Volume 7, Issue 6 (June 27, 2025) | | |
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying a cool Friday following a hot beginning of the week. June'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 July, 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 July!
Very truly yours,
Joan
| | FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | | Rep. Meschino Hires Summer Interns | | Earlier this month, my office welcomed four summer interns: Aimee, Louisa, Will, and Henry. They are engaged in individual research projects, attending events in the State House, and experiencing the day-to-day life of the legislature. Each summer, interns conduct and present meaningful research projects on a wide variety of issue areas. This year’s topics include affordable housing, climate resiliency, and women’s health. The research will help move current legislation through the process and will build the foundation for future legislation I propose. | | Interns and Legislative Aide Jane Fulton watch formal session from the House gallery. | | Joint Committee Hearings Are Underway | | With the legislative session in full swing, I have testified on a number of my bills in the past few weeks. I testified on my drought management bill, H.1003, which would codify the Drought Management Task Force and permit regional water conservation measures during times of drought. I also testified in support of H.3388, which I filed alongside Senator Patrick O’Connor. The bill would designate September 22nd as "Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day," a day to pay tribute to those that we have lost due to mental health challenges and increase awareness of this epidemic. Supporting our servicemembers locally requires a collective community effort and is a priority for my office. | | Rep. Meschino testifies on H.3388. | | Caucus to End and Prevent Homelessness Hold Kickoff Meeting | |
The Caucus to End and Prevent Homelessness held our first meeting of the legislative session. We had a great turnout with over 50 legislators and staff attending. Senator Feeney, Representative Hawkins, Representative Mendes, and I co-chair the caucus with the ultimate goal of providing all Massachusetts legislators with the facts and guidance to craft and implement the legislation needed to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring throughout the lifespan, for every person in Massachusetts.
We heard from United Way of Massachusetts Bay President and CEO, Marty Martinez, as well as staff from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and legislators working in the space. We will host multiple meetings throughout the session to discuss the intricacies of this urgent topic.
| | Rep. Mendes, Rep. Meschino, and Rep. Hawkins on the House floor. | | Elders Climate Action Holds State House Lobby Day | Elders Climate Action (ECA) of Massachusetts held their lobby day at the State House, advocating for effective climate legislation. I enjoyed welcoming them alongside Rep. Owens and Rep. Sena and hearing their perspective on the state’s path to meet our 2050 net zero goals. We discussed three of my climate bills that are priority ECA legislation session, including bills related to the creation of a climate bank in Massachusetts (H.3937), ensuring effective drought management (H.1003), and building decarbonization (H.3529). You can read more about their visit here. | | Rep. Sena and Rep. Meschino with ECA members. | | STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | | Fore River Bridge Notification System | | Fore River Bridge notifications were previously listed for free on the Patriot Ledger. In June, the MBTA announced an alternate system for bridge closure notifications. Constituents can receive notifications for any bridge openings via email/SMS depending on preferences. Additionally, if the Fore River Bridge is in a lifted state, it will be displayed on the Mass511 web page and app as a Yellow Diamond over the location of the Fore River bridge. More information for signing up for this notification system can be found here. | | MBTA Announces Minor Ferry Service Interruptions | | Starting in mid-June, MBTA officials announced that the Georges Island ferry dock would be closed for repair until further notice. The MBTA offers limited, seasonal service to the island which will not be available until the repairs are finished. Portions of the Town of Hull parking lot at the Pemberton Point ferry terminal continue to be closed for sewer repairs, and will be through 2025. | | DCR Announces Park Passport Challenge | | This new initiative, launched June 21st in 12 DCR parks across the state, is aimed at bringing a new generation of outdoor explorers into the state park system by inviting visitors to collect unique stamps at 12 participating DCR parks and watersheds. Individuals who collect all 12 stamps by the program’s Sunday, November 30 end date, will receive a Park Passport water bottle sticker and will be entered to win a grand prize. More information can be found here. | | Department of Developmental Services Offers Autism Water Safety Resource | | Many children with ASD are drawn to water, which significantly increases the risk of drowning—the leading cause of death among children with autism. To help address these critical safety concerns, the Department of Developmental Services, in collaboration with the Office of the Child Advocate, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Federation for Children with Special Needs, and other partners, has launched a new online resource which can be found here. | | RMV Warns of Scam Messages | | The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is cautioning the public to beware of text messages that allege to be from the RMV that request payment or other information. The practice, also known as smishing, can involve messages stating the RMV will take action against an individual due to unpaid fees. If you receive any kind of message telling you to make a payment or that you need to act quickly, do NOT click the link. The RMV will never text you looking for payment. Customers should only use Mass.Gov/RMV for online RMV services. | | Law Day Ceremony Honors Cohasset Police Officers | | Quincy District Court held a legislative breakfast, aimed at ensuring there is an open line of communication between the courts and the legislature. This was followed by a Law Day Ceremony celebrating the crucial components of our legal system and honoring key members of local police and fire departments, state police, district attorneys, as well as Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano. Officer Kevin Lynch, Officer Brendan Skerry, and Sergeant Harrison Schmidt from the Cohasset Police Department received awards. The bravery and service of these individuals make our communities stronger. | | (From Left to Right) Sergeant Schmidt, Officer Skerry, Officer Lynch, and Representative Meschino. | | Hingham Citizens Police Academy Holds Graduation | | Earlier this month, I joined Senate Patrick O’Connor and local officials to celebrate the graduation of the 66th Citizens Police Academy session. Held by the Hingham Police Department, the program is the longest running in the Commonwealth and acts as a model for other departments in New England. The academy helps create stronger ties between citizens and law enforcement, and provides increased understanding and public engagement. | | |
Rep. Meschino Announces Office Hours for July
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, July 7, 10:00am - 11:00am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, July 14, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, July 21, 10:00am - 11:00am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, July 28, 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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