Jason Brown, “Missed Opportunities: Why the Legislature Should Reconvene,” West Roxbury Bulletin, August 22, 2024.

To the Editor:

Like many Commonwealth voters, I was hopeful the new Democratic trifecta would lead to significant legislative progress this year. However, when comparing the General Court’s legislative session to the productive ones in Michigan and Minnesota, it’s hard not to feel disappointed.

The Legislature struggled to pass bills that had broad support in the last session. The SAPHE 2.0 bill, which would strengthen public health infrastructure, passed both chambers unanimously in 2022 before being vetoed by our former Republican governor. Similarly, a moratorium on new prison and jail construction had wide support, but met a similar veto. It would have made sense for the Legislature to prioritize these bills at the start of this session. Instead, the prison moratorium has yet to see a vote, and SAPHE 2.0 remains stuck in conference committee, with clear support only from the Senate.

The Legislature’s complacency and over-centralization of power require deep cultural change. But in the near term, the General Court should do something simple: reconvene and finish their work. The economic development bill and robust climate legislation, especially with environmental justice at their core, can’t wait. The environment won’t wait, and neither should the Legislature.