Volume 8, Issue 5 (May 29, 2026) | | |
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the beginning of the summer months. May'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 June, I will host three 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 June!
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!
| | 3rd Plymouth District to Receive Funding in FY27 House Budget | | |
On April 29, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget. Funded at $63.4 billion, the House’s FY27 budget responds to the needs of residents, provides record support for the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, and among many critical investments, includes significant funding for education, transportation, health care, housing, and workforce development.
The 3rd Plymouth District received funding for community organizations and celebrations. The Cohasset Community Assistance Fund received $50,000 to build capacity and expand its direct financial assistance program. The Town of Hingham and Hull each received $25,000 to support Revolution 250 celebrations.
The Senate passed its FY27 budget proposal in May. Now, both versions will head to a Conference Committee to be consolidated into a final proposal for the Governor’s consideration.
| | Massachusetts State House. | | Rep. Meschino Hosts Community Media Briefing | | |
It was wonderful welcoming community media stations from the South Shore and across the state for a State House Meet and Greet to discuss H.91 / S.2556 and a path to a sustainable revenue source for our local stations. Community media centers are on democracy's front lines, connecting parents to school boards, neighbors to public health boards, and voters to their town hall. This bill is about ensuring the longevity of our democratic traditions and promoting transparency.
Community media centers have long been funded by a small fee on cable companies for their use of the public rights of way. As consumers switch from cable to streaming, the bill updates the existing law to include a similar fee on streaming providers. This would support the over 250 community media centers in the state who are struggling to keep their doors open as revenue declines.
Thank you to the community media stations, MassAccess, Rep. Scarsdale, and Sen. Lewis for your advocacy and continued commitment.
| | Rep. Meschino, Rep. Scarsdale, and MassAccess board members. | | House Passes Judiciary, Transportation, Public Health Bills | | |
On May 20th, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed five bills. They now head to the Senate for their consideration.
H.5444, An Act relative to civil rights and technology, makes it unlawful for a person to manufacture, modify, sell, transfer, possess, or operate a robotic device equipped or mounted with a weapon. The bill includes exemptions for law enforcement agencies.
H.5443, An Act relative to increasing access to epinephrine, allows an authorized entity to acquire and maintain a supply of epinephrine autoinjectors from a wholesaler approved by the Department of Public Health (DPH). It also allows an employee or agent of an authorized entity who has completed a training program to administer epinephrine autoinjectors.
H.5441, An Act relative to newborn screenings for congenital cytomegalovirus, requires DPH, in consultation with the perinatal advisory committee, to develop regulations for all hospitals and birthing facilities requiring congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening.
S.2903, An Act honoring Blue Star Families, requires the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to furnish, without charge, distinctive vehicle registration plate or a distinctive motorcycle emblem to a parent, child, spouse, sibling, or grandchildren of a law enforcement officer who has been killed in the line of duty.
S.2565, An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder, requires the RMV to make blue envelopes available to any person with autism spectrum disorder or their parent or guardian. The blue envelopes will provide written information and guidance on the outside of the envelope on ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder.
| | STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | | 3rd Plymouth Schools Receive Green Team Awards | |
Cohasset High School, East Elementary School (Hingham), Plymouth River Elementary School (Hingham), Hingham Middle School, Hingham High School, Lillian M. Jacobs School (Hull), and Hull High School received Green Team Awards.
The Green Team is a statewide program sponsored by EEA and MassDEP to empower students and teachers to help the environment by taking action in their communities. Students participated in a variety of environmentally focused activities that incorporated classroom disciplines from the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as reading, writing, art, and other non-classroom, interrelated projects.
| Hingham Receives MassDOT Complete Streets Funding | Hingham was awarded $1,000,000 as part of MassDOT's Complete Streets Program for construction funding. The Complete Streets Funding Program provides Massachusetts municipalities with tools and financial support to address gaps in their local transportation networks. A “Complete Street” is one that provides safe and accessible options for all travel modes—including walking, biking, transit, and vehicles—for people of all ages and abilities. | Hingham/Hull Weekend Ferry Service Begins | Weekend ferry service began on May 23rd and will continue throughout the summer. For the exact schedule, visit the MBTA website. | Greenbush Line Summer Schedule Begins | On Monday, May 25th, the Spring/Summer 2026 schedule will go into effect for the Greenbush Line. Visit MBTA.com/CR for more information. | 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. | | Cohasset Veteran Recognized at Military Appreciation Day | | This month's Military Appreciation Day, put on by the Office of Veteran Affairs, was a chance to recognize the community heroes who make the Commonwealth a stronger place to call home. Thomas Daley of Cohasset personifies strength, quiet courage, and a love of his local community and country. I nominated Tom for a life dedicated to service both as a member of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and through his commitment to supporting the Veteran community. | | Rep. Meschino, Helen Daley, and Tom Daley outside the House Chamber. | | |
Plymouth County Legislators Discuss South Shore Tourism
I was glad to join fellow legislators for See Plymouth’s State of Tourism Legislative Breakfast. See Plymouth uplifts the economy across Plymouth County, helps attract visitors, supports local businesses, and facilitates events. It was great to speak with See Plymouth’s new director, Keiko Orrall. Thank you for having me and for the important work you do for our community.
| Rep. Meschino with legislative colleagues at See Plymouth legislative breakfast. | |
Rep. Meschino Celebrates Save the Harbor's 40th Anniversary
Congratulations to Save the Harbor / Save the Bay on 40 years of restoring and protecting our harbors and beaches. As a long-time Metropolitan Beaches Commission member, I was honored to see the Commission recognized with one of the Harbor Hero Awards this year. We will continue supporting our regional beaches, ensuring access, and continuing on a path to cleaner waters and shores. Save the Harbor started with a few individuals working to make their local environment and community stronger and has grown into a transformative organization.
| Rep. Meschino with fellow Metro Beaches Commission members and Save the Harbor staff. | |
Rep. Meschino Announces Office Hours for June
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, June 8, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, June 15 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, June 22, 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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