One of my favorite playwrights of all time is David Budbill. Long before I arrived in western Massachusetts, David's writing taught me about the urgency of rural life — the perils of long, raw winters and the intensity of the natural world that bursts to life between hills that are too briefly green.
In western Massachusetts we’re between those green hills right now as plants and trees all around us grow exponentially — seeming to triple in size overnight as they root and push and stretch — not only to survive, but to flourish.
The second year of a legislative session is similar in its urgency. Every minute counts in the work to push and stretch to enact as much good policy and equitable spending as possible before the end of formal sessions on July 31.
(While the Legislative calendar is year-round, the House and Senate stop holding formal sessions at the end of July in the second year of session. I have learned the history of this decision and while I understand it, like David’s characters, I feel the urgency of this time. There’s so much to complete. So much to get right.)
That’s why our team is hustling. During these sizzling days, we’re sending caffeine, carbs, chocolate, and goodwill to our very tired Senate colleagues as we endeavor to make the most of every opportunity.
And, like some of you, I’m also pulled to the national election — that is until I shake myself back to our work for Massachusetts believing, as I do, that there’s so much important work for us to do here. Especially now since state government can and should be both an innovator and a line of defense for our people.
Since I last wrote to you at the end of May, the Senate has debated and passed consequential bills. I’ll tell you about a few of them amid a great many other updates as you read on.
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In this home stretch of the session, bills have already been reviewed by committees and are now coming to the floor to be voted on by the Senate. Many of the bills come to the floor as omnibus bills. (An omnibus bill is legislation that packages together multiple proposals on a single issue.)
When these omnibus bills come to the floor, my job is to: (1) ensure they work for our region and (2) try to include relevant legislation that my team and I have filed in the omnibus.
If we’ve done our work correctly — powered by razor sharp advocacy from constituents — some of our priorities are already included in the omnibus bill before it comes to the floor.
If our priorities aren’t already included or if we believe we sould strengthen the legislation with our district in mind, we file amendments. (It’s safe to say none of my colleagues are surprised by the amendments I file on your behalf.)
You can track my votes on all bills and floor amendments here.
Clean energy legislation
This session’s clean energy debate took shape in September when Governor Maura Healey established a Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting. Understanding that legislation would be based upon this Commission’s recommendations, I commented on those recommendations in May, summarizing our shared priorities for equitably siting solar and battery storage and protecting our invaluable natural resources and working lands.
When the Senate’s clean energy bill (S.2829, An Act upgrading the grid and protecting ratepayers) was released for review, I heard from more than 400 of you with your priorities, concerns, and suggestions for amendments.
The Senate’s legislation reforms the existing process for siting clean energy facilities (the current process is not working for our towns), expands electric vehicle infrastructure, decarbonizes buildings, controls energy costs, curbs our reliance on natural gas, and prioritizes protecting ratepayers as we overhaul our energy infrastructure.
Thanks to early and persistent advocacy, many (but not all) of our priorities were included in the Commission’s recommendations and in the bill that came to the Senate floor. I also filed nine amendments — focused on everything from embodied carbon to solar canopies.
I wrote to you before debate began. Read that summary here.
On June 25, after a slight delay (discussed here) and after a 10-hour debate, we passed the omnibus clean energy bill.
I spoke during debate about the importance of getting clean energy siting right — for western Massachusetts and our shared future. Watch here.
A successful amendment from Senator Cindy Creem included An Act to expand the Bottle Bill in the omnibus clean energy package. I heard from many of you about this policy and I was glad to support this change to modernize our container deposit system and boost recycling. More here.
When the dust settled, four amendments that my team and I filed were successfully adopted. Read more about the final bill and what we achieved here.
Addressing the housing crisis
Two days after the clean energy debate, we were back in the Senate chamber to debate major housing legislation, S.2834 the Affordable Homes Act — a $5.4 billion dollar policy and bonding authorization bill.
Thanks to the advocacy of the Western Mass Housing Coalition, the Rural Policy Advisory Commission, the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness, the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Valley Community Development, Stavros, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, and many others, many of our priorities were already included in the bill that came to the Senate floor. We also filed 14 amendments.
Our team had essentially been working on this bill for about a year. I summarized our work leading up to debate here.
Thursday’s debate stretched on for 13 hours, before we passed the omnibus housing bill around midnight on June 27.
When the dust settled, five amendments and four bonding authorizations that I filed were successfully adopted.
Read more about the final bill and what we achieved here.
I spoke on the floor in support of my local option luxury real estate transfer fee amendment, with a shout out to the Town of Amherst. The amendment would have enabled cities and towns to assess a fee on the sales of luxury real estate, with any funds generated going into that municipality’s affordable housing trust fund. The transfer fee didn’t prevail this session, but you can bet we’re coming back in 2025.
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Information technology upgrades
On June 6, the Senate debated and passed S.2806, An Act to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts (or the FutureTech Act), a $1.24 billion bonding authorization to modernize the Commonwealth’s IT infrastructure.
This bill enables state agencies to deliver services more efficiently to residents, enhances cybersecurity statewide, and broadens access to state services used by hundreds of thousands of residents. The bill also provides funding for our local governments to upgrade their IT systems, which many of our towns badly need.
I have been appointed as the Senate Chair of the Conference Committee tasked with reconciling the different versions of the IT bond bills passed by the House and Senate. I look forward to working with my House partner to get a final bill to the Governor’s desk.
Veterans
On June 13, I joined my colleagues to vote unanimously in support of H.4671, An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (or the HERO Act).
This legislation increases benefits for disabled veterans, bolsters support for businesses that hire veterans, updates the definition of a veteran, expands the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board, and codifies medical and dental benefits.
Learn more about the bill’s provisions here.
Plastics
On June 20, the Senate passed S.2830, An Act to reduce plastics.
Most years I participate in river cleanups in our district. I am always both saddened and angered by the number of bottles, nips, bags, and containers we pull out of the river. As much as I love joining friends and neighbors to protect the environment, I look forward to the day that we stop pulling plastic out of our rivers. This bill moves us toward this goal.
Read here for a summary of the legislation.
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This June, I held two town halls to hear from constituents about the issues that matter to you.
Over 150 constituents attended the June 10 gathering at Greenfield Community College. All at once, it was a beautiful, complicated, and moving embodiment of democracy in our region.
If you weren’t able to attend, you can watch the recording here.
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On Sunday, June 23, I joined a host of young people and families at our first-ever Family Town Hall at Edwards Church in Northampton.
I offered a few updates, shared the story of how the Podokesaurus Holyokensis became the official dinosaur of the Commonwealth, and answered lots and lots of questions. You can find the story slides and a step-by-step guide to drawing the Podokesaurus here.
(Thanks to a community member, kids could put their hand in the footprint of the Podokesaurus. Pretty cool!)
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Happy PRIDE to our beautifully-diverse LGBTQIA+ community.
On June 5, I was delighted to join members of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus, Governor Healey, and others to raise the pride flag at the State House.
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On June 15, I joined Representative Natalie Blais, Western Massachusetts Director for Governor Healey Kristen Elechko, Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher, Greenfield Councilor-At-Large Penny Ricketts, and 1,000+ marchers from across Franklin County in a celebration of LGBTQIA+ rights and communities at the joyous Franklin County Pride.
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On June 4, I joined the UMass Clean Energy Extension and Representative Mindy Domb, along with other members of our western Mass state delegation, for Part II of the Western Massachusetts Solar Forum.
Part II focused on understanding and discussing the recommendations from the Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting and their implications for western Massachusetts communities.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Part I and/or Part II of this forum. With stakes as high as they are, I remain very glad to partner with the Clean Energy Extension team.
Watch the forum — and an incredible lineup of speakers — here.
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Constituents in the State House (featuring state champions!) |
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On June 5, my team joined with Representative Natalie Blais and the western Massachusetts delegation to co-host a fabulous group of Hampshire and Franklin county constituents — among them small business owners, educators, nonprofit leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs — at the State House, organized by the tireless Tara Brewster and Greenfield Savings Bank. Here are just a few snapshots of their packed day.
The group met with Attorney General Andrea Campbell (pictured below).
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They spoke with Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (below). |
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And they met with some of Governor Healey’s senior staff — Chief Secretary of Appointments April English, Director of Engagement Art Gordon, Associate Chief of Staff for Policy & Cabinet Affairs Sarah Sabshon, and Western Massachusetts Director Kristen Elechko.
On June 26, thanks to an invitation from Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, my team and I helped welcome the state champion Northampton High School Girls and Gender-Inclusive Ultimate Frisbee Team to the State House. The team also competed at the national tournament in Rockford, Illinois, where it placed fifth. Cheers to these stellar young athletes for their determination and teamwork.
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Important updates on FirstLight relicensing |
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On June 21, I wrote to constituents with timely updates about FirstLight’s hydro relicensing process. There’s a great deal happening. Read here for this latest information.
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As of May 28, Amtrak has expanded its Valley Flyer north/south service route. There are now two additional trains per day (one northbound and one southbound) Monday through Friday.
I am grateful to MassDOT for its unwavering commitment to growing this service along the knowledge corridor. Thanks to Amtrak for its partnership. Cheers to Trains in the Valley for its steadfast advocacy. I'm glad to join state and federal partners in support of this expanded and necessary service — among an array of rail services needed in our region.
More on the Valley Flyer service here.
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2025-2029 Capital Investment Plan |
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Speaking of critical transportation investments, this Monday (July 1) I testified at a public hearing on MassDOT’s 2025-2029 Capital Investment Plan (CIP). The CIP is a rolling five-year framework that proposes allocating state and federal funds to communities for long term improvements to the transportation system.
You can read my testimony here. I raised up the 42 highway projects across our district that were included in the CIP, the requests from Regional Transit Authorities and Regional Planning Agencies, the needs for robust regional rail, and more. I also urged MassDOT to consider including Northern Tier (or Route 2) Rail as well as funding for the Schell Bridge reconstruction in Northfield in the revised CIP.
The following are two relevant slides from the presentation.
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On June 11, I joined Chairs Adam Gomez, Paul Schmid, and Dan Donahue for a joint oversight hearing held by the Agriculture Committee and the Cannabis Policy Committee on hemp regulation in the Commonwealth.
I am grateful to all who testified and to Policy and Constituent Services Director Rachel Klein from our team who led the organizing. It was a classic example of why the legislature holds oversight hearings — they spark necessary collaboration and progress on an issue. You can watch the recording here.
This was an important conversation that opened the door to much work ahead. After the hearing, I released the following statement.
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Introducing the newest permanent section of the newsletter. In the In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) section, the team and I will share quick links to news stories and other updates that may be of interest to you and/or relate to our team’s work.
Here’s an exciting update on the blue envelopes initiative for drivers on the autism spectrum. Below is a picture of me, Sam Kanji, a leading advocate for the Blue Envelopes Bill, and featured speaker Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, from the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts Autism Advocacy Day in April, where I had the privilege of announcing that Massachusetts officially has blue envelopes available for pick up. More on that incredible day here.
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Out and about — a quick summary of where we’ve been
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On May 30, I joined Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle, Deputy Commissioner Winton Pitcoff, Representative Aaron Saunders, and others at a tour of Diemand Farm in Wendell.
Diemand Farm is known for its eggs and poultry. We visited to learn about the impact of Food Security Infrastructure Grants (FSIG) on the farm’s business.
I was involved in launching FSIG through my work on a Governor-appointed food security task force in 2019 and 2020. Since then the Administration and Legislature have joined to increase funding to this highly-successful and much-needed program.
I *tried* to fill egg cartons and was ridiculously inept, outpaced by Anne Diemand about 20 to 1 (or more). Annie’s face says it all.
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On May 31, I joined members of the western Mass state and federal delegation and housing and shelter leaders at the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness 8th Annual Regional Gathering at Holyoke Community College. |
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On June 1, (aka) National Trails Day, I joined forces with a group of dedicated advocates who organized an accessible hike to lift up a Trails for All bill I filed to dramatically increase the number and accessibility of trails across the Commonwealth.
Thank you Appalachian Mountain Club, Unpaved Trails for All, All Out Adventures, Paul Jahnige, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, Hampshire Birders, and more.
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Later that afternoon, I joined MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle at NEPM’s 10th Annual Asparagus Festival on the Hadley Town Common hosted by the Fabulous 413’s dynamic duo, Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith.
I had the chance to try my hand at bundling asparagus — or real Hadley grass. Let’s just say that I was as successful at asparagus bundling as I was placing fragile eggs into cartons. The grit and skill of farmers is boundless. Have mercy.
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On June 4, Representative Mindy Domb and I visited Fort River Elementary School in Amherst and were wowed by extraordinary civic education projects. |
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On June 10, I visited Viability in Greenfield and spoke with program participants and leaders about the critical funding needed to sustain the work of the program. |
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Also on June 10, our Boston-based team joined District Director Elena Cohen in western Massachusetts for a tour focused on agriculture, food, and food systems. Read all about their adventures here, as they began the day hearing from food scientists at UMass and ended the day hugging baby goats at Thomas Farm & Dairy. Pretty fabulous all together.
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On June 11, Director of Communications and Engagement Katelyn Billings represented our team on Senator Rebecca Rausch’s tour of her district (Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex). Katelyn visited a farm in Needham, learned about the region’s water needs, and ended the visit with a sweet treat from a local family-owned ice cream shop in Millis. |
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On June 13, District Director Elena Cohen represented our team at the groundbreaking for the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School's new horticulture building in Northampton. My team and I were able to secure $275,000 to help Smith Voc reach its construction goal and expand its transformative work. |
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On June 14, I had the privilege of joining Representative Natalie Blais to celebrate Greenfield’s Pamela Adams as a 2024 Commonwealth Heroine at the State House. More on Pamela’s extraordinary contributions here.
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On June 20, I had the honor of being asked to speak with 100+ bright and fierce summer interns from offices throughout the State House.
I shared stories about my journey to the State House, a few lessons I learned along the way, and answered their many questions about our team's work.
They are, indeed, a powerful and rising generation. Thank goodness they're here.
I'm pictured leaning in to a question from a dynamic UMass Amherst student. I was proud to be introduced by Ava Pujado, an intern with our team who is also at UMass Amherst.
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On June 21, I began my day by speaking at the Annual Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast. So glad to join members of the Franklin County delegation and so deeply grateful to Jessye Deane for her outstanding leadership. I zipped from the Chamber to the truly inspiring annual meeting of the North Quabbin Community Coalition (NQCC) in Athol.
NQCC’s incredible Director Heather Bialecki-Canning is pictured below.
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On June 28, the UMass Donahue Institute brought a group of international professors to the State House. Chief of Staff Jared Freedman met with them and showed them the Senate Chamber. |
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We’ll stop here — with appreciation for your partnership in these urgent times.
As our ever-lengthy letters to you demonstrate, we know that our constituents care deeply about the work of the Legislature. That's why we work with urgency on budget and policy throughout the full two-year session and then push as hard as we're pushing in these final weeks. We also want to acknowledge the concerns we've heard from constituents about the legislative process. We hear you and appreciate your feedback and send our love to you,
Jo, Brian, Rachel, Elena, Katelyn, and Jared
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Did you find the content of this email useful?
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Boston office
(617) 722-1532
State House
Room 410
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Amherst office
(413) 367-4656
UMass Amherst
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Please send all mail correspondence to the Boston office. |
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