The clock is ticking. The current formal legislative session at the State House ends in just two weeks. And there is a lot still pending.
Take action in support of strong action on our housing crisis and on the climate crisis with the tools and templates below.
The Affordable Homes Act Must Support Renters
WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR: Last month, the MA House and MA Senate passed versions of Governor Maura Healey’s Affordable Homes Act.
Like Healey’s original version of the bill, both bills established an Office of Fair Housing, legalized accessory dwelling units in single-family zoning districts without undue restrictions, streamlined the use of state-owned land for housing, and increased the bond authorizations for public housing, building decarbonization, and many more housing initiatives. Unfortunately, however, both chambers caved to the real estate lobby and axed the widely popular local option real estate transfer fee (which would have allowed cities and towns to raise extra money to invest in affordable housing).
But the two bills had a number of differences, and a Conference Committee of three senators and three representatives are negotiating final details.
WHAT IS AT STAKE: We have a displacement crisis in Massachusetts, and it is essential that the final version of the Affordable Homes Act contain policies to help renters and working-class homeowners:
- Creating a process for sealing eviction records (Senate bill)
- Banning brokers’ fees (Senate bill)
- Establishing a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase local option (House bill)
- Creating a Foreclosure Mediation Pilot Program (Senate bill)
If we are to make a dent at addressing the affordable housing crisis, we need more investment, we need more housing production, and we need policies to prevent displacement. The Legislature shouldn’t leave out that critical final piece.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Send an email to the Affordable Homes Act Conference Committee:
- Senator Lydia Edwards
- Senator William Brownsberger
- Senator Peter Durant
- Representative James Arciero
- Representative Aaron Michlewitz
- Representative David DeCoste
You can use the template hereor customize your own email (and then cc your own legislators).
The House Can Strengthen Its Climate Bill
The House will be voting today on its climate omnibus bill (H.4876), which addresses the difficulties of connecting local clean energy projects to the grid.
Take a few minutes to write to your state rep in support of Mass Power Forward priority amendments:
- Amendment #17 Protecting consumers and communities from new, large gas pipeline expansions (Williams), which would end Energy Facilities Siting Board approval of new, large, polluting gas pipeline expansions which, if constructed, will adversely affect ratepayers, the health and safety of Massachusetts residents, and the climate.
- Amendment #15 Improving Air Quality in Environmental Justice Communities (Barber), which would create a technical advisory committee for air quality and direct the Department of Environmental Protection to identify at least 8 pollution hot spots, install air monitors there, and provide recommendations for how to reduce air pollution there by 50% by 2030.
Mass Power Forward also has a handy action guide as well that you can use.