Commonwealth Beacon
MA Legislature to gas utilities: Good news. We’ve ended the anti-competitive tilt towards natural gas in MA law. Your “obligation to serve” only fossil fuel is over.
My constituents are cord-cutting. Fine. But let’s do this too.
Ran into a familiar face at the State House
Walking through the State House today, who should I encounter but Matt Boger of New England Donor Services, on a visit with medical students interested in both the role of New England Donor and the world of the State House. We do set health policy, ya know, and it needs more input from doctors.
Quick brunch in Waltham
Cooling walk on a steamy day at the Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham
Happy 4th from me and Nancy (and Jim!)
Nancy and I had a great time marching in Chelmsford’s 4th of July Parade. Extra credit goes to sharp-eyed viewers who spot irrepressible Rep. Jim Arciero stealing the scene.
Upcoming climate hearing in Lexington
Next Tuesday in Lexington: The Embodied Carbon Council, which I serve on, is holding its first public hearing. The group was created by the Legislature in last year’s climate law to find ways to reduce the lifetime carbon emissions of state-owned buildings. During the hearing, the Council will share some early findings and invite feedback from the public.
If you’re interested in attending, RSVP here
A taste of the local flavor at Great Brook Farm
Fun fact: Massachusetts has its own Ice Cream Trail. It’s made up of a group of more than 100 ice cream vendors across the state, including Great Brook Farm in Carlisle. I joined Secretary Tepper at Great Brook, where the Duffy family showed us around the farm. Mark Duffy, our tour guide, was much more charismatic than the cows. Ice cream was terrific.
With abortion rights under new threat, Mass. Lawmakers aim to better protect providers
The Boston Globe
On a 37-3 vote, senators passed a bill that aims to better protect the identities and personal information of providers and those seeking abortion and gender-affirming care.
The bill, which beefs up a 2022 law, would restrict state agencies from sharing information with out-of-state investigations, require insurance companies in Massachusetts to limit access to patient electronic medical records, and require hospitals here to provide emergency abortions if medically necessary
In response to ICE raids, local groups are organizing
I was pleased to address a large crowd on Sunday, as Concord Indivisible drew residents indignant at the showy, careless, and deliberately callous roundups by ICE.
