Monday, June 30, 2025
Final Fiscal Year 2025 Supplemental Budget Local Earmarks
MASSDOT Announcement
📢RMV ANNOUNCEMENT: REMOTE DRIVER EDUCATION CLASSES WILL DISCONTINUE STARTING ON SEPTEMBER 22ND 📢
The option for remote (virtual) Driver’s Education classes will be extended through the summer and will transition back to in-person education only starting September 22, 2025.
Effective September 22, a live instructor will be required to teach all classes, including the parent class. There will be a maximum of 30 students per class (for a student/teacher ratio of 30:1).
This change will result in enhanced student engagement, stronger learning outcomes, equal opportunities for all schools, and improved road safety.
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Vote
Today, June 30th, starting at 1PM, the Senate will vote on adoption of the General Appropriations Bill Conference Committee report (H.4240), also known as the FY26 Budget.
This version appropriates $61.01 billion for state budget spending for Fiscal Year 2026.
To watch today's Senate session LIVE, click here:
https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/Detail/7488
You can find a copy of the conference committee report online at the following location: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/House/H4240
Update From The Chamber 6.30.25
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Buona Festa di San Pietro
To all of my Italian-American friends and constituents - and to all who celebrate
Buona Festa di San Pietro!
Wishing you and your families a joyful and blessed Feast of St. Peter as we honor Gloucester’s proud fishing traditions and the enduring faith of our community.
Viva San Pietro!
Friday, June 27, 2025
Animal Welfare Lobby Day
Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes. . .
Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines
In Memoriam: Firefighter Jeffrey “Jeff” F. Deschenes
OUI Excellence Award Recipient
Please join me in congratulating our West Newbury Police Department's Officer Hayden Sanborn on recently receiving an OUI Excellence Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)!
'West Newbury PD officer honored by MADD' | Daily News of Newburyport
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WEST NEWBURY — Chief Michael Dwyer and the West Newbury Police Department recently announced that Officer Hayden Sanborn was honored with an OUI Excellence Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for his commitment to impaired driving enforcement.
MADD Massachusetts recognized more than 50 law enforcement officials during the Annual Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, June 10, at the Devens Common Center. In addition to OUI Excellence Awards, MADD recognized its officer of the year, trooper of the year, drug recognition expert of the year, the MADD Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and unit of the year.
Sanborn joined the department in 2022, having previously worked with the MBTA Police.
“Officer Sanborn is an outstanding member of our department, who has worked diligently in his OUI enforcement efforts throughout the past year,”Dwyer said. “This recognition is well-deserved, and I am grateful for his service to our community.”
MADD Massachusetts annually honors officers, departments and prosecutors from across the state who have gone above and beyond in the fight against drunk and drugged driving.
Secure Homes Save Lives: Learn How Today
PTSD Awareness Month
MASSDOT Advisory
🚨📢 MassDOT Advisory for Salisbury: Temporary Lane Closures and Detours on Route 1 from Pike Street to New Hampshire State Line 📢🚨
SALISBURY - MassDOT is announcing that temporary lane closures and detours will be in place on Route 1 in Salisbury, between Pike Street and the New Hampshire state line. Lane closures and detours will occur daily, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., beginning on Monday, July 7, and continuing through Friday, July 18.
During this operation, access will be maintained for all residences and businesses along this section of Route 1.
Detours will be in place on both Route 1 northbound and southbound:
🚧 Route 1 southbound detour will consist of a right onto Main Street at the Seabrook rotary, a left onto Toll Road, and then a left onto Pike Street.
🚧 Route 1 northbound detour will consist of a left onto Pike Street, a right onto
Toll Road, and a right onto Main Street.
The temporary lane closures and detours are necessary to allow the contractor to safely and effectively perform full-depth roadway construction and paving.
Police details will be used to direct traffic on Route 1 and at affected intersections. Appropriate signage and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
Drivers traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.
All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.
The work is being conducted as part of a $22.2 million project for roadway reconstruction and related improvements along approximately 2.5 miles of Route 1.
For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:
🚧Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
🚧Dial 511 and select a route to hear real time conditions.
🚧Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
The New Legislative Joint Rules
TARR IN THE NEWS 6.25.26
TARR IN THE NEWS | 6.25.25
'Gloucester Fresh seafood program gets Bunker Hill refresh'
By Ethan Forman | Gloucester Daily Times
Excerpt below:
"Among those on hand to greet the small landing party were Mayor Greg Verga, state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, who was in the period garb as a participant in the battle reenactment, and City Council President Tony Gross, who serves at-large.
“The Gloucester Fresh program is important because it connects fresh, locally harvested seafood with consumers, giving the fishing industry an effective way to market its products,” Tarr said to the Times in a text message, “and residents and visitors have the experience of eating fish sustainably caught by fishermen who continue Gloucester’s oldest and most historic trade.”
Read the full article ⬇️
https://www.gloucestertimes.com/.../article_81b7cf66-2a4b...
Road to Revolution Parade
Hope to see you this Saturday, 6/28 at Newburyport's Road to Revolution Parade in celebration of Massachusetts' 250th Anniversary!
Today In The Senate Chamber 6.26.25
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
TARR IN THE NEWS 6.20.25
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
HEAT ADVISORY 6.24.25
Update From The Chamber 6.24.25
TARR IN THE NEWS 6.18.25
Monday, June 23, 2025
Announcement From The MBTA
📢🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE MBTA🚨📢
Due to extreme heat today and tomorrow, the MBTA may need to operate trains at reduced speeds in some areas to ensure safety as they compensate for heat-related stress on the tracks, which could result in slightly longer travel times.
The MBTA will also have crews stationed around the system to provide assistance. Riders are encouraged to learn more about:
1️⃣ Keeping cool in the heat ⬇️
https://www.boston.gov/.../emergency.../keeping-cool-heat
2️⃣ Consult the T’s Extreme Heat Guide ⬇️
https://www.mbta.com/guides/weather-guide#heat
🚇 What to Expect on the T 🚇
▶️ In addition to operating trains at reduced speeds if necessary, the MBTA will have crews performing track inspections and prepared to make emergency repairs as needed.
▶️ Overhead wires that power some MBTA trolleys and trains expand and sag during extremely hot weather.
MBTA personnel are making adjustments to prevent low-hanging wires.
▶️ Air conditioning is being checked and repaired wherever needed. Just like home, buses stay cooler when the windows are closed. Riders can help keep things cool by closing open bus windows.
☎️ Report a Hot Vehicle ☎️
Riders are strongly encouraged to let MBTA staff know if there is an air conditioning issue on your bus or train. Tell your operator, let a station official know.
▶️ Call 617-222-3200
▶️ Send us a message ⬇️
https://www.mbta.com/customer-support
This Week In The Chamber 6.23.25
Merrimac Community Blood Drive
📢Merrimac Community Blood Drive📢
Kindly Sponsored by the Merrimac Public Library
WHERE: Hall, 86 West Main Street, Merrimac, MA 01860
WHEN: Monday, June 30, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: MERRIMAC to schedule an appointment.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Bunker Hill 250th Anniversary Kick Off
Yesterday morning, I was honored to join local and regional leaders at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester for a press conference kicking off the 250th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Standing alongside Mayor Greg Verga, members of the Battle of Bunker Hill 250 Committee, public safety officials, historians, and reenactors, we marked the start of a historic weekend that brings our Revolutionary heritage to life right here on the North Shore.
With land and sea reenactments, educational displays, and colonial encampments, this weekend’s events offer a powerful opportunity to honor the courage and commitment of those who fought for our freedom in 1775.
Thank you to all who are making this commemoration possible.
For more information and a full schedule, visit: https://battleofbunkerhill250.com