Legislative News

Massachusetts Legislative Alert!  Stop Predatory Casino Bill - take action now! There is plenty of time to get the Grange Community mobilized to support our Legislative Policy as stated in our book. Call or write Governor Patrick, House Speaker DeLeo and your state legislators and demand that you have a voice in this vital debate over our future.  Casino gambling may be fun for some people, but it does nothing to support family and fraternity, and there is absolutely nothing "Rural" about a resort destination casino. Click here for the facts about casinos. Click here for a list of Legislators and their contact information     Legislative Policies adopted by the Massachusetts State Grange are now available by clicking the PDF link below.   Massachusetts State Grange Legislative Policies

Office of Representative Carolyn C. Dykema   October 31, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Leah Robins, Legislative Aide Office of Representative Carolyn Dykema (617) 722-2210 leah.robins@state.ma.us Representative Dykema Addresses Grange Convention Boston, MA - Representative Carolyn C. Dykema addressed the 137th annual Massachusetts State Grange Convention on October 23, 2009, speaking of the need to support the agriculture economy in the Commonwealth.  “Local farming is part of our history and our future. We need to work for policy that balances our need for housing and development with our need to protect a sustainable and safe food supply,” Representative Dykema told farmers assembled at the Doubletree Hotel in Milford . “As demand for locally grown products increases, it’s even more important that the voice of agriculture is heard at the State House,” said Dykema whose comments were followed by those of Scott Soares, Commissioner of the Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources. Rep. Dykema is a member of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. She recently submitted testimony in opposition to a bill that would open the door to increased local regulation of farms and make it more difficult for farms to remain economically viable. The National Grange is the nation's oldest general farm and rural public interest organization.  The Massachusetts State Grange was founded in 1873.  Grange members provide service to agriculture and rural communities on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation.

Ag Tag License Plate Update From: Rick LeBlanc Website & Ag-tourism Program Coordinator Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources Since mid-November, we have sold only about 50 plates, which is a far-cry from where we need to be to sell 1,500 by August. In round numbers, we have to sell 1,200 in 26 weeks, or an average of 46 each week.We have heard that some organizations don’t feel it’s worth their while to undertake these sales. We have heard that we would sell more if the plates could be used on commercial vehicles. We have heard that the plates are too expensive.While we can’t change the Registry’s rules regarding commercial vehicles and prices, we are talking about ways to increase the incentives to sell and will announce our plans shortly. But the reality may well be that most people don’t think the ag plates are a good idea.We think that having a steady revenue stream outside the state budget would ensure money for your agricultural programs even in the bad times. This would be good for the ag groups. We also believe that people beyond agriculture will buy this plate because it is “cute,” but we cannot sell plates without the participation of the many growers, groups and ag advocates out there.So we are sounding the alarm today. If you agree with us and would like to establish funding for agriculture that cannot be cut by the state, these plates are the way to do it. Will you help? Contact Mary Greendale, 508-429-2813 or mgreendale@yahoo.com. Click here for updates and more information. To read more of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Farm & Market Report Vol. 85, No. 1, February / March go to this link http://www.mass.gov/agr/news/fmr/2008/1_feb_march.htm#ag%20day Warren Chamberlain Legislative Director Massachusetts State Grange 508-429-5458

Click on the link below for information on purchasing Massachusetts Agriculture license plates Massachusetts Agriculture License Plate

FROM THE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR The legislative director of the Massachusetts State Grange is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the legislative affairs of the members of the Massachusetts Grange in conjunction with the National Grange at the level of our federal government and the legislative affairs at both the State and local level.   Part of that responsibly is to ascertain the primary concerns of the Massachusetts Grange members and the concerns of our neighbors and fellow residents of our Commonwealth and our local communities.  Of particular concern are issues that affect the quality of life for rural and suburban families and their communities and to act as a voice or a channel of communications for that voice with the elected and appointed members of our national, state and local governments.  The second part of that responsibility is to maintain a vigilant eye and ear to pending legislation that might be of special concern to Grange members, to encourage them to employ the Grange meetings as a forum for discussion and debate on these issues and help them formulate resolutions to be submitted to the state and national Granges. The programs of the Lecturers in each Grange can be very instrumental in achieving this purpose also, so it is highly recommended that a collaborative association between the subordinate Lecturer and the Legislative and Agriculture committee chairmen be fostered. At the National level the Grange has developed an extensive program that is available to interested Grange members through the legislative committee chairman of your Subordinate or Pomona Grange.  The priority issues and topics of this manual are summed up in the Blue Print for Rural America. 1. Extend prosperity in US Agriculture to family farmers and ranchers. 2. Reform eminent domain authority. 3. Expand rural telecommunications services. 4. Achieve energy security. 5. Improve quality and availability of health care. Other areas of concern to Grangers and our rural neighbors, besides agricultural issues, are citizenship and public affairs, conservation of natural resources (including energy resources) education & health, labor & judicial, taxation & transportation. Copies of the National Grange Legislative Policies and Grassroots Training Manual are available   from the legislative director by sending an email to  legislation@massgrange.org  An electronic copy of this document is also available by clicking on the pdf file:  (this is a large file and may take several minutes to open) 2009 Policy Book  We are also in the process of updating and making our new 2008 Massachusetts State Legislative Policy book available as an electronic document that can be downloaded by any Granger who may have need of it. In order to help us continue to develop this handbook and be able to continue to edit and update it in the future, all members are encouraged to communicate to the state Legislative Director, what you consider to be the three most important social and political issues our community faces today and what legislation you think would be appropriate to address those issues.  If you have any issues or concerns you are welcome to call me at 508-429-5458. Warren Chamberlain Legislative Director Massachusetts State Grange 508-429-5458

Archived Legislative Material Testimony to the Massachusetts Senate and House Joint Agriculture Committee  Governor's Pledge to Aid Dairy Farmers  Testimony to MA Department AG Resources 2007  Writing Grange Resolutions