House of Representatives Passes $10.9 Billion Transportation and Infrastructure Bill

Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to unanimously pass a transportation and infrastructure bill authorizing $10.9 billion for projects, including $400 million for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to address ongoing safety concerns identified by the Federal Transit Administration’s Safety Management Inspection, $250 million for the East-West…

House of Representatives Passes $3.82 Billion Bill For COVID-19 Needs

Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to unanimously pass its spending proposal utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) surplus funds. Funded at $3.82 billion, the bill addresses disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to facilitate recovery through one-time investments in housing, environment…

House of Representatives Passes Landmark Climate Change Bill

Yesterday, I voted with my colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass landmark climate legislation that overhauls the state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities. The bill, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (S.2995), sets a 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions…

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Balanced FY2021 Budget

Last week, I voted along with my colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget, which invests in programs and services across the Commonwealth. Funded at $46.2 billion, the budget aims to address the sweeping effects of the global pandemic by making targeted investments in housing, food security, and substance use…

Rockport Awarded $183,000 Green Communities Grant

Cape Ann’s survival as a community depends on us to be good stewards of our natural environment. Rising sea levels could submerge homes and prevent public safety officers from responding to emergencies. Increasing water temperatures could inhibit our ability to harvest from the sea. Climbing atmospheric temperatures may increase the likelihood of respiratory issues.  Confronting…

Ferrante Outlines House’s 2019-2020 Session Progress

During the ongoing Massachusetts 191st General Court’s 2019-2020 session – which has been extended through action taken by the Legislature – the House of Representatives has passed emergency legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as major legislation relating to education, transportation, and climate change. Following a decisive vote in July to extend the…

House Passes Climate Change Legislation

Last week, I proudly joined my colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation building on the House’s continued commitment to address the effects of climate change by requiring the Commonwealth to achieve net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  An Act Creating a 2050 Roadmap to a Clean and Thriving Commonwealth (H. 4933)…

E-vehicle rebate program gets lifeline

On Tuesday, the Legislature’s Transportation Committee heard testimony on several bills aimed at expanding use of electric cars. One proposal, backed by Reps. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, and Lenny Mirra, R-West Newbury, would reauthorize the rebate program for low-emission and electric vehicle purchases up to $75,000 and create a new rebate offering a $400 discount on…