Joan Meschino, Author at Joan Meschino

South Shore Legislators Issue Statement on Commitment to Equity, Inclusivity, and Justice

Our commitment to equity, inclusivity, and justice on the South Shore In light of recent events in our nation’s Capitol, we make this unified statement and call to action to residents of the South Shore. As your elected representatives of the Massachusetts House and Senate, we just swore an oath of office to uphold the United States Constitution and the Massachusetts Constitution, both of which are grounded in principles of equity, inclusivity, and justice for all. Not only are these principles our responsibility to uphold as elected officials, but they are the responsibility of all citizens. Our Constitutions are resilient and enduring. The American system of government only survives as long as we uphold our civic duties, protect the truth, and safeguard the principles of liberty, justice, and equality, on which this great nation was founded. Now more than ever, we need to be good neighbors. The abhorrent events . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-01-15T15:56:19-05:00January 15th, 2021|Other Topics|

Hingham Organizations Receive Cultural Organization Economic Recovery Grants

(HINGHAM, MA) - Representative James M. Murphy (D-Weymouth) and Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hingham) are pleased to announce The South Shore Conservatory and the Unicorn Singers are receiving Cultural Organization Economic Recovery Grants through the Mass Cultural Council in Partnership with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED). The South Shore Conservatory will receive $100,000 and the Unicorn Singers will be allocated $3,000 for COVID-19 relief. “I am thrilled that these two important organizations in Hingham will be benefiting from this critical funding to begin the journey to recover from COVID-19, said Representative Murphy. “The past many months have been extremely difficult for all throughout the Commonwealth and the entire United States. This money provides much needed support for losses undergone during the COVID-19 pandemic.” “These grants represent our ongoing commitment to the viability of a vibrant cultural scene on the South Shore,” said Representative Meschino. “I am . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-01-15T15:54:00-05:00January 14th, 2021|Budget and Grants|

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Landmark Climate Change Bill

(BOSTON) - On January 4, 2021, both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed breakthrough climate legislation that overhauls the state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities. The bill, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (S.2995), sets a 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions limit, as well as statewide limits every five years; increases the requirements for offshore wind energy procurement, bringing the statewide total to 5,600 megawatts; and requires emission reduction goals for MassSave, the state’s energy efficiency program. The legislation also increases support for clean energy workforce development programs, including those targeting low-income communities, and improves gas pipeline safety. For the first time, the legislation establishes the criteria that define environmental justice in statute. The bill’s central components contain key provisions from An Act creating a roadmap to a clean and thriving commonwealth, . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-01-15T15:51:18-05:00January 5th, 2021|Energy + Environment|

Legislature Passes Balanced Budget with Targeted Investments in Housing, Economic Development and Food Security

Prioritizes relief to vulnerable populations, provisions to boost economic recovery and support for students Fiscal Year 2021 Budget – Conference Committee Report (BOSTON) – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) and her colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget, which invests in programs and services across the Commonwealth. Funded at $46.2 billion, the budget aims to address the sweeping effects of the global pandemic by making targeted investments in housing, food security, and substance use addiction services, as well as domestic violence, sexual assault treatment and prevention programs. The budget also invests in programs that provide COVID-related supports for students and increases funding for developmental services, early education and childcare, and public health. “While the pandemic has caused great uncertainty, this budget has restored some stability to our Commonwealth,” said Representative Meschino. “I am happy to report level funding for local aid from FY 20 and . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-01-15T15:49:13-05:00December 11th, 2020|Budget and Grants|

Legislature Passes Legislation to Extend Unemployment Benefits to 17,000 Low-Income Recipients

(BOSTON) – State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) along with her colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature on Monday, October 26 passed An Act relative to additional unemployment benefits for the neediest recipients currently excluded from the Lost Wages Assistance program, which would enhance unemployment benefits for 17,000 people in Massachusetts by as much as $1,800 each. “We have heard from many residents how important the extra $300 weekly benefit has been during the pandemic,” said Representative Meschino. “Expanding the Lost Wages Assistance program to include all who receive unemployment benefits is especially important to sustain our residents during the devastating socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The legislation authorizes an increase to unemployment compensation for every recipient in Massachusetts not receiving at least $100 in weekly benefits. This enhancement would apply retroactively to approximately 17,000 recipients. The Governor signed the legislation into law on Monday.

Joan Meschino2020-10-30T13:51:29-04:00October 30th, 2020|Public Health|

Representative Meschino and Senator O’Connor Encourage Residents, Towns to Advocate for Ferry and Commuter Rail Services

(BOSTON) - Facing the potential elimination of ferry services and major cuts to the Greenbush line, State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) and State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) are working closely with the towns of Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset to oppose eliminating ferry service and to oppose draconian cuts to the commuter rail. Representative Meschino and Senator O’Connor encourage district residents to speak up and advocate for continued public transit services. Already, there has been an outpouring of support for continued ferry and commuter rail service, in the wake of Monday’s Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) meeting, during which MBTA leaders outlined likely service cuts to address the budget deficit, including eliminating the Hingham/Hull ferry. A slide from the October 5th FMCB meeting showing the Hingham/Hull ferry as a likely candidate to be eliminated. Image credits: MBTA “Forging Ahead Updates: Scenario and Service Planning” presentation by Anna Gartsman, Kat . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2020-10-13T11:38:27-04:00October 13th, 2020|Transportation + Infrastructure|

Representative Meschino Reiterates Importance of Mitigation and Environmental Justice in Transportation and Infrastructure Improvement Projects

(BOSTON) – When it comes to resilience in the face of the climate crisis, Representative Meschino’s (D-Hull) focus is forward, stressing the importance of public health and environmental justice as a lens for transportation policy. Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles cause 43% of Massachusetts’ carbon emissions and contribute to both climate change and local air pollution. Strong transportation policy supports Massachusetts economic recovery and is a means for reducing carbon emissions, mitigating harm to the environment, and protecting public health. The importance of such measures is magnified by the current public health crisis—the pandemic. However, just as the Baker Administration has proceeded further in reopening the Massachusetts economy, the MBTA has begun outlining plans to reduce or potential eliminate service in response to low ridership during the pandemic. The stated intention is to evaluate all routes on two axes: the degree to which a population serviced by the route . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2020-09-30T16:56:05-04:00September 30th, 2020|Energy + Environment, Public Health|

Representative Meschino to Refile Civil Rights Bill After Compressor Station Incident
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Representative Meschino to Refile Civil Rights Bill After Compressor Station Incident

Energy + Environment, Public Health

Representative Meschino to Refile Civil Rights Bill After Compressor Station Incident

(BOSTON) - State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) declared her intention to refile an important civil rights bill next legislative session in response to the gasket failure which allowed hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of methane gas to escape from the Weymouth Compressor Station into the adjacent residential community on Friday, September 11, 2020. Despite strong opposition by residents, local, state and federal elected officials, public health officials, and environmental advocacy groups, Enbridge began testing the compressor station facilities last week. Instantly, the communities’ worst fears were realized, as a gasket failure released a significant amount of methane gas into the community at ground level. The geographic and meteorological characteristics of the Fore River Basin pushed the escaped methane gas into the basin and trapped it on the ground preventing the gas from dispersing. Both Enbridge and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection released statements confirming the accident occurred. . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2020-09-18T16:58:11-04:00September 18th, 2020|Energy + Environment, Public Health|

Representative Joan Meschino Submits Comments to MassDEP Advocating for Public Health Considerations Near the Compressor Station

(BOSTON) - State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) added her name to a long list of commenters this week in response to the public comment period issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regarding the Weymouth Compressor Station. At stake are two different issues, both with real public health impacts on the surrounding community. The first centers on MassDEP’s acceptance of a fossil fuel-powered motor as the best available control technology (BACT), when an electric motor drive would offer a cleaner alternative. The second involves MassDEP’s proposed placement, expected measurement capabilities, and delayed timeline for situating a permanent air quality monitoring station near the Compressor Station site. Yet to be installed, the monitoring station will be less effective in measuring pollutants in the proposed site than in others nearby and may not have the full measuring capabilities to capture 1-hour NO2 emissions and to observe local meteorological conditions. . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2020-09-17T16:01:05-04:00September 17th, 2020|Energy + Environment, Public Health|

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