(Boston) - The Massachusetts House of Representatives had an active June, working to finalize and pass major legislation. The House passed numerous funding measures focused on transportation, education, road repairs, and relief programs.  A $228 million supplemental budget was passed to address time-sensitive budget deficiencies, including winter storm recovery costs, public safety operations, substance use treatment services, homelessness assistance, and emergency management expenses. The bill passed the House of Representatives 154-2 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.  Lawmakers also passed a spending package that seeks to ease pressures caused by strained school budget and delivers a massive infusion of cash into the state's public transportation system.  This will help students across Massachusetts gain more access to educational opportunities, and help citizens transport safely and securely to their destinations. Governor Healey signed the bill into law on June 12th.  The Massachusetts Legislature approved over $2.7 billion in bond funding to . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - It is a busy time of year for the Massachusetts State Legislature. Several of the 7,000 bills filed this session have begun to advance through the legislative process. Three bills filed by State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) have advanced in recent weeks.  Representative Meschino and State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) filed H.4862, which designates September 22nd as Military Service Member and Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. The legislation was brought to their offices by a local family who lost a loved one to suicide. The bill passed the House and heads to the Senate for their consideration.  The bill serves to shed light on the tragic and persistent issue of mental health struggles and suicide in our Veteran community.  On average, we lose over 7,000 Veterans to suicide each year.  That number continues to grow.  In 2020, 1 in 9 suicide deaths in Massachusetts were current or former . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Following the conclusion of formal session in the 193rd legislative session, many forms of State Representative Joan Meschino’s (D-Hull) legislation have been signed and passed into law.  In the FY25 budget, Representative Meschino secured funding for three key groups in the Third Plymouth District. The Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research received $40,000 for funding a micro-credentialing program for youth that will focus on coastal research and geospatial climate resilience. The program is being developed together with the University of Massachusetts Global. The Anchor of Hull received a programming grant of $25,000, which will be used to boost the Anchor’s regular weekly programming and recovery meetings for those impacted by substance use disorder. Finally, the Hingham Unity Council received a programming grant of $35,000, which will go towards the programming budget for inclusion events in the community.  A form of supportive housing, a priority bill originally filed . . . Read More

$5.16B housing bond bill adds resources for new units, makes sweeping policy changes to simplify and incentivize development (BOSTON) – The Massachusetts Legislature has passed the Affordable Homes Act, the largest housing investment in Massachusetts history and a powerful first step in tackling the state’s housing affordability crisis. The legislation authorizes $5.16 billion in bond authorizations and tax credits to spur housing production in Massachusetts, while implementing sweeping policy initiatives to facilitate the development and preservation of affordable housing in Massachusetts. “This bill is a significant investment in the future of our local communities,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “On Tuesday, Governor Healey signed the Housing Bond Bill which included, among other key elements, a flexible supportive housing pool fund which I have championed. This will help support affordable housing organizations that make our communities stronger and more livable. I will continue to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) has continued to pursue a robust legislative agenda following her successes after February’s Joint Rule 10 deadline, at which time most Joint Committees must issue their recommendations for the next steps of bills under their review. Six bills filed by Representative Meschino received favorable reports and will move forward in the legislative process. Highlighting these successes is the Joint Committee on Housing’s second favorable report of H.1354, An Act to create and implement a Massachusetts flexible supportive housing subsidy pool program. This legislation will braid public and private funding to meet the needs of homeless individuals, families, and unaccompanied youth across the continuum of care. Under her leadership on climate and environmental policy, Representative Meschino filed An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management (H.861) which received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - On Wednesday, May 31st, State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined advocates from across the Commonwealth, including representatives of Plymouth County’s regional commission, at the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s Lobby Day held at the State House. Among the bills supported by the Commission is H.669, An Act supporting parents running for public office, co-filed by Representative Meschino and Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). The advocacy day’s events were highlighted by a speech from Governor Maura Healey. The Governor spoke about the significance of her position as the first woman elected as governor of the Commonwealth and as a member of the first all-female governor and lieutenant governor team in the nation. She also shared her anticipation of a strong continued partnership with the Commission. “The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women does excellent, critical work to advance the status of women and girls in the . . . Read More