Dear Ruth,

Two weeks ago, the Legislature passed two comprehensive pieces of legislation: a clean energy and climate omnibus and an economic development package crafted to support the growth of the Massachusetts economy. While I, like many of you, was frustrated that these Conference Committee bills did not cross the finish line by the end of formal sessions on July 31, the House and Senate were called back into a special session on November 14 to ensure we got them both done. The Governor has since signed both into law.

The sweeping climate bill passed by the Legislature — An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers — is the third omnibus bill addressing climate change in five years. I will continue to join you, my constituents, and my colleagues in tackling the climate crisis and ensuring a livable planet for future generations, especially in the face of a new administration that may seek to overturn many of the gains made at the federal level. Congratulations to Mothers Out Front whose grassroots efforts, which included many Cambridge residents, were an important part of this advocacy. This bill contains several critical provisions designed to move us closer to the Commonwealth’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Among them are: 

• Expedited reviews of clean energy siting and permitting, which will speed the pace of planning, constructing, and bringing clean energy infrastructure — like solar, wind, and storage — online
• Enhanced community reviews and engagement for clean energy sites and the creation of the Office of Environmental Justice and Equity
• Protections against consumers paying more for electricity by incentivizing gas companies to pursue the expansion of climate- and cost-friendly networked heat pump systems and geothermal heating rather than defaulting to natural gas
• Inclusion of labor standards in clean energy, including offshore wind, clean energy generation, and storage procurements. This language is based on an amendment to the House climate bill I filed. 

An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership, a comprehensive economic development bill, injects nearly $4 billion into the Commonwealth’s economy while implementing policies to enhance competitiveness as a place to live and work. This legislation includes critical investments and tax credits for small businesses and cultural development and aims to bolster the clean energy and life science workforces. Some of the wide-ranging policies and investments included in this thorough bill are: 

• $900 million in capital resources and bond authorizations for the climate technology and life science industries to expand employment, research, and development 
• Allowing candidates for public office to use campaign funds for childcare 
• Strengthening local and regional public health by implementing minimum public health standards for communities, allowing boards of health to share public health services, establishing uniform data collection, and creating sustainable funding mechanisms for local boards of health and health departments. This language comes from An Act relative to accelerating improvements to the local and regional public health system to address disparities in the delivery of public health services, also known as SAPHE 2.0. When SAPHE 2.0 was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health, I prioritized it, redrafting and reporting it out favorably.
• Establishing an alternative pathway for experienced, internationally trained physicians to earn licensure to practice medicine in Massachusetts. I was pleased that another bill I prioritized and worked on in my committee, An Act improving healthcare delivery for underserved residents of the Commonwealth, was included in this package.
• Authorizing public agencies and municipalities to enter into project labor agreements (PLAs) for public works contracts. It was important to see this language that I've been filing for several sessions included in the bill.
• Reforms to civil service laws, including allowing the substitution of service in a police or fire department for certification of passing the civil service exams to fill an entry-level vacancy. This session, I filed a home rule petition alongside the Cambridge City Council. That bill was used as a model in this omnibus package, allowing all municipalities to have the option to establish one. 

I deeply appreciate the advocacy of those who called and emailed my office regarding these pieces of legislation. I am grateful for your involvement in state government and commitment to a greener and more equitable Massachusetts. As always, please reach out with any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Marjorie