Joan Meschino, Author at Joan Meschino

Third Plymouth District to Receive Transportation Funding in House Bill

(BOSTON) - Chapter 90 funding is crucial to the transportation infrastructure relied on by Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and communities across the South Shore and Commonwealth. This past week, the House of Representatives authorized $4.58 billion in bonding for an expanded Chapter 90 Program and transportation programs to address regional needs, as well as the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure. Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset will receive significant funding through the bill. Similar to last year, the bill includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program. Within the $4.58 billion is the reauthorization of $3.18 billion in funding for several popular and well utilized programs included in the 2022 transportation bond bill, such as the Municipal Pavement Program and Shared Streets. The bill also provides $1.1 billion in funding for several important programs to better prepare the Commonwealth to achieve its long-term transportation goals. The one-year authorization . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2026-04-24T12:17:12-04:00April 20th, 2026|Legislation, Transportation + Infrastructure|

Meschino Bills Advance on Beacon Hill

(BOSTON) - December is a busier time than usual this year on Beacon Hill. Under the new Joint Rules governing the House and Senate, early December marked the deadline for committees to decide the fate of many of the nearly 7,000 bills filed during the 194th legislative session. Legislators are finding out which of their bills received a “favorable report” and have a chance at becoming law, and which were “sent to study,” ostensibly meaning they will not cross the finish line this legislative session. Needless to say, it is a high-stakes time on Beacon Hill. “It has been heartening to see some of the important legislation I have put forward around child welfare, veteran services, and local initiatives gain momentum,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “This is the time of the year where you find out what has legs.” Home Rule (Local) Petitions When addressing specific municipal-level issues, members . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-12-16T15:16:43-05:00December 8th, 2025|Budget and Grants, District Events, Energy + Environment, Housing, Legislation, Public Health, Seniors + Veterans, Transportation + Infrastructure|

Bill Designating September 22nd as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day Signed into Law

Boston, MA – Yesterday, November 19, State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) and State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) celebrated the signing of S.2189/H.3388, An Act Designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which officially recognizes September 22nd as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day in Massachusetts. This law ensures we remember the lives lost to suicide within the Veteran community and raises awareness of the mental health challenges faced by members of the military. “I am optimistic to see this bill signed into law today,” said Senator O’Connor. “The official establishment of Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day is a crucial step forward in honoring those we have tragically lost and in acknowledging the mental health challenges faced by our veterans. This is a call to action for us all to better support the men and women who have served our country.” “We brought forward this legislation in direct response to the tragedies that have left . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-12-01T16:08:32-05:00November 20th, 2025|Seniors + Veterans|

Local Bills Progress Through Legislature

(BOSTON) - It is a busy time of year for the Massachusetts State Legislature. Several of the 7,000 bills filed this session have begun to advance through the legislative process. Three bills filed by State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) have advanced in recent weeks. Representative Meschino and State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) filed H.4862, which designates September 22nd as Military Service Member and Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. The legislation was brought to their offices by a local family who lost a loved one to suicide. The bill passed the House and heads to the Senate for their consideration. The bill serves to shed light on the tragic and persistent issue of mental health struggles and suicide in our Veteran community. On average, we lose over 7,000 Veterans to suicide each year. That number continues to grow. In 2020, 1 in 9 suicide deaths in Massachusetts were current or former . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-12-01T16:07:14-05:00October 29th, 2025|Legislation|

Representative Joan Meschino Announces Office Hours for October

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) will host four in-person office hours throughout the month of October. Please contact Rep. Meschino’s Legislative Aide, Harrison Bushnell, by email at harrison.bushnell@mahouse.gov or by phone at 617-722-2092 in order to schedule a time slot with a member of Rep. Meschino’s staff. Monday, October 6 10:00 am - 11:00 am Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents Monday, October 20 10:00 am - 11:00 am Hull Council on Aging 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull Monday, October 27 9:00 am - 10:30 am Willcutt Commons 91 Sohier St, Cohasset Monday, October 27 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Hingham Public Library 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham These sessions are intended to make it easier for residents of Cohasset, Hingham, and Hull to share concerns and access the services Rep. Meschino can offer to residents on the South Shore. All local residents are invited to participate. “I . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-12-01T16:06:27-05:00October 3rd, 2025|District Events|

Inaugural Sustainability Day Held at State House

(BOSTON) - This week, Beacon Hill celebrated the inaugural Sustainability Day by showcasing innovative sustainable solutions in the Great Hall of the State House. Hosted by the House Committee on Climate Action and Sustainability, Chair Tram Ngyuen (D-Andover) and Vice Chair Michelle Ciccolo (D-Lexington) opened the day with remarks focused on the importance of innovation and sustainable action and large and small scales. Keynote speaker and Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer remarked on the need for political will to advance sustainable policy. “Making sustainable choices to protect our environment have many co-benefits,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “When we take action to remove plastics from our oceans, cut down on food waste, or reduce consumption, we do more than make our environment more resilient. These large and small actions also contribute to healthier communities and thriving local economies.” Rep. Meschino has a number of environmental priorities this legislative session, including conserving . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-09-19T17:10:07-04:00September 12th, 2025|Energy + Environment|

Representative Joan Meschino Announces Office Hours for September

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) will host two in-person office hours throughout the month of September. Please contact Rep. Meschino’s Legislative Aide, Harrison Bushnell, by email at harrison.bushnell@mahouse.gov or by phone at 617-722-2092 in order to schedule a time slot with a member of Rep. Meschino’s staff. Monday, September 15 10:00 am - 11:00 am Hull Council on Aging 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull Monday, September 22 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Hingham Public Library 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham These sessions are intended to make it easier for residents of Cohasset, Hingham, and Hull to share concerns and access the services Rep. Meschino can offer to residents on the South Shore. All local residents are invited to participate. “I encourage all local residents who need assistance to reach out to our office,” Representative Meschino (D-Hull) said. “Whether it’s to straighten out delays with unemployment, to access health insurance, to . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-09-19T17:15:52-04:00September 3rd, 2025|District Events, Other Topics|

Representative Joan Meschino Thanks Summer Interns

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) hosted two high school and two college interns this summer. Interns had the opportunity to conduct independent research projects, attend a speaker series with prominent state officials, and better understand the day-to-day of lawmaking. “Interns always bring a fresh energy to the office,” said Representative Meschino (D-Hull). “Every year my team and I gain valuable insight from our interns. Their work guides substantial legislative work, and we always look forward to helping young people pursue their interests in public service and state government.” Henry, a rising senior at Hingham High School, spent the summer conducting research on the affordable housing landscape in Massachusetts, looking at what bills are currently proposed and where there might be room for additional legislation. Will, a rising junior at Hamilton College, looked at innovative approaches to affordable housing throughout the U.S. and how those practices might be adopted in the . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-09-19T17:14:01-04:00August 30th, 2025|Other Topics|

Massachusetts Legislature Approves Joint Rules, Ushering in More Accessible, Efficient Lawmaking

(BOSTON) The Massachusetts Legislature adopted joint rules on June 26, 2025, that will make lawmaking more efficient, transparent and accessible to the public while adjusting the legislative calendar to allow more time to accomplish meaningful policy. The first agreed-upon joint rules since 2019, these new rules will now govern the legislative process, joint committees, and interactions between the House of Representatives and the Senate for the 2025-2026 legislative session. “I am encouraged by the cross-chamber collaboration that this joint rules agreement represents,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “These streamlined rules promote public transparency and are the direct result of constituent outreach and increased engagement. The rules will allow for continued engagement and make legislative action more accessible.” Under the new Rules, committees will now post plain-language bill summaries online, the public will have more advance notice of hearings, and committee attendance and votes will be made public. To increase legislative . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-09-19T17:15:21-04:00July 1st, 2025|Other Topics|

MBTA Publishes Fore River Bridge Notification System

Mass511 Account and Route Creation Create an account Go to Mass511.com Click on “My Mass511” in the top right of the screen. A box will pop up, select “Sign up now”. You will be prompted to enter some basic information (First and Last name, E-mail address and a password) and accept the terms of service. Select “Create account.” Your account creation will be confirmed and ask you to confirm your e-mail via an acceptance link sent to the email you provided. Access your acceptance email and select “Accept”. You will be taken back to 511 and receive a pop up stating that your account has been successfully activated and prompt you to set preferences for your account. OPTIONAL: You may provide a mobile phone number to receive text alerts based on your account preferences. Create a route containing Fore River Bridge Notifications *Follow these steps to get Fore River bridge lift . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2025-06-27T15:54:50-04:00June 27th, 2025|Other Topics|

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