Last year, after impressive organizing work from impacted communities, the MA Legislature passed No Cost Calls and the Prison Moratorium.
But neither became law because of our former Republican governor, Charlie Baker, who vetoed them at the end of the session.
We now have a new session, a new governor, and a new opportunity to complete these wins.
Earlier today, the Judiciary Committee on Beacon Hill held testimony on both of these and other bills. The case for both is still clear.
We know that we cannot incarcerate our way to public safety, and that investing in communities, not new prisons, helps communities to thrive.
And we know that keeping families connected, by ending the practice of charging predatory fees for phone calls to loved ones behind bars, is good for public safety and economic security.
And Beacon Hill knew both of these last year when they passed such legislation. Both chambers also recognized the importance of No Cost Calls when they included similar language in their FY 2024 budgets, still stuck in negotiations.
We shouldn’t have to wait until July of next year to finish these victories.
