It is the time of year when many milestones are reached for families and ours just celebrated Caitlin’s graduation with her Master’s in Homeland Security Studies from Endicott College. Caitlin began working in January at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Waltham. We moved Patrick home from his fantastic freshman year at Boston University and Madison is busy working hard on her Accelerated RN degree from Northeastern – a full house of laughter and laundry!

The 194th Legislative Session began January 1 with our swearing in, and with a new session comes new opportunities to advocate for Shrewsbury and Westborough residents.

10th Anniversary Celebration: I have had the honor of serving the 11th Worcester District for 10 years, and I hosted a celebration of my special election anniversary on March 31. It was great to see so many friends, neighbors, and colleagues at Cold Harbor Brewing, and I greatly enjoyed celebrating 10 years of service with so many people who supported me in my special election through today. It was special to have my parents and one of my brothers join us as well. Every day I am thankful for the opportunity to represent Shrewsbury and Westborough Precinct 4 in the House of Representatives!

Westborough Volleyball Team: Congratulations to the Westborough High School Girl's Varsity Volleyball Team on winning their third consecutive MIAA Division 2 Girl’s Volleyball State Championship, a first in school history! I was delighted to celebrate their incredible accomplishment, and hosted them at the State House with Representative Donaghue and Senator Moore. The team was recognized by the House of Representatives and the Senate and had the opportunity to go on a tour of the State House, including the front portico.

DetecTogether Blog Post: I wrote a blog post for DetecTogether on legislative efforts to improve cancer care and testing. DetecTogether is an organization based in Westborough dedicated to educating the public on early cancer symptoms and how to discuss possible symptoms with healthcare professionals. Early detection and treatment improve the odds of survival and reduce the need for more invasive treatment, improving quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. I am proud to support efforts on Beacon Hill to expand access to cancer detection and care, and grateful to the Coghlin family of Shrewsbury for founding this organization. You can read the post here.

Nollaig na mBan Women’s Leadership Celebration: I attended the Irish American Partnership’s 2025 Nollaid na mBan Women’s Leadership Celebration, which honored former State Representative and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Claire D. Cronin. This event recognizes women’s leadership, and I was pleased to see recognition of the leadership Ambassador Cronin demonstrated throughout her career. From her service in the House to her role in strengthening ties between the U.S. and Ireland, she has distinguished herself and blazed a trail for the leaders of tomorrow.

Providers’ Council: The Providers’ Council is Massachusetts’ largest human services membership association, and I was honored to provide the “View from the Hill” in the May issue. In my role as Vice-Chair of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, I wrote about our efforts to support enhancing human services pay as part of our strategic priority to promote women’s economic equality. Currently, state employees make significantly more than employees in human services nonprofits, even when they have similar job titles and responsibilities. Approximately 80% of human service workers in MA are women, and 36% are people of color. You can read my full article here.

Black Excellence Award: Congratulations to Adeola Mbaneme for receiving a 2025 Black Excellence on the Hill award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC)! I nominated Adeola for this award, which recognizes Black leaders across Massachusetts. The MBLLC hosted award winners at the State House on February 28, 2025, where I presented a citation from the House of Representatives to Adeola. Adeola is deeply involved in the community, having served as co-chair of Shrewsbury’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and as a current member of the town’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee. She also hosts Neighbor to Neighbor, a public access television show about ways that Shrewsbury residents are working to make the town more inclusive, and has organized community forums to bring people together to discuss equity-related issues.

The 01581: Let’s Talk: I joined Westborough Select Board member Shelby Marshall on “The 01581: Let’s Talk” to discuss the importance of public service, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, the Food System Caucus, and other updates from Beacon Hill. I also reflected on my accomplishments in the State House, including the passage of the Massachusetts Parentage Act and local bills for Shrewsbury and Westborough. You can watch our conversation here.

Military Appreciation Day: On May 22, the Healey Administration hosted the inaugural Military Appreciation Day to honor servicemembers, veterans, military families and advocates in Massachusetts. I was proud to nominate John Travers from Shrewsbury to be honored.

John retired from the Army in 2002 after 20 years of service and has dedicated his volunteer time to honoring active military members, veterans, and those who gave their lives in service. John serves as master of ceremonies for Shrewsbury’s Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day services as a member of the Ray Stone American Legion Post 238. John has also dedicated himself to inspiring young people, encouraging them to share a commitment to American ideals, largely through his service as a Scouting American Scoutmaster for Troop 4 in Shrewsbury.

I was also happy to congratulate and thank Senator Moore’s nominee Clarence “Bud” Anderson from Shrewsbury, and Rep. Donaghue’s nominee Del Richmond from Westborough. We are so blessed to have all three retired military members who served our nation with honor, continuing to serve others in our communities.

World IBS Day: I presented a joint resolution from the House of Representatives and State Senate during an event at the Prudential Cener organized by Ardelyx, a Massachusetts-based biotech innovator, and the IBS Patient Support Group, recognizing World Irritable Bowel Syndrome Day. IBS can have severe effects on an individual’s relationships and ability to work, but many people suffering from IBS who are not aware of the symptoms go without treatment. Raising awareness of this condition and reducing stigma around it allows more people suffering from IBS to seek the medical help they need. The Prudential Center was lit purple that evening to show solidarity with IBS patients.

Beacon Hill Update

Committee Assignments: In February members of the House received committee assignments for the new legislative session. The Minority Leader asked me to serve again as the Ranking Minority Member on several Joint Committees – HealthCare Financing, Public Health, State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, as well as the Ranking Minority Member on the House Committee on Ethics. I am also serving on the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. I look forward to continuing my focus on healthcare policy, as well as my additional committee assignments.

Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health: The Minority Leader has appointed me to serve as his designee on the newly reformed Special Commission. I served on the Special Commission that was initially created in 2016 to help assess the effectiveness and efficiency of municipal and regional public health systems in Massachusetts, the special commission has been temporarily revived to review the Public Health Excellence Program, which was launched in April of 2021 to promote health care equity across the state through the development of shared public health services on a regional level. The commission will also review the funding available to support and enhance the Commonwealth’s local and regional public health system.

After the original Special Commission concluded, I worked with colleagues and advocates to pass into law many of the Commission’s recommendations. H1935, An Act relative to strengthening the local and regional public health system (SAPHE 1.0) was signed into law in April 2020, and H2204, An Act relative to accelerating improvements to the local and regional public health system to address disparities in the delivery of public health services (SAPHE 2.0), was signed into law as part of H5100 in November 2024.

Filed Bills: At the start of the 194th Legislative Session, I filed thirty-three bills covering a broad range of topics. The majority of the bills were focused primarily in the areas of public health, food security, revenue, financial services, and housing. The House and Senate Clerks have now referred bills filed seasonably to the appropriate Joint Committee, with hearings now underway. All seasonably filed bills are guaranteed a public hearing before February of 2026, when Committees have a deadline to take action on bills heard by their Committees. You can see all the bills I filed and cosponsored here.

Rules Reform: On February 25, I supported multiple Republican-sponsored reform measures filed as amendments to a comprehensive House rules package as well as a separate rules package that will govern the operations of the joint legislative committees of the two branches for the 2025-2026 session.

The initial rules proposals released prior to floor debate contained several positive reforms, including many provisions the House Republican Caucus has long been advocating for, such as a requirement that individual legislators’ committee votes be posted online for easy public access. However, the reforms do not go far enough, after the House rejected nearly all the caucus’ amendments, with the exception of a proposal to require the House journal to specify if a member participated in a vote remotely. The House and joint rules proposals were ultimately both approved on votes of 128-23, which I opposed.

The rules package includes a requirement that House committees post bill summaries online prior to being taken up for a vote, and provide a minimum notice of 72 hours for committee hearings. Legislators will also now be required to be physically present to participate in a committee hearing, although members of the public can continue to participate remotely. A Conference Committee required to negotiate the differences in the joint rules passed in the House and Senate has failed to reach a compromise yet and the Legislature has not adopted final rules yet to govern this legislative session.

Remote and Hybrid Meetings: H62, An Act relative to extending certain COVID-19 measures adopted during the state of emergency, provides communities with the option of holding virtual public meetings until June 30, 2027. The current law authorizing such meetings, which was first passed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and later extended, was due to expire on March 31. The legislation approved by the House and Senate gives municipalities the flexibility to conduct meetings in alternative formats that have helped to enhance public participation and promote greater transparency of government deliberations over the last five years. This bill also extends pandemic-era provisions reducing the number of individuals needed to constitute a Town Meeting quorum, and allows for representative Town Meetings to be conducted with remote participation. Both of these provisions are subject to the same June 30, 2027 extension. Governor Maura Healey signed these extensions into law on March 28, 2025.

Denim Day: The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL) held our annual Denim-Day at the State House in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month to highlight that there is no excuse and never an invitation to sexually assault someone, no matter what they are wearing.

Student Government Day: Four students from Shrewsbury visited the State House for Student Government Day on April 4, where they learned about the legislative process and participated in simulated legislative session. Arya Sheth, John St. Pierre, Sabrina Welch, and Allison Clark, participated in the day’s activities, and I am pleased to see that young people from the district are interested in learning about state government!

Mass Center for the Book: On May 20, two students from the district were recognized in the statewide Letters About Literature writing program. Congratulations to Layth Boudon (pictured below) of Westborough for his third-place letter to author Cormac McCarthy about the book Blood Meridian, and to Meryem Bakirci of Shrewsbury for her honorable mention letter to Hena Khan about the book Drawing Deena.

Budget/Fiscal Updates

FY2026 House Budget: I recently supported a $61.4 billion House budget proposal that holds the line on taxes, expands state education aid to municipalities, and sets state spending priorities for the new fiscal year that begins on July 1. The House engrossed its spending plan by a vote of 151-6 on April 30, after three days of floor debate to consider a total of 1,650 budget amendments filed by members. During floor debate, I successfully advocated for the inclusion of several local initiatives for the district, including $75,000 in funding for Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services, and $50,000 for Shrewsbury’s 300th anniversary celebration. Representative Kate Donaghue and I co-filed successful amendments that allocate $12,126 for AEDs in Westborough police patrol cars and $75,000 for repairs to the Piccadilly Brook Bridge. As in past years, I also supported the earmark for NEADS Service Dogs and got my annual pic with Rep. Kim Ferguson whose district NEADS is based in.

The House budget includes $7.1 billion in Chapter 70 education aid, an increase of $257 million over current spending levels, along with a $240 million minimum aid supplement increasing per pupil aid to $150 per student, double the amount included in Governor Healey’s budget proposal. Shrewsbury will receive $22,487,010 and Westborough will receive $12,875,256 in direct education aid under the House budget proposal.

I criticized the House Ways and Means Committee’s decision to level fund Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) at $1.3 billion, noting that communities rely on this funding to support a variety of municipal programs and services, including teachers, police, firefighters, libraries, and senior centers. To help assist cities and towns, I backed a Republican-sponsored amendment to redirect $10 million in funding allocated for prisoner phone calls to supplement UGGA, but it failed on a vote of 26-128. Under the current House budget proposal, Shrewsbury is in line to receive $3,430,063 and Westborough would receive $1,426,899 in unrestricted local aid in the upcoming fiscal year.

The House budget offers additional financial support to local communities and school districts by funding the Special Education Circuit Breaker at $484.7 million. It also allocates $198.9 million for charter school reimbursement, along with $122.1 million for regional school transportation, $28.7 million for homeless student transportation and $190 million for universal school meals.

I also supported the inclusion of retirement-plus language for teachers, which was adopted as part of a consolidated amendment on a vote of 154-3. This provision extends a one-time superannuation retirement benefit option to those teachers who became eligible for membership in the teachers’ retirement system before July 1, 2001, but did not previously participate in the program. This corrective language was included to assist those individuals who were not properly notified of this retirement benefit when it was first offered, or did not realize they qualified at the time.

The Senate has just concluded their budget deliberations, and now a 6-member Conference Committee between the House and Senate will negotiate the differences in the House and Senate budgets, before a final budget is adopted and sent to the Governor for her review.

Project 351: The day after the House budget debate ended, I was honored to co-host our annual legislative briefing on Project 351, a unifying service leadership program that develops a new generation of change makers, civic leaders, and social entrepreneurs. Project 351 engages eighth graders in a yearlong journey of civic engagement and service to improve the Commonwealth and develop future community leaders. Since its founding in 2011, over 5,000 eighth graders have made a positive impact on over 1.4 million neighbors through Project 351. This briefing also honored former State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, who championed Project 351 throughout his legislative career.

Emergency Assistance Shelter Reform: In February, I opposed H57, a supplemental spending bill calling for the infusion of an additional $425 million in funding, arguing the state can’t continue to keep pouring money into the program without first implementing significant reforms. The bill was ultimately passed by the House of Representatives on a vote of 126-26.

During floor debate on the bill, I supported a series of reform measures to help enhance transparency, accountability, public safety and fiscal responsibility within the emergency shelter program. While the underlying bill requires individuals applying for emergency assistance housing benefits to disclose prior criminal convictions and calls for CORI checks prior to placement, these checks are limited to crimes committed in Massachusetts. To strengthen this requirement, the House Republican Caucus offered an amendment to mandate comprehensive universal background checks that will disclose criminal records at the state, federal and international levels to help keep dangerous criminals out of the shelter system. The amendment was rejected on a vote of 26-125.

An amended version of the bill was brought before the House on February 25 that was still deficient in addressing prior criminal conviction and CORI checks, and I voted against it. The Senate enacted the final bill on February 26, and the Governor signed the bill on February 28.

Surtax Supplemental Budget: I recently supported a $1.3 billion supplemental budget that allocates surplus Fair Share (Millionaires Tax) surtax revenues to a series of education and transportation-related initiatives, including universal school meals, special education reimbursements for cities and towns, and MBTA infrastructure and safety upgrades.

The supplemental spending bill was initially released from House Ways and Means on April 7 as H4005. The bill was subsequently amended and engrossed by the House of Representatives on April 9 by a vote of 140-14. The initial supplemental budget allocated $828 million for transportation and $353.5 million for education investments, including $190 million for Special Education Circuit Breaker reimbursements in Fiscal Year 2026 for costs school districts incurred in Fiscal Year 2025. Another $58 million has been allocated from the Student Opportunity Investment Fund to provide for additional Special Education Circuit Breaker reimbursements for the current fiscal year.

During floor debate, the House adopted dozens of amendments to fund various local education and transportation projects across the state, adding $28.8 million in additional transportation funding and another $46.2 million in education funding, including a $15 million reserve for regional school transportation costs.

I supported an amendment to redirect $50 million set aside in the supplemental budget for the MBTA to instead provide additional funding for the Chapter 90 road and bridge program, using a formula based strictly on each municipality’s local road mileage, rather than the traditional three-pronged formula that also takes into account a community’s population and employment numbers. Using this approach would provide for more regional equity in the distribution of funding for road maintenance, particularly in rural communities. The amendment was defeated along a party line vote of 25-129.

FY25 Supplemental Budget: On May 21, I voted to support at $530 million supplemental budget to address funding shortfalls in several key state programs for Massachusetts veterans and the elderly, as well as individuals and families in need of food, housing and childcare assistance. The supplemental budget was passed 149-1, and once federal reimbursements are factored in, the total net amount of state spending will be $318.2 million. I was pleased that the supplemental included an additional $7.5 million for the Healthy Incentives Program which provides access to fresh local produce for SNAP recipients, and supports are local agricultural growers.

Food System Caucus

New Member Briefing: The Food System Caucus (FSC) hosted a briefing for new legislators on January 7 to introduce them to the Caucus. I provided an overview of the history of the Food System Caucus, which was the first in the nation, and Senator Jo Comerford spoke about the Caucus’ strategic goals and legislative priorities. Advocates also provided information on issues affecting the food system in Massachusetts, including farmland preservation, access to local food, and state nutrition programs.

Healthy Incentives Program Briefing: The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative and other advocates visited the State House on March 13th to draw attention to the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) and the need for full funding. HIP provides SNAP recipients with extra funds to purchase fruit and vegetables from participating farms. Before December 2024, households using HIP received $40, $60, or $80 depending on household size. Benefits were cut to $20 for all participants last December due to a $10 million shortfall in the FY25 budget. The resulting loss of sales has devastated farms, and SNAP clients have struggled to access healthy food. The draft FY26 budget does include funding to restore these benefit levels.

Nourish our Future: In February I traveled to Washington D.C. to introduce Congressman McGovern at the kickoff for Bread for the World’s Nourish our Future campaign. Nourish Our Future is an initiative to end child hunger in the U.S. by supporting federal nutrition and anti-poverty programs. Congressman McGovern has been a longstanding partner in the FSC’s efforts to reduce food insecurity and strengthen local food systems, and being able to introduce him was an honor.

Ag Day: March 18 was Ag Day at the State House, a celebration of the Commonwealth's farmers, fishers, and other agricultural organizations. Local farms and fisheries expand access to fresh, nutritious food, strengthen local economies, and are a key partner in efforts to fight food insecurity. As one of the House co-chairs of the Food System Caucus, I recognize the important role of agriculture in communities across Massachusetts, and appreciate efforts to raise awareness of local food producers.

Federal Cuts Briefing: On April 11, the Food System Caucus hosted a briefing on the impact of federal cuts to food security in Massachusetts. Due to cuts to federal programs, including Local Food for Schools, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Massachusetts food system had already lost $20-25 million in federal funds. These cuts have made it more difficult for food-insecure individuals and families to access food and put farms that utilized federal programs in financial jeopardy, making state-level advocacy and policy even more important.

Worcester Regional Food Hub: The Grand Opening of the Food Hub at Union Station was held on Friday, May 23. The culmination of a 7-year effort supported by federal, state, local, Health Foundation and philanthropic funds, the shared commercial kitchen and food distribution hub is open, in what was once a 6,000 square foot railroad baggage storage area. The hub will support local farmers, food entrepreneurs, small businesses and the regional food economy. It was great to join Congressman McGovern, MDAR Commissioner Randle and Deputy Commissioner Pitcoff, colleagues in the Legislature, local leaders and advocates and Food Hub Director Shon Rainford to celebrate and tour the new facility.

MEFAP: The Greater Boston Food Bank hosted a celebration of the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program’s 30th anniversary on April 16. MEFAP helps food banks purchase and distribute food to emergency food providers. In fiscal year 2024, over 50% of MEFAP funds were used to purchase food from Massachusetts farms, fisheries, and food producers, and regional food banks were able to distribute over three million pounds of Massachusetts-grown food to those in need. One in three Massachusetts residents struggle with food insecurity, and investment in this program is necessary to give residents access to nutritious food. I am pleased that the House budget includes $55 million for this critical program, and look forward to advocating for MEFAP with my colleagues in the Food System Caucus.

Speaking Engagements

First Congregational Church: I spoke at the First Congregational Church (FCC) of Shrewsbury on March 23 about food insecurity in Massachusetts and the importance of HIP, as well as how I got involved in food security issues. Earth Stewardship Ministry hosted me at FCC as part of their efforts to raise awareness of and promote environmental justice, which also includes food justice. I was grateful to speak to these issues at my own church.

Girl Scouts: On February 3, I spoke to a group of Girl Scouts in Shrewsbury to help them earn the Inside Government badge. Learning how government works helps young people be active, informed citizens, and I enjoyed sharing my experiences as a State Representative with the Girl Scouts.

Interview with Representative Lewis: I spoke with my colleague Representative Jack Lewis on his show on Framingham Now about the new legislative session. Our conversation in February covered the committee assignment process, the importance of working across the aisle to pass legislation, our shared legislative priorities, and more. You can watch the show by going here and searching “Hannah Kane."

Rare Disease Day: I visited UCB in Cambridge on February 28^th to speak on Rare Disease Day about my experiences with the Massachusetts Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC). I sponsored legislation with Representative Joe McKenna to establish the Massachusetts RDAC, which was included as an amendment to a larger healthcare bill during the 2019-2020 legislative session and signed into law. I served on the RDAC as the House Minority Leader’s designee from 2021-2023. Being a member gave me insight into the challenges individuals living with rare diseases and their families face, as well as steps that Massachusetts could take to support rare disease patients. I appreciated having the opportunity to speak to industry partners about the value of the RDAC.

Shrewsbury Men’s Club: On April 3, I spoke to the Shrewsbury Men’s Club to provide updates on the State House and issues affecting Central Massachusetts. My presentation included committee assignments for the new legislative session, the work of the Food System Caucus, and the effects of federal cuts to food security programs, and I answered questions from attendees about Beacon Hill and other topics.

Saint Mary School: I spoke to students at Saint Mary School about my career as a legislator as part of their Career Exploration Through Experience program. This program helps students learn more about different career paths and explore different opportunities they might be interested in. I discussed the work involved in serving as a State Representative so that students could learn more about working in government and serving as an elected official. The students had terrific questions, and I greatly enjoyed discussing my career and the role of State Representative!

Southgate Women’s Circle: I visited the Women’s Circle at Southgate in April to speak about the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL). I shared my experiences as a woman involved in state and local politics, spoke about the importance of women running for office and serving as elected officials, and provided information on the MCWL’s priorities and accomplishments. Even though women make up more than half the population of Massachusetts, only 30% of state elected officials are women. The MCWL’s commitment to bipartisan and bicameral cooperation helps women legislators work together on shared priorities, improving gender equality today and paving the way for the women leaders of tomorrow.

Briefings and Forums

Municipal Light Plants: Chris Roy, the General Manager of SELCO, visited the State House on March 25 to speak at Municipal Light Plant (MLP) State House Day. MLPs like SELCO provide lower rates, reliable service, and local decision-making to customers in towns and cities across Massachusetts. I appreciate SELCO’s work to provide high-quality, affordable service to Shrewsbury residents!

Central Regional DDS Legislative Breakfast: My Legislative Aide, Kerry Shea, attended the Central Regional DDS Legislative Breakfast on February 28 at Clark University. At the breakfast, individuals with disabilities and their families spoke about the value of programs that support independence, challenges they face accessing services, and steps the Legislature can take to ensure people with disabilities have the supports they need.

Mevion Tour: On February 12, I toured Mevion, a company in Littleton, MA which produces proton therapy systems. Proton therapy is a form of cancer treatment that can be a more effective treatment for some patients, and it’s exciting to see a Massachusetts-based company developing cutting-edge technology. I am working to support UMass Marlborough Hospital in their effort to acquire a proton beam machine and to offer proton therapy here in Central MA.

Worcester County Superintendents Association: I attended the Worcester County Superintendents Association (WCSA) Legislative Breakfast on February 13. The WCSA’s presentation highlighted regional needs and the work that school staff and educators are doing to provide an excellent education to students in Central Massachusetts.

Firefighter Pavone Commendation: Firefighter Paul Pavone received a commendation from the Shrewsbury Fire Department for helping save the life of a recruit who suffered a cardiac event at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Firefighter Pavone’s quick thinking and expertise ensured that the recruit received prompt and effective emergency care. Congratulations to Firefighter Pavone!

James Lonchiadis Memorial: March 5 was the 50th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony for Officer James Lonchiadis, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on March 5th, 1975. His legacy serves as an example of courage, integrity, and dedication to public safety, and the memorial plaque unveiled today honors his memory. His friends, family and the Shrewsbury Police Department will always remember his bravery, and I am grateful to the Town's public safety personnel for their work to keep Shrewsbury safe.

Shrewsbury Police Department Awards Ceremony: Congratulations to Sergeant Matthew Caola, Officer Ahmed Kafel, Officer Matthew Mattero, and Officer Dillon Zona for being awarded the 2025 Distinguished Action Award by the Shrewsbury Police Department. The award acknowledges the courage and selflessness these officers demonstrated when responding to a shooting in Northborough. It was wonderful to celebrate all of the 2025 SPD Awards honorees for working to keep Shrewsbury safe and I was grateful to my Legislative Aide, Kerry Shea, for representing me while I was still at the State House in formal session.

Annual Interfaith Iftar: I attended the Boroughs Islamic Society Annual Interfaith Iftar on March 21. This event brings together community leaders to share a meal, promote interfaith connection, and celebrate shared values. Several individuals and organizations were also recognized for their contributions to the Westborough community and received a Community Impact Award for their service.

Al-Hamra Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast: I visited Al-Hamra for their Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on January 10. I appreciate everyone who is willing to give back to their community, and always enjoy meeting with Al-Hamra’s wonderful staff, faculty, and volunteers!

Westborough Rotary Unsung Heroes: The Westborough Rotary Club hosted their Unsung Heroes Recognition event on April 16. I joined them to celebrate individuals whose quiet and tireless service makes Westborough a fantastic town to live and work in, and to extend my congratulations to the awardees.

Westborough EDC Awards: Congratulations to the winners of this year's Westborough Economic Development Committee Awards! DoubleTree by Hilton Boston-Westborough, Lindsay Taylor SPAtique, Seed to Stem, The Boston Lawn Mower Company, Cold Harbor Brewing, Mark’s Moving & Storage, the Westborough Civic Club, and Harry’s Restaurant were recognized for their achievements and important role in the community today. It's wonderful to see so many thriving businesses and organizations in town!

Local Funding

Edgemere Park Grant: The Massachusetts Office of Disability awarded $58,000 in grant funds to make improvements to Edgemere Park, including the expansion of accessible parking, a new paved walkway to the baseball field and accessible benches for the basketball court and baseball field.

MCC Creative Individuals Grants: Congratulations to this year's local Mass Cultural Council Grants for Creative Individuals recipients! Ami Earley, Nilanjana Nambiar, Uma Sankar, Tiffany Vanderhoop, Jason Widdiss, and Rajesh Khare were awarded funding to support their creative endeavors and promote the arts in Central Massachusetts.

Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant: The Department of Fire Services awarded a second round of funding, with Shrewsbury receiving $12,450 and Westborough $9,497.58 from the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program. This program helps local fire departments purchase safety equipment that complies with National Fire Protection Association and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, keeping firefighters safer when they respond to emergencies.

SAFE & Senior SAFE: The Shrewsbury Fire Department received $7,199.99 from the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Program, and $2,600 from the Senior SAFE Program. The Westborough Fire Department received $5,700 from the SAFE Program and $2,400 from the Senior SAFE program. These funds help local fire departments provide age-appropriate fire prevention and life safety education, reducing the risk of home fires and keeping our communities safe.

Local Events

The Ground Round: So much excitement for the opening of The Ground Round in Shrewsbury! So happy for Joe and Nachi Shea – and a joy to present them with a citation from the House of Representatives, with several colleagues joining me!

Westborough Police Foundation: The Westborough Police Foundation hosted a wine, beer, and bourbon tasting on April 4. I stopped by to share my support for local public safety personnel and the work the Westborough Police Foundation does to enhance policing in Westborough.

Boston Lawnmower Company: It was great to celebrate the grand opening of Boston Lawnmower’s new location in Westborough. Our family has already supported the new location with so much inventory and excellent service!

Corridor Nine/495 Regional Chamber Annual Meeting: On May 16, I joined many members of the Chamber at the annual meeting and awards celebration. We are fortunate to have such a vibrant and active chamber to advocate for and celebrate our local businesses!

Tacoborough: My Legislative Aide, Kerry Shea, attended the Tacoborough food truck’s grand opening on February 25, along with Representative Donaghue and Senator Moore. I look forward to seeing their food truck around town!

Westborough Doubletree New Renovations: My Legislative Aide, Kerry Shea, attended the Corridor 9/495 Chamber ribbon cutting to celebrate the renovations at the busy hotel.

EcoTarium Briefing: On February 24, the EcoTarium hosted a legislative breakfast to discuss their history, exhibits and educational programs, and plans to expand their science museum to host larger exhibits and provide early childhood education opportunities. STEM education is crucial to success in school and in the workforce, and makes Central Massachusetts more economically competitive.

Contacting My Office 

As a reminder, please reach out to my office at 617-722-2810 if we can be helpful. My Legislative Aide, Kerry Shea, can be reached at Kerry.Shea@mahouse.gov and I am at Hannah.Kane@mahouse.gov.

While this email is not inclusive of all my work, I hope the information is relevant and helpful. My prior update emails can be found here on my website in the “Updates from Hannah” section and I will continue to post regular updates on my State Representative Facebook page. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of assistance.

With sincere gratitude,