(BOSTON) – Following the conclusion of formal session in the 193rd legislative session, many forms of State Representative Joan Meschino’s (D-Hull) legislation have been signed and passed into law.
In the FY25 budget, Representative Meschino secured funding for three key groups in the Third Plymouth District. The Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research received $40,000 for funding a micro-credentialing program for youth that will focus on coastal research and geospatial climate resilience. The program is being developed together with the University of Massachusetts Global. The Anchor of Hull received a programming grant of $25,000, which will be used to boost the Anchor’s regular weekly programming and recovery meetings for those impacted by substance use disorder. Finally, the Hingham Unity Council received a programming grant of $35,000, which will go towards the programming budget for inclusion events in the community.
A form of supportive housing, a priority bill originally filed by Representative Meschino, was included in H.4707, An Act relative to the Affordable Homes Act. The bill provides a flexible package of funding to support the creation of affordable housing in Massachusetts. Supportive housing has proven successful across the United States, and is a cost-effective, highly efficient means to assist Massachusetts’s most vulnerable residents. The bill also includes a measure championed by Representative Meschino which ensures that money spent in the bill is consistent with our state’s climate goals.
Along with Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth), Representative Meschino has worked to pass home rule petitions benefiting the 3rd Plymouth District.
A tax exemption for Hingham was signed by Governor Maura Healey on February 29, 2024 as S.2407, An Act to amend the provisions of chapter 381 of the acts of 2020 to continue the town of Hingham senior means-tested property tax exemption. This bill removes the expiration date of the senior means-tested property tax exemption. The program provides property tax relief to senior homeowners to help them continue to be able to afford living in Hingham.
A lease extension for three Hull businesses was passed and signed by Governor Healey on January 25, 2024 as H.4099, An Act authorizing the town of Hull to lease certain property and to extend leases on certain property to promote economic development and the more effective use of town property. This bill extends the leases of three of Hull’s main businesses: Jake’s, Mezzo Mare, and Steamboat Wharf Marina. The extensions will allow all three businesses to continue to contribute to Hull’s community and economy.
Additionally, on August 7th, 2024, Governor Healey signed H.4037, An Act relative to certain parcels of land in the town of Cohasset. The bill transfers certain parcels of land in the town of Cohasset for general municipal purposes and for telecommunications leases and easements.
Representative Meschino’s drought bill received a favorable report from the committee on Environment and Natural Resources and was referred to the committee on House Ways and Means. This bill proposes the creation of a drought management task force within the Executive office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). It would also allow the EEA to require regional water conservation during a declared drought, creating an effective and unified response to drought conditions across the Commonwealth. Additionally, H.4631, An Act to modernize funding for community media programming and H.705, An Act relative to youth voter engagement received favorable reports. The community media programming bill, based on the model of cable franchises, would impose a 5% fee on digital streaming providers which are using public rights of way in order to sell their services to Massachusetts residents. This would allow for increased funding to community media centers across the state. The youth voter engagement bill would allow seventeen year olds who will be eighteen by the general election to vote in the preceding primary, encouraging young people to develop strong voting habits early. These three bills did not pass this session, but Representative Meschino is optimistic about their chances in the upcoming session.
The Representative’s amendment to the climate bill regarding EV school bus procurement was passed. This legislation establishes a phased standard for when public motor vehicles serving public purposes must be electric. It incentivises the purchase of zero emission vehicles, assisting the Commonwealth on the path to achieve the emission goals laid out in the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050. Public and private motor vehicle fleets comprise a critical piece of the transportation network, and this legislation is a vital step in decarbonizing Massachusetts’s transportations sector.
State Representative Joan Meschino represents the communities of Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset. Representative Meschino and her Legislative Aides can be reached at the State House at 617-722-2092 or by email at Joan.Meschino@MAHouse.gov. To learn more about Rep. Meschino’s constituent services and legislative work, please visit www.JoanMeschino.com.