What makes me hopeful

Hello hello!

This is my last letter to you in 2022. I have loved writing to you, as much as I have loved your replies.

Heading into the new year, I’m balancing hope with a growing concern for our communities – amid rising prices; heightened racist, antisemitic, and LGBTQ-related violence; and global strife.

Yet still, the incoming administration in the Commonwealth gives me hope. I’m grateful that our team remains strong as we head into our third term in office. I’m hopeful about the momentum we’ve built, the help we’ve offered, the wins we’ve achieved, and the work we’ve charted for the coming year. (Read on!)

I’m also thankful for some massive wins federally, including the latest protections enshrined for same-sex marriages. I was honored to be invited by the White House to today's bill signing for the Respect for Marriage Act. While I am unable to attend because of a jammed district schedule, I’ll be cheering with many of you as President Biden signs the bill – as I’m sure many of us were cheering for Senator Raphael Warnock who is the embodiment of hope and grace.

As we cross (unbelievably) into 2023, my team and I are laser focused on our commitment to make Massachusetts a place where every single person can thrive.

In his famous poem The Cure at Troy, poet Seamus Heaney called this kind of work making "hope and history rhyme." Rhyming takes all of us – you, me, our team – seizing this moment to help create a much-needed and "longed-for tidal wave of justice."

Heaney believed – and I believe – that the "further shore is reachable from here." I know we can get there together.

Let’s look back and ahead:

Budget Wonks Meet in California

I spent several days last week with the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) in San Diego at the invitation of the Senate President. For the first two days, I nerded-out with my good friend and colleague, Senator Cindy Friedman, at a budget-focused intensive training. We are among a small cohort of legislators from around the nation with whom we’ll stay connected all year as we build our capacity to navigate the coming session with regard to infrastructure, emergency management preparedness, state pension funds, and more. We’ll also produce budgeting resources for colleagues nationwide focused on these key topics.

During the next two days of the larger NCSL conference, I focused again on infrastructure as well as on education, road safety, mental health, the public sector workforce, and more.

"Beauty in Community" Released

Last summer, two remarkable interns – high school students Lila Nields-Duffy and Jasper Graham – hit the road to photograph and celebrate the places in our district that you told us were the most beautiful, that brought you the most joy, that embodied the best of your community.

In 2023, our district will grow to be 25 of the most extraordinary cities and towns in the Commonwealth. We'll use your written reflections and the photos – that Jasper and Lila took and that you shared with us – to tell the story of our district here at home and to colleagues in Boston. You can watch Lila and Jasper's video here.

You can read reflections from Jasper and Lila here. Thank you to all who participated, especially Jeromie Whalen and The Nields. We recognize that there are many more places to see and an even greater diversity of stories that should and can be told. Please email jo.comerford@masenate.gov with your ideas.

Constituent Highlights (350 Cases in 2022 and Counting)

Work on behalf of constituents is the heartbeat and soul of our team, and we’re so lucky to have Constituent Services Director Rachel Klein leading our efforts. Rachel has been on the team for one year. She took a moment to capture her thinking about how and why we do this work, while sharing a handful of cases that captured her heart. You can read Rachel’s blog here.

Bringing Home Funding

I joke with people that this job has brought out my competitive nature as I haggle and fight for our region. One of the places the team and I “throw down” is around money. Chief of Staff Jared Freedman took a look at the funding we’ve brought home over the last four years in direct earmarks – $13,741,574.

But that’s not all. We’ve also led the addition of more than $300 million to statewide line-items that are key for our district, like funding for local public health, funding for MassHire Career Centers, increases for key youth programs, Community Preservation Act increases, raises for juvenile court investigators, and more through targeted and successful amendments.

But still, that’s not all. In addition to earmarks, we also help our constituents and communities access their fair share of grants and line-item funds for pre-K to public higher education, housing, roads and bridges, water and sewer, and beyond, to ensure that sufficient funding from statewide line-items returns to the district.

In the last year, District Director Elena Cohen co-led a very successful five-part grants workshop collaborating with Regional Planning Agencies, Representative Natalie Blais, and Senate colleagues to invite agency staff to present the grants available to cities and towns on a range of issues – from street safety to climate mitigation and more. Over 175 municipal officials from the four western counties registered for the series.

And yes. We will absolutely return next session to build on and expand this work by collaborating with colleagues to include nonprofit agencies and to hold sessions focused on federal funding.

Celebrating 100 Interns and Fellows

In mid-November, our team celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of the jaw-dropping 100 interns and fellows with whom we have had the joy of working over the past four years. You can read reflections from just a few of the interns here. (And some of them appear below!)

Interns and fellows inspire us with their passion and commitment to public service. Their work expands our efforts immeasurably. Our team also shares the belief that it's our job to support and help launch this powerful, rising generation.

The team is accepting summer 2023 intern applications through March 1. You can find the application here.

The Library Tour Concludes (watch the video!) and News

One of the promises I made while I was campaigning in 2018 was that I’d be accessible to you. I’ve never believed that it’s enough just to be available by email, Zoom, and phone – I have to show up.

On that note, among the greatest joys of the last four years has been the library tour organized by Elena and hosted by librarians in every city and town in our current and future district – 28 in total. In addition to listening to constituents, the visits have helped me to be a stronger advocate for libraries, at a time when several communities in the district are struggling with spiking costs of library construction.

Please take a moment to look at this quick video celebrating these remarkable democracy hubs and gatherings. (You may see yourself!) THANK YOU to everyone who hosted and attended.

And, even as we celebrate the library work, I’m pleased to announce a new initiative that will take us to every K-12 school district in our region, as well as every Council on Aging. We’ll keep pushing forward with you so that we’re always listening deeply to and learning from the people we serve.

What the Heck is Policy?

One of my favorite things to do is demystify state government, and one of the first places I begin is with the word “policy.” Policy sounds fancy. Rarified. Elite. But it’s actually the opposite. Policy is just an idea for how to make things better. This year I was again invited to speak to the UMass School of Public Policy, and I had a blast sharing a lightning round of nine lessons in how to move policy forward. You can read my remarks here.

Legislative Director Brian Rosman is submerged in bill preparation for the coming session and the filing deadline on January 20, 2023. Our entire team is thrilled about the bills we’re filing – some new, some returning and strengthened. We’re meeting with advocates, sifting through ideas, listening to constituents, and considering the strongest ideas. Brian sums it up wonderfully, “We’ll be filing around 70 bills for the upcoming session. Our legislative agenda is like those strips we used to weave into a mat in grade school. Each strip overlaps with lots of others. Some of the bills deal with local or regional issues, and others are statewide policy issues. Some of them are based on ideas we generated internally, and others are proposals brought to us by advocates. We love that a number of these bills stem from constituents who came to us with a specific concern or idea. Some have a broad focus, while others are very narrow. The topics range from tax policy to environmental protection to health care to farm issues to civil and human rights to making local government work more effectively – and more. Every bill has a story behind it – a human story that transcends the policy details turned into legalese. Taken as a whole, it’s an agenda that reflects the mosaic of concerns of our region – permeated with a focus on equity and justice in its many dimensions.”

Early in the new year I will provide a complete rundown with brief summaries and links to the text of every bill I file.

2022 Recognitions

This year, I’ve been honored to receive recognition on behalf of our team for the work we’ve done together to advance key priorities. In turn, I want to recognize these stellar organizations as each of them have advanced important policy and budget priorities. (Big reminder: The State House works when people make it work.)

Most recently:

MassNAELA 2022 Legislator of the Year Award

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (“NAELA”) is a national association of lawyers who work with older clients, disabled clients of all ages, and their families.

Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Membership

WMAIA confers Honorary Membership every two years on a person outside the profession of architecture who has “rendered distinguished service of regional significance to the profession of architecture or to the arts and sciences allied therewith.”

Recognition from Back from the Brink

Back from the Brink works to prevent the growing threat that nuclear weapons pose to our health, environment, and all we hold dear.

And additional 2022 awards from:

The Massachusetts Environmental Health Association which is an association furthering the advancement of public and environmental health.
The Dignity Alliance which works to secure fundamental changes in the provision of long-term services, support, and care.
The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) which is a statewide association dedicated to the expansion of comprehensive health care services in Massachusetts.

Out and about

Last week Monte Belmonte hung up his microphone (for the moment) after an exquisite 17-year stint on WRSI (93.9). I loved Monte’s show and listened often. Yet, as many know, Monte’s impact – his goodness – extends far beyond the River’s Northampton studio. In addition to wildly-fun, informative, and meaningful shows, Monte dedicates himself to cause after cause, from food security to cancer support, to the arts, and beyond.

What’s more, his personal, love-filled, faith-led generosity (and really huge ideas like camping out in the snow and walking 43 miles) has a force multiplier effect which inspires others (like me) to join in. That’s why, as part of his last show, I visited the studio (along with many others) to present him with the first annual (and maybe the only ever) LIFT ALL BOATS AWARD – created for someone whose actions not only make our world better but inspire and invite others to act.

(I made the award at my kitchen counter and I’m afraid the paint was still a bit wet when I handed it over, but it was nonetheless heartfelt.)

Last week, the first hearing of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission kicked off in Pittsfield.

I’m honored to serve on this Commission, the charge of which is to determine the best governance structure for western Mass passenger rail – east/west, north/south, and beyond.

We'll also hold hearings in Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester Counties and I'll do my best to make sure constituents know how to weigh in.

Just a reminder that House and Senate members passed language this session forming this Commission in the Transportation bond bill, along with $250 million in bonding authority.

I had the privilege of speaking at a powerful, packed launch event for public higher education funding at the State House thanks to MTA, AFT, and faculty, staff, and student leaders.

This is the moment to transform public higher education. We need debt-free education, programs and funding that support student success, resources to recruit and retain excellent faculty and staff, and funding for 21st c. green and healthy infrastructure.

Thousands poured into Northampton for the inspiring 2022 Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage which raised a staggering $791,782. Honored to cheer on the walkers, runners, and everyone working for a world free of domestic violence and abuse. Thank you to Lori Loisel for the photo.

I had the opportunity to wield the gavel and preside over a Senate Session for the first time. It was an honor, and also quite fun, to shephard policy, resolutions, and orders to the Senate floor — as all must move between the House and Senate during their journey through the Legislature. My thanks to the Senate President for the invitation.

I had a pretty darn awesome day one (Springfield to Northampton) of Monte's 13th Annual Walk for The Food Bank of Western Mass.

Grateful to walk. Grateful to be part of a tremendous team, “Cultivate Generosity.” Thankful for all those who have pushed my personal fundraising total to $1,595. There is so much love in this region. During Monte’s March, we see it all in action – called forward by Monte and Congressman Jim McGovern.

I traveled to Winchendon to learn more about HEAL, an extraordinary community-based effort to serve and transform the community.

Please join me in cheering for the herculean efforts of municipal officials and volunteers across 53 western and north-central Mass communities to expand broadband service through the Last Mile Program.

Over the past six years, broadband committees in every town, working closely with regional planning agencies and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), have led and seen through the planting of 40,000 telephone poles, laying of 2,000 miles of fiber optic cable, and delivery of high-speed internet to approximately 26,000 new locations. I’m grateful to this mighty coalition and for the support of the Baker-Polito Administration for this effort. Bravo!

We know the work is not done. I promise that we'll keep pushing forward.

What's next?

Our team's Chief of Staff, Jared Freedman, attended a workshop about the proposed expansion of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). MWRA’s water comes from the Quabbin Reservoir and the Wachusett Reservoir.

The reason for this workshop is that North Shore, Metro West, and South Shore communities are currently in need of new sources of drinking water and are considering whether they could get water from the MWRA.

Given how much of the Quabbin Reservoir is in our district, I want to make sure that if the MWRA begins sending more Quabbin water to eastern Massachusetts, that the drinking water needs of western Massachusetts municipalities are taken care of first and that we are fairly compensated. So I am digging in here and plan to remain engaged.

This is just one of the places we'll watchdog and hope to advance in the new year.

I'm sworn in on January 4 and I'll tell you all about the new Senate and the new Administration when I write again.

AND, if you live in South Hadley, Whately or Colrain, this will be my final newsletter to you as your state senator. I have loved representing your towns and people. Thank you for that honor. In January, Senator-elect Paul Mark will represent Whately and Colrain and Senator-elect Jake Oliveira will represent South Hadley and I'll be glad to support their important work on your behalf.