We need your help to pass a bill that provides funding to address the impacts of climate change in Massachusetts!
Please call your legislators by Monday, June 17th at 5 pm and ask them to support this bill. This bill will create a new, reliable and significant source of funding to help cities and towns protect themselves from the worst efforts of climate change, such as droughts and extreme storms. Projects created from this funding will help address public safety concerns and protect the environment.
To confirm who your state representative and senator are, please click this link.
Below is a sample script for your call: “Hello, my name is ________________ and I am from _______________, Massachusetts. I am calling to ask that Representative/Senator ______________ support Senate Bill 10, An Act providing for Climate Change Adaptation Infrastructure Investments in the Commonwealth. This bill will create a new, reliable and significant source of funding to help cities and towns protect themselves from the worst efforts of climate change, such as droughts and extreme storms. Projects created from this funding will help address public safety concerns and protect the environment. Projects could include, for example, dam removals and upgrades or culvert repairs. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
For additional talking points about this legislation, please see below:
Governor Baker has proposed legislation that would dedicate a new, significant and reliable source of funding to help cities and towns cover the costs of making upgrades to deal with climate change impacts.
Funding would be generated via a modest increase in the deeds excise rate (0.228%). The revenue would be deposited into a trust fund and directed to municipalities.
With $75 million in revenues projected to be generated from the proposal in FY20, $137 million on an ongoing, annualized basis, and $1 billion over 10 years, this initiative would enable a historic level of investment in community resilience.
Funding will be made available to cities and towns to invest in climate-smart infrastructure that protects public health, safety, natural resources, and property across the Commonwealth including: culvert replacement, dam removal and repair, infrastructure retrofits and nature-based solutions, funding for vulnerable and environmental justice communities and strategic land acquisition and restoration.
If you need any additional information or have any questions, please contact our Policy Director Gabby Queenan (gabbyqueenan@massriversalliance.org or 617-714-4272).
Thank you for your advocacy!