Beacon Hill Roll Call records the votes of local senators from the week of Jan. 27 to Jan. 31. There were no roll calls in the House last week.
Senate, 36 to 2, 36 to 2 and 36 to 2, on three separate roll calls, approved three bills known as the “Next Generation Climate Package.” Under the bills, the Baker administration would be free to choose among various market-based forms of pricing carbon — including a revenue-neutral fee or a regional “cap and trade” system similar to the Transportation Climate Initiative. It would have to do so by Jan. 1, 2022, for transportation; Jan. 1, 2025, for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings; and Jan. 1, 2030, for residential buildings. Any mechanism would be implemented so as to minimize the impact on low-income households, disadvantaged communities and vulnerable manufacturing sectors.
The package includes setting a statewide greenhouse gas limit for the year 2050 of “net zero” emissions; requiring the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to limit bus purchases and leases to zero-emissions vehicles beginning in 2030, and to aim for an all-zero-emissions fleet by 2040; directing state government to limit purchases and leases of vehicles to zero emissions vehicles only, beginning in 2024; and updating Massachusetts appliance standards to improve energy and water efficiency standards for common household and commercial appliances.
Other provisions establish the Massachusetts Climate Policy Commission as an independent public watchdog to oversee government’s handling of the climate change crisis; jumpstart efforts to supply low-cost solar electricity to low-income communities; and require the Department of Public Utilities to balance six priorities: reliability of supply, affordability, public safety, physical security, cyber security and equity; and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“We’ve written the strongest climate statute in the nation,” said Sen. Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, Senate chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee and author of the legislation. “The bills started out strong. Then they got better as debate went on. More protection for low- and moderate-income families. Special sensitivity to the climate challenges facing small towns and rural areas. Retraining for people who may need to change jobs as we green the economy. In the fight against climate change, this lifts Massachusetts to the next level.”
“We applaud Senate President Spilka and the Massachusetts Senate for this significant step forward in addressing the climate crisis,” said Jacob Stern, deputy director of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter. “By setting a much-needed 2030 emissions target, rolling out zero-emission building standard and creating new opportunities for low-income residents to access solar, today’s legislation will help reduce the state’s carbon pollution. However, we are disappointed that despite broad support from the advocacy community, there wasn’t a commitment to transition the state to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity in the final legislation. The responsibility to act now falls to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. We look forward to working with House leadership to pass critical climate policies into law before the end of the 2019 to 2020 legislative session in July.”
“Climate change is a real problem, with humans adding to the issue through carbon emission,” said Sen. Dean Tran, R-Fitchburg, one of only two opponents of the package. “We need to implement changes that would reduce human carbon footprint responsibly. Bills that do not have cost and impact analysis will have devastating financial consequences on people who are on fixed and low incomes, and the working class. These bills will create burdens on small businesses and will negatively impact the economy and stifle growth.”
“I am proud of the Senate for acting quickly on this legislation, which takes a historic step in our fight to reduce harmful emissions that hurt our planet and our residents,” said Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. “I commend Sen. Barrett for his diligence in crafting a thorough legislative package that takes concrete steps to combat climate change by providing a plan to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable future.”
“Residents of the commonwealth can’t afford this legislation. Massachusetts continually ranks as one of the most expensive states in which to live, where the median price for a single-family home is almost double the national average,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, the other opponent of the legislation. “This bill will only make housing prices more expensive by requiring solar panels on all new construction, which will increase development costs for new homes by $30,000 to $70,000. Nearly all new homes will also require electric-based heating systems and appliances, placing upward pressure on utility rates across the state because wood, natural gas and oil-based appliances would be out of compliance with a net-zero stretch energy code.”
Fattman continued, “Another major concern is that there is no price tag on the total costs of the mandates, taxes and fees associated with this legislation. … We are currently facing an unprecedented affordable housing and transportation crisis, and this legislation will only make it more unaffordable to live and work in Massachusetts.”
The vote below represents the vote on each of the three separate bills. A “Yes” vote is for the package.
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
Senate, 37 to 0, approved an amendment making it clear that the Department of Public Utilities should approve gas company pilot programs to deliver renewable thermal energy. The amendment also ensures evaluation by independent third parties to determine the efficacy of the new systems.
“My amendment gives gas companies an opportunity to move away from delivering a greenhouse gas containing over 90 percent methane and toward providing renewable thermal energy for heating and cooling,” said Sen. Cynthia Creem, D-Newton, the sponsor of the amendment. “Natural gas is not healthy for us or the planet, while geothermal energy is a path to keeping good jobs, protecting ratepayers and giving customers a choice for heating.”
A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
Senate, 37 to 0, approved an amendment that would require that when the Secretary of Energy and the Environment submits his five-year plan for how the state will comply with the emissions limits established in the climate bill, the plans must “address the distinguishing characteristics and vulnerabilities of rural, suburban and urban households.”
“The two words that go best together are “regional equity,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Joanne Comerford, D-Northampton. “What we are here saying today is yes to carbon pricing, but we cannot do that if we disproportionately burden rural communities where we drive more and where we do not have adequate access to public transportation. So yes to carbon pricing, but through a regional equity lens.”
A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill that would prohibit discrimination against anyone in any situation because of their natural hairstyle. The bill states that natural hairstyle is a physical trait central to individual dignity, autonomy and personhood; that targeting a person’s natural hair and hairstyle associated with their race is racial discrimination; and discrimination against black students, employees and persons participating in public accommodations because of their hair texture and the way in which their hair grows and is styled is illegal discrimination.
“I filed this bill following the passage of similar legislation in New York and California,” said Rep. Steven Ultrino, D-Malden, the bill’s sponsor. “Discrimination against natural hairstyles is pervasive in both education and employment. My hope is that passing this bill will remove vagueness from current anti-discrimination law so that people do not get biased treatment due to the hair that grows out of their heads.”
The Labor and Workforce Development Committee’s hearing included a bill that would require every state agency and institution to post all employment opportunities, notices and postings in the statewide online employment computerized referral system.
“Transparency about state employment vacancies will allow state agencies to receive applications from more diverse and qualified candidates,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Joanne Comerford, D-Northampton. “While it is easy for those close to Boston and the State House to hear about state employment opportunities through word of mouth, the members of the public living outside metro Boston can be unaware of non-publicized job vacancies. The commonwealth will only benefit from this influx of new talent.”
The House and Senate have agreed on a version of a measure that would establish a registry that identifies individuals who have been found to have committed abuse against persons with disabilities. Each branch had approved their own version but now they agree on a version to which they will soon give final approval and send to Gov. Charlie Baker.
The measure was filed by Sen. Mike Moore, D-Millbury, at the request of a constituent who is the mother of Nicky, an intellectually disabled and non-verbal individual. Nicky had been inappropriately restrained and struck multiple times by her caretaker. Under current law, unless the offender is criminally convicted, no system exists to identify caretakers and prevent them from finding employment with another provider licensed by the state.
“Enacting this registry will help disrupt a cycle of abuse of individuals with disabilities and put in place common-sense protections that families in the commonwealth deserve,” Moore said. “There are clear benefits to screening prospective employees who intend to work within the licensed caretaker field and I am hopeful that the bill will advance to the governor’s desk to help protect our most vulnerable residents like Nicky.”