Take Action: Safer Alternatives Bill hearing coming soon
On July 12th the Environment Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature will hold a public hearing on the Safer Alternatives Bill. This is the Alliance's opportunity to show the huge support for the bill that exists among academic experts, medical professionals, labor unions, advocacy groups, and the general public. We are working to put together a line up of people to testify who can represent that diversity of support and articulate the positive impacts that this bill will have on health, the environment, and the economy in Massachusetts.
Another group of supporters who are needed to help make the case for the bill at the hearing are legislators. Massachusetts residents, that's where you come in! There are 78 state legislators who co-sponsored the bill this session and even more who support it. But co-sponsoring is just the beginning. If legislators don't keep advocating for the bill throughout the session, it will never be brought to a vote (so far it's been over 8 years that this bill has been pending). This hearing is one opportunity for them to actively support the bill, and they might need a nudge from you to make it happen.
Call or email your Massachusetts State Senator and Representative today. Urge them to actively demonstrate support for the Safer Alternatives Bill by testifying in support of it at the Environment Committee hearing on July 12th or writing a letter of support for the bill. If they are co-sponsors, thank them for their support and urge them to take this next step. If they are not co-sponsors, encourage them to support the bill and demonstrate that support at the hearing.
Take Action: Calling is most effective and it only takes a minute. Find out who your legislators are and get their phone numbers on the website for the Massachusetts legislature. Here are some quick links: Look up legislators by address; Get phone numbers. But we know that sometimes you just can't fit that phone call into your day, so you can also send them a message on our website.
Safer Alternatives Bill Details:
H-1136 & S-397
An act for a competitive economy through safer alternatives to toxic chemicals
Sponsored by Representative Jay Kaufman and Senator Steven Tolman
Hearing details: You can also show your support by coming to the hearing.
Tuesday, July 12th, 10:00 AM
Gardener Auditorium, The State House, Boston, Massachusetts
The Environment committee, chaired by Representative Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) and Senator Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) is tasked with hearing public comments on the bill, reviewing it, making changes as they see fit, and making a recommendation to the legislature about the bill (we hope that they will give it a "favorable report" as opposed to an "unfavorable report" or assigning the bill to a "study").
Let's make sure that they take all those steps quickly and without weakening the bill. Eight years is too long to wait for protecting our health. Call or write to your legislators today.
