Joan

(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

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

(HINGHAM) - On the morning of Wednesday, May 21st, the 3rd and 4th grade classes of St. Paul’s Elementary, Derby Academy, and Old Colony Montessori gathered in the Old Ship Meeting House in Hingham. This was no ordinary field trip though. Major town decisions were being debated, amended, and eventually voted on. Should Hingham High School shell out $550,000 on a new turf sports field? Should money be set aside for the creation of a new play space in Hingham Square? Should Hingham, Hull, Scituate, Weymouth, and Cohasset band together to purchase a boat to assist with maritime debris removal? The list of warrant articles on the mock town meeting was varied and topical. State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined for the morning, speaking to the students about the relationship linking the municipality and legislature and drawing parallels between an affordable housing warrant article and one of the bills she filed . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) will host four in-person office hours throughout the month of June. Please contact Rep. Meschino’s Legislative Aide, Harrison Bushnell, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 617-722-2092 in order to schedule a time slot with a member of Rep. Meschino’s staff.   Monday, June 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents   Monday, June 9 9:00 am - 10:30 am Willcutt Commons 91 Sohier St, Cohasset   Monday, June 16 10:00 am - 11:00 am Hull Council on Aging 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull   Monday, June 23 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.   . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) will host four in-person office hours throughout the month of May. Please contact Rep. Meschino’s Legislative Aide, Harrison Bushnell, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 617-722-2092 in order to schedule a time slot with a member of Rep. Meschino’s staff.   Monday, May 5 10:00 am - 11:00 am Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents   Monday, May 12 9:00 am - 10:30 am Willcutt Commons 91 Sohier St, Cohasset   Monday, May 19 10:00 am - 11:00 am Hull Council on Aging 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull   Monday, May 19 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.   . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - This month, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL) celebrates its 50th anniversary, making it the oldest bicameral and bipartisan Women’s Caucus in the country. The MCWL was originally formed in 1975 by fourteen women legislators from the House of Representatives. They gathered around a shared goal of passing the Equal Rights Amendment and supporting fellow women leaders. Today, women make up one third of the legislators in the Massachusetts House and Senate, and the MCWL boasts sixty members.  Last week, the Caucus held a press conference to kick off its 50th anniversary celebration. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), and Caucus co-chairs Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville) and Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester) made remarks highlighting the important work accomplished by the Caucus over the past fifty years. Throughout the year, the caucus will engage in a variety of initiatives aimed at recognizing the contributions of women . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) will host four in-person office hours throughout the month of April. Please contact Rep. Meschino’s Legislative Aide, Harrison Bushnell, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 617-722-2092 in order to schedule a time slot with a member of Rep. Meschino’s staff.   Monday, April 7 10:00 am - 11:00 am Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents   Monday, April 14 9:00 am - 10:30 am Willcutt Commons 91 Sohier St, Cohasset   Monday, April 28 10:00 am - 11:00 am Hull Council on Aging 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull   Monday, April 28 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.   . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) will host four in-person office hours throughout the month of March. Please contact Rep. Meschino’s Legislative Aide, Harrison Bushnell, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 617-722-2092 in order to schedule a time slot with a member of Rep. Meschino’s staff.   Monday, March 3 10:00 am - 11:00 am Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents   Monday, March 10 9:00 am - 10:30 am Willcutt Commons 91 Sohier St, Cohasset   Monday, March 17 10:00 am - 11:00 am Hull Council on Aging 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull   Monday, March 24 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.   . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) will host high school and college interns  this summer. These internships are intended for students who wish to gain valuable experience of the day-to-day happenings in a legislative office.  “I encourage all interested students to apply,” said Representative Meschino (D-Hull). “The work of our previous interns has guided substantial legislative work, and we always look forward to helping young people pursue their interests in public service and state government.” College internships will begin at the beginning of June and conclude by the end of July. High school internships will be organized into two, three-week “sessions” in June and July. All interns will be encouraged to commute to the State House two to three days a week for the duration of their respective internship. Students from the Third Plymouth District are encouraged to apply. Applicants interested in applying should email a current resume, cover letter, and . . . Read More