Greetings from the
People's House!
That's me at the podium early in my second week as your state senator, speaking at a rally in front of the State House for increased funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)—conveying the stories I've heard from constituents forced to choose between heating their homes or paying for prescription drugs.
With stakes as high as they are, there was no way I was going to miss a chance to drive home our district's needs and help raise our voices to
make government work in the best interest of
everyone
.
Here are a
few
quick highlights of my first month in office:
(And please scroll down to the bottom of this email for pictures featuring a youth gathering in Greenfield sponsored by Dial Self, Amherst's Annual MLK Breakfast, Medicare for All Lobby Day kick off in the State House, Reproductive Rights and Sexual Health Lobby Day in the State House, and the State House kick off event for the Cherish Act to restore funds cut from public higher education over the last two decades.)
- I filed an ambitious package of legislation under the banner: Progress for All. Read about it here.
- I've co-sponsored nearly 200 bills in response to hundreds of emails, calls, and visits I've received from constituents. You can see the list here.
- The Senate adopted an order that I offered to create a working group to assess the impacts of the federal government shutdown. The Senate President then appointed me to serve on the shutdown working group, and we are working right now to make recommendations about what we can and must do for affected workers and municipalities, while also suggesting what the state should do to prepare for any further federal upheaval.
- And during the Senate and Joint Rules process, I advocated for and voted in favor of much greater transparency and accountability, as well a stronger rules governing sexual assault and abuse training and structures.
Our Senate team also kicked off the
People's Office
regional office hours which will rotate through nine locations in our region this winter and spring, helping to break down barriers to accessing Senate office services. Look
here for the schedule.
There's so much more as I feel the energy increases in Boston to take up the people's business. Please stay tuned for the launch of the Senate website and news around the bills I've filed.
Until then, here's how to reach our Senate team:
- My email: Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov.
- To speak to Jared, Brian, or Rani in the State House office, please phone 617.722.1532.
- To send a question or comment I can address via my monthly column in The Daily Hampshire Gazette, please email dearjo@senatorjocomerford.org.
I look forward to working with you to make our district and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts places where
everyone
can thrive.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve in the Massachusetts Legislature on our district's behalf.
I know we're stronger when we're together.
Sending warmest wishes,
