2019 Press

 For Spilka, Ed Funding Reform a 20-year journey

MetroWest Daily News • November 29, 2019

The Senate president said she has confidence the Student Opportunity Act will make a difference. Read article.

Commentary: The Student Opportunity Act is a badly needed update to education funding

MetroWest Daily News • November 23, 2019

This week, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Student Opportunity Act unanimously. This historic vote demonstrates our commonwealth’s continuing commitment to ensure a quality public education for all our children. It also represents a deeply personal achievement for me and MetroWest, as I first ran for the Legislature 18 years ago to address what I saw as inequities in school funding in my hometown. Read article.

State Senate Plans Plastic Bag Ban

WGBH News • November 18, 2019

Massachusetts could ban plastic shopping bags by 2021 under a new proposal Senate President Karen Spilka plans to bring to a vote Wednesday in the Senate. Read article.

Senators visit Milton’s Trailside Museum

The Patriot Ledger • November 12, 2019

A group of state senators got a close-up view of a peregrine falcon and a saw-whet owl during a visit Monday to the Trailside Museum. Read article.

Non-binary gender designation is now available on Mass. licenses

The Boston Globe • November 12, 2019

Senate President Karen E. Spilka: “It is an important step towards letting people be who they are.” Read article.

Senate Passes Legislation Promoting Safety and Health of Children and Individuals with Disabilities

Framingham Source • October 17, 2019

“As lawmakers, our number one job is to protect the most vulnerable among us and these pieces of legislation do just that,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. Read article.

Massachusetts Senate passes $1.5 billion education funding bill after lengthy debate

MassLIVE • October 3, 2019

The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a major overhaul of the education funding formula, which would require the state to spend another $1.5 billion annually on public education by the time it is fully implemented. Read article.

After years of debate, top Mass. lawmakers unveil school funding plan

The Boston Globe • September 19, 2019

House and Senate leaders Thursday unveiled long-awaited legislation to overhaul the state’s antiquated school-funding formula that they say would pump an additional $1.4 billion in local aid to schools over the next seven years. Read Article.

EEE Outbreak: State Leaders Meet in Framingham to Discuss Crisis

MetroWest Daily News • September 17, 2019

State political and public health officials met in Framingham on Tuesday to address the outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Read article.

Deal struck on $43 billion state budget, drug price controls

The Boston Globe • July 21, 2019

Three weeks into the fiscal year, legislative leaders on Sunday filed a compromise state budget proposal that plows nearly $270 million more into public school spending. Read article

MetroWest residents vent over plans for Mass Pike

MetroWest Daily News • July 19, 2019

Spilka called on MassDOT to better specify the project’s impact on the community and the state’s plans to handle problem areas. Read article.

Framingham NAACP branch is reactivated

Wicked Local Ashland • July 17, 2019

State Senate President Karen Spilka said it was “poignant” to meet with the public that night following racially charged comments made by President Donald Trump earlier this week on Twitter. Read article.

State lawmakers hold diaper drive to give back to low income families

WWLP-22 News • July 12, 2019

Legislators collected more than 3,000 diapers to give to families all across the state, but that’s not all they’re doing to help children in need. Watch video.

Massachusetts Senate Passes Collective Bargaining Legislation After Supreme Court Ruling

Framingham Source • June 27, 2019

The Massachusetts Senate today, June 27, passed An Act Relative to Collective Bargaining Dues, which helps protect a public unions’ ability to effectively represent all workers in labor agreements following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case Janus v. AFSCME. Read article.

Natick Teen Inspires Gender Identity Bill On Beacon Hill

WBZ-TV • June 20, 2019

Senate President Karen Spilka is strongly supporting a bill on Beacon Hill that could change how gender is identified on state documents. Watch video.

1-on-1 With Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka

NECN • June 19, 2019

Senate President Karen Spilka sits down with NECN’s Sue O’Connell to discuss legislative priorities. Watch video .

One-on-One With Karen Spilka

NBC Boston • June 15, 2019

Alison King sits down with Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka to talk about her first year on the job. Watch video.

Senate budget boosts education, mental health spending

MetroWest Daily News • May 7, 2019

Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, says the proposed budget calls for $5.176 billion in Chapter 70 education aid to municipalities, a $268 million increase over the current budget. Read article.

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Spilka tax study gets Baker’s attention

MetroWest Daily News • March 30, 2019

State Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, has been talking about a tax code working group since early January, but it appears now it’s close to fruition. Read article.