Massachusetts

Senate in Massachusetts passes bill curtailing use of plastics including bags, straws

Published

5 days ago

June 22, 2024

BOSTON — The state Senate in Massachusetts has passed a wide-ranging bill curtailing the use of plastics, including barring the purchase of single-use plastic bottles by state agencies.

The bill, approved Thursday, also bans carry-out plastic bags at retailers statewide and require stores to charge 10 cents for recycled paper bags. It also requires straws and plasticware to be available only by request and creates a program to recycle large items like car seats. It now heads to the House.

The move comes as a growing number of states are address concerns about plastics that harm wildlife, pollute waterways and clog landfills. Each day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes, according to the U.N. Environment Programme. People are increasingly breathing, eating and drinking tiny plastic particles.

“This vital legislation is another step forward towards eradicating plastics, a top environmental offender, in our everyday life,” Sen. Michael Rodrigues, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

Environmentalists welcomed the move, which would make Massachusetts the 13th state to pass a plastic bag ban and builds on local initiatives in Massachusetts. Communities representing 70% of the state’s population already have bans.

It also codified an executive order signed last year by Gov. Maura Healey, which she says made Massachusetts the first state to ban the purchase of single-use plastic bottles by state agencies.

“State leaders have chosen to take a big step toward reducing waste and protecting our neighbors and local wildlife from the dangers of excessive plastic usage,” Sierra Club Massachusetts State Political Director Jess Nahigian, said in a statement. “Plastics harm our ecosystems and communities. Cutting down on plastics is a necessary step toward achieving our state climate goals and creating a more sustainable home for future generations of Massachusetts residents.”

But the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, which promotes fiscal responsibility, said the ban is part of a larger trend by the Senate to limit choices for consumers.

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts Top Court Clears Way for Voter Decision on Gig Driver Classification

Published

6 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

Massachusetts Top Court Clears Way for Voter Decision on Gig Driver Classification

Massachusetts’ top court has paved the way for voters to decide the classification of gig drivers for app-based companies such as Uber Technologies and Lyft. On Thursday, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rejected a labor-supported challenge to a proposal backed by an industry coalition to classify these drivers as independent contractors. This classification would grant drivers certain new benefits without recognizing them as legal employees.

According to Reuters, the court will allow a competing ballot measure that aims to permit these drivers to unionize to proceed. The decision arrives just before closing arguments on Friday in an ongoing lawsuit brought by the state’s Democratic attorney general. The lawsuit accuses Uber and Lyft of misclassifying their drivers as contractors rather than employees for several years.

If the industry loses both in court and at the ballot box, Uber and Lyft could face significant changes to their business models. Lawyers representing Uber and Lyft have warned that such changes could force the companies to reduce or even cease operations in Massachusetts. To support the ballot proposal that would solidify drivers’ status as contractors under state law, Uber, Lyft, and app-based delivery services like Instacart and DoorDash have invested millions of dollars.

Read more: Uber Raises Minimum Wage for Drivers in France Amid Gig Economy Regulation

Studies indicate that using contractors can reduce costs for companies by as much as 30% compared to hiring employees. The ballot measure committee Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers, which includes contributions from the four ride-share companies, is also proposing to set an earnings floor for app-based drivers. Additionally, the proposal includes provisions for healthcare stipends, occupational accident insurance, and paid sick leave.

Meanwhile, a separate proposed ballot measure, backed by the Service Employees International Union’s Local 32BJ, seeks voter approval to allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize. This dueling measure highlights the ongoing debate over worker rights and classification in the gig economy.

Source: Reuters

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Massachusetts

Celebrate red, white and blue: Fourth of July fesitvities across Western Massachusetts

Published

13 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

Celebrate red, white and blue: Fourth of July fesitvities across Western Massachusetts

It’s all about the “red, white and blue” on the Fourth of July, celebrating when the Second Continental Congress in 1776 voted on July 2 for independence from Great Britain. It wasn’t until July 4 that delegates from the 13 original colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence.

For the past 248 years, Americans have celebrated the birth of its young country on July 4 with parades, picnics and more, not forgetting the illuminating display of fireworks that started the tradition. It is reported that the practice of setting off fireworks began in Philadelphia on July 4,1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day.

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Massachusetts

Missing infant from Massachusetts found in north Alabama

Published

20 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Missing infant from Massachusetts found in north Alabama

ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A 1-year-old child from Massachusetts was found in the custody of his mother in north Alabama following an alleged abduction case.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), a law enforcement bulletin was issued on Friday by the Fall River Police Department concerning an endangered missing infant.

FRPD stated Genezza Packett, 22, visited her son, who lives in the custody of her aunt, on Thursday. Packett said she was taking her child to a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts but never returned.

Upon further investigation, Packett and the child were believed to be traveling south by car towards Mississippi. Relevant information was relayed to troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division.

At around 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, ALEA troopers located the vehicle on Interstate 59 in Etowah County near Attalla. A traffic stop was conducted a traffic stop and the child was recovered safely. Packett faces pending criminal charges by FRPD in Massachusetts.

“I commend the exceptional collaboration and communication of the Intelligence Analysts within our Fusion Center and our Troopers, along with our counterparts in other states, for their instrumental actions in the safe recovery of a missing 1-year-old child,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor stated in a press release. “Their dedication to duty and quick thinking resulted in the child’s safe recovery which exemplifies the true spirit of law enforcement and demonstrates the necessity of sharing intelligence with both local and state law enforcement partners.”

No further information is available as the investigation is ongoing.

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