Progressive Mass

@progressivemass

Member-based advocacy group fighting for a more equitable, just, sustainable and democratic Commonwealth

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The MA Senate voted party line against a NIMBY Republican amendment to make the Senate's legalization of duplexes statewide into a local option and to enable cities and towns to put up regulatory hurdles to it.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 19d

The Senate voted 32 to 7 to reject a Republican amendment to weaken state revenue collection from the state income tax, triggering cuts to essential public services.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 19d

The Senate voted 32 to 7 to reject a Trumpian tax gimmick that would have put downward pressure on wages and encouraged predatory employer practices.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 19d

The MA Senate voted 31 to 8 to revise the state's investment cap in order to better protect public services and ensure the state is able to respond to an economic downturn.

Democrats Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), Michael Moore (D-Millbury), and John Velis (D-Westfield) joined the five Republicans in voting no.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 20d

The MA House voted 119 to 33 to strengthen reproductive rights in MA and ensure that no one has to leave the state to access necessary health care. #mapoli

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 21d

The #MakePollutersPay bill is an excellent and necessary way to raise revenue for critical investments in coastal resiliency. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/20/s...

Rachael Boyce, climate justice and resilience manager at Better Future Project, said there has been a lack of appetite from the governor and State House leadership for funding streams that could realistically pay for projects such as the Army Corps’ flood plan. Boyce supports a climate superfund law, which would allow the state to charge large emitters of carbon for damages caused by climate change.

“These temporary funding streams they’re throwing at the problem are not sufficient for the scale of the problem that we are facing,” Boyce said.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 25d

We are proud to endorse Jen Heck for State Representative for the 18th Worcester district. Learn more about Jen at www.heckyeah2026.org.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 25d

We are proud to endorse Tom Melville for State Representative for the 9th Norfolk district. Learn more about Tom at www.electmelville.com.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 25d

We are proud to endorse Lisa Lopez for State Representative for the 6th Norfolk district. Learn more about Lisa at www.lopezforrep.com.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 25d

We are proud to endorse Zosia VanMeter for State Rep for the 9th Essex district. Learn more about Zosia at www.electzvm.com.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 25d

We are proud to endorse Mike Zullas for State Senate for the Norfolk, Plymouth & Bristol district. Learn more about Mike at www.votezullas.com.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· 25d

We are proud to endorse Shannon Teabo for State Senate for the Worcester & Hamsphire district. Learn more about Shannon at www.teaboforsenate.com.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jul 9

Ed Markey points out that the Supreme Court’s recent anti-trans kids in sports decision is the same position that Seth Moulton holds and that Seth refuses to apologize for despite constant opportunities. #mapoli #StickingWithEd

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 28

That's why we're joining the Mass Power Forward climate justice coalition in supporting the following amendments: #mapoli

#1 (Comerford): Protect Constituents From Unreasonable Utility Profits, which studies studies the amount of profit utilities are being allowed to get from ratepayers
#25 (Gomez): Addressing Biomass, which removes highly-polluting woody biomass as an eligible fuel under the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard for Municipal Lighting plants
#26 (Gomez): Halting Gas Expansion, which prevents the expansion of gas infrastructure near EJ communities and plans for a just transition away from fossil fuels
#37 (Creem): Prohibition on Charging Ratepayers for Goodwill or Institutional Advertising, which prevents utilities from charging their customers for institutional advertising, which is public relations aimed at enhancing the company’s image
#62 & #162 (Howard): Data Centers & Data Center Tax Credits, which establish safeguards around data center development for energy, water, health, and people’s bills
#77 (Eldridge): End Gas Line Extension Subsidies, which stops charging of all ratepayers for new gas line extension allowances
#78 (Edwards): Labor Peace for Thermal Energy Networks, which would require management to stay neutral in unionization efforts on publicly owned network geothermal projects
#82 (Rausch): DPU Clarification, which would remove section allowing “renewable natural gas blending” in the gas distribution system for commercial customers
#106 (Eldridge): Self-Attestation of Income, which keeps self-reporting for low and moderate-income households in Mass Save

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 28

And there are some key things MISSING. #mapoli

Preventing Gas System Expansion: No ban on large gas pipeline expansions by gas companies.
Stopping Ratepayers from Paying for LEA (Line Extension Allowances): No ban on ratepayers subsidizing line extensions for new construction/new customers.
Protections from Data Centers: No inclusion of protections from data center development (the House included modest protections around clean energy and increases in costs to ratepayers)

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 28

Here's what's BAD about the Senate energy bill. #mapoli

Income Verification: Mass Save programs must verify household income for moderate-income rebates. This creates further bureaucratic hurdles for low and moderate-income customers, who can currently qualify for programs via self-attestation -- which has been hugely successful.
Mass Save Budget Caps: Mass Save budgets are capped for each 3 yr. Plan, preventing mid-budget increases.
Corporate Representation in Mass Save Governance: The bill adds business representatives to the Mass Save Energy EfficiencyAdvisory Council)
Weakened Renewable Portfolio Standard: The bill reduces the state’s annual RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standards), i.e., the requirement for utilities to build renewables, increase from 3% to 1%.
Counts Biomass as Renewable Energy: Woody biomass (trees, shrubs, etc), a highly polluting source of energy, are included as a clean energy source under the eligible Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard for Municipal Lighting plants.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 28

Here's what's GOOD in the Senate energy bill.

GOOD:

Preserves funding for Mass Save: This is in contrast to the House bill, which cut $1 billion from Mass Save. The Senate bill caps administrative costs at 5% and removes gas companies from administering the program. It also adjusts the scope of the program to include solar, battery storage, and other clean energy technologies that save customers money. 20% of Mass Save is designated for LMI programs, codifying in law a recent equity allocation win in the latest Mass Save 3 year plan.
Phases Out the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP): Instead, utilities would be required to do advanced leak repair where feasible, as opposed to costly and unnecessary full pipe replacements.
Increases Clean Energy Procurement: DOER (Department Of Energy Resources) is authorized to procure 20 GW (Gigawatts) of renewable energy, including 10 GW of solar and 10 GW of wind, by 2040.
Regulates Predatory Third Party Suppliers: The bill enables municipalities to ban scammy third party electricity suppliers, who often rip off vulnerable communities with misleading offers. Third-party supply prices are capped for discount rate customers with bans on automatic renewals, cancellation fees, and variable rates.
Expands Geothermal: The bill authorizes gas companies to create thermal energy networks (networked geothermal) with worker protections.
Reins in Utility Profiteering: The bill bars the use of ratepayer funds for promotional and political advertising; trade-association dues; charitable giving; lobbying; board/officer travel, lodging, entertainment, gifts, food/beverage, aircraft; tax penalties; non-regulated product marketing.
Bans Heat Wave Shut Offs: The bill bans electric shutoffs during heat waves, similar to the heating shutoff ban we have during cold weather.
Promotes Gas Transition Planning: The bill requires DPU to conduct integrated energy planning to facilitate transition off gas and requires disclosure of how infrastructure investment decisions (e.g. substation constructio…

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

Here's why:

Michael Lachenmeyer is a teacher, journalist, and organizer who is running to champion policies like reducing wealth inequality, single payer health care, and making state government more democratic and transparent. He is running against a conservative Democratic incumbent who voted against the Fair Share Amendment, the 2020 police reform bill, and the ROE Act. Learn more about Michael at https://electlachenmeyer.com/.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

📣Endorsement Announcement📣 The votes are in, and our members overwhelmingly voted to endorse Michael Lachenmeyer for the 12th Hampden state rep district. #mapoli

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

Here's why:

Tom Hendrickson is an Agawam City Councilor, who has led local initiatives on Community Choice Aggregation and Council transparency, and has worked to elect progressives across Western Mass. He is running to be a champion for public schools, workers' rights, taking on corporate power, and single payer health care. He is running against a 16-year conservative Republican incumbent who has never broken 28% on our Scorecard. Learn more about Tom at https://www.tomhendrickson.org/.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

📣Endorsement Announcement📣 The votes are in, and our members overwhelmingly voted to endorse Tom Hendrickson for 3rd Hampden. #mapoli

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

Here's why:

Celina Reyes is a Lawrence City Councilor, a family child care provider, and a leader of her local in SEIU 509. Through her work with SEIU 509, she has championed greater investments in child care and rent stabilization, and organized to help pass the Fair Share Amendment. She is running against a Democratic incumbent who joined Republicans in voting to weaken the protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care in the Shield 2.0 law, owns so many properties that he can't remember how many, and has opposed efforts like a local option real estate transfer fee to address the housing crisis. Learn more about Celina at http://www.celinareyes.com.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

📣Endorsement Announcement📣 The votes are in, and our members overwhelmingly voted to endorse Celina Reyes for 16th Essex. #mapoli

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

Here's why:

Lora Wondolowski is the Greenfield City Council President, a role in which she has been able to shepherd a number of progressive policy initiatives. She got into local politics to fight cuts to Greenfield public schools, and she has been a reliable champion of public education. She was the founding executive director of the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters, where she helped pass the state's Global Warming Solutions Act, and currently works for the Peace Development Fund, investing in grassroots organizing efforts. She would bring a much-needed mix of progressive values, policymaking knowledge, and organizing experience to the State House. Learn more about Lora at https://wondoforrep.org/.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

📣Endorsement Announcement📣 The votes are in, and our members overwhelmingly voted to endorse Lora Wondolowski for the 1st Franklin. #mapoli

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

Here's why:

Mike Connolly has been a strong progressive ally since we first endorsed him in 2016. On our Progressive Scorecard of the State Legislature, his scores have ranged from 95% to 100%. Mike has fought for stronger tenant protections, social housing, and revenue for affordable housing, as well as workers' rights, bold climate action, voting rights, transparency, and more. Mike is willing to speak out against bad, rushed legislation, and to push the State House to be more ambitious in all of its policymaking. Learn more about Mike at https://www.mikeconnolly.org/.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

📣Endorsement Announcement📣 The votes are in, and our members overwhelmingly voted to endorse Mike Connolly (@mikeconnollyma.bsky.social) for the 26th Middlesex. #mapoli

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

Here's why:

Patrick Roath is a democracy and voting rights advocate, having served as the former board chair of Common Cause Massachusetts. In that role, he was active in the rights for automatic voter registration, universal vote-by-mail, and same day registration. He is running on an omnibus Working Families Affordability Package, including tackling the costs of health care, housing, and child care, and Trump-proofing our government in order to rein in corruption and the abuse of power.

He is running against 22-year incumbent Stephen Lynch, one of the few Democrats left in the US Congress to have voted against the Affordable Care Act. Lynch is the only member of the Massachusetts delegation to have voted for the Laken Riley Act and has repeatedly voted with Republicans this Congressional session to roll back protections for our immigrant communities.

Patrick has also been endorsed by our chapters JP Progressives, Neponset Valley Progressives, True North Action Alliance, and Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale.

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

📣Endorsement Announcement📣 The votes are in, and our members overwhelmingly voted to endorse Patrick Roath for MA-08 (@patrickroath.bsky.social). #mapoli

Progressive Mass@progressivemass· Jun 25

Here's why: