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LAW, ADVOCACY & POLICY

Massachusetts State Reorganization
Completed September 2004

Change is Coming For MA State Government
In June 2003, several proposals to reorganize state government were being considered by the legislature.  This was an important issue for CRWA and the watershed, both because these proposals aimed to change management of the Metropolitan Park System (currently under MDC), and because there was an opportunity to make real progress on sustainable development.  The three reorganization proposals came from the Governor, the House and the Senate.

Reorganization and the Environment
Environmental reorganization proposals fall into two general categories:  those that propose to reorganize at the parks agency level; and those that propose a more ambitious cabinet level reorganization that would bring together the offices of energy, housing, transportation and the environment.  The parks agency reorganization is embedded in proposed cabinet level reorganization plans. CRWA has been working with a number of other environmental advocacy groups to build consensus and develop a sound position.  Virtually all of the groups we work with support reorganization at the park agency level; many also support the goal of reorganizing at the cabinet level.

CRWA's Stance on Reorganization
CRWA supports reorganization at both levels.  We believe the time has come to finally address the longstanding problems of lack of accountability and disjointed management at the MDC by creating a stronger, more accountable, unified parks management agency that will manage the current MDC system of parks, reservations, playgrounds, rinks, pools and parkways.  We also believe that we must attack sprawl and give our communities the opportunity to develop sensibly and sustainably.

June 2003 Call to Action
The time is right to improve the management of Massachusetts’ parks and forests!  We urge you to call, e-mail or write to your Senator indicating your support for reorganization. 

We ask you to tell them that you:
(1)    support reorganization of the park management agencies that will merge MDC and DEM, but keep the metropolitan park system intact and create an advisory council;
(2)    support reorganization coordinating the environment, transportation, housing and energy; and
(3)    oppose the reorganization amendment passed by the House (House 4001)

Sample letter of support for reorganization

September 2004 - The Outcome!
We are proud to announce that all of the overrides we asked for passed and some very important programs were saved! Click here to get more details on the results of the state reorganization.

PROPOSALS FOR REORGANIZATION as of June 2003

Governor Romney's Proposal For Reorganization

The Governor’s proposal to reorganize the executive office (an article 87 reorganization) was rejected by the legislature in early June.  One large component of the legislation is the creation of an Executive Office of Commonwealth Development (EOCD).  The goal of EOCD is to coordinate the work of the offices of energy, transportation, housing, and the environment.  CRWA believes that a coordinated office will give the state the tools needed to actually promote sustainable development, giving the environment a much-needed seat at the table on large-scale decisions about resources, infrastructure and development.  CRWA supports the goals of this reorganization, even though it was not supported by the legislature.

Debate in the Senate About Reorganization

The Senate is currently in its budget debate process, and amendments to the budget have been proposed that will reorganize the environmental agencies.  The Senate Ways and Means budget will be available next week, when the Senate debate begins.  CRWA is advocating for a Senate budget amendment with the same goals as the Governor’s proposal.

The House Amendment (House 4001)

The House passed an amendment to their budget that included a reorganization of the environmental agencies (House 4001).  This amendment would merge the MDC and DEM, but would create significant problems by separating parkland management from recreation, and by dividing responsibility for state forests between two departments.  CRWA believes this reorganization proposal is flawed and should not be adopted.