BOSTON — Acknowledging the violence and human suffering plaguing the Sudanese people of Darfur, Gov. Deval Patrick today signed into law a bill ending the state's investment in certain companies that are complicit in genocide in Sudan. The law compliments the sanctions already in place under federal law.
"We want to send a clear signal that we, like so many people around the world, expect swift action to end the suffering of the Sudanese people," said Gov. Patrick. "The Sudanese government must take a strong stand against the genocide in their country, and bring real relief and progress to the people of the region."
"It is in our great tradition to fight for freedom and the dignity of all people," said Lt. Gov. Tim Murray. "Massachusetts is the cradle of the American Revolution; we led the charge for abolition; we played a major role in obtaining women's suffrage; and we stood at the forefront of the civil rights movement. This great history is no accident — it is our legacy and it defines our duty to act in the face of tyranny and genocide. I am so proud that we can join with the dozens of other states and countries choosing to stand up to the Sudanese government on behalf of all those who are suffering."
The legislation, strongly supported by legislative leadership and members, requires the state Pension Reserves and Investment Management board (PRIM) to hire a third party within 90 days to identify companies whose business activities supports the genocide in the Sudan. The law requires divestment from certain companies doing business in Sudan that provide supplies, services or military support to the Sudanese government, have 10 percent or more of their revenue coming from Sudanese oil or mining and are determined to be complicit in the Darfur genocide.
The board will then sell, divest, redeem or withdraw all publicly-traded securities from the identified countries, with benchmarks of 50 percent divestment in six months and full divestment in one year.
"The crisis in Sudan is an international concern, but we can act locally to make a difference in support of the people of Darfur," Sen. Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) said. "By enacting a targeted divestment law, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is doing the right thing and disassociating itself from genocide. Today is a day when we can all be proud that Massachusetts has stood up and taken a stand against genocide. I applaud Gov. Patrick and Lt. Gov. Murray for their leadership on this issue. Without their support from the beginning, we would have had a much more difficult time moving this bill forward."
"I am heartened to see this legislation be signed into law by the Governor," said Rep. Jay Kaufman (D-Lexington). "On both a personal and professional level, I am appalled that we are still faced with nation-states that practice genocide. Today, we are all sending a clear and strong message that the Commonwealth will no longer tolerate nor invest in regimes like the Sudan."
The law allows the Commonwealth to resume investing in the affected companies when U.S. sanctions are lifted.
After graduating from Harvard in 1978, Gov. Patrick worked for a period of time with a United Nations youth training project in the Darfur region of Sudan.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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