Over the 2007-2008 session, I have spoken out and taken positions on many larger issues — materials elsewhere on this website describe my role on many of those issues.
The highlights listed here are issues, including some smaller or less visible issues, in which my personal efforts made a particular difference. Of course, in every instance, I am one of many who contributed to the legislative outcomes.
This list excludes non-legislative activity, like constituent service and problem solving with agencies.
Legislation Enacted and Signed into Law
- Global Warming Solutions (see honor roll of Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters )
- Uniform Probate Code (see coverage of signing by Governor)
- Bicycle Safety (see Massbike summary)
- Public Health Regionalization (see background from MHOA )
- Study of innovative methods for funding the conservation of forested wildlands (resolution) (see background re wildlands; refer to Senate Bill 477).
Successful Changes to Major Legislation
- Revision to the Chapter 70 education aid Formula proposed by the Governor for FY2008 (identified formula changes by the Department of Education that were working against Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge; corrections incorporated into legislature’s version of the FY2008 and FY2009 budgets)
- Amendment to the 9C Budget Cuts proposed by the Governor to the FY2009 budget to protect Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge local aid allocations (amendment eliminate reserve balances from list of considerations in cut allocation — early 2009)
- Budget earmarks for Amelia Earhart Dam flood control in FY2008 and FY2009 budgets (later stricken by Governor in 9C cuts); earmarks for substance abuse prevention in Arlington and Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services in FY2009 budget.
- Bondbill earmark for Belmont/Trapelo Corridor Project in Transportation Bond Bill
Other Legislative Contributions
- Played active role in stopping ballot effort that would have limited freedom to marry.
Battles Lost
- Acquisition of the Silver Maple Forest on the Belmont/Cambridge Line (lead sponsored, incorporated into environmental bond bill, vetoed by the Governor).
- Tidelands amendments (unsuccessfully sought to limit regulation changes that would reduce protections for tidelands)
- Legislation to reduce minimum mandatory sentences (ideas from bills that I filed were incorporated into a committee draft that stalled at the end of the session).
Appreciate the transparency of “Battles Lost” in addition to your many achievements. I commend your performance on issues that are a priority to me and my North Cambridge neighbors.