Preparing for what's to come...

President Obama and President-elect Trump officially begin the transition.

Winding down and gearing up

The 2015-16 legislative session is winding down.  Though the Legislature has not met in formal sessions since July 31, they continue to meet in informal sessions where bills are more easily stopped, but can move unexpectedly.

By now you've seen the results: Donald Trump is the President-elect, and the only statewide ballot questions that passed were those to require more humane treatment of farm animals and to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for people over 21 years of age.

We have 14 new legislators in the Massachusetts House and Senate.  Walter Timilty (D-Milton) moves from the House to the Senate, so he's technically a veteran lawmaker.

Here at Neponset Strategies, we continue our work to advance the agendas of our clients.  And even though it's not yet Thanksgiving, we are already hard at work mapping out strategies for the coming session.

The only certainty that came from this election season is that change is on the horizon.  If your organization could use some support in legislative, regulatory, or state budgeting processes, or if you'd like some help building relationships with decision-makers, give us a call or drop a line.  

We'd love to hear from you.

Budget, Transgender Rights, Weed

Next year's state budget signed into law...

Governor Baker signed the budget sent to him by the Legislature on Friday, but not before he vetoed $256 million in funding.  The total budget, nearly $39 billion, represents a 1.3% increase over last year's spending.  Revenues have been disappointing in light of an underperforming stock market and have caused budget writers to adjust expectations.

Transgender people now have public accommodations protections

After some conference committee wrangling to iron out differences between the House and the Senate, a bill to protect transgender people from discrimination in public places has now been signed into law.  The pivotal element of the legislation allows folks to use sex-segregated facilities (rest rooms, locker rooms, etc.) that correspond to their gender identity, not necessarily their anatomical gender.  The compromise bill also includes language that has the Attorney General and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination working to deal with any potential use of the law for improper purposes, provisions that were important to some constituencies.

Speaker DeLeo, Governor Baker, Mayor Walsh and others urge a NO vote on recreational marijuana in MA

Safe Cannabis Massachusetts, the first committee formed in opposition to the ballot question to establish a marijuana and THC products industry in Massachusetts, continues to work to educate voters about the dangers of this particular initiative, even for those who favor the concept of allowing folks to smoke pot without interference.  Governor Baker, Mayor Marty Walsh, and Speaker DeLeo were joined by other political and community leaders at a press conference last week to announce their opposition and lay out their concerns.

The NO side enjoys the vocal support of political leaders who discussed how passage of this question would tie the hands of communities to limit how many retailers set up shop and allow them near day care centers and playgrounds. 

Opponents are especially concerned about the lack of restriction on the production, labeling and marketing of edible THC products, such as gummies and candy, evoking memories of Big Tobacco's aggressive youth-targeted marketing.

Bills keep coming; opposition to commercializing recreational marijuana grows

There Oughta Be A Law (or several hundred of them)

Joint Rule 10 Day (the deadline for bills to be reported out of committee) has come and gone, but bills are still being filed on various topics.  Some bills are time-sensitive special legislation that cannot abide by the calendar; others are on topics such as license plates, schools and roads.  Ours is an active State House and a busy Legislature.

More Thought Leaders Oppose Recreational Marijuana Industry Creation

You may have read that Sen. Jason Lewis, who chaired the Special Senate Committee on Marijuana, recently took a position in opposition to legalization of recreational marijuana.  He joins Governor Baker, Mayor Walsh, Sheriffs, DAs, and a host of others who have expressed serious concerns about the impacts of full legalization. Sen. Lewis had remained publicly neutral on the issue while the committee completed its work in anticipation of a potential ballot initiative this November. "I am opposed to the likely ballot question because this is the wrong time for Massachusetts to go down this road, and a commercial, profit-driven market is the wrong approach to take," he said. The Boston Globe has the story.  If you want to see the full report of the Special Committee, you can find it here.