ACTION ALERT (UPDATE): State Senate passed bill to supersede ballot Question 1 on public records

I hope you had a good weekend! This is Act on Mass Organizing Director Isabel Harper. I just wanted to ping your inbox to give an update on my S.3200 action alert last week.

Alas, this bill limiting ballot Question 1 passed the Senate 34-6, with only one Democrat breaking ranks with leadership (thank you Senator Mark Montigny!) to oppose the bill. Not only that, but amendments 7 and 9, which would have included legislator communications as a public record and strengthened the judicial review sections, were voted down without a recorded vote.

You may be asking, does this mean Question 1 will no longer be on the ballot this November? No: Question 1 will still be on the ballot. The public will get our chance to vote to apply the state's existing public records law to the legislature. 

However, if this bill makes it through conference committee as it currently stands, it contains language that could supersede the ballot question, replacing it with a framework to only provide access to 19 types of records (which, as we noted last week, are largely already public.) The impact of these two divergent provisions in MA general laws could set up a legal fight. 

But, just because the Senate is kicking their feet up for a recess (after doing all the hard work of passing just 14 statewide policy bills) that doesn’t mean we are! Here are the actions we are taking in response to these bills this week.

1.  Coming to one of our two legislator phone-a-thons on TOMORROW (8/5) at 12:00pm and 7:00pm.

Last week, Act on Mass staff and volunteers hopped on a Zoom call to discuss concerns with this bill, and called our Senators alongside others, making the process easier, more supportive, and more impactful. We plan to host 2 calls at the same time again TOMORROW (8/5 at 12:00pm and 7:00pm) to either thank our Senators for their ‘no’ vote, or let them know what their ‘yes’ vote means for Question 1. These calls are a space to share tips and encouragement, debrief after calls, and build power at the grassroots. Register here.

If you can't make it tomorrow but still want to make a call, here is a fact sheet on the bill and some sample scripts.

2.  Emailing our Senators using this form.

3.  Attending a canvass for one of our endorsed candidates:

Ultimately, the best way to show dissatisfaction with your legislators’ voting record is at the ballot box. This weekend (August 8-9th) our ally 350 Mass is hosting canvasses for two of our endorsed candidates: Alison Leary and Daniel Lander . You can register here. We hope to see you there!

For more background, see our S.3200 fact sheet, last week's action alert, and our S.3200 Action Guide. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!