2022 Press
Bill would allow defaulted loan holders to keep licenses
Eagle Tribune • November 22, 2022
The proposal, approved by the state Legislature on Monday, would block state agencies or boards of registration from denying or revoking any license or professional or occupational certificate or registration based on an individu’s default on an educational loan. See more here.
On target: ed reform money reaching poorer districts
Commonwealth Magazine • October 30, 2022
The low-income, heavily immigrant city of Chelsea is getting over $2,600 per pupil more in state education aid than it did two years ago. That translates to nearly $19 million in additional funds each year going into the district’s $118 million budget. See more here.
Op-Ed: Ellie Fund determined to reduce equity gaps in treating breast cancer
MetroWest Daily News • October 23, 2022
It is not the lack of expertise or treatment options, but social determinants of health, such as race, ethnicity, age, income, gender, sexuality, geography and ability, that correlate with delays in follow-ups and diagnoses, and a decreased likelihood of starting and finishing a continuous treatment plan. See more here.
U.N., U.S. join WHO in marking World Mental Health Day
Boston Herald • October 10, 2022
People across our Commonwealth are talking about their struggles with mental health, and the call for quality mental health care is now a roar. We all deserve to have access to the mental health care we need, when we need it. See more here.
For Senate President Spilka, mental health law culminates a lifelong story
State House News Service • August 18, 2022
Tuesday's signing ceremony for the state's new mental health law was more than the celebration of another legislative achievement for Senate President Karen Spilka. It was also affirmation that a childhood clouded by a parent's untreated mental health issues had been worth it. See more here.
Spilka Secures $150,000 For Framingham Public Library’s New Technology & Learning Center
Framingham Source • August 10, 2022
Senate President Karen Spilka secured $150,000 for a new Technology & Learning Center for the Framingham Public Library in the Commonwealth’s fiscal year 2023 budget. See more here.
Massachusetts Passes Bill Protecting Abortion Rights and Trans Health Care
Metro Weekly • August 5, 2022
Bay State lawmakers had proposed the bill in response to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the court’s landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, which had protected the right to an abortion, regardless of the state where a person resides. See more here.
EDITORIAL: Cutting the working poor a break on T fares
Boston Globe • July 20, 2022
Even as a segment of the population obsesses about the fluctuation in the price of a gallon of gas, tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents face the equally daunting burden of buying that monthly MBTA pass or coping with the steep price of a commuter rail ticket to get to work. See more here.
EDITORIAL: Senate early education bill could transform childcare landscape
Commonwealth Magazine • July 7, 2022
We now have the opportunity for the Commonwealth to take another transformational leap by laying the foundation for high-quality, affordable early education and childcare that is universally available. By doing so, we would take a major step forward for equitable early childhood development. See more here.
As Beacon Hill’s clock ticks down, Senate goes big on early childhood care
GBH News • June 30, 2022
“This legislation, if and when it is fully implemented, will be transformative to our society here in Massachusetts,” Senate President Karen Spilka said during a rollout at the State House. “In fact, I would say that this is the most comprehensive early education and care bill that the Legislature has taken up this century.” See more here.
'Work and Family Mobility Act' for driver's license access enacted over Baker veto
State House New Service • June 10, 2022
Starting next summer, immigrants without legal status in Massachusetts will have access to state-issued driver's licenses thanks to a policy muscled through by lawmakers this week over Gov. Charlie Baker's veto. See more here.
State Hearing To Provide Input on Tenet Health’s Decision To Close Cancer Center in Framingham Now July 6
Framingham Source • June 9, 2022
Massachusetts Department of Public Health has set a public hearing July 6 to hear concerns about Tenet health’s plan to close the Cancer Center at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. See more here.
Mass. Senate moves to protect abortion providers from out-of-state court judgments and investigations
WBUR • May 27, 2022
The proposed changes would make it more difficult to collect a fine imposed by a court in Texas, for example, file a subpoena from outside Massachusetts and would shield provider licenses and insurance rates from the impact of out-of state judgments. See more here.
Senate President Spilka Said She Grieves For Those Lost But Angry This Happens Again & Again
Framingham Source • May 24, 2022
Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka Tweeted “Allowing children to be murdered in our schools is a policy choice. Allowing our neighbors to be murdered in the grocery store is a policy choice. Allowing shootings to occur almost daily in the 10 days in between is a policy choice – and it’s madness,” after the shooting in Texas that killed 18 childden inside an elementary school today, May 24. See more here.
Senate passes big climate bill focused on getting to net-zero
State House News Service • April 15, 2022
Senators took a major step Thursday toward achieving the net-zero emissions target they already set for Massachusetts by approving a policy-heavy bill aimed at expanding the clean energy industry and reining in emissions from the transportation and building sectors. See more here.
Massachusetts Senate passes sweeping pot reform bill
Boston Herald • April 9, 2022
The state Senate passed a sweeping cannabis bill that aims to clarify some terms of a ballot initiative first passed by voters in 2016, while promoting equity in the industry. “Unfortunately, many barriers continue to prevent those historically harmed by marijuana prohibition from entering the industry,” said Senate President Karen Spilka. See more here.
Massachusetts Senate unveils sweeping climate proposal
Associated Press • April 7, 2022
The Massachusetts Senate unveiled a sweeping climate bill Thursday aimed at helping the state meet its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050. See more here.
Massachusetts Senate unveils sweeping climate proposal
Associated Press • April 7, 2022
The Massachusetts Senate unveiled a sweeping climate bill Thursday aimed at helping the state meet its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050. See more here.
Senate President Karen Spilka vows to ‘fight like hell’ for President Biden’s unity agenda, including for mental health reform
MassLive • March 14, 2022
Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka, a vocal advocate for behavioral health reform, vowed Monday to support President Joe Biden’s mission to tackle the country’s worsening mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. See more here.
Senate President Karen Spilka hints at climate plans when asked about tax relief
State House News Service • March 11, 2022
Senate President Karen Spilka said Thursday conversations among senators are ongoing about possible ways to provide tax relief to residents in the face of rising gas prices and inflation, but she did not divulge any details a day after the House brushed back a push by Republicans to suspend the state’s gas tax. See more here.
Bill requiring free menstrual products in public spaces gains traction on Beacon Hill, thanks to young advocates
GBH News • March 4, 2022
People would have free access to menstrual hygiene products in Massachusetts schools, prisons and homeless shelters under a bill approved unanimously by Senators Thursday, which now awaits House approval. See more here.
Mass. Sen. President Karen Spilka On Support For Bill To Let Undocumented Immigrants Get Driver’s Licenses
CBS Boston • February 19, 2022
WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller talks to Massachusetts State Sen. President Karen Spilka. See more here.
‘Sending all my love to trans & LGBTQ+ kids’: Massachusetts leaders respond to Texas directive
MassLive • February 25, 2022
Massachusetts officials this week extended stalwart support to the LGBTQ+ community as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed his state’s Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate instances of “child abuse” tied to youth seeking gender-affirming care. See more here.
Editorial: Capping insulin co-pays at $25, and other overdue measures in Mass.
Boston Globe • February 12, 2022
Long after the current challenges of fighting a worldwide pandemic have eased, the day-to-day problem of making sure the state’s residents have access to life-saving drugs at an affordable price will still be part of the health care landscape. See more here.
Massachusetts to send $500 payments to 500,000 essential workers next month
MassLive • February 8, 2022
Nearly 500,000 low-income workers across Massachusetts can expect to receive $500 payments in late March as part of the Baker administration’s COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay program. See more here.
Bill Seeks To Tackle High Cost Of Prescription Drugs In Massachusetts
Associated Press • February 6, 2022
The legislation would establish a process for identifying drug price thresholds that pose a public health risk and recommending pricing measures to increase patient access to necessary medications. See more here.
Massachusetts lawmakers send Gov. Charlie Baker $101 million COVID bill
MassLive • February 3, 2022
The Legislature delivered a $101 million proposal to Gov. Charlie Baker Thursday that invests in COVID-19 rapid testing, high-quality masks, and vaccination equity for public schools, congregate care facilities, health care workers, and homeless shelters. See more here.
Senate President Invites Framingham Mayor To State House Thursday To Meet With Members of Governor’s Cabinet
Framingham Source • February 2, 2022
On Thursday, City of Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky will spend the day at the State House as the guest of Senate President Karen Spilka. See more here.
Mass. Senate President calls for same-day voter registration as House takes up voting rights
GBH News • January 25, 2022
Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka called for Massachusetts to pass same-day voter registration laws Tuesday. The House plans to hear a state voting reform bill Thursday that the Senate passed last October, though it is unclear whether the House version will include same-day voting. See more here.