Volume 7, Issue 10 (October 31, 2025) | | |
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying spooky season. October's edition includes recent legislative updates, news from my office, district happenings, and resources available at the state level.
We prioritize our constituent outreach and support in my office. In November, I will host four in-person office hours with me or 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
617-722-2092
Happy Halloween!
Very truly yours,
Joan
| | FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | | Rep. Meschino Speaks at Massachusetts Rivers Alliance Lobby Day | | This month, joined the Mass. Rivers Alliance for their annual lobby day. One of their priority pieces of legislation is my drought management bill (H.1003/S.586), which I filed with Rep. Dave Rogers and Senator Eldridge. As Massachusetts faces unprecedented levels of drought, we must allow for a coordinated, cooperative approach to drought management. A big thank you to all the folks helping to ensure we pass crucial legislation for the longevity and protection of our watersheds. | | (Left to right) Steve Long from the Nature Conservancy, Rep. Christine Barber, Rep. Meschino, and Heather Clish and Julia Blatt from the Mass. Rivers Alliance. | | Legislature Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month | | |
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Women's Caucus heard from providers, advocates, and legislators. Their message was clear: positive breast cancer outcomes are driven by early diagnoses and increased equity of resources.
Massachusetts breast cancer support service non-profit, Ellie Fund, works to decrease racial and economic disparities that exist in breast cancer outcomes. The Ellie Fund provides support services like grocery and gas gift cards, child care reimbursement, meal delivery and more to any person in treatment for breast cancer in Massachusetts.
| | Legislators attend breast cancer awareness event. | | Rep. Meschino Promotes Community Media Legislation | | October 20th was National Community Media Day. This month, I had the chance to join MassAccess at Watertown Cable Access, to discuss the importance of H.91/S.41, which ensures that community media centers have sustainable funding so that they can continue to offer local news that we can trust and rely on. This legislation is crucial to constituents and communities across the Commonwealth. | | (Left to right) Lindsay Toghill of O'Neill and Associates, Rep. Steve Owens, and Rep. Meschino. | | Rep. Meschino Testifies at Hearings | | |
I had a few key pieces of legislation receive hearings this month. I testified in support of H.3529, An Act relative to building energy and decarbonization. We know that 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built, so this forward-thinking bill will have long-lasting impacts on cost savings, carbon emissions reductions, public health benefits, and resilience.
I also testified on my bill protecting our natural and working lands and waters. I filed H.1005 with Senator Comerford (S.549). This legislation is urgent and relevant as we work to ensure our natural and working lands and waters receive the protection and valuation they deserve.
Finally, my office has been inundated with a dramatic increase of workers struggling to navigate the unemployment assistance process and receive payments. H.2149 is more important than ever. I testified this month on my bill which streamlines the waiver process for overpayments to non-fault claimants and ensures workers are not unjustly penalized. This bill is a simple and clear step in the right direction. If you are having trouble with DUA, please do not hesitate to reach out to my aide at jane.fulton@mahouse.gov or (617) 752-2875.
| | Rep. Meschino testifies on unemployment waiver bill. | | STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | | Resources Available For Those Experiencing SNAP Benefit Disruptions | | |
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline has expanded its hours this weekend to assist Massachusetts residents affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown and potential SNAP benefit disruptions impacting over 650,000 households across the state.
Temporary FoodSource Hotline Hours
Saturday, November 1: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, November 2: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
If you or someone you know needs food assistance, the FoodSource Hotline is confidential, toll-free, and offers help in up to 180 languages. Call 1-800-645-8333 for support and additional resources.
You can also search for local assistance programs and food pantries, which have received additional funding in light of potential SNAP disruptions, at findhelp.org. Residents can connect to food, housing, and other social services in their communities.
| | Construction Continues at Hingham Ferry Dock | Construction is ongoing in the Hingham Parking lot and on Shipyard Drive in preparation for the Hingham Ferry Dock upgrades. There is reduced parking in the lot, and portions of Shipyard Drive are affected. For more information, visit this link. | Boathouse Bistro in Hingham Receives Food Insecurity Grant | Boathouse Bistro received $45,000 from the Food Insecurity Grant Program run through MassDevelopment. This is part of a program in which independent restaurants in Massachusetts receive funding to prepare and supply meals and other food products for nonprofit meal distributors with the goal of helping address food insecurity in the state. | | Hull Lifesaving Museum Receives Grant for Boathouse Restoration | The Hull Lifesaving Museum received $190,000 for a Destination Development Capital Grant Program (DDC) from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) for their boathouse restoration project. | | MBTA Holds Water Transportation Study Events | | Rep. Meschino with Director of Ferry Operations, David Perry, and Dennis Zaia from Hull. | | BlueCross BlueShield Holds Annual Day of Service | | |
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts held their 15th Annual Service Day, with 3,000 associates serving local non-profits. Their event in Hingham included the support of organizations like Annie’s Kindness Blankets and My Brother's Keeper.
Volunteers made over 80 Annie’s Kindness Blankets and helped package food, personal hygiene items, and paper goods that were delivered by My Brother’s Keeper to local families in the weeks to come. A big thank you to everyone who made this day possible!
| | Rep. Meschino with volunteers. | | Rep. Meschino Sits Down with Julie Thompson on Harbor Media's "You The People" | | |
It’s always great to chat with Harbor Media's Julie Thompson about legislative and district updates impacting the 3rd Plymouth District.
From the MBTA's new Water Transportation Study looking at ferry improvements to Breast Cancer Awareness Month to my legislation focused on building decarbonization and veteran suicide awareness and remembrance, I appreciate the chance to share updates. You can listen here.
| | Rep. Meschino at the Harbor Media studio. | | Look Foundation Holds PANS/PANDAS Awareness and Fundraising Walk | | |
October 9th is World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day, raising awareness of these disorders and ensuring more accurate diagnosis for children who often spend years before getting the treatment they need and deserve.
I joined Senator O’Connor at the Look. Foundation’s second annual PANS/PANDAS Awareness and Fundraising Walk at the Boston Common. Thank you for all those that turned out and shared your stories and to those that work on this crucial issue.
| | Representative Meschino and Senator O'Connor at Look. Foundation event. | | Hull Resident Longlisted for Statewide Literature Award | | |
A huge congratulations to Crystal Seitz from Hingham for being longlisted for the Middle Grade/Young Adult literature award for her book, Inheritance of Scars. This was the 25th Annual Massachusetts Book Awards Ceremony hosted by the Mass Center for the Book.
Crystal’s second book is coming out shortly and she tells me her third is in the works. It was a wonderful celebration and I was glad to get the chance to show Crystal around the State House.
| | Rep. Meschino with Crystal Seitz in the House Chamber. | | |
Rep. Meschino Announces Office Hours for November
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 Aides, Jane and Harrison.
- Monday, November 3, 10:00am - 11:00am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, November 10, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, November 17, 10:00am - 11:00am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, November 24, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
| | Massachusetts 250th Anniversary Rev250 Events | |
- Across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, communities and institutions are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with events, exhibits, special tours, programs, festivals, performances, and much more. The 3rd Plymouth District will be celebrating its rich history with a series of events over the coming two years.
- View South Shore events here.
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