Mass Lawmakers Should Leave Climate to Higher Authority [OPINION]

The Massachusetts Legislature, which has proven to be woefully inadequate in dealing with such mundane issues as school funding, road and bridge repairs, ethics reform and tax reduction, has decided to launch a full-scale assault on climate change. Climate change?

Whatever your view on climate change (I happen to think it's the greatest fraud to be perpetrated on the public since  "The Emperor's New Clothes" or perhaps even Obamacare), you have to admit it's the last thing our overpaid and underworked state lawmakers ought to be concerning themselves with. Hey, how about the potholes all over the place?

The Legislature has managed to give itself three pay raises in two years and has propelled Governor Charlie to the distinguished rank of highest compensated governor in the U.S. of A. Quite a feat, no doubt, but what the hell do they know about climate change and don't they have more important things to do? Isn't Al Gore already handling this?

Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton), who chairs this thing called the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, is leading the charge:

"In light of the new scientific reports, the time has come to implement key policies that we know will provide climate solutions. There is no time to waste," Pacheco said Thursday.

Dude, what about funding for a new bridge? Seriously, what about those potholes?

The Massachusetts Legislature has become the legislative arm of all things special interest including the environmentalists. The "New Year's Resolution" signed by dozens of members of the legislature is a pledge to support a variety of climate solutions, including net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. What it will mean to you is extremely expensive and unreliable energy for the future.

This is socialism and government overreach and should be rejected by the voters. Massachusetts is hemorrhaging population (taxpayers) while experiencing a two-fold increase in the number of people coming here from other countries. Is there any question about why that is?

Our lawmakers need to get back to the work we elect them to do and let someone of a higher authority worry about the climate.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.