*The following is just a guideline, if you are calling during office hours there will be another person on the other end of the line so remember that this might have to change a little bit!*

Hi _____! Thank you for all that you’re doing for the people of Massachusetts, myself included. My name is ____, and I'm calling you in the hopes of getting your support for HD. 4963, an Act Regarding Decarceration and COVID-19.

This bill is important to me because as videos across the internet are surfacing of the treatment of incarcerated people during this pandemic and its downright inhumane, our jobs during this pandemic is to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the commonwealth and that includes people in prisons.

We hope that you will support this bill because as an elected offical you have an obligation to do what's best for your constituents, this is what is best for them. Incarcerated people are too often overlooked on issues like this and it's time we pay attention. They're people too. There are 170 positive COVID-19 tests at prisons and jails, we are putting more people at risk in these institutions than would be in danger if high risk prisoners were let out on parole.

(Explain why this bill is important -his is the time for you to bring in facts, personal anecdotes of either your story or that of people you know, or anything else, in order to kindly guilt-trip our legislators)

I’m also calling you today in support of HD. 4939, An Act Establishing a COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Regional Transportation Authorities. We believe in the importance of access to reliable public transportation. It’s absolutely essential that our transportation systems stay afloat during this crisis. Without public transportation, many low-income members of our community may not have ways to reach their jobs, supermarkets, etc.

(Explain why this bill is important -his is the time for you to bring in facts, personal anecdotes of either your story or that of people you know, or anything else, in order to kindly guilt-trip our legislators)

We’re also calling you in support of H.D 4950, An Act Providing Emergency Access to Equity and Justice for all in response to COVID-19 that will create a portal through which those in need could register for financial assistance. Small businesses would be eligible for grants up to $50,000 and anyone who reports that they do not have access to affordable medical care is immediately eligible for MassHealth. This bill is important to me because EX...it focuses on equity, justice, and accessibility, and supports the people most affected by COVID-19 by giving them financial assistance.We believe it’s important that you support this bill in order to give aid to those who need it most during this crisis.

(Explain why this bill is important -his is the time for you to bring in facts, personal anecdotes of either your story or that of people you know, or anything else, in order to kindly guilt-trip our legislators)

Another incredibly important bill that I want you to support is HD.4926, An Act Establishing the COVID-19 Quarantine Assistance Fund. This act would provide financial assistance to those who are temporarily or permanently unemployed due to the effects of COVID-19, such as the mandated self-distancing or falling ill.

(Explain why this bill is important -his is the time for you to bring in facts, personal anecdotes of either your story or that of people you know, or anything else, in order to kindly guilt-trip our legislators)
 
Lastly, we want to ask you to support bill HD. 5031, An Act Providing Hazard Pay for Essential Workers in the COVID-19 Emergency. This bill will insure that all essential workers whose jobs center around COVID-19 work are paid extra, due to the danger they are putting themselves in. It would also make sure that workers can not be punished for refusing to risk their lives.”                                                                                                                                                       This bill is important to me because...EX. healthcare workers have died because they put their patient’s lives before their own, and they, and others like them should be honored for this, not harmed. You should support this bill because it is necessary in order to protect the rights of essential workers and to show our support for them as they put their lives at risk.

*Thank them again, and respectfully pressure them into supporting the bills and pledge* (ex: Again, thank you so much for your time and all that you do for the people of Massachusetts. I hope that I can count on you to protect the rights of all the people in this state, and to make Massachusetts a safer, more just, and more democratic state).    

Hello, my name is _______ . I live in _____________ so I’m a constituent of [respective legislator] _____________ . I am speaking on behalf ___________ [your org, e.g. Boston Climate Strike], a member of the new MA Youth Climate Coalition. Thousands of us are taking to the cloud next week to fight climate change and us youth led climate organizations agree that legislators must match their extraordinary leadership on COVID-19 with unprecedented climate action to protect our future.

[If someone picks up, do this! If a VM, skip!]
I’m concerned about ________ sharing an experience or concern you’ve had with regard to climate change especially where you live (for example, increased pollution in your area, concerns about your future, flood or drought predictions, etc).

I want [legislator] _____________ to address the climate crisis by supporting 3 critical pieces of legislation:
Strict emissions limits that get us to 100% Renewable energy by 2045 (H.2836)
Strong, specific corporate polluter fees to equitably fund a just transition to a green economy (H.2810)
Protections for Environmental Justice, Frontline and Labor communities (H.4264)
Boston Climate Strike is also prioritizing ____________

Your office will receive an email with these bill numbers but if you have any follow questions reach us at _________________.  We hope ________________ [legislator] you’re listening, because we are watching.

[If someone picks up, do this! If VM, skip]

Are you familiar with these bills? [based on their response read them any of these]:

H.2836 that set a goal of 70% greenhouse gas reductions economy wide by 2030, zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2040 and net negative emissions thereafter; all RPS and emissions caps must align with this target.  This bill was reffered to the Joint Committee of Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy - chaired by Senator Barrett and Representative Golden, we urge that the [respective legislator] push the Representative Golden and Senator Barrett to support the bill - pushing them to help garner support for it within members of the Joint Committee of Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
H.2810 is a strong, equitable carbon price that protects low and moderate-income communities while applying a strict carbon fee to MA polluters pushing us towards our necessary goal of a 100% renewable energy. It installs rebates that ensure that the fossil fuel industry, not taxpayers, provide at least 50% of funds for a just transition. It is currently stuck in the Joint Committee of Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy - chaired by Senator Barrett and Representative Golden, we urge that the [respective legislator] push the Representative Golden and Senator Barrett to support the bill - pushing them to help garner support for it within members of the Joint Committee of Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
H.4264 is a strong environmental justice bill that will reinforce the value established by MYCC’s work and that of the Green Justice Coalition and other EJ and Labor organizations especially by adopting their definitions of EJ. The bill was favorably voted out of the the Joint Committee of Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy is currently in the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture - chaired Senator Gobi and Representative Pignatelli, we urge that the [respective legislator] push Senator Gobi and Representative Pignatelli to support the bill - pushing them to help garner support for it within members of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

This MA Youth Climate Coalition policy principle document was created in response to the senate policy package that was framed in the interest of the “youth” yet did not follow the specific demands we’ve been advocating for via strikes, art builds and actions - it explicitly states what youth-led climate organizations in MA expect and demand of the legislature, we hope[respective legislator] you’re listening, because we are watching.

*The following is just a guideline, if you are calling during office hours there will be another person on the other end of the line so remember that this might have to change a little bit!*

Hi _____! Thank you for all that you’re doing for the people of Massachusetts, myself included. My name is ____, and I'm calling you in the hopes of getting your support for HD. 4963, An Act Regarding Decarceration and COVID-19.

This bill is important to me because as videos across the internet are surfacing of the treatment of incarcerated people during this pandemic and its downright inhumane, our jobs during this pandemic is to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the commonwealth and that includes people in prisons.

We hope that you will support this bill because as an elected offical you have an obligation to do what's best for your constituents, this is what is best for them. Incarcerated people are too often overlooked on issues like this and it's time we pay attention. They're people too. There are 170 positive COVID-19 tests at prisons and jails, we are putting more people at risk in these institutions than would be in danger if high risk prisoners were let out on parole.

I’m also calling you today in support of HD. 4939, An Act Establishing a COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Regional Transportation Authorities. We believe in the importance of access to reliable public transportation. It’s absolutely essential that our transportation systems stay afloat during this crisis. Without public transportation, many low-income members of our community may not have ways to reach their jobs, supermarkets, etc.

We’re also calling you in support of H.D4950, An Act Providing Emergency Access to Equity and Justice for all in response to COVID-19. This bill would create a portal through which those in need could register for financial assistance. Small businesses would be eligible for grants up to $50,000 and anyone who reports that they do not have access to affordable medical care is immediately eligible for MassHealth. This bill focuses on equity, justice, and accessibility, and supports the people most affected by COVID-19 by giving them financial assistance.

Another incredibly important bill that I want you to support is H.4926, An Act Establishing the COVID-19 Quarantine Assistance Fund. This act would provide financial assistance to those who are temporarily or permanently unemployed due to the effects of COVID-19, such as the mandated self-distancing or falling ill.
(Explain why this bill is important -his is the time for you to bring in facts, personal anecdotes of either your story or that of people you know, or anything else, in order to kindly guilt-trip our legislators into the)
 
Lastly, we want to ask you to support bill HD. 5031.                                                      
(Summarize the bill)
Ex: “This bill will insure that all essential workers whose jobs center around COVID-19 work are paid extra, due to the danger they are putting themselves in. It would also make sure that workers can not be punished for refusing to risk their lives.”                                                                                                                                                       This bill is important to me because…  ex: Incorporate personal stories or examples into this response. Ex: “healthcare workers have died because they put their patient’s lives before their own, and they, and others like them should be honored for this, not harmed. You should support this bill because it is necessary in order to protect the rights of essential workers and to show our support for them as they put their lives at risk.

*Thank them again, and respectfully pressure them into supporting the bills and pledge* (ex: Again, thank you so much for your time and all that you do for the people of Massachusetts. I hope that I can count on you to protect the rights of all the people in this state, and to make Massachusetts a safer, more just, and more democratic state).
 
Sincerely,
*Full Name*
Boston Climate Strike
*email*