Issue Position: Environmental Protection

Issue Position

Along with income inequality and racial justice, addressing climate change is the issue of our time. Endorsed by the Environmental League of Massachusetts for his tireless work on environmental issues, Dave has made environmental advocacy central to his work as your legislator. He strongly supported and advocated for the increase in the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and the push for offshore wind. In fact, Massachusetts is now poised to lead on offshore wind with up to 3200 megawatts (Mw) approved, the first 800 Mw of which is the Vineyard Wind project. To put this in perspective, 3200 Mw is enough offshore wind to power 1.6 Million homes and create many well-paying green jobs. Dave also successfully pushed for major increases in funding for environmental protection; and just recently sponsored a multi-state offshore wind procurement legislation.

This Bill will explore options to cooperatively procure additional offshore wind power with the other New England states. It will control energy costs through new utility-scale renewable energy projects; dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased offshore wind; and prepare Massachusetts for an influx in new energy service jobs.

With his work experience in the green energy sector and at the EPA always in mind, he will continue to be a vigorous champion of environmental causes.

Dave is seeking another term as your Representative because he feels our State has unfinished business with regard to controlling healthcare costs. Having previously served on the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, he has continually supported expanded health insurance rights, and have formed the necessary relationships and skills to find solutions to this vital issue. He has co-sponsored single payer legislation, as well as introduced the "Cover All Kids" legislation, which would give health care rights to undocumented children. Everyone deserves the right to make their own choices for their body, and Dave will continue to fight to ensure that everyone receives the proper coverage they need, no matter their choice. Dave is proud to have supported the Advancing Contraception Coverage and Economic Security in our State, or ACCESS Bill. He is particularly pleased to have co-sponsored this bill, which goes even further than the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which allowed health insurance companies to choose one form of contraception to cover within each of the 18 categories. The ACCESS bill requires coverage of nearly all FDA approved contraceptives, with no cost sharing with consumers. With this legislation, most Massachusetts women will be protected from whatever action the Trump administration takes on repealing birth control coverage.

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