The Massachusetts Senate will vote on S2829, An Act upgrading the grid and protecting ratepayers TODAY, June 20. Please contact your state senator and urge them to vote YES on the priority amendments listed below.

S2829, An Act upgrading the grid and protecting ratepayers, overhauls clean energy policy and includes allowing gas utilities to distribute “thermal energy”, limiting the use of polluting biomass, and electrifying commuter rail, school buses and public fleets.

Each of us needs to contact our state senator this morning via email or phone in support of these amendments. Find your senator here. 

Suggested script: “Please vote YES on the following amendments in S2829, An Act upgrading the grid and protecting ratepayers:

#14, Sen. Gomez, Protecting the Commonwealth from Gas Expansion

#15, Sen. Gomez, Halting the Expansion of Large Gas Pipes

#16, Sen. Gomez, Protecting the Climate and Ratepayers from Gas Expansion

#30, Sen. Eldridge, Drought Management

#31, Sen. Crighton, Commuter Rail Electrification

#32, Sen. Crighton, School Bus Electrification

#35, Sen. Gomez, Limiting Biomass

We face a huge challenge across a multitude of sectors to decrease emissions as rapidly and completely as possible to meet mandated state goals on behalf of a healthy, sustainable and livable future. Thank you.” 

The Massachusetts House will vote on H4773, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options TODAY. Please contact your state representative this morning and urge them to vote YES on the priority amendments listed below.

Birthing parents have been dying and suffering unnecessary long-term health consequences. Black pregnant people die at least twice as often as their white counterparts. H4773, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options, offers evidence-based solutions to this growing crisis. 

Each of us needs to contact our state representative this morning via email or phone in support of these amendments. Find your representative here. 

Suggested script: 

“Dear Rep. ________,

H4773, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options, incorporates evidence-based solutions, including those that integrate midwives and birth centers into our healthcare system to reduce the maternal health crisis.

Please vote YES on the following amendments to ensure health equity and strengthen midwifery and birth center provisions:  

#8, Rep. Fluker Oakley, Equitable Reimbursement for Certified Nurse Midwives 

#9, Rep. Fluker Oakley, Low-risk Pregnancy Definition   

#15, Rep. Manny Cruz, Promoting Equitable Birth Center Leadership   

In addition, please oppose amendment #20, which would introduce severe restrictions on individual birthing choice instead of allowing regulations to follow current, evidence-based best practices for maternal care.

Thank you for taking this important step forward for maternal health care in Massachusetts. This legislation will improve birth options and health equity for families.”

Feel free to personalize your emails by adding why addressing these issues is important to you. Remember to include your name and complete street address. 

We encourage all League members to contact their legislators TODAY and to share these actions with their personal networks. 

Questions? Email specialists@lwvma.org.

This email was sent to all members.