Question 6 establishes a Nature for All Fund that, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, would receive state taxes collected from the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses. The funds would be used for a broad range of conservation efforts. It is estimated that these funds could be $100 million per year. Funding for this proposal relies on existing revenues that are currently allocated to other ongoing programs and priorities. Passage of this measure would require that other state programs be cut and reallocated to this new conservation fund. Spending from the fund would be determined by a new 15-person commission appointed mostly by the Governor.
This ballot measure is additional to the existing state grant process that will continue to award and allocate hundreds of millions of dollars annually to qualified conservation projects in municipalities and non-profit entities. It is also additional to the recently enacted $3.2 Billion Environmental Bond Bill which was designed to meet the major funding requests of the environmental and conservation community. The conservation fund is a new additional fund.
Proponents assert that this new conservation fund will add more money that will improve water quality, air quality, conserve forests, improve greenspace and many other conservation related efforts.
Opponents contend that cutting existing state programs for this new fund will harm people who rely on them– jeopardizing housing assistance, food subsidies, addiction harm reduction strategies, and healthcare services. They also argue that spending priorities should remain with elected representatives rather than a newly created commission primarily accountable to conservation interests.
I am an avid conservationist and support all the proposed uses of this proposal. I also know that state budget cuts come from groups that do not have a loud voice in the Statehouse–the elderly, the sick, the undernourished, and children. The sponsors of this ballot measure have assets in the billions of dollars. They need to fund this initiative without taking money from the MA safety net.
Vote NO on Question 6.
– Art Desloges
Desloges is a Town Meeting member representing Precinct 15.