourage you to join by filling out our online form or by e-mailing us. Membership dues provide vital support for Mass Audubon's advocacy work on Beacon Hill and across the state. If you are not already a Mass Audubon member please join today.
Legislative Tool Kit
Stay In Touch
Senators and Representatives need to hear from their constituents! Contact your legislators and share with them the environmental issues that are important to you.
Find out who represents you in the Senate and House.
Senate and House Sessions Go Live
Consistent with the theme that decision-makers act differently when they know they are being watched, House and Senate sessions are now available on live webcast. Tune in to view live web stream broadcastings of the Senate and House and watch as the Massachusetts legislative process unfolds!
Current Legislation
Access the text of current legislation, bill histories and Massachusetts General Law by visiting one site. We encourage you to visit The General Court's website frequently as it is an important tool for conservation advocates like you!
How to Lobby
Discover effective ways to convey your environmental interests to your Senator or Representative.
View Mass Audubon’s How to Lobby document, and get started now!
How the Law is Made
Learn about the steps a bill takes before becoming law. You can also use our graphic charts to guide you through the life of a bill, from when it is first filed, to when it is signed into law.
 Mass Audubon Advocacy
6 Beacon Street, Suite 1025
Boston, MA 02108
617-523-8448 (phone)
617-523-4183 (fax)
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