Massachusetts environmental health coalition lining up co-sponsors for key legislation

The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow (AHT) is mobilizing its supporters to line up co-sponsors for legislation in Massachusetts, which will create a program to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. 

In this economy, this bill is needed more than ever. The Safer Alternatives program created by this legislation will help Massachusetts businesses stay competitive on the global market, which is rapidly moving towards a demand for safer products and services. The program will be funded by a fee on toxic chemicals brought into the state primarily by out-of-state firms. We can act now to begin a positive, pragmatic program that will create healthy residents and a healthy economy.

Massachusetts residents are urged to call their legislators and encourage them to co-sponsor the legislation.  To reach a Representative, call 617-722-2000.  Senators can be reached at 617-722-1455.

Representatives Kaufman (lead sponsor), Brownsberger, Fresolo, Kafka, and Provost have already signed on to sponsor the legislation, “An Act for a Competitive Economy Through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals.” The Senate bill has been sponsored by Senators Tolman (lead sponsor), Brown, Hart, Joyce, and Tucker.

An earlier version of this bill passed the Senate unanimously on Jan. 29, 2008 but was not brought up for a vote in the House before the 2007-2008 legislative session ended, despite widespread support. Eighty-five Representatives signed a letter last spring requesting that the bill come up for a vote and others showed their support in other ways. As the new legislative session begins, the bill must again start over at the beginning of the legislative process. AHT is hopeful that the support gained last year will make a big difference as we move forward this year.

For more information about how to get involved, contact Elizabeth Saunders at esaunders@cleanwater.org.