Clean Air CashBack is a simple idea: reduce pollution and return money directly to residents. Our 2026 campaign is working to place a non-binding public policy question on the ballot in Massachusetts House districts so voters can tell their representative whether they support this approach.
Step 1: Put a fee on pollution
The policy idea starts with a fee on the carbon content of fossil fuels. The goal is to make polluting fuels cost more accurately reflect their environmental impact and encourage cleaner choices over time.
Step 2: Return the money to residents
Instead of keeping the proceeds in a general fund, the proposal would return the proceeds directly to residents as monthly Clean Air CashBack payments. Your materials emphasize this direct, monthly payment framing because it is easier for voters to understand and connects clearly to family budgets.
Step 3: Let voters weigh in
This year’s effort is a non-binding district ballot question. That means it does not create a new law by itself, but it does give voters a direct way to tell their state representative whether they want support for this kind of legislation.
Step 4: Collect signatures in each district
To get the question on the ballot, supporters must gather signatures from registered voters in the relevant legislative district. For a Massachusetts House district, at least 200 certified signatures are required, though campaigns typically collect more to account for invalid or uncertified signatures.
Step 5: File the certified petitions
Petition blanks are released in April of the election year. After signatures are gathered, they must be certified by local election officials and then filed with the Elections Division by the first Wednesday in August.
What happens if voters approve it?
The result would still be advisory, not binding. But a strong yes vote would send a clear message to the district’s representative that constituents want legislation to reduce pollution and return proceeds directly to residents.
Why this approach?
Your campaign materials describe carbon pricing as a well-established, market-based policy tool that can reduce greenhouse gas pollution while preserving flexibility. The updated 2026 language also makes the concept more concrete by emphasizing pollution, direct payments to residents, and monthly CashBack.
How you can help
You can help by signing the petition if you are eligible, volunteering to collect signatures, sharing events, and helping explain the proposal to neighbors. The campaign is aiming to expand beyond the smaller 2022 effort with broader outreach, more volunteers, and more districts.