On January 16, 2020, the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed legislation to fight childhood hunger and boost participation rates in school breakfast programs in the Commonwealth’s high-poverty schools. The bill, An Act regarding breakfast after the bell (S.2460), would require all public K-12 schools with 60 percent or more students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the federal National School Lunch Program to offer breakfast after the instructional day begins.
Read MoreSenate President Karen E. Spilka welcomed Celtics player Jaylen Brown as a special guest at the first session of 2020.
Read MoreFollowing passage in both branches of the Massachusetts Legislature on November 20, 2019, An Act relative to campaign finance was signed into law a week later. The measure increases transparency and accountability in the Commonwealth’s elections by reforming fiscal reporting requirements. This bill also establishes a commission to study the use of campaign funds for family-related care.
Read MoreLegislation supporting the health and wellness of children across the Commonwealth was signed into law just before Thanksgiving after Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo along with their colleagues in the House and Senate passed a compromised version a week prior.
Read MoreOn November 25, 2019 legislation advanced by the Massachusetts Legislature to ban drivers from using hand-held electronic devices in vehicles was signed into law.
Read More“While we continue to learn more about the dangers of vaping, it is absolutely our responsibility to prevent marketing of vaping products, which we know to be harmful, to our children,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka
Read More“Today is an extraordinary day for our students,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill today that would implement a statewide ban on all carry-out plastic bags at checkout from retail stores.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts State Senate released a bill today that would implement a statewide ban on all carry-out plastic bags at checkout from retail stores.
Read MoreStrategies for Student Stress...How to Turn Stress into Success!
Read More“Today the Senate stood unified in our mission to tackle the pressing issue of health care access and affordability,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am excited to see the PACT Act advance, as we have heard for far too long that the rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs is the greatest issue facing individuals and families today. I look forward to seeing this legislation move forward so that many families can finally see relief.”
Read MoreSenate President Karen E. Spilka joined Governor Charlie Baker, her colleagues, and advocates at Thursday morning’s bill signing for An Act to Support Improved Financial Stability in Higher Education.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts State Senate passed a $779.8 million closeout supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2019 today, after adding $8.9 million during floor debate. It also includes a transfer of $356 million to the state’s stabilization fund, thereby continuing to build the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund and placing the state on firmer financial footing. At approximately $3.2 billion, the fund would reach its highest level to date.
Read More“There is virtually no area of our economic, civic and personal lives that is not touched by the need for mental and behavioral health and wellness. And so we must take the integration of mental and behavioral health into our health care system – to create one continuum of care – seriously.”
Read MoreThe 2019 Senior Health and Wellness Fair is happening on Saturday, October 12, 2019, from 9:00-1:30pm at the Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School, 750 Winter Street in Framingham!
Read MoreBill will invest $1.5 billion in public schools, update statewide education policy, and support effective approaches to closing opportunity gaps for students throughout the Commonwealth.
Read MoreThe Joint Committee on Education released the Student Opportunity Act. This legislation, an unprecedented $1.5 billion investment in our public schools, will expand opportunities for all students, especially those facing educational disadvantages, and provide more resources to all of our communities.
Read MoreThe Ashland Fire Department was one of 14 fire departments in Massachusetts awarded funding from FEMA's Staffing for Adequate & Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) program.
Read MoreIn total, there are 32 communities now at critical risk, 39 at high risk, and 121 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts.
Read MoreMassDOT responded to my questions about the Allston Multimodal project. You can read them here.
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