Monday, November 27, 2023

Senate Republican Caucus Letter to Conference Committee RE: Fiscal Year 2023 Closeout Supplemental Budget

On Wednesday, November 22nd, the Senate Republican Caucus released a letter calling on the Conference Committee to report in part on a number of important items that need to be addressed
RE: Fiscal Year 2023 Closeout Supplemental Budget.

Read the letter in detail below:







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Thursday, October 5, 2023

MRBA Meeting with US Army Corps of Engineers | Plum Island | 9.29.23



Productive MRBA meeting last week with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss erosion issues on Plum Island.

Check out my interview with WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kendall Buhl:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-wbz-newsradio-1030-news-a-28657113/episode/local-state-officials-address-plum-island-124525775/ 

Also, check out PITA President, Ron Barrett's interview with WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Nightside with Dan Rea from 10.3.23: 

https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/featured/nightside-with-dan-rea/tab/podcasts/

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FY'24 Mass Cultural Council Grant Recipients

Mass Cultural Council announced the FY'24 recipients of the Festivals & Projects grant program.  In total, Mass Cultural Council granted $1,850,000 to 740 cultural projects and festivals statewide. The grants are $2,500 each and go to organizations to support their public activities that incorporate the arts, humanities, or sciences.

Please join me in congratulating the Festivals & Projects Recipients receiving grants in our District.




Mass Cultural Council announced the recipients of the Mass Cultural Council’s FY24 Cultural Investment Portfolio (CIP) and Gateway grant programs. In total, $6,988,800 has been granted to 338 cultural nonprofits this year through these two programs.

The CIP and Gateway provide general operating grants to nonprofit organizations that enrich Massachusetts’ cultural life. The Portfolio works to strengthen a creative and cultural sector that generates $1.2 billion in economic activity, creates thousands of jobs, and delivers programs to more than 20 million a year. 

Please join me in congratulating the CIP and Gateway Grant Recipients in our District.




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Gold Star Mothers and Family Day | Knight's of Columbus Rosary Prayer Service | 9.24.23





Sunday, September 24th was Gold Star Mothers and Family Day - a day of recognition of the sacrifices made by those who have paid the ultimate price and the burden the families are left behind to carry.  

I was honored to attend the Rosary Prayer Service led by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, alongside the Gold Star Family Memorial Committee and Cape Ann Office of Veterans Services.

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Tax Relief for Commonwealth of Massachusetts | 10.4.23

 






With the stroke of Governor Healey's pen, our state government took a major step toward becoming more affordable and competitive with the enactment of “An Act to Improve the Commonwealth’s Competitiveness, Affordability, and Equity” (H.4104).
Tax relief for employers and households has consistently been a major priority for Senate Republicans, and I am glad we have been able to find bipartisan common ground with our colleagues across the aisle to deliver nearly $1 billion in needed and deserved relief from the high costs of living in our state.
We also found a path forward to reward Massachusetts employers for investing in our economy, setting the stage for economic growth.
Today marks a major benchmark for making the Commonwealth more affordable, and I was glad to serve on the 6-member conference committee that produced the final bill that has become law. That law sets the stage for more efforts in the days to come, giving us a good foundation to build on for the future.


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Blood Drive on Friday, 10/6 from 9AM-2PM in Ipswich

 



NATIONAL BLOOD SHORTAGE

Blood donors of all types are urgently needed now.

Join me and members of my team as we donate blood at an upcoming American Red Cross of Massachusetts blood drive in our district.

This Friday, October 6th from 9 AM – 2 PM @ John T. Heard Masonic Lodge in Main Hall, 70 Topsfield Rd., Ipswich, MA

Click here to sign up to donate TODAY: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive



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Wednesday, October 4, 2023

OCABR Flash Flooding Impacted Areas Resources for Constituents


On behalf of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), see below communication:

Resources for Constituents Given the Recent Storms and Catastrophic Flash Flooding that have Impacted Areas Throughout the Commonwealth.

The mission of OCABR is to protect and empower consumers through education and advocacy. Our office oversees the state’s Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) program as well as several consumer divisions, including the Division of Insurance.

It’s our hope that your constituents will not find themselves in situations where they will need to access these resources; however, OCABR would like to ensure that your offices are aware of them in case they do. Links below to some of our resources that may help and inform constituents should they need to navigate insurance claims and property repairs following a severe flood or storm.

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Division of Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions Following a Disaster: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-following-a-disaster

Guide to Disaster and Emergency Insurance Preparations: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guide-to-disaster-and-emergency-insurance-preparations

Is My Flood Damage Covered? https://www.mass.gov/info-details/is-my-flood-damage-covered

Division of Insurance Hotline: (617) 521-7794, (8:45am – 5:00pm)

Home Repairs & Contractors

For most home repairs, contractors are required to be registered Home Improvement Contractors. It’s critical that homeowners look up a contractor’s registration and any complaints filed against their license before hiring them. In the event something goes wrong, and the homeowner needs to seek relief from the State’s Guaranty Fund, HIC registration is required.

Homeowner's guide to hiring a home improvement contractor: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-a-home-improvement-contractor

Check a contractor's registration: HIC Registration Lookup https://services.oca.state.ma.us/hic/licenseelist.aspx

OCABR Hotline: (617) 973-8787 (9:00am - 4:30pm)

Auto Repairs

Recognizing that some vehicles may become submerged during a flash flooding emergency and constituents may need to seek repairs, the following is a link to help them select a reliable repair shop and understand their rights:

Massachusetts Consumer Guide – Mechanics of Auto Repair https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-consumer-guide-mechanics-of-auto-repair


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