Bringing Beacon Hill to You

While things may slow down in the State House come August, the district is in full swing with summer events. The legislative break gives us a chance to reflect and plan for what’s coming.  

This year, the National Conference of State Legislators' annual Legislative Summit was hosted in Boston. This made for an exciting start to August; the city was filled with legislators and other state government officials from across the country.   

I was invited to attend an all-day preconference focusing on election laws on Sunday before the summit commenced. “Election SATs: Security, Accuracy and Transparency,” offered sessions on cybersecurity, funding, cast vote records, campaign finance, election consolidation and post-election audits. It was incredibly informative and a great opportunity to hear from election leaders about the advancements across the country. I look forward to bringing what I learned to our work on the Election Laws Committee.  



Having the NCSL Summit in Boston presented me with a home-field advantage to show off the State House to other officials in town for the event. It always feels good to share my local favorites with those visiting.  

This month, I submitted testimony in support of the Town of Rockland’s charter change. The bill modernizes the language of the town governance document and puts into place important procedures that allow town leadership to govern smoothly when, for instance, turnover on a local board occurs. Rockland officials worked closely with my staff to perfect this local bill, ensuring that it gives Rockland residents a more accountable, effective and efficient local government.  

Another incredible cohort of interns spent the summer working in the office. Over the past few months, these talented students poured their passion and skills into an in-depth research project. On their final day, they presented me with their findings on how states across the country determine and distribute pay for their full-time legislators.  

Throughout the summer, they also attended the intern-only legislative speaker series, which many mentioned was their favorite part about their time in the State House. I always enjoy participating in the talks and sharing my passion for state government with the next generation.  

I find it especially valuable to have interns from the district, who can share their unique perspectives as constituents.  

I thank them for their hard work, creativity and dedication. I wish each of them the best of luck in college and beyond.  

This month, three major state grants were awarded within the district to support education and public health initiatives.  

The City of Quincy received $250,000 from the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative to expand access to high-quality, affordable preschool. I am proud to see Quincy taking advantage of state-funded programs and investing in our youngest learners!  

I am proud to report that Quincy also received a $25,000 grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fund hate crime prevention programs in schools. It is crucial that we educate students on the importance of inclusion and respect. I look forward to seeing how this funding is implemented and its impact on students in our community. 

Bay State Community Services received $280,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Tobacco-Free Community Partnership Program. This funding supports community-driven, racially just initiatives focused on reducing tobacco-related health inequities in Quincy, Brockton, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Stoughton, Avon, and Randolph. This is an earmark I have advocated for, submitting an amendment in the FY2026 budget to increase the amount of money allocated to this public health issue.   

Although the legislature was technically in August recess, constituent needs know no such designation. As one of the most rewarding parts of my work I would like to share some instances from the past month where we were able to provide assistance. 

Constituent Services & District Director, Doreen Bargoot spent the month largely resolving unemployment concerns. This month brought over 30 new unemployment cases from all corners of the district, with many constituents having not received benefits for over two months. With persistence and an unemployment pilot program, nearly half of the cases were resolved; however, new cases continue to roll in. 

While unemployment issues made up the majority of cases, our office was proud to assist constituents with a wide range of other concerns. We worked with the Registry of Motor Vehicles to expedite the reinstatement of a vehicle registration, allowing a constituent to continue driving to work. When notified of debris from a downed light pole after a car accident, we coordinated with the Department of Conservation & Recreation to ensure its prompt removal. We also helped an elderly resident verify the status of their MassHealth benefits and assisted a single mother in restoring her SNAP benefits. 

Whether you're a resident navigating state benefits for the first time, a local business seeking clarity on Department of Revenue matters, or someone in need of urgent assistance, my staff and I are here to help. 

With less excitement in the State House this month, I was able to pop in around the district and attend some meaningful events.    

I had a fantastic visit with the Bizarbot Robotics Team at Holbrook High School. The robot the students built for last season’s competition looked incredible. They demonstrated how it functioned for the competition and the process to design both the physical robot and the program to control it.   

Last year, I secured funding in the state budget to support their work. On this visit, they showed me the upgraded tools and machinery purchased with the funding. They explained that the design-and-build process is more efficient and effective with these new tools. I am always proud to support our future engineers and innovators.    

Naturally, in August, I attended the Quincy August Moon Festival, which is a cherished holiday in many Asian cultures. It honors the harvest and the moon as symbols of prosperity, happiness, and unity. Each year, the festival showcases those feelings leaving me enamored by the lion dance, performances and the excitement that takes over the city. It is a great event that is not possible without the many volunteers, organizers and sponsors.  

August is Overdose Awareness month, and I joined families in Braintree at their Overdose Awareness Day remembrance at Sunset Lake. Memories of loved ones lost, words and music of hope, and the release of beautiful butterflies reminded us not only of the heart-wrenching losses but of the work that remains to bring this tragic epidemic to an end. Quincy held their 15th annual candlelight vigil, where I joined those gathering and lighting candles to honor the lives lost to overdose and substance use disorder.    

While the South Shore YMCA is busy all summer long with camps and programming in addition to their regular offerings, I was able to join them in Hanover as they took some time for their Farm to Table dinner at which they recognized their many supporters. It was a wonderful event, and I was honored to be with those who contribute so much to the incredible work and mission of the SSYMCA.  

A new special, “Sports Betting: America’s Big Gamble,” was released on CNN this month. In the documentary, CNN National Correspondent Nick Watt explores the different aspects of sports betting, showcasing many of the problems my bill, S.302 Bettor Health Act, seeks to address. It looks at the predatory nature of sports betting companies, particularly the dangers of VIP Hosts. I found the perspective of Bill Miller, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association, particularly interesting. He claims there are repercussions for sports betting companies that target problem gamblers, something we have never seen in Massachusetts. He also claims there is no evidence of problem gambling leading to suicide, a fact many studies have proven. 

I recommend watching this special to anyone looking for a good overview of the gambling industry problems that inspired my bill. The episode is available on demand on Max and for CNN subscribers. 

I appeared on QATV’s “State View” to chat with host, Mark Crosby, about the Bettor Health Act, cell phones in schools and recent news. You can watch the episode any time here.