Past Achievements

Below are examples of past Alliance achievements, including multiple education events and successful legislative and policy initiatives. For more information, visit the news archives from 2010, and 2009, or visit our blog.

Legislative and Policy Efforts

• Active participant in the Massachusetts Race to the Top Coalition with other business/community organizations in a successful effort to pass education reforms into law and secure substantial federal funding for innovation and turnaround strategies throughout the Commonwealth.
• Active member of the Green Communities Act Coalition, working to protect and uphold the 2008 Green Communities Act- Massachusetts’ landmark energy policy. Additionally, the Alliance has presented official testimony in defense of the Green Communities Act before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy and various other pieces of legislation encouraging the development of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency measures.
• Held a forum featuring Senator Scott Brown (R-MA), EnerNOC CEO Tim Healy, CERES President Mindy Lubber and Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles to discuss federal energy policy and climate change legislation.
• Hosted forums and meetings with both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Capitol to make the business case for protecting EPA Authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and to reinforce our commitment to a Cap and Trade system and a transition to a clean energy economy.
• Provided official testimony before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development in support of the Middle Skills Solutions Act.
• Joined and actively participated in the Coalition to Protect the 40B Affordable Housing Law

Advocacy and Educational Efforts

• Received a 2011 grant from the Barr Foundation to explore climate change solutions by bringing business leaders to the table around local and regional opportunities.
• Advocated for passage of national healthcare reform in 2009-10 that would bring healthcare coverage to all Americans and focus energy on creating healthier families and containing the cost of healthcare for businesses and the entire economy.
• Hosted conversations with Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville, Associate Commissioner for Economic and Workforce Development for the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education David Cedrone, Massachusetts Ways and Means Committee Chair Charley Murphy, charter school and teachers’ union advocates, community leaders, senior executives of higher education institutions and leading businesses.
• Hosted and organized several forums exploring ideas for zero net-energy buildings, building affordable homes throughout Massachusetts, and bridging sustainable and affordable development strategies featuring HYM Investment Group Managing Partner Thomas N. O’Brien, Boston Capital Corporation CEO Jack Manning , Center for American Progress Executive VP Sarah Wartell, U.S. Green Buildings Council COO Chris Smith, Boston Redevelopment Authority Director of Economic Development Brenda McKenzie, Goulston & Storrs attorney David Abromowitz, Beacon Communities Development President Pam Goodman, CHAPA President Aaron Gornstein, and Massachusetts State Representative Tom Conroy.
• Held several forums on strategies for maintaining access to health care, refocusing on healthy outcomes and cost containment. Speakers at past forums have included Tufts Health Plan CEO Jim Roosevelt, Vertex Founder & former CEO Joshua Boger, William Gallagher Associates Chairman & CEO Philip Edmundson, Massachusetts Association of Hospitals CEO Lynn Nicholas, MA Secretary of Housing & Economic Development Greg Bialecki, Massachusetts Secretary of Health & Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, The American Prospect Founder & Co-Editor Robert Kuttner, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center President & CEO Paul F. Levy, Atrius Health President and CEO Dr. Gene Lindsey, and Alkermes President & CEO Richard Pops.