Joan Meschino, Author at Joan Meschino

Hull Receives $3 Million for Nantasket Ave Seawall Reconstruction

(BOSTON) - Last week, it was announced that Hull will receive $3 million for the reconstruction of the Nantasket Avenue sewall. This award is part of $19.2 million in total grant funding awarded this year through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Dam and Seawall Program. "As sea levels continue to rise and storms intensify, our coastal infrastructure must be strengthened to protect our residents," said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). "This funding to repair the Nantasket Avenue Seawall is critical to our ongoing efforts to combat the climate crisis and invest in our coastal communities' resilience." “Since taking office, one of my top infrastructure priorities has been protecting our coast and this $3 million grant is crucial for Hull to protect the community from the impacts of severe weather events,” said State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “I was proud to work alongside my colleagues in . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-09-13T16:26:17-04:00September 13th, 2022|Budget and Grants, Energy + Environment|

Representative Joan Meschino Kicks Off Hiring Process for New Aide; Applicants Welcome

The Office of State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) is currently hiring for the position of Legislative Aide. Interested candidates should submit a resume, a brief cover letter, and a short writing sample (3-5 pages) to the Representative's Chief of Staff, Geordie Enoch, at geordie.enoch@mahouse.gov. The office will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The full job description is here: SUMMARY: The Legislative Aide (LA) plays a central role in the office of Representative Meschino. The LA is responsible for legislative, office and district activities, including bill filing, bill tracking, policy analysis, constituent services, scheduling and strategic communications. The LA serves as liaison to federal, state and municipal agencies and staffs the Representative at State House events, district events and office hours as needed. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Constituent Services and District Work Manages constituent casework and serves as constituent liaison to federal, state and . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-09-01T12:45:52-04:00September 1st, 2022|Other Topics|

Clean Energy and Climate Bill Signed Into Law

(BOSTON) - On August 11, An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind was signed into law. The legislation aims to reshape the way the state connects to offshore wind power, kickstarting a transition to renewable energy sources and aiding the Commonwealth in its efforts to hit its target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The goals set forth by the Next Generation Climate Roadmap committed the Bay State to reducing carbon emissions by at least 33 percent by 2025, at least 50 percent by 2030, at least 75 percent by 2040 and at least 85 percent by 2050. An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind takes critical steps that will aid the Commonwealth in meeting those interim targets, including measures that will clean our transportation and building sectors, incentivize clean power production, and create thousands of new jobs and economic benefits. A more comprehensive overview of the legislation’s . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-08-12T11:53:34-04:00August 12th, 2022|Energy + Environment|

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Veterans’ Home Governance Legislation

BOSTON - This week, State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her legislative colleagues in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to pass An Act relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes, which makes key reforms to the governance structure of the state’s veterans’ homes, ensures that both homes are federally licensed as health care facilities, mandates increased state management, and provides independent oversight and accountability of veterans’ homes management. Following the tragedy at the Holyoke Veterans’ Home in 2020, which resulted in the COVID-19 related deaths of 78 veterans, the Legislature established the Special Joint Oversight Committee on the veterans’ Home in Holyoke COVID-19 Outbreak to investigate and make recommendations which resulted in this legislation. “After dedicating their lives to the service of our country, our veterans deserve the utmost respect and the highest levels of care in their later years,” said State Representative . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-07-29T13:23:08-04:00July 29th, 2022|Seniors + Veterans|

Massachusetts House Passes Legislation to Establish an Effective and Equitable Local Public Health System

BOSTON - This week, State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation designed to strengthen local and regional public health and ensure that every resident has access to foundational public health services, regardless of where they live, through the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) program established by the Legislature in 2020. Across the Commonwealth, there are hundreds of local public health boards with varying degrees of expertise and bandwidth depending on the size and wealth of the community in which they are located. These boards are tasked with functions as diverse as restaurant inspection, sanitary code enforcement, emergency preparedness, and disease control. This legislation builds on the 2019 recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health and the SAPHE 1.0 legislation passed in early 2020 by establishing a statewide standard . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-07-29T13:21:50-04:00July 29th, 2022|Public Health|

Massachusetts Legislature Passes $52.7 Billion FY23 Budget

Fiscal Year 2023 Budget - Conference Committee Report (BOSTON) - Last week, the Massachusetts Legislature unanimously passed a $52.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). This budget upholds fiscal responsibility and makes targeted investments to strengthen the state’s economic foundation, protect the most vulnerable residents and support the everyday needs of communities and families in the Commonwealth. “The budget for the upcoming fiscal year reflects the legislature’s commitment to investments that support and uplift the Commonwealth’s residents,” said Representative Meschino. “I am encouraged to see that my advocacy for statewide and local line items that matter most has resulted in meaningful investments that will benefit our communities here on the South Shore.” Representative Meschino was able to secure funding for several key priorities for the 3rd Plymouth District, including full funding for library technology and automated resource sharing at nearly $4.75 million and increased funding for the Division . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-07-26T16:36:44-04:00July 26th, 2022|Budget and Grants|

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Sweeping Clean Energy Legislation

(BOSTON) - This week, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a comprehensive clean energy bill, An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind. The legislation bolsters green transportation, green buildings, and clean power production, including offshore wind, solar, storage and networked geothermal, while creating thousands of new jobs and economic benefits in the process. This bill expands upon the Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill (S.2995,) which contained key provisions from An Act creating a roadmap to a clean and thriving commonwealth, originally filed by Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull.) S.2995 was passed earlier this legislative session and overhauled the state’s climate laws by putting Massachusetts on a path to reach net-zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. “As a heat wave sweeps across the globe and we continue to see the devastating effects of the climate crisis, it is more critical than ever that we take robust action across all sectors . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-07-22T13:50:15-04:00July 22nd, 2022|Energy + Environment|

Massachusetts House of Representatives Passes $4.2 Billion Economic Development Bill

(BOSTON) - This week, Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass an economic development bill, which utilizes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) surplus funds, and bonds to make significant investments across several vital sectors of the economy, and to give back to low and middle-income residents in Massachusetts by providing one-time rebates and significant tax relief beginning in 2023. Funded at $4.2 billion, the legislation addresses disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic through one-time investments in health and human services, the environment and climate mitigation, economic development, housing, and food insecurity. Earlier this session, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill appropriating $4 billion in ARPA and FY21 surplus funds. Just over $1 billion remains in ARPA funds, which must be allocated by 2024 and spent by 2026. “The targeted investments and tax relief included in this legislation will . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-07-15T13:00:49-04:00July 15th, 2022|Budget and Grants, Other Topics, Transportation + Infrastructure|

Massachusetts House of Representatives Passes Legislation Supporting Military Families, Bolstering Veterans’ Services

(BOSTON) - On Thursday, July 7, State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass H.4978, An Act relative to military spouse-licensure portability, education and enrollment of dependents on a unanimous 154-0 vote. The bill increases support for veterans and military families by reforming licensing requirements and expanding access to information about open burn pit exposure. The legislation also authorizes slot machines at veterans' organizations, honors service members who died as a result of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder or other diseases linked to their time in action, and requires formal recognition for the founding dates of various branches of the United States Armed Forces. “This bill reflects the legislature’s commitment to improving the lives of our veterans here in the Commonwealth. It is only fitting that we strive to give back to those who have given so much in the course of their . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-07-12T12:25:36-04:00July 12th, 2022|Seniors + Veterans|

It’s Time to Build Stable, Supportive Housing in Massachusetts

In Commonwealth Magazine COVID-19 HAS LAID bare the inadequacy of a safety net system here in Massachusetts, from workforce shortages to the lack of a viable public health response for adults, youth, and families experiencing homelessness on a day-to-day basis. The pandemic has pushed our statewide response system to the limit — further straining the state’s critical services and supports that keep low-income households stable. Many people are stretched thin and need help. Now is the time for the Massachusetts Legislature to take coordinated, comprehensive action to ensure that these resources are deployed effectively and equitably. By transforming our approach to homelessness, we can move from a crisis response to investing in vulnerable adults, families, and youth for more stable lives. And that’s exactly what House Bill 3838 does. An Act to create and implement a Massachusetts flexible housing subsidy pool program to address the medically complex needs of . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-07-01T11:29:01-04:00July 1st, 2022|Housing|

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