Volume 6, Issue 1 (February 5, 2024) | |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you all well in the New Year! January's newsletter includes upcoming legislative highlights, district happenings, and resources available at the state level.
As always, serving our constituents is my top priority. In February, I will host three in-person office hours with a member of my staff. If you cannot attend scheduled office hours, you are welcome to contact my staff to schedule a meeting. Please see below for our office’s updated contact information.
State Representative Joan Meschino
State House, Room 162, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133
Updated phone number: 617-722-2092
Wishing you a safe and warm start to your year!
Very truly yours, Joan
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FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | |
Rep. Meschino Hosts Press Conference to Address Parents Running for Public Office As Bills Approach Joint Rule 10 Deadline | |
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Last week, I joined advocates from the Parents Running for Office Coalition at a press conference in support of one of my bills H.669/S.422, An Act supporting parents running for public office, co-filed with my colleagues Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge) and Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). This bill would allow for the use of campaign funds for childcare to create equity among those who want to pursue elected positions.
It was so powerful to stand alongside Rep. Connolly, Senator Jehlen, Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose), the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, Vote Mama Foundation, and elected parents at the press conference. To support parents looking to serve their communities through elected office is to promote equity in government, and I look forward to continuing my work with my colleagues in the Legislature toward a favorable report from the Joint Committee.
All timely-filed bills must receive a report from their respective committee by Wednesday, February 7, which is known as the Joint Rule 10 deadline. For more information on a specific piece of legislation, please reach out to my staff or use https://malegislature.gov/.
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Rep. Meschino speaks at the press conference with legislators, advocates, and State House staff on H.669/S.422. | |
Rep. Meschino Testifies on Climate Roadmap, Supportive Housing at Bond Bill Hearing | |
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On January 18, I testified on the Governor's long-awaited housing bond bill The Affordable Homes Act (H.4138), where I discussed the pressing need to decarbonize our housing sector through green investment. I also testified on the need for permanent supportive housing for our Commonwealth's most vulnerable unhoused residents, which is addressed in my bill H.1354 An Act to create and implement a Massachusetts flexible supportive housing subsidy pool program.
This bond bill is an opportunity to begin putting Massachusetts back on track to ensure that everyone has access to stable and affordable housing, and I look forward to seeing its development in the coming weeks.
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Rep. Meschino testifies at the Housing Committee hearing on her housing bond bill priorities in H.4138. | |
Rep. Meschino Joins Legislators for METCO Advocacy Day | Now and always, I'm proud to represent towns that continue to partner with the incredible METCO program, a longstanding institution that provides integrated educational opportunities to K-12 students in the Greater Boston community. I joined my colleagues in the House and Senate, leaders in public schools, and METCO staff on the Grand Staircase of the State House this week to celebrate the accomplishments of METCO. | |
Rep. Meschino, (third row, third from left) celebrating METCO priorities with legislators and METCO leaders. | |
Rep. Meschino Joins Legislative Colleagues at State of the Commonwealth Address | |
This month marks a year into Governor Healey's term, and she presented the traditional State of the Commonwealth address in front of a joint session of the Legislature. Her speech focused on climate, housing, transportation, and elder care: these have been and remain my priorities as your State Representative, and furthering these initiatives is what brought me to office. Thank you Governor Healey for recognizing and uplifting these critical issues, and I look forward to making progress through our collective work. | |
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Left: Rep. Meschino with Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer on the House floor.
Right: Governor Healey gives her State of the Commonwealth address.
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Rep. Meschino Speaks at Elders Climate Action Rally In State House | |
This week, friends from Elders Climate Action visited the State House for their annual legislative rally, where I gave brief remarks. Thank you to this group of committed activists for staying determined to combat climate change and advocating for key climate legislation. | |
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Left: Rep. Meschino joins the Massachusetts chapter of Elders Climate Action on the Grand Staircase in the State House.
Right: Rep. Meschino (middle) joins Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Rep. Steven Owens (D-Watertown) at the rally.
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STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | |
Better Beaches Grant Program Now Available from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, Applications Due March 1st | |
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Since 2008, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay has partnered with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to award small Better Beaches Grants to local organizations and artists who activate the region’s public beaches through free public events and programs on public beaches in Nahant, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy, and Hull.
Whether you are part of an organization, an artist collective, or are a creative individual with a vision for a more diverse and activated waterfront, there are Better Beaches grant opportunities for you! Grant applicants can come from any community, as long as their proposed event takes place on one of our region’s public DCR beaches. The goal of the Better Beaches Grant Program is to give decision-making power directly to community members over community spaces.
Please visit the Save the Harbor/Save the Bay site for more information. Applications are due on March 1st. You may email Maya Smith at smith@savetheharbor.org with any questions regarding the Better Beaches Grant Program.
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MassDOT Sumner Tunnel Construction Project Open Until Spring; Weekend MBTA Ferry Service Schedule to Boston Paused from Hingham and Hull Until Spring | |
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The MassDOT Sumner Tunnel project, which will provide structural upgrades to the century-old southbound tunnel, is now in its next phase. The Tunnel has reopened, with future closures beginning in the spring. To learn more about the MassDOT Sumner Tunnel project, please visit https://www.mass.gov/sumner-tunnel. Please consider taking alternate modes of transit to Logan Airport to avoid travel disruptions.
All ferries are back to full pre-COVID service levels and will maintain regular service schedules in light of MassDOT's current construction project on East Boston's Sumner Tunnel. Weekend service has paused until the spring for the Hingham – Hull – Logan Airport – Long Wharf Ferry (F2H) ferry. Please plan accordingly.
To learn more and to view ferry schedules, please visit https://www.mbta.com/schedules/ferry.
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Rep. Meschino Joins United Way of Plymouth County at Legislative Breakfast | |
This month, I joined United Way of Plymouth County at their Legislative Breakfast, hosted at Bridgewater State University. With a keynote speaker from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, we discussed ways to improve our communities and support households throughout the region as we continue to work toward solutions for the housing crisis. | |
Rep. Meschino joins President and CEO of Father Bill's John Yazwinski (left) and State Senator John Keenan (right). | Rep. Meschino Visits with Safe Harbor Cohasset Team at Kickoff Breakfast | |
In January, I joined board members, staff, and other local and state leaders at the Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition Kickoff. Discussed were their goals addressing substance abuse and prevention. as well as mental health issues directly related to use disorders. Thank you to Safe Harbor Cohasset and our thoughtful young citizens for their work in preventing drug and alcohol abuse. | |
Rep. Meschino (middle) joins Safe Harbor staff in Cohasset for their start-of-year meeting. | |
Rep. Meschino Honors Veterans at Hingham HS Wrestling Team Event | |
This month, Hingham High School's wrestling team said thanks to our veterans at their annual Veterans' Appreciation Night. The school invited local veterans to attend the match and honored them with a ceremony beforehand. Thank you to the Hingham High School community for continuing to pay respects to those who have served in our nation's armed forces. | |
Rep. Meschino (right) poses for a photo with Senator O'Connor, Hingham Director of Veterans' Services Keith Jermyn, and members of the Hingham High wrestling community. | |
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Announcing Office Hours for February
Constituent services are our top priority. We continue to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, a staff member will be present in the State House. On Mondays, I host in-person office hours in the district with me or a member of my staff.
If you would like to reserve a time slot for virtual office hours or outside of the times listed, please call the office at our new phone number 617-722-2092 or email my Legislative Aide.
- Monday, February 5, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, February 12, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, February 26, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
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General Resources
COVID-19 Vaccines
- Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment using the Vaccine Finder
- COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9 AM-2 PM) is available by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts for assistance / translation services.
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Homebound Vaccination Program information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
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MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov allows residents to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history
COVID-19 Tests, Cases & Treatment
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