Senator Susan Tucker and Representative Barbara L’Italien named Public Interest Heroes
MASSPIRG Releases Legislative Report on 2005-2006 Session
Boston – MASSPIRG, the statewide, nonprofit, public interest advocacy organization, today commended Senator Susan Tucker and Representative Barbara L’Italien for high scores in the organization’s Legislative Report on the 2005-2006 Legislative Session. The report, released Monday, indicates how Representatives and Senators stood on a variety of MASSPIRG-endorsed public interest bills during the last session. The bills scored promoted more energy efficient appliances, reduced the use of toxics in the Commonwealth, preserved our public parks, and protected consumer from identity theft, among other public interest issues.
“Senator Tucker and Representative L’Italien have shown real leadership as advocates for the public interest, for consumers, and for the environment,” said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG’s Legislative Director.
Out of the 160 members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 40 Representatives earned perfect 9/9, or near perfect 8/9 scores on the major public interest issues highlighted by the advocacy organization. In the Senate, 15 members out of 40 achieved a perfect or near perfect score.
“Led by public interest heroes like Senator Tucker and Representative L’Italien, the Massachusetts legislature took some strong steps in favor of the public interest this year by passing legislation to improve energy efficiency, reduce mercury in our environment, and hold Big Tobacco accountable for household fires caused by cigarettes,” continued Cummings. “Unfortunately, siding with many special interests, the 184th General Court voted to expedite permitting at the expense of environmental protection, failed to cut global warming pollution, and failed to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth from the dangers of identity theft.”
Since the legislature only votes on a fraction of bills filed every session, the report includes not only roll call votes but also whether or not lawmakers cosponsored or endorsed legislation at the top of MASSPIRG’s priority list.
“We applaud Senator Tucker and Representative L’Italien for standing up for the public interest, consistently voting to strengthen our environmental laws, move us toward a new energy future, and protect the rights of Massachusetts consumers,” Cummings concluded.
To review the legislative report, please visit www.masspirg.org
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