I am proud to be voting “Yes” on Question 6, which has been endorsed by the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance and Governor Maura Healey, as well as many groups such as Mass Audubon, the Nature Conservancy, and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.
By dedicating revenues from the existing sales tax on sporting goods to protecting water and nature, Question 6 would ensure that spending on parks and open space would be given a higher priority in the state budget.
At a time when climate change poses greater challenges and the federal government is rolling back environmental protection, Massachusetts needs to invest more in clean water, nature, forests, and open space. By most measures, Massachusetts ranks far behind other states for spending on parks. Question 6 would boost spending and help make clean water and open space available to all.
Question 6 sets up a public oversight board to monitor how the dedicated revenue would be spent. This is a “good government” measure to ensure public accountability. The revenue could be used to finance open space and environmental projects in Brookline.
Please join me in voting Yes on 6. It’s good for Massachusetts, and good for Brookline.
Sean Lynn-Jones, President, Brookline GreenSpace Alliance