Volume 5, Issue 4 | April 28, 2023 | |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy spring! This newsletter includes information about the recent 2024 Fiscal Year budget passed in the House of Representatives, highlights from a selection of recent events and announcements relevant to the district, and a brief public health section.
As always, serving our constituents is our top priority. In May, I will host five in-person office hours. If you cannot attend scheduled office hours, you are welcome to contact my staff to schedule a meeting.
Finally, my staff and I have recently moved offices within the State House—please see below for our office’s updated contact information.
State Representative Joan Meschino
State House, Room 162, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133
Updated phone number: 617-722-2092
Have a wonderful spring season!
Very truly yours, Joan
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MA House of Representatives Passes and Engrosses FY24 Budget | |
This past week, the House of Representatives engrossed its version of the FY24 budget House Bill 3900 after three days of debate on amendments. Thank you to House leadership for prioritizing our budget amendments, as well as the following projects in the Third Plymouth District:
- $75,000 for Hull Lifesaving Museum
- $40,000 for South Shore Animal Control Vehicle (Cohasset)
- $20,000 for Damde Meadows Salt Marsh Restoration, World's End (Hingham)
The FY24 House budget also provides money for our libraries, which did not require an amendment. The budget will now go into further deliberations in the Senate before eventually returning to a conference committee and then the Governor’s desk to sign.
I also filed amendments in support of increased funding for the Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), for a review of the MA Common Housing Application (CHAMP), and for relief waivers for non-fault unemployment overpayment. Though not included in the House version of the budget, we will work with our Senate partners to advocate for and encourage the inclusion of these amendments in the Senate version of the FY24 budget.
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Left: Representative Meschino sits in the House budget debate with her elected colleagues.
Right: Rep. Meschino's copy of the FY24 proposed budget amendments.
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Rep. Meschino Begins Testimony for Sponsored Bills and Resumes House Joint Committee Appointments | |
On April 11, I testified in front of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government to advocate for a home rule petition for the Town of Hull that would promote economic development.
Other highlights from the Legislature in the past few weeks include committee hearings with both the Advanced IT, Internet, & Cybersecurity Committee and the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. These committees have started to hold hearings on bills that fall within these subject areas, and I look forward to engaging further on these topics as a sitting member.
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Above: Representative Meschino delivers testimony on a home rule petition for the Town of Hull at a Municipalities and Regional Government committee hearing. | |
STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | |
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.3 Billion in Loans and Grants to Fund Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects | |
On April 10, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) presented the Final Calendar Year 2023 Intended Use Plan (IUP). The IUP details the projects, borrowers, and amounts being offered financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan program. The CWSRF is a joint federal-state financing program that provides subsidized loans to improve and protect water quality and public health in the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts is offering approximately $903 million to finance clean water projects across the Commonwealth, with $15,471,760 being awarded to the Town of Hull for collections systems improvements.
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Mass Cultural Council Awards Project Grants to Third Plymouth District Winners | Mass Cultural Council has announced its FY23 Festivals & Projects grant recipients. 740 arts and cultural organizations across the Commonwealth will be receiving awards of $2,500 to support publicly available cultural activities and programs. In total, over $1.8 million has been awarded through the grant program this year, with $10,000 going to individuals and arts organizations throughout the Third Plymouth District. Congratulations to those grant awardees, and thank you to the Mass Cultural Council for its continued commitment to supporting the arts community in Massachusetts. | |
Fifth Graders from East Elementary School Visit the Massachusetts State House | |
On April 6, fifth graders from East Elementary School came on a field trip to the State House and spoke with me and Senator Patrick O'Connor. Thank you so much for asking fantastic questions and for engaging in government! | |
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Left: Rep. Meschino responds to questions from East Elementary fifth graders on the House floor.
Right: East Elementary students, parents, and teachers take a tour of the front hall of the State House.
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State House Receives Visit from Farming, Fishing, and Sustainable Food Organizations on Agriculture Day | |
April 12 was Agriculture Day at the State House! Glad to see local growers and fishers from the South Shore and across the Commonwealth. Take a look at some snapshots from the event: | |
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Left: Agriculture affiliates, fishermen, and other members of the food production industry attend Agriculture Day in the State House.
Right: Students from Future Farmers of America (FFA) pose for a photo on the Grand Staircase.
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Women's Caucus Meets with Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll | |
On April 12, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll met with the Women’s Caucus to discuss priorities and the upcoming Legislative Session, including An Act supporting parents running for public office (H.669/S.422), which is my bill regarding campaign finances for childcare. With women at the helm, we will continue to pursue women’s advancement throughout the Commonwealth. | |
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Top: Representative Meschino takes a selfie with Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and members of the Women's Caucus.
Bottom: Representative Meschino speaks on her legislative priorities with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
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Cohasset's Aleisa Gittens-Carle Recognized for Black Excellence by Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus | |
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On Friday, April 14th, Cohasset Public Schools’ very own Aleisa Gittens-Carle was honored at the 2023 Black Excellence on the Hill event in the State House. Aleisa’s work as the CPS METCO Director for 22 years has been transformational, and her pursuit of equity in education has had a profound impact on countless students in Cohasset schools. She has nurtured young minds with the love, support, guidance, and courage needed to see them flourish with confidence, kindness, success, and purpose.
Congratulations Aleisa on this fantastic achievement! Thank you to the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for uplifting the work of Black leaders in our state.
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Left: Rep. Meschino (right) congratulates Black Excellence on the Hill honoree Aleisa Gittens-Carle.
Right: Rep. Meschino and Ms. Gittens-Carle meet with leaders across Massachusetts at the honorific ceremony.
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MA Legislators and the Women's Caucus Honor Denim Day in Solemn Ceremony in State House | |
On April 26, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and our Sexual Violence Task Force participated in #DenimDay to support survivors of sexual violence and raise awareness of this issue. Denim Day is a solemn day, held annually to renew our collective commitment to exposing harmful behaviors and attitudes surrounding sexual violence, and to affirm our support for survivors.
On Denim Day, my staff and I met with A New Day / Health Imperatives to discuss resources for survivors of sexual violence on the South Shore; more information on their programming is included below in "Resource Links", and their 24/7 hotline is 508-588-TALK. On all days, we will stand with all survivors to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and protest the misconceptions around sexual violence. You can learn more about sexual violence prevention and the educational campaign at denimday.org.
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Left: Legislators pose in solidarity on Denim Day on the Grand Staircase.
Right: Governor Maura Healey issues a proclamation with the Women's Caucus to support survivors of sexual violence.
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Announcing Office Hours for May
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.
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 Aide.
- Monday, May 1, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, May 1, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham
- Monday, May 8, 9:00 am - 11:00 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, May 15, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, May 22, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, Hingham
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
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General Resources
COVID-19 Vaccines
- Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment using the Vaccine Finder
- COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9 AM-2 PM) is available by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts for assistance / translation services.
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Homebound Vaccination Program information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
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MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov allows residents to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history
COVID-19 Tests, Cases & Treatment
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