Tuesday, January 30, 2024

North Shore Water Resilience Task Force

Today was a productive meeting of the North Shore Water Resilience Task Force at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School in Danvers.

Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School

#statesenatorbrucetarr



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Grant Funding for MDAR

The USDA and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) have announced a cooperative agreement under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to offer $3 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain.

Using RFSI funding, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will fund projects that expand or modernize capacity that have collaborative, regional impact on intermediaries within the middle-of-the-supply-chain including food hubs, aggregators, wholesalers, distributers, and shared processing facilities.

Applications for this award are due by March 29, 2024.

For more information, including the application, click here: https://www.mass.gov/.../about-the-resilient-food-systems...

To learn more about Resilient Food System Infrastructures, click here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsi



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Holy Family Hospital

Last week, our Chief of Medical Policy and Strategy, Dr. Bonni Berkowitz, attended a tour of the Holy Family Hospital, Methuen and Haverhill.

We are committed to working with the legislative delegation to address issues presented with Holy Family Hospitals in Methuen and Haverhill.

#holyfamilyhospital

#statesenatorbrucetarr



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Saturday, January 27, 2024

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today as we mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, let us observe a moment of silence to remember victims of the Holocaust for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Now, 79 years later we remember all those who were lost or suffered then and since.

#InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay #WeRemember #NeverForget #statesenatorbrucetarr



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Friday, January 26, 2024

Newburyport Chamber Pot Event 2024

We had an outstanding time at the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Pot 2024 event at Port Vida a Mexican Cantina in Newburyport yesterday evening.

#newburyport #newburyportma #statesenatorbrucetarr



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Thursday, January 25, 2024

Senate Bill Addressing Firearms

Today, Senate bill S.2572, 'An act to sensibly address firearm violence through effective reform' got released.

Summary of the Bill below ⬇️

Link to full bill here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2572



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Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Newburyport Rotary Club

Honored to be the guest speaker at today’s Newburyport Rotary Speaker Lunch Series held at Giuseppe’s Fresh Pasta Fine Food in Newburyport.

Newburyport Rotary Club

City of Newburyport

Guiseppe's in Newburyport, Massachusetts



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Thursday, January 18, 2024

Newburyport Recreation and Youth Services


I appreciated the opportunity tonight to learn about the plans for the new Newburyport Recreation Center at Newburyport City Hall with Mayor Reardon, several members of the city council, and a large public audience.

Thanks to Newburyport Recreation and Youth Services Director Andrea Egmont and team for a great presentation.

City of Newburyport

Newburyport Recreation and Youth Services



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Monday, January 15, 2024

MLK Day at the Open Door

 In honor of MLK Day being a National Day of Service, I organized a service project at The Open Door as a chance for #TeamTarr to come together in service of others to give back to our local community.

We spent our time learning more about how The Open Door’s mission of alleviating the impact of hunger in our community comes to life each day thanks to their incredible staff and volunteers.

The Open Door collected almost 12,000 tons of food between Thanksgiving through now. To help, we were able to sort through these donations by participating in a food sorting team service opportunity.

If you, your family, friends, local businesses or organizations are interested in helping the cause, visit the link below ⬇️ to learn more about how you can volunteer:

https://foodpantry.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/

MLK Day is the only federal holiday identified as a National Day of Service dedicated to an individual and their legacy.



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Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy embodies the essence of freedom and equality for all, and on this day, I hope we all take a few moments to reflect on the accomplishments of this extraordinary man. His message of peace through nonviolent protests to ignite a cultural change within American society is a message that still reverberates today.

Sermon after sermon, speech after speech, Dr. King delivered a message of peace, hope, and faith echoing the belief first expressed by President Lincoln that "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” He confronted oppression and intolerance with faith, character and perseverance.

Because of his actions, and his ability to deliver such messages, this country made major strides towards eliminating racial injustice. During a time of severe strife, Dr. King taught people tolerance and brotherhood. During a time of segregation and hate, Dr. King taught love and friendship.

Dr. King will forever be remembered for his contributions and will continue to inspire people for generations to come. 



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Saturday, January 13, 2024

Coastal Damage Surveys

Surveying the storm’s damage and impact on our coastal communities. Town of Salisbury



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Monday, January 8, 2024

Governor’s Mid-Year Budget Cuts FY2024

Today Governor Healey announced that she was responding to a projected $1 billion shortfall in the budget for the current fiscal year (FY24) by exercising her powers to cut items in the budget pursuant to  Chapter 29, Section 9c of the General Laws, and by taking other steps to offset the shortfall. 

Below are posted her letter explaining these actions, and a corresponding analysis by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. 




 




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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Newburyport Council Inauguration

Yesterday, I attended this year's inauguration of the incoming officeholders of the City of Newburyport. The At-Large and Ward Councilor members of the City Council, members of the School Committee, and Mayor Sean Reardon all were sworn in at the City Hall Council Chambers.

The act of taking the oath of office is an important event that combines legal tradition, ceremony, and a public expression to serve. Serving your neighbors and serving your community is among the highest and most noble of acts.

Congratulations and thanks to all for making the commitment on behalf of your neighbors.



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2nd Annual Legislative Biennial Session

 Marking the beginning of the new year, and the second year of the legislature's biennial session, the House and Senate convened to organize for the year today, the 1st Wednesday of January.

I was honored to be appointed to the Senate committee designated to inform Governor Healey that the Senate was ready and eager to continue working with the administration in 2024. Among the first items on the Governor's agenda will be the filing of her administration's proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which is due on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024.

In addition to the state budget, there remain 7,000 separate bills pending before the legislature as the new year begins. This translates into a very full slate for both the House and Senate, particularly with the deadline for formal sessions coming on July 31st of this year. 

There is a great deal to be considered in these 7 months, and I will continue to work to ensure that it be pursued in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the legislative process.  You can track specific pieces of legislation and such events as public hearings and legislative sessions at https://malegislature.gov.

Thank you for the honor of serving you in 2024 in the Massachusetts Senate, and I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

#statesenatorbrucetarr



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Gloucester Council Inauguration

. “Build not for today alone, but for tomorrow, as well.”

These are the words etched on the walls of Gloucester’s City Hall’s Kyrouz Auditorium.

On January 1st, I attended this year's inauguration of the incoming officeholders of the City of Gloucester. The At-Large and Ward Councilor members of the City Council, members of the School Committee, and Mayor Greg Verga, City of Gloucester all were sworn in at the City Hall Auditorium on January 1st, 2024 - the 401st year of Gloucester’s founding.

The act of taking the oath of office is an important event that combines legal tradition, ceremony, and a public expression to serve. This was marked by the important Keynote Address delivered by the Honorable Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll as she congratulated and encouraged #TeamGloucester to work together - united as one.

Congratulations and thanks to all for making the commitment on behalf of your neighbors

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