SAFE 2.0 Returns to the Legislature

 

Last week, Governor Baker returned the SAPHE 2.0 Act to the legislature with changes that significantly weaken the bill. His proposed amendment would make minimum public health standards optional for municipalities, undermining the purpose of the legislation, which is to protect all residents by creating minimum standards for every community. The bill is now in front of the legislature, which is holding informal sessions. MPHA and our partners are urging the legislature to reject the amendment and send the bill back to the governor's desk. Stay tuned for opportunities to take action in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support of this key health equity measure, which will ensure that ALL Massachusetts residents benefit from public health protections!

Public Health & Equity Wins in the FY23 Budget

 

On July 28, Governor Baker signed the legislature’s FY23 state budget, a $52.7 billion spending plan that allocated funding for several health equity priorities. These include:

 

  • $15M to support local and regional boards of health, 
  • $96.5M to support Regional Transit Authorities’ operations and flexible fare pilot programs, 
  • $150M for the Rental Assistance for Families in Transition program, including an annual benefit cap of $10,000 (up from $7,000) and a requirement of a Notice to Quit or court summons,
  • $154M for the MA Rental Voucher Programs, including language to set the tenant rent share at 30% of a household’s monthly adjusted income, and
  • Language maintaining funding for chronic disease prevention through the Mass in Motion program.  


Thanks to all of you who took action to make these successes possible! Together, we are making important strides towards our goal of achieving health equity across the Commonwealth.

MPHA Endorses Fair Share Amendment


Public health organizations from across Massachusetts, including MPHA, recently announced their endorsement of the Fair Share Amendment, the proposed 4 percent tax on annual incomes above $1M that will appear as Question 1 on the statewide ballot in November. If passed, the measure is expected to raise billions of dollars in tax revenue, which would be dedicated to transportation and public education. “Passing the Fair Share Amendment will improve public health and racial justice across the Commonwealth,” said MPHA’s Carlene Pavlos. “Public transit is a lifeline to jobs, education, healthy food, and medical care. By improving quality and accessibility to public transit services, Question 1 will improve access to these key drivers of health and health equity, while also improving air quality and reducing climate emissions.“ Read the press releaseLearn more about the Fair Share Amendment.

Be a Public Health Voter!


The results of the 2022 elections in Massachusetts will have far-reaching impacts on public health and health equity in the Commonwealth. With the primary election approaching on September 6 and the general election on November 8, MPHA has created a public health voter checklist to help voters learn about the critical public health and equity issues facing our state. We encourage all registered voters to ask candidates for elected office about their positions on these important questionsLearn more.

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Massachusetts Public Health Association
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