Where were you at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday?

Greetings from your State House:

[Below is a brief overview. Read here for much more in-depth information on each of the topics. Or this link will take you to a Facebook Live for a quick video recap .]

We had a productive last day of formal session for the year on Wednesday. We worked until the wee hours of the night to pass legislation dealing with education funding , flavored tobacco and vaping , cell phone use while driving , campaign finance , and children’s health and wellness . The Senate also passed a bill restricting single-use plastic bags , and members of the local Hampshire-Franklin delegation worked to pass legislation to protect and preserve the historic Hampshire County Courthouse in Northampton .

The gavel banged for the final time after 1:00 a.m., and so I didn't make it home until 3:30 a.m. (so that's where I was on Thursday morning :) but I drove home energized by my team's bold efforts, our work with great Senate colleagues, and my collaborations with tireless western Massachusetts colleagues to ensure that our region's interests were and remain well-represented.

While we aren't meeting in formal session, the people's work continues full speed with public hearings, constituent case work, our Library Tour, and so much more. It's such an honor to serve you.

In case you missed it:

Scroll down for some pictures from the last month.

Here's a remarkable report from the recent Water and Sewer Forum. More than 90 people representing 25 municipalities and state and federal agencies packed Whately town hall. So grateful to host with Rep. Natalie Blais and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.

Here's my latest 'Dear Jo' column where I talk about the supplemental budget and what it means for our region.

Here's a great deal of testimony on everything from glyphosate to the Commonwealth's seal and motto and more.

Upcoming district events (Find more here.)

Legislator Listening Session

December 6 @ 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sunderland Public Library

20 School Street, Sunderland, MA 01375

The People’s Office Library Tour in Royalston

December 7 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Phinehas S. Newton Library

19 On The Common, Royalston, MA 01368

The People’s Office Library Tour in Gill

December 7 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Slate Memorial Library

332 Main Road, Gill, MA 01354

The People’s Office in South Hadley

December 9 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

South Hadley Town Hall

116 Main Street, Room 109, South Hadley, MA 01075

The People’s Office in Amherst

December 18 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sen. Comerford’s District Office

UMass Amherst, Isenberg School of Management, Suite 101

121 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003

Warmest wishes to all.

P.S. Sen. Jason Lewis and I spoke at a rally outside the State House to change the MA flag and seal. Veteran Service Officer Steve Connor and I visited constituents at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. I spoke with constituents at Shutesbury's library. I joined House and Senate colleagues to advocate for tighter control of gas companies and in support of the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). Reps. Blais and Mark and I joined a League of Women Voters and Commission on the Status of Women and Girls event in Millers Falls.

Stay social with us:

Boston office

(617) 722-1532

State House

Room 413-C

Amherst office

(413) 367-4656

UMass Amherst

Isenberg School of Management

Rooms 101B & 101D