On Wednesday, June 17th, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will debate and vote on the Mass Ready Act, also known as the Environmental Bond Bill. This legislation authorizes critical support for climate resilience and other measures, particularly those implemented at the municipal level.
View a copy of the bill here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S3064/BillHistory
Please contact your Representative before 1 pm to ask for their support of two priority amendments:
Amendment #22, sponsored by Rep. Meschino, would add language to proactively coordinate responses to drought conditions to safeguard our environment and public health and safety. Specifically, it would add the language from the Drought Management bill and codify recommendations from the Drought Management Task Force to replace the piecemeal approach to water conservation during drought. Get more information: https://www.massriversalliance.org/post/action-alert-urgent-call-for-drought-management-in-mass-ready
Amendment #340, sponsored by Rep. Ultrino, would authorize $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program over the next 5 years. This funding is vital to support municipal climate resilience efforts, and there currently isn’t enough of it. The amendment would bring the authorized level of funding from the House up to the same level as the Senate version of the bill. Get more information: https://www.massachusettsmvpcoalition.org/
Find your legislator: https://malegislature.gov/search/findmylegislator
Example email or telephone message:
Dear Representative,
My name is [Insert Name], and I am your constituent from [town] (Add any affiliations here too). I am writing to strongly urge you to co-sponsor and vote in support of Amendment 22 (filed by Representative Meschino), which will ensure that Mass Ready includes measures on drought management. Without this amendment, the Environmental Bond Bill will fail to feature any dedicated language on the most serious, pressing climate threat that is undermining the health of our natural environment, our communities, and our economy.
Massachusetts’ current drought response is a confusing patchwork of conservation measures that continues to put our water supplies, agriculture, and ecosystems at risk. Amendment 22 provides a solution:
- Amendment 22 codifies the Drought Management Task Force, which provides sound, scientific advice on water conservation measures during times of drought;
- Amendment 22 grants the state the authority to coordinate water savings when our rivers and water supplies are most at risk;
- Amendment 22 would make non-essential outdoor watering rules consistent and clear for the public;
- Amendment 22 would importantly reinforce the state’s housing and water expansion plans by supporting future access to clean and safe waters.
The Amendment would not affect water use for agriculture or business, and it would not impose a “one-size-fits-all” approach to water conservation across the state.
I also urge you to co-sponsor and vote in support of Amendment #340 for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, sponsored by Chair Ultrino.
The MVP program brings critical state grant funding to municipalities and their partners for projects that protect communities, infrastructure, and the environment from the impacts of climate change. Your district has benefited directly.
MVP has significant funding needs – this FY $81 million (74%) of funding requests were left unfunded.
Climate resilience programs have a high return on investment – $1 spent provides $13 in benefits on average.
Amendment #340 provides the level of authorization ($500m) needed to scale this program to match the need. It will improve safety, health, affordability, and quality of life for residents across the Commonwealth.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
[Insert Name]
