Greenhouse gas curbs advance to state Senate
Gore urged House OK
The Massachusetts House gave preliminary approval yesterday to a bill that would sharply curb greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
The measure has moved to the Senate for final approval. Aides said Patrick may sign it into law as early as today.
The proposed law would require that the emissions, which scientists say are causing global warming, be reduced from 1990 levels by as much as 25 percent by 2020. It also calls for a reduction of 80 percent by 2050. The bill provides fines of as much as $25,000 a day for violations.
"Now is the time to take action," said Representative Frank Smizik, chairman of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture. He warned his colleagues that without action, the state's climate would soon feel like South Carolina's. The bill passed unanimously on a 154-to-0 vote.
Former vice president Al Gore wrote a letter last week urging the House to act.
More than 100 representatives signed a letter to House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi supporting the bill.
The business community has opposed the bill.
The redrafted bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and to be signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick.
The gas emissions bill was one of a number of actions taken by lawmakers yesterday as they wind down their business before a summer recess.
Hoping to give shoppers a break and to boost retail sales, Patrick signed the sales tax holiday into law yesterday. The move will suspend the 5 percent tax for many items Aug. 16 to 17.
Patrick said he was glad the state could give people a break in time for back-to-school purchases. "We hope it stimulates all sorts of sales activity during what is otherwise a slow time of year," he said in a statement.
The sales tax will be suspended for purchases up to $2,500 not including meals, telecommunications services, tobacco products, gas, steam, electricity, motor vehicles, and motorboats.
Also yesterday, the House made a technical change in a bill allowing gays who live in other states to marry in Massachusetts. The change allows gays to marry here immediately rather than after 90 days.
The move was made one day after members voted to repeal a 1913 law that blocked such marriages.
The House gave final approval to the bill yesterday and attached an emergency preamble to let it take effect as soon as it is signed by the governor. Most bills must wait 90 days before becoming law.
In other action, a bipartisan House committee recommended lawmakers use identification cards to cast their votes.
DiMasi introduced the new, secure voting system after members were caught letting others vote for them, including one who was in the Virgin Islands at the time of a vote.
Material from the Associated Press and the State House News Service was used in this report. 