[PDM Info] The Senate has just approved the bag bill. But there's still work ahead!

[Brad Verter]

Get ready to mobilize your network!

View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/massgreen/senate-approves-bag-bill?e=69bd1ff9e4)

Mass Senate Votes to Reduce Bags!
Thanks to the leadership of Senators Jamie Eldridge and Cynthia Creem, the members of the Massachusetts State Senate have just approved the statewide bag bill, H.4234 (https://Org.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ea6ffcc47584979bc4dcd3076&id=268eb09996&e=69bd1ff9e4) as amendment 102 to the Environmental Bond Bill (https://Org.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ea6ffcc47584979bc4dcd3076&id=4917d8504a&e=69bd1ff9e4) .  We have a great window of opportunity before us!
What's Next?
The Senate vote is only the beginning of the endgame, and there are three more hurdles ahead.

The House has its own Environmental Bond Bill, which does not include a bag law.  Next week -- by Tuesday, 17 July -- the House and Senate will appoint a conference committee to reconcile the two bills.  Goal #1 is to make sure that the bag law stays in the final bill.

The joint Environmental Bond Bill will then be presented for an up-or-down vote to both chambers: there are no further amendments once it comes out of committee.  Goal #2 is to make sure that the bill passes in the House.

Finally, the bill will be presented to Governor Baker for signature.  Goal #3 is to make sure he signs it with the bag law intact.

And all of this has to happen in the next two weeks!
What Can You Do?
Once the conference committee is appointed next week, we need to work on Goal #1, make sure the House members of the committee keep the bag law language in the Environmental Bond Bill. I'll send out more information about that once it becomes available.

In the meantime, why don't you ask the director of any group you are affiliated with to sign on to our letter in support of the bag bill?
Over 200 Organizations Support the Bag Bill
Over 200 organizations (https://Org.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ea6ffcc47584979bc4dcd3076&id=cf40d27b68&e=69bd1ff9e4) have signed a letter in support of the bag bill. These include national groups like the Humane Society and COARE; statewide organizations like 350ma, Ocean Alliance, and the Toxics Action Center; local groups like the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), the Mystic River Watershed Association, and the Revere Beautification Committee; community development organizations like ARISE for Social Justice and CERO Cooperative; youth groups like the Lincoln Sudbury Environmental Club and Girl Scout Troop 68277; faith groups like the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, Sathya Sai Group of Greater Boston Area, and First Parish Dorchester.

If your group is not on the list, contact the leader and tell him or her to sign on (https://Org.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ea6ffcc47584979bc4dcd3076&id=7930155f88&e=69bd1ff9e4) !
Now is a great time to donate
If you haven't made a donation this year to the Mass Green Network, please take this opportunity to support our work. We are working on a new website and an improved communication system, and need your help to make it happen.
Donate to the Mass Green Network (https://Org.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ea6ffcc47584979bc4dcd3076&id=fe1685da55&e=69bd1ff9e4)
Thanks so much,
Brad Verter
Founder, Mass Green Network

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