Volume 7, Issue 4 (April 25, 2025) | | |
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the recent warm weather. April'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 May, 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
Wishing you a wonderful May!
Very truly yours,
Joan
| | FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | | Rep. Meschino Speaks at Water Coalition Advocacy Day | | I had the pleasure of attending the Water Coalition Advocacy Day, hosted by the Charles River Watershed Association, Ipswich River Water Association, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and other incredible organizations. I spoke about the importance of my drought management bill (H.1003) and the need to take action now to protect our watersheds from unpredictable and unprecedented drought. It was great to hear about the other key work being done in this area. | | Rep. Meschino delivers remarks to WATER Coalition. | | Committees Hold Their First Hearings of the Session | | This month, the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity (AITIC) held our first hearing of the legislative session. The hearing focused on data privacy, a major topic in our state as technology rapidly advances. I also serve on the Higher Education, Election Laws, and Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure committees. | | Rep. Meschino and committee members attend first AITIC hearing. | | Nature Conservancy Holds Webinar on Investment in Natural and Working Lands | During Earth Month, we take a moment to appreciate the natural world, honor those who fight to protect it, and reflect on how we might be more responsible stewards of nature going forward. I'd like to invite you to join my colleague Senator Comerford and me as we participate in a Nature Conservancy webinar about investing in natural and working lands as a climate solution (H.1005). You can register here. | Aerial view of Triphammer Pond in Hingham (Photo by Ryan Fitch at Harbor Media). | Spring Intern Researches Climate Finance | Aruni Ranaweera, Master of Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School, interned with my office this spring. She conducted research on how to incentivize private investment in our natural and working lands. I filed An Act relative to incentives for nature as a climate solution (H.1006) which would create a task force dedicated to this sort of research. Aruni helped our office understand what current models exist and offered up exciting opportunities to increase investment in natural climate solutions. Thank you for your work this spring, Aruni! | | Rep. Meschino with Aruni Ranaweera. | | STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | | Department of Unemployment Assistance Launches Modernized System | | Massachusetts is launching a new unemployment insurance system, which replaces UI Online. If you're a claimant, please note that the UI Online system will be down from Thursday, May 1 at 5:00 PM until Tuesday, May 6 at 8:00 AM. This means you will not be able to access your UI Online account, file a claim, or request weekly benefits during this time. Please also note that benefits for the following week will be delayed by at least two business days. If you need any support adjusting to the new system or filing for benefits, please contact my office by emailing my Legislative Aide, Jane Fulton (jane.fulton@mahouse.gov). You can read about the upcoming changes to UI Online and learn more about what to expect at this link. | | MBTA Announces Summer Ferry Schedule | | Weekend Service for the Hingham/Hull Ferry will begin summer service starting on Saturday, May 17, 2025. For more information, please visit the MBTA website. | | Federal REAL ID Compliance Effective May 7th | | Starting May 7th, 2025, anyone traveling domestically by plane or wishing to enter secure federal facilities will need a REAL ID or Passport. You can learn more about required documents, making an appointment, or renewing your ID at Mass.Gov/REALID. Press Release. | | Rep. Meschino Attends Local Planning Council Legislative Breakfast | | I joined the Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) and Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) for a productive and engaging conversation. Regional planning agencies assist cities and towns in planning for present and future needs, utilizing local knowledge, technical expertise, and regional collaboration. I partner with MAPC on my building decarbonization bill (H.3529) to address greenhouse gas emissions from new construction and existing buildings, empower municipal leadership, and ensure access for overburdened communities. | | Rep. Meschino at the Old Colony Planning Council. | | Hingham Center for Active Living Celebrates Volunteers | | |
I joined the Hingham Center for Active Living in celebrating the volunteers that are crucial to the organization’s success. The Center supports the independence and ongoing personal development of Hingham’s aging population, advocates for their needs, and works to enhance the quality of their lives. Thank you to the Center and dedicated volunteers for all the work you do making our community a better place.
| | Legislators Hear from Farmers in Southeastern MA | | I had the pleasure of attending a listening session last week to learn about the unique challenges farmers in Southeastern Massachusetts face. The event was organized by SEMAP, Coastal Foodshed, and MA Food Systems Collaborative, and we were hosted by Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon, MA. It was an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from farmers across Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth counties about the real-world impacts of recent policy decisions and the state of farming in Massachusetts. | | Rep. Meschino joins fellow legislators, farmers, and advocates at Ward's Berry Farm. | | Rep. Meschino Gives Legislative Update on WATD 95.9 FM | | This month, I spoke on WATD with Christine James about legislative and district updates. You can listen on WATD’s website. | Rep. Meschino at the WATD Studio. | | |
Rep. Meschino Announces Office Hours for May
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, May 5, 10:00am - 11:00am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, May 12, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, May 19, 10:00am - 11:00am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, May 19, 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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