On a snowy Monday, Rep. Ruth Balser’s colleagues and environmental allies gathered in the State House Library to celebrate her success in passing the Public Lands Preservation Act, after leading the effort for nearly quarter of a century. Former Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill into law on November 17. Joining her in hosting the event was Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), her State Senate partner in the bill’s passage. (See video.)
Rep. Balser opened the program by reading Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which guarantees Massachusetts residents clean air, clean water, and open space — now reinforced by the Public Lands Protection Act. Recalling her introduction to the Legislature, Rep. Balser noted that she and the late State Representative Marie Parente agreed on few things but were a united force on the preservation of public lands at a time when they were considered desirable sites for new school construction. Rep. Balser explained that in the late 1990s, public money funded new schools rather than upgrading existing schools, and public land was a magnet for developers. Another unlikely ally in the fight to preserve public land was Republican Governor Paul Cellucci, who promoted the “No Net Loss” approach, which would permit the taking of public land only if it were replaced by open space of equal quality and value. For more than two decades, Rep. Balser — and for the last fourteen years, State Senator Eldridge — submitted legislation and lobbied colleagues to protect public land.
Finally, when Rep. Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) was elected House Speaker in 2020, Rep. Balser’s victory was assured. Joining others who credited Rep. Balser with “persistence” and commitment, Speaker Mariano said, “No one works harder on things she believes in,” telling the audience her argument — that public land should be protected or replaced if were to be used for some other purpose — made complete sense to him and to Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, House Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, who signed on as a crucial ally. For legislators representing urban communities, Rep. Balser’s Pubic Lands Preservation Act protects open green space where options are minimal compared with suburban and rural areas.
Among the 100 people gathered to celebrate were several Newton residents, including City Councilor Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association; and Marcia Cooper, president of Green Newton, as well as some of its members.
