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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 5/22/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
24th Annual Legislative Report Card Out Now!
Massachusetts Senators and Representatives showed strong support for environmental issues, receiving an average A- on environmental votes in 2008. The average score in the House was 92 percent; in the Senate, 93 percent. Mass Audubon's Legislative Report Card is a compilation of the roll call votes taken by state legislators on environmental bills or funding measures. Such a vote is the single objective measure to evaluate Massachusetts legislators on their environmental performance. A legislator's score does not represent an endorsement, or lack thereof, by Mass Audubon. Mass Audubon has compiled the environmental voting records of the Massachusetts Legislature since 1985, with the goal of informing citizens of their state legislators' performance. The 2007-2008 legislative session was the greenest in recent history, and many of Mass Audubon's legislative priorities were signed into law. We are committed to continuing to work with the legislature to support environmental programs and improve their effectiveness. As we look forward, the challenge this year is to provide environmental agencies with sufficient funding to implement the environmental laws now on the Commonwealth's books. To view this year's Legislative Report Card and see how your legislators scored, please visit http://www.massaudubon.org/PDF/advocacy/report_cards/LRC_2008.pdf For additional information, please see the press release.
Wind Siting Update
Following on last week's Special Update on Land-based Wind Power, Mass Audubon has submitted testimony on the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs top legislative priority of this session, An Act Relative to Comprehensive Wind Siting Reform. For additional information, see the administration's Fact Sheet and Bill Summary, as well as the final bill text before the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy. If you were not able to attend the hearing, there is still time to provide the Committee with written testimony. You can also talk to your legislators and contact the Committee staff. For details on how to present written testimony, reference Mass Audubon's testimony provided above and see guidance in the Special Update linked above. For more information, contact Mass Audubon's Legislative Director, Jennifer Ryan jryan@massaudubon.org.
State Budget Recap
The Senate has finished debates and released their final $27.35 billion budget. We are happy to report than an amendment filed by Senator Joyce restoring partial funding to Mass Audubon's Blue Hills Trailside Museum has been adopted. Senator Eldridge's water infrastructure commission amendment was also accepted into the budget. Mass Audubon's other priority amendments regarding DCR parks and the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), filed by Senator Petruccelli, were rejected. However, there is still a chance for NHESP to receive funding once the budget goes to conference committee, as the House had included the program in its final budget recommendations. The Senate has followed suit with the House in deciding to raise the sales tax from 5% to 6.25% to increase revenue, along with various other new tax programs that include the removal of an alcohol tax exemption. As all amendment language is not yet posted, we are still in the process of summarizing the numbers. Thanks to Senator Petruccelli for his hard work on the NHESP and DCR amendments, and to you for your advocacy!
Ocean Management for the Bay State
Last year, the Massachusetts Ocean Management Act was 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.
Calendar
Public Meetings A series of regional sessions are being held about the Land Use Partnership Act and its impact on existing zoning and land use statutes. The regional meetings are open to the public. Please view the meeting schedule for more information.
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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