Joan Meschino, Author at Joan Meschino

Cohasset Awarded $182,500 Grant to Protect Drinking Water from Contaminants

BOSTON, MA – The Town of Cohasset was recently awarded $182,500 to support efforts to address elevated levels of PFAS in drinking water. PFAS compounds are a family of chemicals widely used since the 1950s to manufacture common consumer products and used in some legacy fire-fighting foams. Drinking water may become contaminated if PFAS deposited onto the soil seeps into groundwater or surface water. PFAS have been linked to a variety of health risks, particularly in women who are pregnant or nursing, and in infants. “Municipalities across the Commonwealth need this funding to adequately protect their drinking water from harmful contaminants and ensure the health of their residents,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “I’m looking forward to seeing Cohasset’s project progress and I appreciate the support the Administration has given to this effort.” “Contamination of public drinking water is of utmost importance to both environmental and public health,” said Representative Meschino . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-03-24T09:59:39-04:00March 23rd, 2021|Budget and Grants, Public Health|

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Landmark Climate Legislation

(BOSTON) - On Thursday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate passed nation-leading climate legislation, known as the Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill, which overhauls the state’s climate laws, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, advances the clean energy industry, and prioritizes and protects environmental justice communities. The bill’s central components contain key provisions from An Act creating a roadmap to a clean and thriving commonwealth, originally filed by Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) and known as the “2050 Roadmap.” These 2050 Roadmap provisions update the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal to net zero by 2050, set strong interim targets, and establish comprehensive and iterative planning mechanisms focused on equity to enable the Commonwealth to achieve this ambitious goal. “I filed the 2050 Roadmap to align the Massachusetts economy with the pressing urgency of the climate science,” said Representative Meschino. “This bill is fundamentally an economic one. By mandating a comprehensive . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-03-24T09:56:24-04:00March 19th, 2021|Energy + Environment|

Massachusetts Legislature Extends Vote-By-Mail Through June

(BOSTON) - The Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate on Thursday, March 11, 2021, passed legislation to extend mail-in voting and early voting options for elections held through the end of June, 2021. The vote-by-mail provision was previously set to expire at the end of March 2021. “In light of the ongoing pandemic, it is essential that we continue to offer vote by mail to uphold public health protections and to ensure an engaged citizenry for a strong democracy,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “This bill will ensure that all of our citizens are able to vote in the upcoming municipal elections without compromising their health and safety or the health and safety of others.” The bill also allows municipalities to provide residents with the option to vote early in-person in these elections. Additionally, the legislation requires local election officials to make reasonable efforts to grant accommodations for voters . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-03-24T09:54:21-04:00March 19th, 2021|Other Topics|

Representative Joan Meschino assigned to House Committees for the 192nd Session

(BOSTON) - State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) and her colleagues in the House of Representatives received official legislative committee assignments for the 192nd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Representative Meschino is assigned to four joint committees for the new session. These committees position the Representative to be an influential voice on a key set of topics that are of importance to the 3rd Plymouth District and the larger South Shore region. As a member of each joint committee, Representative Meschino will hear testimony on bills and weigh in on legislation relating to each of these subjects. Representative Meschino will serve on the following committees: Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Joint Committee on Consumer Protections and Professional Licensure Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity Joint Committee on Export Development. “I am looking forward to representing the interests of our communities on each . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-03-24T09:52:37-04:00March 12th, 2021|Other Topics|

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|

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