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(BOSTON) – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives this session to pass an economic development “bond bill.” The legislation, An Act relative to economic development in the commonwealth, authorizes more than $1 billion in spending to spur economic growth and expand economic opportunity in the Commonwealth. “Ensuring access to economic success for all is critical to the sustainability of the Commonwealth,” said Representative Meschino. “This legislation makes important investments in infrastructure, industry, and coastal communities, and aims to make the economy work better for everyone.” The legislation seeks to spur economic development through a wide array of programs including public infrastructure projects like street and sewer improvements, multi-family housing and mixed-use development, and transportation. In addition, the legislation invests in manufacturing innovation, technology development, and career technical training programs.  The legislation also establishes and apprenticeship tax credit for employers, and limits enforcement and sets standards . . . Read More

(HULL)- On Saturday, July 21st, intertidal sand artist Andres Amador made extraordinary art in the sand at Nantasket Beach in Hull as part of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)’s Better Beaches program. This program has brought the California-based artist to Boston for several years to create interactive art on the region's public beaches. This year in Hull, Amador led a sand-raking workshop in the morning. Participants included Bart Blumberg of the Hull Artists Association and Chris Maher of the Hull Cultural Council. In the afternoon, community members had a chance to participate in a collaborative community mural on the sand. The theme for the day was "sea life" and beach goers created fish, sea horses, sharks, jelly fish, and more across several hundred feet of Nantasket Beach. “It was great fun for beachgoers, young and old, to share in the joy of creating . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, July 25th to enact S.2631, An Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement. This legislation is the result of years of advocacy and collaboration between a bipartisan collective of legislators in the House and Senate, and would implement a civics education curriculum in all Massachusetts public schools. The legislation promotes a hands-on and experiential approach to fostering civic engagement. It incorporates project-based learning components, encourages the instruction of civic competencies – including news and media literacy – and provides extracurricular civic-participation opportunities. “Students will learn the ways to become engaged in their communities, and hopefully their experience will inspire them to step forward as our future leaders,” said Representative Meschino. “Teaching the value of civic engagement is a critical part of maintaining a healthy democracy.” The Governor has returned the bill with an amendment, which is . . . Read More

(BOSTON) – On Thursday, August 9th, a bill establishing an automatic voter registration process for the State of Massachusetts was signed into law. With the implementation of automatic voter registration, the legislature seeks to facilitate civic engagement for the 700,000 residents of Massachusetts who are eligible to vote but are unregistered. “The democratic process requires broad civic engagement that reaches across all demographics to ensure that all are represented and heard.” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull).  “Automatic voter registration is a convenient process that will promote participation among all eligible citizens.” The bill, H.4384, An Act relative to automatic voter registration, contains provisions that would link voter registration to initial applications and information updates to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and MassHealth. Rather than requiring eligible voters to opt-in to register, this provision would instead create an opt-out process for eligible residents who may not wish to register to vote. This . . . Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2018  BOSTON – State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) was honored to attend the fifteenth annual Unsung Heroines celebration at the Massachusetts State House. Through the Unsung Heroine award, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women honors women in the Commonwealth who work hard every day to serve their communities, dedicating their time and effort to the betterment of all of our lives across the state. This award is intended to celebrate women whose work often goes unrecognized, for their leadership and volunteerism. Christine Murphy of Cohasset was nominated and honored with the Unsung Heroine award by Representative Meschino. Ms. Murphy has significantly contributed to the community, serving as a board member of the Cohasset Social Service League, where she worked to establish a brand new senior center in the town. Following this, Ms. Murphy turned her attention towards the addiction crisis, establishing the Safe Harbor . . . Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2018 BOSTON – State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) was honored to attend the fifteenth annual Unsung Heroines celebration at the Massachusetts State House. Through the Unsung Heroine award, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women honors women in the Commonwealth who work hard every day to serve their communities, dedicating their time and effort to the betterment of all of our lives across the state. This award is intended to celebrate women whose work often goes unrecognized, for their leadership and volunteerism. Kim Stewart of Scituate was nominated and honored with the Unsung Heroine award by State Representative James M. Cantwell (D-Marshfield). Ms. Stewart has served for 22 years as the Scituate Animal Control Officer, and was named the 2017 Animal Control Officer of the Year by the Animal Rescue League in Boston and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA.) . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the House ofRepresentatives on Wednesday, June 27th to pass legislation establishing an automatic voterregistration process for the state of Massachusetts. With the implementation of automatic voterregistration, the legislature sought to facilitate civic engagement for the 700,000 residents ofMassachusetts who are eligible to vote but are unregistered.“The democratic process requires broad civic engagement that reaches across all demographicsto ensure that all are represented and heard.” said Representative Meschino. “Automatic voterregistration is a simple and convenient registration process that will promote participation amongall eligible citizens.”The bill, H.4320, An Act relative to automatic voter registration, contains provisions that wouldlink voter registration to initial applications and information updates to the Registry of MotorVehicles and MassHealth. Rather than requiring eligible voters to opt-in to register, thisprovision would instead create an opt-out process for eligible residents who may not wish toregister to vote. If passed by the . . . Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 17, 2017 BOSTON – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined with her colleagues in the House to pass comprehensive criminal justice reform legislation that will lead to a more equitable system by supporting our youngest and most vulnerable residents, reducing recidivism, increasing judicial discretion, and enhancing public safety. “This landmark legislation will make our criminal justice system significantly more equitable while enhancing public safety through a series of workable, real-world solutions,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo.  “I am proud of the unprecedented reforms we’ve made to support our youngest and most vulnerable residents, particularly children facing adversity and individuals of all ages battling addiction. I am grateful for the dedication and insight of Chairwoman Cronin, and I thank Chairman Sanchez, Leader Mariano and Chief Justice Ireland for their guidance.” "Through a number of practical and progressive reforms, this bill takes steps to improve the criminal justice system,” . . . Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2017 BOSTON – Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton) and Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) today announced the formation of the Fair Skies Caucus. The caucus will bring together legislators from both the Massachusetts State Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives that represent districts affected by overflights from local airports, including Logan Airport, Worcester Airport, and Hanscom Field. As the Senate chair and House chair, respectively, Timilty and Meschino aim to encourage bipartisan and bicameral collaboration on legislation and budget matters relevant to the caucus and its members. The caucus will unite the advocacy efforts of its individual members in order to more effectively collaborate with Massport and other agencies. “It is my strong belief that an equitable solution to the problem of airplane noise must be implemented,” said Timilty. “Communities across the Commonwealth experience the constant barrage of noise and the public health risks associated with airplanes . . . Read More