joanmeschino, Author at Joan Meschino

2050 Roadmap Bill Gets Broad Support at ENRA Hearing

BOSTON - Legislators, advocates, and Massachusetts residents came together this Tuesday, May 14, 2019, to support H.832, An Act to Create a 2050 Roadmap to a Clean and Thriving Commonwealth, filed by Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull), at a hearing before the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture. The 2050 Roadmap bill seeks to align the Commonwealth’s existing carbon emissions reduction goals pursuant to the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 (GWSA) with the most updated climate research. The 2050 Roadmap would reset the Commonwealth’s carbon emission reduction goal to “net-zero” by the year 2050 and requires the administration to conduct a backcast analysis that will lead to the development of a statewide plan to reduce carbon emissions across multiple sectors, including areas such as energy, transportation, and home heating efficiency. Through a transparent and iterative process, the bill seeks to create an intentional and equitable plan to reduce . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-08-04T20:43:13-04:00May 24th, 2019|Libraries|

House Passes Balanced Budget with Targeted Investments in Education, Housing, Environment

BOSTON – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives this week to pass its budget for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), which invests in programs and services across the Commonwealth. Funded at $42.7 billion, the House budget makes major investments in education, housing, substance use disorder services, health care, and other areas while projecting a more than $200 million deposit into the Stabilization Fund – bringing the fund’s balance to more than $2.5 billion to safeguard the future of vital programs and services. “This fiscally responsible budget balances the needs of communities, families, and individuals across the Commonwealth with smart investments that boost local aid, support our healthcare system, strengthen education, and protect the environment,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I am proud of the work we have done to further our ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis and invest in high-quality . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-08-04T20:52:58-04:00April 29th, 2019|Other Topics|

House Passes $135 Million Supplemental Budget; Heating Assistance, Homeless Shelters Among Key Initiatives Funded

(BOSTON) – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass a supplemental budget which addresses multiple areas including heating assistance, enhanced support for victims of sexual assault, and programs to help those battling homelessness. The spending bill, approximately $135 million, highlights the House’s ongoing commitment in support of critical social service investments while balancing fiscal prudence; this practice has resulted in Massachusetts prioritizing its most vulnerable residents while maintaining a strong and diverse economy. “With state residents still facing winter weather, this supplemental budget provides vital funds for heating assistance,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop).“I thank Chairman Michlewitz and the members of the House for passing this legislation which provides funding for a number of important areas.” “Legislators are making meaningful investments in much needed services for residents in the Commonwealth, setting a good tone for this year’s budget process,” said . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-08-29T10:36:31-04:00March 1st, 2019|Budget and Grants|

House Announces $1B GreenWorks Resilient Communities Investment Plan

(BOSTON) – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues last week to announce a new initiative to invest $1 billion over the next 10 years to help communities across Massachusetts adopt technologies – including clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate change resiliency measures – that cut greenhouse gas emissions, fortify infrastructure and reduce municipal costs. The proposal – known as GreenWorks – builds on a long-standing approach by the House of Representatives to provide concrete tools directly to communities with an immediate positive impact. “This long-term investment will help Massachusetts cities and towns build sustainable and resilient communities,” said Speaker DeLeo, (D – Winthrop). “Not only will cities and towns have the ability to cut greenhouse gases and lower long-term energy and operating costs, but they will adopt Massachusetts-made innovative technologies and put people to work on cleantech infrastructure projects.” “Investing in community-based projects is critical to ensuring that mitigation, . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-08-29T10:36:41-04:00March 1st, 2019|Energy + Environment|

Representative Joan Meschino Files Legislation for 2019-2020 Session

(BOSTON) - With the start of the new legislative session on January 2nd, state lawmakers spent the first two full weeks of January filing new bills which will be taken up during the 191st Legislative Session. Nearly 6,000 bills were filed collectively by the 200 lawmakers. State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) filed legislation advancing a wide range of policy initiatives advancing the interests of the district, including sea level rise and climate change, environmental justice, the care and protection of children in foster care, and food insecurity among college students, among others. Representative Meschino filed a signature piece of legislation, An Act to create a 2050 Roadmap to a clean and thriving Commonwealth. The bill seeks to align the Commonwealth’s existing commitment to reduce carbon emissions goals pursuant to the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 (GWSA) with the most updated climate research. The 2050 Roadmap would reset the . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-08-29T10:37:07-04:00February 26th, 2019|Other Topics|

Representative Meschino Appointed to Committees for 191st General Court

(BOSTON) - State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) and her colleagues in the House of Representatives received official legislative committee assignments for the 191st General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Representative Meschino was assigned to two joint committees and two House 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 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 Veterans and Federal Affairs House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight House Committee on Technology and Intergovernmental Affairs. “I am looking forward to representing the interests of our communities on each . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-08-04T21:05:36-04:00February 15th, 2019|Libraries|

October 2018 Newsletter

Click here to read our October newsletter, highlighting energy and environmental legislation from this session.

joanmeschino2020-08-29T10:37:40-04:00October 4th, 2018|Energy + Environment, Public Health|

Clean Energy Legislation Signed into Law

(BOSTON) – The Massachusetts Legislature took another important step this session towards meeting its 2030 and 2050 carbon emission reduction goals by enacting a law promoting clean energy in the Commonwealth. An Act to advance clean energy was signed into law on August 9, 2018. The new law builds on last session’s work to diversify the Commonwealth’s energy generation sources with large-scale hydropower, offshore wind, and energy storage. “Clean energy generation or ‘greening the grid’ is important to build a clean energy future for Massachusetts,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “Developing renewable energy technology in Massachusetts is healthier and safer, and will lead to new jobs and other economic opportunity, creating a prosperous and sustainable future for the Commonwealth.” The new law accomplishes four important goals. First, the new law requires electricity utilities to purchase more electricity from renewable energy sources overtime. The Massachusetts’ Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) will . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-09-11T17:13:14-04:00October 3rd, 2018|Energy + Environment|

Legislation Investing in Environmental Protection Signed into Law

(BOSTON) – On August 9, 2018, legislation authorizing $2.4 billion of investments in the environment, agriculture, and climate adaptation in the Commonwealth was signed into law. The Environmental Bond Bill funds local sea level rise and climate change resiliency and adaptation efforts, enhances environmental and natural resource protection, and invests in our parks and recreational assets. These investments will reach every corner of the Commonwealth, from coastal infrastructure to agricultural preservation. The Environmental Bond Bill positions Massachusetts to lead on coastal resilience, and to preserve our local community’s natural resources for generations to come. “Climate change and sea level rise mitigation and adaptation are critical to ensure a prosperous future for the Commonwealth, and safety for its residents,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D - Hull). “In coastal communities like Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and North Scituate, the need for these kinds of investments is urgent. The legislature was able to meet that . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-08-29T10:38:03-04:00October 3rd, 2018|Energy + Environment|

“Grand Bargain” marks significant legislative accomplishment for economic justice

(BOSTON) – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives this session to pass An Act relative to minimum wage, paid family medical leave and the sales tax holiday. The new law raises the minimum wage, creates a framework for paid family and medical leave for most workers, and establishes a permanent sales tax holiday. Referred to as the “Grand Bargain”, the new law reflects significant collaboration and compromise by the key economic stakeholders to achieve the shared goal of economic prosperity and to support our local economic centers. “Raising the minimum wage and establish paid family medical leave are two key decisions that will lift up our hardworking local families and help us retain good workers for our local businesses,” said Representative Meschino. “At the same time, the legislation balances the concerns of employers, particularly the small businesses that are the core of our local town . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-08-29T10:38:17-04:00September 13th, 2018|Other Topics|

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