Budget and Grants Archives

Massachusetts House Passes Economic Development Bill

(Boston) - On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a $561 million bond bill which includes key appropriations for Cohasset, Hingham, and Hull residents. The bill strengthens key innovation sectors, supports small businesses, expands housing opportunities, and positions the Commonwealth for long-term economic growth. The bill includes the following appropriations filed by Representative Meschino: $50,000 for investments in Cohasset Town Center. $50,000 to support the investments of the Hull Beautification Committee to invite tourism into the main street economy. $50,000 to steward investments in the Downtown Hingham Overlay District. “This investment is crucial to economic development throughout our district,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “I was glad to see our local funding amendments included in the economic development bond bill. It gives authorization to support essential elements of our local economies.” Among its most significant provisions, the legislation: Addresses the state's housing crisis by creating new tools . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2026-07-23T15:08:31-04:00July 9th, 2026|Budget and Grants, Legislation|

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|

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|

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 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|

House Passes FY23 Budget, Supporting Residents’ Needs and Making Targeted Investments

BOSTON – April 29, 2022 – Late Wednesday evening, Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass the state budget for Fiscal Year 2023. Funded at $49.73 billion, the budget responsibly addresses the needs of residents and makes targeted investments to support families in the Commonwealth. This budget continues its strong commitment to cities and towns, and includes significant investments in health care, education, housing, and workforce development, among other priorities. “This budget reflects yet another year of meaningful investments to support residents of the Commonwealth,” said Representative Meschino (D-Hull). “I am dedicated to advocating for the line items that matter most to our communities and the people who live 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 state aid for public libraries and increased . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-04-29T10:44:07-04:00April 29th, 2022|Budget and Grants|

Hingham Public School District Secures $16,272 Grant to Support Language Learners

(BOSTON) - This week, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced that Hingham Public Schools was one of 22 districts that will receive an FY22 Proficiency-based Outcomes in Languages Other than English Grant. This competitive grant program is a way that DESE supports World Language (WL), Heritage Language (HL), Dual Language (DL) and English Language Learner (ELL) programs and districts in their efforts to support or improve such programs in pre-K, elementary, and/or secondary schools. Districts were able to apply for funding to fulfill either one or both of the following program goals: Goal 1: Collect and analyze data pertaining to proficiency in languages other than English to improve World Languages, Heritage Languages, and English Learner programs. Goal 2: Support educators to teach for proficiency in languages other than English by aligning to the proficiency-based standards and high-leverage teaching practices described in the 2021 Massachusetts World Languages . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-02-25T16:55:37-05:00February 25th, 2022|Budget and Grants|

Department of Fire Services Announces FY22 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants for Towns in 3rd Plymouth District

(BOSTON) - This week, $5 million in grant funding was awarded to 306 Massachusetts fire departments from the FY22 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. The grant program enables fire departments to purchase a variety of equipment that will make firefighters’ jobs safer. Examples of eligible equipment include, among others, personal protective clothing and equipment; communications equipment; thermal imaging cameras; and health and wellness equipment. Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and Scituate were among the 306 communities that received awards. Towns in the 3rd Plymouth District received the following funding: Cohasset: $12,190.30 Hingham: $18,830.00 Hull: $11,779.70 Scituate: $11,861.59 “Firefighters provide critical services to our communities on the South Shore, and we need to take good care of them, too,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “The fire departments in Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and Scituate will be able to use this grant funding to continue their efforts to improve the health and safety of . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2022-01-14T16:35:28-05:00January 14th, 2022|Budget and Grants|

Massachusetts House of Representatives Passes ARPA Spending Bill

(BOSTON) - At the end of October, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation, An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs (H.4219,) that allocates federal funding granted to the Commonwealth for COVID-19 relief from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and surplus tax dollars from fiscal year 2021. Funded at $3.82 billion, the bill aims to close gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging recovery through one-time investments in housing, environment and climate mitigation, economic development, workforce, health and human services, and education. After the original $3.65 billion bill was released, more than 1,100 amendments were filed by legislators, and ultimately four consolidated amendments were added to the legislation. The House bill includes $500 million to replenish the Unemployment Trust Fund which will offset businesses’ contributions for unemployment programs. The bill also includes $200 million worth of tax relief for small businesses that paid personal income taxes on . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-11-10T17:46:13-05:00November 10th, 2021|Budget and Grants, Energy + Environment, Public Health, Seniors + Veterans, Transportation + Infrastructure|

Over $500,000 Awarded to Multiple South Shore Organizations to Support Food Security

BOSTON, MA – Recently, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs completed the awarding of the summer Food System Infrastructure Grants. The goal of the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program is to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have equitable access to food, especially local food. The program also seeks to ensure that farmers, fishermen and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption. As part of the announcement, organizations and businesses across the South Shore were awarded over $500,000 to help them grow their operations to support food security in their area. “Over the past year and a half, we’ve seen food insecurity intensify across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “This funding will allow our local fishing, farming, and assistance organizations on the South Shore the ability to provide . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-08-27T13:00:34-04:00August 27th, 2021|Budget and Grants|