PRESS RELEASES
Senate Passes Gun Safety Legislation
February 1, 2024 Press Release
(BOSTON – 02/1/2024) Today, with bipartisan support, the Massachusetts Senate passed An act to sensibly address firearm violence through effective reform—the SAFER Act—to increase firearm safety in the state without infringing on the rights of gun owners. Following a thorough debate amongst members on the Senate floor, the bill passed 37 to 3.
Issues: Firearms & Gun Violence
Senate Passes Major Climate Bill
April 14, 2022 Press Release
(BOSTON – 04/14/2022) Amid alarming reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a major bill, S.2819, An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward, or the Drive Act. The bill addresses climate change in three primary areas—clean energy, transportation, and buildings—with the aim of achieving the Commonwealth’s ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, which the Legislature codified into law in 2021.
Issues: Climate Justice, Utilities
Letter to MassCEC on Clean Energy Worker Shortages
February 28, 2022 Letter
(BOSTON–2/28/2022) Dear CEO Daloisio and Secretaries Theoharides, Kenneally, and Acosta: As you're acutely aware, climate change is bearing down on us. The good news in Massachusetts is that all kinds of people are stepping up to respond. Thank you for your own exceptional efforts.
Issues: Climate Justice, Employment
Letter to DOER Commissioner Patrick Woodcock Re: "Building Energy Code Straw Proposal: Updated Stretch Code and Specialized Opt-in Code"
February 28, 2022 Letter
(BOSTON–2/28/2022) Dear Commissioner Woodcock, As you know, the 2021 Climate Act directs the Executive branch to promulgate a municipal option specialized stretch energy code for newly constructed buildings that includes (to quote from the statute) "net-zero building performance standards and a definition of net-zero building."...
Issues: Climate Justice
Majority Leader Creem Files Bills to Hasten the Commonwealth's Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
January 12, 2022 Press Release
(BOSTON–1/12/2022) Today Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem, chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, filed five bills that will hasten the Commonwealth’s transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), while also ensuring that the transition happens in an equitable and environmentally just manner.
Issues: Climate Justice, Public Health, etc.
Legislature Passes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA),
FY21 Surplus Spending Bill
December 3, 2021 Press Release
(BOSTON–12/03/2021) Today, the Massachusetts Legislature advanced a $4 billion bill to the governor’s desk that directs federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) surplus funding to assist the Commonwealth’s ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Issues: COVID, Climate Justice, Health, etc.