Our state representatives, Carolyn Dykema in the House and Jamie Eldridge in the Senate, have sent out a number of press releases over the past few weeks to update constituents on the goings-on in Boston. Here’s a round-up of their latest announcements.
Representative Dykema named to House Ways & Means Committee (2/7/13)
Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) is proud to announce that she will be serving on four legislative committees for the upcoming two-year session including the House Ways and Means Committee. She will also continue serving on the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture, the Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs and the Joint Committee on Public Health. (read more)
Rep. Dykema votes to protect $9M in local aid (2/15/13)
Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in approving a $115 million supplemental budget that blocks a proposal to take 1% from the $899 million unrestricted general government aid account, thus preserving $9 million. (read more)
Senator Eldridge re-appointed chair of joint committee on housing, vice chair of global warming and climate change committee (2/11/13)
As the 188th Session of the Massachusetts State Senate gets underway, State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) is laying out his goals for the next two years after being re-appointed by Senate President Therese Murray as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. Senator Eldridge was also named to the Joint Committees on Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. (read more)
Updated bottle bill gathers momentum (2/19/13)
In a sign that the Updated Bottle Bill has gained greater momentum for passage than ever this session, 95 legislators have signed on as a co-sponsor of the Updated Bottle Bill, including half of the Massachusetts State Senate. “More than ever, legislators realize that the time to act and finally pass the Updated Bottle Bill is now,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge, a strong supporter and co-sponsor of the bill. (read more)
“Representative Carolyn Dykema (D‐Holliston) is proud to announce that she will be serving on four legislative committees for the upcoming two‐year session including the House Ways and Means Committee. “
Voting with the party leadership consistently does have its rewards. At least Sen. Eldridge admits (below) his assignments were hand-picked by the Senate president.
“State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D‐Acton) is laying out his goals for the next two years after being re‐appointed by Senate President Therese Murray as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. As Chair, Senator Eldridge’s priorities this session include reviewing Governor Patrick’s public housing authority legislation, preserving the social safety net for homeless families, Chapter 40B reform, comprehensive zoning reform and developing more workforce housing in Massachusetts.”
Chapter 40B is a state mandate. Now we know exactly who to hold accountable. Let’s see what those 40B “reforms” include.
“Containers without the 5-cent deposit, like water, sports drinks, vitamin beverages and iced teas are becoming more popular…”
They certainly are. The state of course collects the unclaimed bottle deposits (“escheatage”), even from those bottles that are recycled but not returned for the deposit.
Or as they call it on Beacon Hill: “Winning!”
Boston Globe in 2009. “In Massachusetts, the estimated escheatage from a 5-cent deposit on the billion-plus bottled water, juice, and sports drinks now exempt from the charge could raise an estimated $58 million.”
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/03/05/short_fuse/
So, all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns can fight over the $9 million restored in local aid to municipal governments while the legislature feasts on a new revenue stream from consumers.
In other State House news, no word on Ms. Dykema’s proposed transparency bill, HD 3412. This is shocking.