Massachusetts State Reorganization Results

ALL CRWA OVERRIDES PASS!
Parklands, Riverways Program, Recycling and Toxic Use Institute Saved! 

In the beginning of June we asked our constituency (you!) to contact their state legislators to support overrides of the Governor's vetoes on several important issues.  We are proud to announce that all of the overrides we asked for passed, save one that is still pending, and some very important programs were saved!  Here are the programs we asked you to comment on (click on the link to view the results):

Parklands  || Riverways Program || Recycling Programs || Toxic Use Institute

 Department of Conservation and Recreation || Stewardship Council

Parklands                                                                                          back to top
Outside Section 248: House, 141 to 23; Senate, 31 to 9; OVERRIDE PASSED
Outside Section 627: House, 129 to 22; Senate 33 to 7; OVERRIDE PASSED
Line item 2000-0100; Overridden by the House; not taken up yet by the Senate

What we said then about these items/sections:
Parkland provisions (Line item 2000-0100), (Outside Section 248), and (Outside Section 627):  Romney's vetoes could reduce protection of the parkways that link the various elements of the metropolitan parks system.  These parkways are historic elements of the system, and should be preserved as such.  Control of these parkways must remain with EOEA, not given over to the Highway Department or another entity.  

Riverways Program                                                                        back to top
Line item 2300-0101: House, 156 to 0; Senate, 39 to 1; OVERRIDE PASSED

What we said then about this program:
Riverways Program (Line item 2300-0101):  This program has been effective at working with watershed associations and other groups to promote protection of rivers and streams in the state.  By leveraging a very small state investment into a tremendous benefit for communities and citizens statewide, the Riverways Program outperforms many other more expensive state programs.

Recycling Programs                                                                        back to top
Line item 2010-0100: House, 139 to 15; Senate, 38 to 1; OVERRIDE PASSED

What we said then about this program:
Recycling Programs (Line item 2010-0100):  Funding for state support of these programs is vital to their success.

Toxic Use Reduction Institute                                                  
Line item 7100-0300: House, 130 to 18; Senate, 32 to 5; OVERRIDE PASSED

What we said then about this program:
Toxic Use Reduction Institute (Line item 7100-0300):  This institute at UMass has been effective and should be funded.