On April 15 the Senate passed the Mass Ready Act, an environmental bond bill that makes necessary investments in natural and working lands, protects infrastructure from climate change, safeguards drinking water, and strengthens environmental protections in the Commonwealth.
The environmental bond bill is a critical, can’t miss opportunity for our region. So my team and I left nothing to chance. Here are a few milestones:
- In the wake of the July 2023 flooding, after we helped secure upwards of $35 million for farms and municipalities to help them recover, we began meeting with Administration officials, regional planning agencies, and municipalities about what the state can and should do to prevent any future devastation.
- We invited Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Tepper and many from her team to spend the day in October 2023 on the Quabbin Reservoir and in the watershed.
- We amped up advocacy with the Governor’s office with this memo in September 2024, followed by this memo in October 2024.
- In November 2024, municipalities, legislators, and regional planning associations all along the Connecticut River joined together to request the creation of a Connecticut River Resilience Fund.
- In June 2025 my Chief of Staff Jared was there when the Governor filed the bill.
- I submitted testimony in July 2025 when the bill had a hearing, and then continued advocacy with Senate Leadership until the very moment debate ended.
- Our team worked with the Quabbin Watershed Stewards to help their demands reach eastern Mass.
Whether through amendments or through the advocacy we did above, arm in arm with constituents, the Senate bill ended up packed with wins for our region.
Wins for Quabbin Watershed communities
- Establishes the Quabbin Host Community Trust Fund to support access to potable water and public services within the Quabbin watershed
- Expanded representation on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Board of Directors by adding a member from a Quabbin watershed community to represent land and water resource protection and host community interests.
- Requires the MWRA to pay $50,000 to each of the 11 Quabbin watershed towns in Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028.
Wins for the Connecticut River Valley
- Establishes a commission on flood risk mitigation and resilience in the Connecticut River Valley, a necessary step in the wake of the July 2023 floods and authorizes $60 million in funding for projects identified by the special commission.
Statewide investments
The legislation contained major statewide investments we championed, including:
- $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program;
- $132.5 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program, including $7.5 million for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to increase access to healthy, affordable food;
- $10 million to design and build accessible trails for people with disabilities; and,
- $5.5 million for the Healthy Soils Program and the implementation of the Healthy Soils Action Plan.
Check out my remarks during debate here.
