Bringing Beacon Hill to You

For too long, gambling addiction was an issue that wasn't getting the attention and concern it deserved, but our efforts this past month are helping turn the tide. A legislative summit with lawmakers, public health experts, and individuals in recovery has helped propel our bill, The Bettor Health Act, further into the spotlight, and the broader issues of addiction and predatory companies along with it. March also featured committee appointments, a huge variety of district events, and a lot of national issues to consider the local impacts of.

Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to the past few weeks. 

March was Problem Gambling Month, and with that came the opportunity to really push the promotion of one of my centerpiece bills, The Bettor Health Act.

The legislation comprises a whole roster of proposed regulations that would include increasing the tax that gambling companies are pay from 20% to 51% so that it would match the rate in the neighboring states of New Hampshire, Rhode Island and New York. The bill also includes new protections for consumers, restrictions on advertisements, prohibition of certain predatory industry practices, and more supports for gambling addiction treatment.    

Understand first and foremost, this is not a bill that opposes or bans sports betting. This is a bill that puts guardrails in place to prevent gambling corporations from targeting and exploiting people to the point of creating a public health crisis while they recklessly pursue financial gain. 

We recently held a summit on the current state of problem gambling here in the Commonwealth, and were joined by individuals in addiction recovery, state regulatory officials, members of the media, and many of my fellow legislators. It was so great to have everyone together to discuss this issue - it was long overdue. We can’t let this become a public health crisis that sneaks up on us like the opioid epidemic. I came away from the summit encouraged, feeling like the public conversation on this is finally starting. 

Once again, I have been asked to serve as Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. For those unfamiliar, this committee is made up of senators and representatives charged with reviewing and conducting hearings on bills related to election and campaign finance issues.  

This is a job I take very seriously given the various ways local, state, and federal elections have become the center of politically divisive and heated conversations.  

Here are a couple things you should probably know:  

I believe we have an incredibly strong, dedicated election infrastructure that is insulated from tampering. Allegations of “rigged” elections are unfounded, often driven by individuals and parties unwilling to accept election results. I am very familiar with our electoral processes, laws, technology, and personnel, and am confident in the integrity of all.  

I also strongly believe we should increase voter access. We need to make voting as convenient as possible for American citizens of voting age. We also need to combat efforts to create barriers to exercising the right to vote; historically, this has been a tactic to disenfranchise the public and strip vulnerable groups of the power guaranteed to them by our Constitution. 

Lastly, I am bothered by the words “my vote doesn’t matter.” As a young candidate in my first election, I advanced to a final ballot by one vote, so I know every vote counts. To think otherwise is a terrible self-fulfilling prophecy. Now more than ever, engaged citizens with the power of their votes is critical to our democracy.  

In addition to my work on the Election Laws Committee, I will also serve as the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, and as a member of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Joint Committee on Public Health, Joint Committee on Public Service, and the Joint Committee on Revenue. It promises to be a busy session.  



For many of us, Ukraine is just a concept. A word associated with warfare and strife happening thousands of miles away. Many of us have strong feelings about it, but few of us have a personal connection.  

I didn’t either until I met my friend, Olena. She worked in my office as part of an exchange program through the American Councils for International Education. It was an incredible few months, during which we heard so much about what life had been like for Olena and her family back in Ukraine. She told us about fleeing her home when Russia attacked, the constant unease of her husband being in the military reserves, and the pain of having already lost several family members in the war.  

With all the recent headlines and conversations regarding Ukraine, I felt it important to share Olena’s experiences and what I learned from her, which I did on our social media pages a few weeks ago. If you’d like to check them out, you can find them here.  

Mark Twain once said that travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrowmindedness. I couldn’t agree more. Not everyone has the ability to step outside the familiar, but I count myself very lucky to have met someone traveling their own journey.  

I started the month with a hip replacement surgery, but after a few days of recuperation was able to get to my first district event this month, an annual get together with the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM). It was great to catch up with firefighters from all over the Senate district.   

The Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (MA NAHRO) hosted their Spring Conference in Quincy, and I had the opportunity to speak to their members about the important work they do to support public housing and what the legislature can do to support them. It was great to hear the Quincy Choral Society at their recent concert, be inspired by stories from those in recovery at the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery’s (MOAR) Public Policy Forum, meet with a group of constituents concerned about the Middle East, attend the Quincy Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting, chat with those from the district attending the Citizen’s Legislative Seminar, meet with an elected official from Hanover about campaign finance law changes, attend Braintree Mayor Erin Joyce’s State of the Town address, visit the Norfolk County House of Corrections, gather with constituents from the Plymouth County Commission on the Status of Women, and join veterans on National Vietnam War Veterans Day. I am fortunate to represent a district that is always active and engaged!! 

As the Senate gears up to work on the FY26 budget my staff and I have been meeting with many different organizations to hear about their budget priorities. Rep. Tackey Chan and I met with a group of employees at the Department of Mental Health facility in Quincy who discussed the vital services they provide to people across our region and advocated for funding in next year’s budget so they can continue the work. 

I also attended the MBTA’s quarterly update provided by General Manager Eng. While it is still far from perfect, I am very encouraged by the improvements that the Red Line has seen in the last several months. I have noticed a significant improvement in my rides on the Red Line and have confidence in the work Phillip Eng is doing to continue to improve the Red Line and the whole MBTA system. 

In addition to our work filing legislation and advocating on behlf of the communities I represent, my office also does a lot of work in constituent services, helping folks living in the Norfolk & Plymouth District navigate various programs and beuracracies.

Many constituents struggle to afford groceries, especially those on a fixed or low income. During March, when a few folks had their SNAP benefit amount lowered, they reached out to the office for help. Our constituent services team reached out to the Department of Transitional Assistance and after careful review, the individuals were able to receive an increase in SNAP benefits. 

We've also done a lot of work recently with those who have lost their jobs. The Department of Unemployment Assistance can be very difficult to reach for those struggling to resolve issues with their unemployment claims. Calling our office ensures an immediate response and a commitment to stay connected until the problem is resolved. We were pleased to help several claims be cleared for payment. Should you encounter an issue with any state agency, please reach out to our office as we are always available to assist.