Tag: Legislative Priorities

MAPC Applauds Gov. Baker for Signing Landmark Climate Bill

Posted on March 26, 2021 at 3:56 pm. Written by Elise Harmon

For immediate release: Friday, March 26, 2021 BOSTON—The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in Boston released the following statement thanking Gov. Baker for signing the new climate bill into law today. “We at MAPC are thrilled to see this history-making legislation signed into law today. This is a huge win for environmental justice, and will […]

MAPC releases statement on ‘Next Generation Climate Roadmap’ bill

Posted on March 18, 2021 at 5:50 pm. Written by Amanda Linehan

For immediate release: Thursday, March 18, 2021 BOSTON—The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) today released the following statement regarding the Massachusetts Legislature’s passage of the climate bill, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (S.30). “MAPC applauds the Massachusetts Senate and House votes this week to pass legislation that would move our state […]

Greater Boston Municipal Leaders Call For Regional Ballot Initiatives, Value Capture

Posted on July 29, 2020 at 10:51 am. Written by Elise Harmon

Greater Boston Municipal Leaders Call for Regional Ballot Initiatives, Value Capture For immediate release: Wednesday, July 29 Three broad coalitions of municipal officials from throughout Greater Boston called on legislators to allow municipal revenue-raising tools that are heavily used in other states. The leaders of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, North Shore Coalition and Commuter Rail […]

MAPC endorses Work and Family Mobility Act

Posted on February 14, 2020 at 5:04 pm. Written by Elise Harmon

MAPC Endorses Work and Family Mobility Act On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the MAPC Executive and Legislative Committees voted to endorse An Act relative to work and family mobility (S.2061/H.3012). Filed by Senator Brendan Crighton (Lynn) and Representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier (Pittsfield) and Christine Barber (Somerville), the legislation would allow Massachusetts to issue state identification to any […]

State Budget Heads to Conference Committee

Posted on June 4, 2019 at 4:02 pm. Written by Elise Harmon

Please Advocate for MAPC’s Budget Priorities! The Massachusetts House of Representatives finalized their version of the FY2020 state budget on Thursday, April 25 and the Senate finalized their version on Thursday, May 23. The state budget now has to be reconciled between both chambers and sent to the Governor’s desk for approval by June 30. […]

MA House Ways and Means Committee Releases FY2020 State Budget Proposal

Posted on April 16, 2019 at 9:36 am. Written by Leah Robins

Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee Releases FY2020 State Budget Proposal The House Ways and Means Committee released their FY2020 state budget proposal on Wednesday, April 10. The proposal provides funding for two of MAPC’s top priorities, but funds those priorities at levels below the amount MAPC is seeking. The District Local Technical Assistance program […]

MAPC’s 2019-2020 Legislative Priorities

Posted on January 29, 2019 at 12:19 pm. Written by Elise Harmon

The deadline to file bills for the 2019-2020 Massachusetts legislative session was Friday, Jan. 19. Over 5,000 bills were filed before that date – including several smart growth priorities from MAPC. Our proposals were crafted to address the transportation, climate, and housing challenges in the 101 cities and towns of our region. If enacted, these […]

End of the Legislative Session – How MAPC’s Priorities Fared

Posted on August 1, 2018 at 5:55 pm. Written by Government Affairs

As Massachusetts’ legislative session drew to a close early Wednesday morning, many of MAPC’s legislative priorities were up for consideration. We wanted to give you a sense of how they fared. Short Term Rentals: The legislature’s bill regulating short term rentals would tax short term rentals at the hotel rate of 5.7 percent. City and […]

Multi-Family Housing | Broken Zoning, Unaffordable Homes: What Can Be Done?

Posted on July 17, 2018 at 3:32 pm. Written by Elise Harmon

What’s the Problem? Massachusetts is in the midst of a housing crisis that threatens our communities, our economic success, and our quality of life. For years now, advocates have been calling for an update to the Commonwealth’s outdated zoning and housing rules. Businesses are debating whether to locate in Massachusetts because the high cost of […]

Energy and Environmental Bills Moving in the Legislature

Posted on July 16, 2018 at 12:00 pm. Written by Elise Harmon

In 15 days, on July 31, the formal session for the Massachusetts Legislature will end – meaning that the House and Senate have two short weeks to approve the FY2019 State Budget and pass important legislation. The Legislature continues to work on completing the FY2019 State Budget and is contemplating several pieces of legislation that […]