On October 29, 2021, I joined my colleagues in the House to vote for legislation that allocates both federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and surplus fiscal year 2021 tax dollars. Originally $3.65 billion, the House members increased the about $56 million through the amendments process.

You can read our press release here for a full recap of the bill including a description of $150 million secured with a flexible fund for supportive housing, a public awareness campaign for waivers for non-fault unemployment insurance overpayments, and $150,000 for the Hull boat ramp.

Additionally, one of my priority bills for $2.7 million to create a state community college hunger pilot program was included in the Senate version. Thank you to my legislative partner, Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem).

Conference committee members are working to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House spending bills.

On November 18, 2021, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation to protect independent community hospitals by promoting a more balanced health care market by strengthening the regulatory process over healthcare system expansions. The legislation creates a more rigorous review to ensure that when large hospital systems seek to expand, the hospital system does not undermine the local independent community hospital's market share and thereby drive up the healthcare costs for patients in the region. It also requires a health resource inventory, which will give regulators a better understanding of the Commonwealth’s existing healthcare resources to inform the review process and future reform effort.

The bill is now before the Senate.

I joined State Representative Paul Mark (D-Peru) this week to present to Climate Action Now, Western, Mass. During the presentation, I discussed the Next Generation Climate Roadmap law as well as next steps to address the climate crisis in the Commonwealth.