LETTER: Barrett Would Be Environmental Champion

To the Editor:

I've dedicated my life to environmental protection. From 1995 until my retirement in 2009, I was Lecturer on Environmental Science and Public Policy at Harvard College and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at the Kennedy School. 

I also served as Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs under Governor Mike Dukakis. During my tenure, Mike Barrett was a State Senator from Cambridge. I'm delighted he's now running for the Senate seat in the 3rd Middlesex District, including this town. 

Mike Barrett is not only deeply committed to protecting the environment. He has the proven ability to get things done in the Senate from the minute he walks up the State House steps.

Elected president of his incoming class of freshman representatives in 1979, Mike co-founded and chaired the House’s first "Environmental Caucus." He served as lead House sponsor of our state's Hazardous Waste Superfund proposal. After his election to the State Senate in 1986, he became chief sponsor of our landmark Toxic Use Reduction Act.

Honoring Barrett, the Environmental Lobby of Massachusetts gave him its Special Achievement Award -- tantamount to Legislator of the Year. 

In this race, Barrett's the only candidate who’s argued from the first for a modest increase in the gas tax. This takes courage. Mike believes -- and I agree -- that a small levy on carbon-based products will discourage over-consumption of fossil fuels and help Massachusetts mitigate the effects of climate change. Mike proposes that we use gas tax revenues collected within the MBTA service area to preserve T service, while using revenues collected elsewhere to pay for local road and bridge projects.

We have a chance to do more than elect someone who will cast a good vote. We have a chance to elect an environmental champion to the State Senate. Please support Mike.

James Hoyte
Former Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs
565 Marrett Road, Lexington