Quarterly Policy Updates

MLTC continues to field many questions and concerns from member land trusts about delays in review and approval of Conservation Restrictions (CRs) by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). We have been advocating and strategizing with senior leaders at EEA on this matter for over two years...

On December 8, EEA is expected to announce initial recommendations and actions under its Forests as
Climate Solutions initiative, which was launched by the Governor on June 8 as a strategy to ensure
Massachusetts forests are managed in ways that advance the state’s aggressive climate goals. Plans are
expected to…

On September 21, Governor Healey signed an Executive Order that will direct the state to create new
biodiversity conservation goals for 2030, 2040 and 2050, and strategies to meet them. She will also sign an Executive Order to immediately ban purchase of single-use plastic water bottles by state agencies. Read…

Since our last update, the Healey Administration has filled additional key environmental leadership positions with appointments of former Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo as Commissioner of DCR, Bonnie Heiple as Commissioner of DEP, and Tom O’Shea as Commissioner of DFG. (Commissioner O’Shea comes to the Administration from The Trustees, where he…

The Healey Administration has already indicated a strong commitment to climate action, including by naming Mellissa Hoffer as Climate Chief, a new cabinet position. Other appointments include Rebecca Tepper as Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Stephanie Cooper as EEA’s Undersecretary for Environment, and Ashley Randle as Commissioner of…

While the legislature’s formal session ended on July 31, 2022, lawmakers continued to meet during “informal” sessions this fall. It’s harder to pass bills during informal session because if just one legislator opposes, a bill cannot pass. This year we helped pass not one, but two major pieces of legislation…

What do you mean “sort of?” Despite the Legislature “finishing” its two-year session on July 31st, we may still have a chance to get some bills passed if legislators can reach consensus. The Legislature meets year-round in two phases: “formal” sessions, during which contentious issues can be debated for the...

The Green Budget Coalition advocated for the five increases outlined below. The House adopted two of our coalition’s recommendations, and the Senate adopted all five! The FY23 budget is now in a Conference Committee, and we are advocating for the highest funding amount for each…

Green Budget: In January, the Governor released his proposed FY23 state operating budget (H2). The Green Budget Coalition is advocating for the following increases: DCR State Parks and Recreation line item (2810-0100): $60M plus retained revenue from $50M in FY22; H2 is $73.5M (but includes retained revenue). MassDEP Administration…

In March 2021, Congress sent $3.4 billion to Massachusetts cities and towns, and an additional $5.3 billion to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to invest in economic growth, jobs, and resilience. At the time of the writing of this update, the MA…