Volume 8, Issue 6 (June 26, 2026) | | |
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the start of summer. 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
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Each month, I invite you to submit questions you have for me. It can be on a particular policy issue, district topic, about my day-to-day, or whatever is on your mind. I will post two videos on my socials per month -- one answering a submitted question using the link below, and one with a timely update from my office.
Submit a question!
Be sure to watch the most recent episode on Instagram and Facebook!
| | House of Representatives Heads Into Busy Summer Season | | |
The Massachusetts House of Representatives had an active June, working to finalize and pass major legislation. The House passed numerous funding measures focused on transportation, education, road repairs, and relief programs.
A $228 million supplemental budget was passed to address time-sensitive budget deficiencies, including winter storm recovery costs, public safety operations, substance use treatment services, homelessness assistance, and emergency management expenses. The bill passed the House of Representatives 154-2 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Lawmakers also passed a spending package that seeks to ease pressures caused by strained school budget and delivers a massive infusion of cash into the state's public transportation system. This will help students across Massachusetts gain more access to educational opportunities, and help citizens transport safely and securely to their destinations. Governor Healey signed the bill into law on June 12th.
The Massachusetts Legislature approved over $2.7 billion in bond funding to help municipalities make local road and bridge repairs, invest in public transit infrastructure, and support transit-oriented housing development statewide. The bill also contains $500 million in bonding to target and fast-track repairs to the roads that are in the worst condition, through MassDOT’s Lifecycle Asset Management Program. The bond bill was signed by the Governor earlier this month.
The Massachusetts Legislature designated August 8-9th as a tax-free weekend. During this time, Massachusetts’ 6.25% sales tax will be suspended for most retail items priced under $2,500. This day allows residents to save money on large purchases and drives economic growth towards small businesses.
The House passed a major environmental bond bill on June 17th. The bill will protect Massachusetts’ environment and fight climate change through modernizing environmental laws, strengthening climate resilience, supporting agricultural systems, and improving the management of Massachusetts’s natural resources. After passing the House of Representatives unanimously, S.3064 has been sent back to the Senate for further consideration.
This month, the House has made several moves to ensure education in Massachusetts is held to the highest standard. Bill H.5511, which strengthens early literacy instruction, passed both branches of the legislature and now awaits Governor Healey’s signature. The House also passed a bill guarding against politically motivated book bans, ensuring that knowledge is guaranteed for all residents.
In June, the Legislature took action on several bills related to people with disabilities. Both the House and Senate passed S.2563, which removes outdated and offensive language in the General Laws to describe persons with disabilities. The name change reflects the intention to empower individuals living with disabilities and move away from outdated terminology. The Governor signed the bill into law earlier this month. Massachusetts also has passed S.2348, a bill that will improve communication between officers and autistic drivers. The bill establishes a blue-envelope program, where the use of a blue envelope indicates to police officers that the driver may require a different communication style.
| | Massachusetts State House. | | Community Media Legislation Highlighted on Boston 25 | | |
I spoke to both David Gauthier of MassAccess and David Glenny of Fitchburg TV on Boston 25 to discuss Bill H.91, An Act to Modernize Funding for Community Media Programming. As cable subscriptions, the primary revenue source for community media stations, decline, we must modernize the law to ensure that these stations receive adequate funding. It is important we support local media stations, as they provide crucial information and support to our community.
You can watch the program here.
| | Rep. Meschino and David Gauthier. | | LGBTQ Caucus Hosts Pride Flag Raising | | On June 3, I attended the annual Pride flag raising outside of the State House. Speakers included members of the LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, Governor Healey, poet Amanda Shea, and many others. Pride Month serves as a reminder that Massachusetts is committed to equality and acceptance for all residents. | | Legislators gather on the State House steps for the pride flag raising. | |
Manet Community Health Advocates at State House | It was wonderful to see Manet Community Health Center’s Cynthia Sierra for Community Health Center Advocacy Day! Thank you for all that you do to keep our community healthy. | Rep. Meschino and Cynthia Sierra. | | STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | | SBA Provides Assistance for Blizzard Cleanup | |
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved the request for federal assistance to support businesses and private nonprofit organizations affected by the February blizzards. This allows impacted businesses to apply for low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans. To apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information visit sba.gov/disaster.
The Plymouth Business Recovery Center is located at Plymouth Emergency Management - 2209 State Road, Plymouth. June 18 through July 1, Monday-Friday, 9 am - 6 pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.
Applicants may also call SBAs Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
| Construction Continues at Hingham Ferry Dock | Construction is ongoing in the Hingham Parking lot and on Shipyard Drive in preparation for the Hingham Ferry Dock upgrades. There is reduced parking in the lot, and portions of Shipyard Drive are affected. For more information, visit this link. | | Rep. Meschino Welcomes Summer Legislative Interns | | |
This month, I was happy to welcome my college interns Ellesmere and Delaney to the State House for the summer! Ellesmere is a rising sophomore at Harvard University who is planning to study Energy, Climate, and Environment as well as Statistics. She comes to my office from the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability. Delaney is a rising junior at UMass Amherst who is majoring in Legal Studies and Journalism, with a minor in Business. She is originally from Hingham.
Ellesmere and Delaney are both very interested in legislation and public service, and I cannot wait to see everything they accomplish.
| | Delaney and Ellesmere in front of the State House. | | Hingham Students Recognized in Art Contest | | I joined Governor Healey and Secretary of Education Zrike in honoring the winners of the “Massachusetts Revolutionaries: Bold Stories Bright Legacies Initiative” art contest, Graeme and Sophia of Hingham. The students created a presentation dedicated to the women who worked at the Hingham Shipyard during World War II. Congratulations to Graeme and Sophia and thank you for bringing attention to the often overlooked, brave women of Hingham. | |
(top) Rep. Meschino, Sophia, and Graeme.
(bottom) Rep. Meschino, Secretary Zrike, and Governor Healey with Graeme, Sophia, and their teacher.
| Hull Residents Recognized at Commonwealth Pride Awards | It was wonderful to welcome Abby and Mary Diamond-Kissiday to the State House for the inaugural Commonwealth Pride awards. Each legislator has a chance to nominate a local resident to honor their advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. I nominated Abby, whose long-term advocacy has a multiplier effect. Through her actions and leadership, she encourages her neighbors and community members to be better versions of themselves. | Rep. Meschino with Abby and Mary Diamond-Kissaday. | Rep. Meschino Attends South Shore Art Festival | |
It was great to see so many people out for Cohasset’s South Shore Art Festival! I was joined by my colleagues Senator O’Connor, Representative DeCoste, and Representative Sweezy.
This year's event had artwork from many high school students across the South Shore, including Cohasset High School, Hull High School, Marshfield High School, Norwell High School, Norwood High School, Pembroke High School, Scituate High School, Silver Lake Regional High School, and Whitman-Hanson Regional District.
The South Shore Art Center hosted 21 students representing 11 communities to create a collaborative artwork for the theme: “The Synesthetic Experience- The Merger of Visual Art and Music.” This theme is to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the South Shore Music Circus.
I was impressed by these student’s hard work and talent that was clearly demonstrated throughout their exhibit.
| South Shore Arts Festival. | |
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 6, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, July 13, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, July 20 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, July 27, 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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