Today the Senate passed what’s known as Chapter 90 legislation which provides municipalities funding for roads, bridges, and culverts. For the second year in a row, in addition to the $200 million for municipal roads and bridges, the legislation includes an additional $25 million specifically for rural towns.
There’s an age-old understanding that the Chapter 90 formula is woefully broken. The formula distributes funding based upon population, road miles, and economic activity. Well, western and north central Mass towns have the road miles for sure, but not as much population or resulting economic activity, so we’ve been shorted for waaaaay tooooooooo looooooong.
Thankfully, over the last few years, that’s started changing. I’ve been glad to join rural legislators and municipal leaders to push hard and consistently for formulas based primarily on road mileage primarily. Because one-size-fits-all policy has never fit our region. Today, I’m grateful to Senator Brendan Crighton, Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, and Senate President Karen Spilka for hearing us.
It’s a fight, line-by-line, in every bill we pass, every dollar we appropriate. Full steam ahead to make sure what comes out of Beacon Hill is fair for our people.
This is the bring-it-on-home moment for the 2023-2024 two-year session.
What’s on the move? Short answer: A LOT and we’re going deep into the weeds.
Read on!
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Save the date: People's Town Hall |
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In June, our team will host an in-person town hall. We’ll provide an update about our work, hear your feedback, and take your questions.
Sign up here if you want more information.
Note that we will have simultaneous Spanish language interpretation, American Sign Language interpretation, and large print handouts available.
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On March 21, the Massachusetts Senate passed S.2708, a supplemental budget which appropriates additional funding to the emergency shelter system while taking proactive steps to ensure its long-term sustainability and greater efficacy.
Included in the legislation is an amendment I collaborated on with Senators Robyn Kennedy and Cindy Friedman. This amendment added additional funding for resettlement agencies, workforce training, and English language education to support employment and transitions to permanent housing for those currently in shelters. Our amendment also created a special commission to study and make recommendations on the sustainability, efficiency, and effectiveness of the emergency housing assistance program.
While we urge Congress to take action on immigration reform and needed funding to states like Massachusetts, we can and should rise to meet the challenges and opportunities of this moment. I am grateful to a host of providers and communities on the frontlines of this work — and glad to offer support.
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Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget updates |
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The Ways and Means hearings on Governor Healey’s proposed FY25 budget (fiscal year 2025 starts July 1) have concluded. I attended these hearings on your behalf, including the one I chaired at Greenfield Community College in March. At the hearings, legislative colleagues and I heard from and questioned Administration officials about proposed funding for our region’s priorities. Here’s what we discussed at each hearing.
Below is a summary graphic of the state’s fiscal year budget process. Note: the House Ways and Means budget was released yesterday.
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Getting real on housing, economic development, and climate |
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The Governor’s housing bond bill, the Affordable Homes Act, was advanced from the Housing Committee in March and then had a second public hearing in the Bonding Committee. I have been in regular touch with housing experts and advocates from our district about needed amendments to ensure this housing bill works for our district. You can read some of my advocacy here (on rural concerns) and here (on Connecticut River Valley issues).
The Governor has also filed an economic development bill, the Mass Leads Act, which is now before the legislature’s Economic Development Committee. As with the housing bill, I’m in touch with municipalities, chambers of commerce, planning officials, and small business owners about what is required to ensure this bill meets the needs and opportunities of western and north central Massachusetts.
We are also seeing new climate legislation take shape. An omnibus climate bill was recently released to the House of Representatives, and the very first section of the omnibus bill is legislation I filed with Representative Natalie Blais to promote solar canopies over large parking lots. The Governor’s Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting recently completed its work and issued its recommendations, which the legislature can now consider as we work on clean energy and climate legislation. Once again, I am in close contact with groups of constituents advocating on these issues including Mothers Out Front, Climate Action Now, Elders for Climate Action, municipal officials, as well as statewide organizations like The Nature Conservancy, MassAudubon, Acadia Center, and others. I’m conveying input directly to Senate Leadership about how we can site necessary clean energy infrastructure in a way that works for municipalities and that protects our region’s natural and working lands.
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Update on PFAS national drinking water standards |
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The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the first ever national drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals. The new standards can be found here.
I am thrilled for this announcement and the recognition of PFAS in our water sources as a pressing concern. It's imperative that we protect the Commonwealth's drinking water and the health of residents.
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Expanding access to early education and care
On March 14, the Senate unanimously passed the Early Ed Act — An Act ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development.
Making early education and care more affordable and paying better wages to those who care for our youngest will make our Commonwealth more equitable, competitive, and a better place to raise a family. Additional information about the bill is here.
I filed a successful rural-focused amendment to sharpen data reporting to incorporate rural community needs and capabilities. And, in the section that establishes an employer matching grant pilot, the amendment requires prioritizing rural areas when considering grant applicants — to help overcome challenges around small employer participation.
Thanks to Senators Jake Oliveira, John Velis, and Julian Cyr for their steadfast support which helped power this amendment over the finish line.
Cheers for Senate President Karen Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, and Senator Jason Lewis for their leadership on this critical legislation.
Thank you to Barbara Black, Laura Frogameni, Gillian Budine, and Clare Higgins for their constant counsel.
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Strengthening Massachusetts laws against abuse and exploitation
This legislation would criminalize the sharing of sexually explicit images or videos without an individual’s consent and implement a comprehensive educational diversion program for adolescents on the consequences of posting indecent visual depictions online.
The bill also defines coercive control and allows a victim of coercive control to seek a harassment prevention order.
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan provided language to strengthen the bill. I am grateful to DA Sullivan for his input on this legislation, to constituents for their illuminating and moving testimony, and to Senate President Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, and Senators Jamie Eldridge and John Keenan for leading the Senate to address online abuse and abusive relationships.
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Bringing agriculture into the 21st century |
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On March 29, I co-chaired the seventh hearing of the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century at UMass Amherst.
We focused on the Commonwealth’s existing technical assistance and education programs and considered opportunities to expand these programs to meet the evolving needs of farmers.
The following speakers testified:
- Clem Clay: Director, UMass Agricultural Extension Program
- Brian Schilling: Director, Rutgers Cooperative Extension; Associate Extension Specialist, Dept. of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics
- Stan Lalor: Director of Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc (Ireland Food & Agriculture Authority)
- Dan Wright: USDA State Conservationist for Massachusetts
- Ali Mitchell: Executive Director, Northeast Extension Directors
- Derek Costa: Superintendent, Bristol County Agricultural High School
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Thank you to UMass Amherst for hosting, to Chancellor Javier Reyes for speaking to the Commission in strong support of Extension programs and funding, and to all of the in-person and remote testifiers and attendees.
After the hearing, we toured the Stockbridge School of Agriculture’s new soil lab, beginning with a celebratory ribbon cutting. It was heartening to see the impact of state funding that I helped secure — in the form of faster and more accurate soil analysis equipment.
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CONGRATULATIONS to Aimee Salmon, founder of Positively Africana in Northampton! Aimee is the rock star recipient of the 2024 Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus’ Black Excellence on the Hill Award for the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district.
From Aimee’s website, “Positively Africana is a gift shop focusing on authentic, handmade crafts and accessories made in Africa or inspired by the strength and beauty of the continent. But we are more than just a store. We are a celebration of African stories and empowerment. Our products and services carry the unique narratives of our ancestors and countless African women, including myself. Twenty-five percent of all profits from Positively Africana go towards supporting women entrepreneurs and artists in the Congo. Shop with Purpose!”
Aimee traveled to Boston for the award ceremony (pictured with Chief of Staff Jared Freedman). District Director Elena Cohen and I also attended a fabulous celebration at Positively Africana.
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On April 3, during Agriculture Day at the State House, I received an Award from the Massachusetts Agriculture Promotion Board and the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation.
I was honored to receive this recognition alongside dedicated colleagues, Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan and Representative Paul Schmid, and I am proud to be a part of a legislature that is committed to supporting the farming community.
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On April 9, at the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) Autism Advocacy Day in the State House, I received the award for Distinguished Legislator of the Year.
Ensuring respect and dignity for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder and their families is a matter of human and civil rights.
I am heartened to be part of a legislature that is pushing to make Massachusetts a more inclusive and safe place for all people. Read my remarks here.
Below I’m pictured with Sam Kanji, a leading advocate for the Blue Envelope Bill, and featured speaker Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. I’m also pictured holding up a just-released Massachusetts Blue Envelope during my remarks.
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An update on blue envelopes |
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As a part of my remarks in accepting AFAM’s 2024 Distinguished Legislator of the Year Award, I had the privilege of announcing that Massachusetts now has official Blue Envelopes available for pick up.
The bill, referred to as the “Blue Envelope Bill,” creates a voluntary program for drivers with autism spectrum disorder, allowing them to request a blue envelope to hold their driver’s license and car registration. The envelope can be handed to police and other first responders and includes information on the driver’s diagnosis, their family’s contact information, and instructions for communicating effectively with the driver. In Connecticut, a similar voluntary program has been shown to reduce stress, facilitate better interactions, and improve safety.
The Massachusetts State Police heard about the legislation, ran with the idea, and made it a reality.
As of April 9, you can request a free envelope by visiting any of the 39 State Police barracks around the state, going to Mass.gov, or sending an email to blueenvelopes@mass.gov. More here.
In making this idea a reality, Massachusetts affirms its dedication to a Commonwealth where neuro-diverse individuals can live their lives safely, independently, and with dignity.
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School districts across our region — and across the Commonwealth — are grappling with devastating budget cuts.
We're on a collision course that requires us to begin an immediate review of Chapter 70, the formula that funds our schools, even as we fulfill the promise of the Student Opportunity Act.
As of this year, two-thirds of school districts throughout the state are classified as “minimum aid districts.” They are not receiving meaningful increases in funding through the Chapter 70 formula, leading to impossible budgeting decisions and cuts to staffing and programming. Many school districts in western Massachusetts are also rural, intensifying challenges. Amending the Chapter 70 formula has been a priority for me and my team every year since I took office, and we are dedicated to seeing it through. If the Administration isn’t able to begin a review process on its own, we will file legislation to mandate it.
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Federal government requires consent for sensitive exams |
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On April 1, the federal Department of Health and Human Services released guidance ordering all hospitals nationally to stop performing intimate or sensitive exams without explicit written consent from the patient.
Reporting indicates that the federal decision was prompted by activity in the states, including our bill in Massachusetts, which helps solidify the connection between local, state, and national policy work.
Here is a statement that Representatives Domb, Ferguson, and I released in the wake of this announcement:
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March 14 was a jam-packed day for me at the State House. I attended three briefings in addition to speaking during Senate session in support of the early education and care legislation.
First up, the Children's League invited me to speak at their Transition-Aged Youth day event about foster care bills I share with Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier. My remarks are here.
Later in the day, I co-hosted a briefing in support of legislation to strengthen insurance coverage for people with limb loss or limb differences.
To round out the day, I spoke at a briefing I co-hosted with Representative Christine Barber in support of a bill we've filed to overhaul the state's Medicaid Estate Recovery program, featuring new research by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. Learn more about this vital report here and about the legislation here.
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On March 18, I joined delegation members, the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA), and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) to host MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt and her stellar team. We spent the morning in Franklin County taking a driving tour and talking about rural roads and culverts, RTAs, and the promise of northern tier rail. The Secretary and her team came prepared and eager to talk about regional equity for rural communities. |
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On March 20, Amherst Regional High School students from People of Color United visited the State House. Director of Communications and Engagement Katelyn Billings had the privilege of taking the students on a tour through the Senate Chamber and out onto the Senate balcony. It was a joy to welcome these young leaders into the building. |
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On March 22, I joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, and many fierce advocates at the Massachusetts Farm & Sea to School Conference at Smith College. I spoke briefly about the breakthrough work of the legislature's Food System Caucus, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century, and more — all in strong partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the Healey-Driscoll Administration.
It takes everyone's work to strengthen farms, fisheries, and the food system. And this is certainly the moment to leap forward.
I’m pictured below in a classic Lieutenant Governor selfie with MDAR’s Katie Rozenas-Hanson and the co-Directors of Massachusetts Farm to School, Lisa Damon and Simca Horwitz.
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On March 25, I was in Boston for the Independent Living Centers advocacy day.
I began my remarks by celebrating the life and work of Joe Tringali — a 45-year member of the Stavros Center for Independent Living. And I spoke to two bills I filed which are powered by Independent Living advocates: one to restrict MassHealth estate recovery and one to allow spouses to serve as caregivers for elders and people living with disabilities.
The people power in the room and in the offices and halls was fierce and inspiring. It propels us all forward.
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Also that day, the legislature's Food System Caucus hosted its annual member meeting, led beautifully by Representative Hannah Kane. I'm grateful to the amazing advocates who joined the call — Project Bread, the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Massachusetts Farm to School, Massachusetts Public Health Association, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Mass Law Reform Institute, and La Colaborativa. And huge thanks to Representative Paul Schmid for his partnership and presentation on the important legislation coming out of the Agriculture Committee.
You can read the status of the Food System Caucus legislation below.
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To wrap up March 25, Director of Communications and Engagement Katelyn Billings presented Haliyah Friedman-Kassis, Jade Rousseau, and Christiana Dunn with citations after they were sworn in to serve on Governor Healey’s Youth Advisory Council. Congratulations to these students for being selected to represent the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester District. |
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On March 26, I joined Representative Mindy Domb and the Massachusetts School Building Authority Executive Director Mary Pichetti to break ground on the construction of a new Amherst Elementary School.
Congratulations and thank you to the Amherst voters and town officials for pushing this hope-filled project forward. I was very glad to partner with Representative Domb to advocate for an additional $9.4 million state award for Amherst to help address increased construction costs.
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On the evening of March 29, after I had wrapped up the 21st Century Agriculture Commission hearing at UMass Amherst, Policy and Constituent Services Director Rachel Klein and I attended the fabulous UMass Women Into Leadership (UWiL) 10th Annual Women and Public Service Dinner. UWiL is a breathtaking initiative on the UMass campus led for ten years by Michelle Goncalves. Rachel is pictured, below, with Katie Adee, a Suffolk Law student and fellow on our team, and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. I’m pictured with Chancellor Javier Reyes and two incredible UWiL graduates I’ve come to know. And the delegation is pictured presenting an abundance of congratulatory citations. |
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On April 2, I joined my colleagues Senator Mike Barrett and Senator Cindy Creem for a Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change hearing focused on the Future of Clean Heat.
Ensuring that there is a clear path to a future of clean heat in the Commonwealth is one of the most important climate issues before the legislature. The hearing focused primarily on geothermal energy — an area where I’m digging in deeply. (Pun intended.)
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On April 6, I began my day at the League of Women Voters Franklin County’s Legislative Coffee event. It was a beautiful morning at Greenfield Public Library to engage on a long list of legislative issues. |
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Later that day, I joined Representatives Natalie Blais and Mindy Domb at the Amherst Survival Center for the annual — and oh so inspiring — Empty Bowls event. |
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There are more event updates — including the Bed In for Cancer Connection hosted by the force of nature Tara Brewster, a Children’s Advocacy Center event focused on ending child sexual abuse and exploitation, a trip to Gardner for an update on Heywood Hospital’s strong progress exiting from bankruptcy, and more.
But we’ll stop here, with gratitude for making it to the end, and send our love to you,
Jo, Rachel, Jared, Katelyn, Elena, and Brian
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Did you find the content of this email useful?
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Boston office
(617) 722-1532
State House
Room 410
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Amherst office
(413) 367-4656
UMass Amherst
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Please send all mail correspondence to the Boston office. |
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