On January 2, 2013, I was sworn into my fifth term as state representative from the 27th Middlesex District. I am honored and humbled to serve in the state legislature, and I thank you again for the opportunity to do so.

This session, I filed a total of 33 bills. I'll be using this newsletter to highlight some of my legislative priorities. I hope that when you support particular pieces of legislation, you will use my office as a advocacy resource on Beacon Hill. (Note: what you see below are House Docket numbers for bills, NOT bill numbers - which haven't been assigned yet.)

HD.638, An Act establishing a Mystic River water quality commission

This bill, which I have re-filed, would establish a Mystic River Water Quality Commission to investigate ways to improve the water quality of the Mystic River Watershed, and to reduce flooding by its contaminated waters.

The Mystic River has become the most urbanized river in the Commonwealth. The cities and towns in its watershed include some of the state's most densely populated environmental justice communities, including Somerville. Most of the water bodies in the Mystic River watershed do not currently meet state water quality standards. A comprehensive strategy is needed to restore and protect this valuable urban resource - creating a Mystic River Water Quality Commission would help achieve that, just as the Charles River Water Quality Commission has help improved water quality in that river.

HD.2380, An Act to protect our drinking water from hydraulic fracturing

This bill would prohibit the practice of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") or the discharge, treatment, or underground injection of fracking fluids or waste in the Commonwealth. I was inspired to file by the revelation that a shale gas formation called the Hartford Basin lies under the Pioneer Valley, and is right up against Quabbin Reservoir (contact my office if you'd like to see a map that shows the basin, and the water resources around it.) This bill has gained the support of Environment America, Sierra Club, Somerville Climate Action, and other environmental organizations.

As John Rumpler, senior attorney for Environment America puts it, "fracking's environmental damage is bad enough, but it turns out that this dirty drilling imposes heavy dollar and cents costs as well, and in many cases, the public will be left holding the bag for those costs" (for more information on the costs of fracking, read John's report from September, 2012) 

You may have attended one of the screenings that I hosted with Somerville Climate Action of "Gasland," a documentary film which highlights some of the widespread concern over the safety of fracking. I also hosted a screening of the film in the State House last year, and plan on doing so again now that the new legislative session has begun.

HD.2249, An Act relative to plastic bag reduction

This bill would prohibit the free distribution of single-use plastic shopping bags by retailers in Massachusetts. It would allow for the use of plastic wrappers and produce bags, paper shopping bags, and durable, multi-use plastic shopping bags.

As you may know, plastic bags do not biodegrade, they photodegrade, which means they slowly break down into smaller and smaller bits. These plastic particles contaminate soil and waterways; before they break down, they entangle and choke animals, get stuck in trees, clog drains, and cause other problems. The photodegradation process, meanwhile, it can take 1000 years. As polyethylene breaks down, toxic substances from the plastic, inks, and colorants, leach into the soil and enter the food chain.

These bags are a short term hazard, and slow-acting poison, as you know if you saw the wry, funny documentary film "Bag It," which Somerville Climate Action and I screened several times in the district. This is another film that I showed at the State House, and will do again this session.