Breaking… On Thursday, 13 House Republicans and one House Democrat voted against the controversial and costly climate bill that Governor Charlie Baker originally vetoed and eventually amended.
The legislation was passed in the Senate on Monday by a vote of 39-1 with Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) voting against it. In the House, the 14 votes against were State Representatives Colleen Garry (D-Dracut), Paul Frost (R-Auburn), Donald Berthiaume (R-Spencer), Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick), David DeCoste (R-Norwell), Shawn Dooley (R-Norfolk), Peter Durant (R-Spencer), Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Joseph McKenna (R-Webster), Norm Orrall (R-Lakeville), Kelly Pease (R-Westfield), Alyson Sullivan (R-Abington), David Viera (R-Falmouth), and Steven Xiarhos (R-Sandwich).
This bipartisan group of lawmakers should be applauded for having the courage to stand up for what is right, for standing up for their districts, and up for standing up for common sense. Next time you see them, please thank them. On Monday, The Beacon Hill Institute (BHI) published a study that showed in order to achieve “net zero” by 2050, as this legislation aims to do, Massachusetts would require a gallon of gasoline to be priced above $14.00. BHI’s President, Dr. David Tuerck continued to state the climate goal “would increase costs to the average Massachusetts household to unacceptable levels.”
There is little doubt the legislation that passed today, if it becomes law, will cost taxpayers and businesses greatly in the future. The only questions that remain are just how much it will cost them and how ordinary, working class families will be able to pay for it moving forward. Today’s legislation puts ideology ahead of common sense. It asks nearly every resident to make economic sacrifices in order to achieve unrealistic and ideologically driven climate goals.
Although Governor Baker previously vetoed the bill, we expect he will sign the legislation. After all, it was his administration’s idea to push for “net zero” by 2050 as the Governor announced during the annual State of the Commonwealth speech last year.
To view the MassFiscal Scorecard on this vote, please click here: https://massfiscalscorecard.org/vote.php?vote_id=1291