Student Nutrition Tops The Order - Governor Baker Signs New Law

Governor Charlie Baker today signed into law an act to Promote Student Nutrition which ensures that more children have greater access to nutritious school meals. As many as 10,000 more kids in Massachusetts will now have access to free school meals. The State Senate adopted the bill last month and I am glad to have Governor Baker's support on this important issue. The law requires schools and districts where a majority of students are low-income to enroll in federal programs, known as the Community Eligibility Provision and Provision 2, that allow them to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. When students accrue school meal debt, it requires school districts to determine whether they are eligible for free-or reduced-price meals to maximize federal revenues. 

Three Sweet Peas Bakery Cafe Ribbon Cutting

I think we all agree that the world is a better place with locally owned bakeries dedicated to handcrafted deliciousness - that's what you will find when you visit Three Sweet Peas Bakery Cafe in Rowley MA. We had such fun helping Angela Daley and her team with their grand opening. 

Here's what you will find when you visit their Italian bakery and café - sweet and savory freshly baked items like; Italian pastries, cookies, breads, cakes for any Occasion, breakfast pastry, sandwiches, salads, coffees and much more. https://threesweetpeasbakerycafe.com

 

North Shore Blue Economy Report

Today, I was delighted to help further discussions on the importance of the North Shore's blue economy - one that embraces the unique opportunities that we have connected to our coastal communities. Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, members of the Baker-Polito Administration, and many key stakeholders came together at the Cape Ann Museum​ to release the North Shore Blue Economy Phase I Findings and Vision Forward report. 

This Phase I work was led by the UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station and supported by Essex County Community Foundation​, Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce​, #Gloucester Economic Development & Industrial Corporation, North Shore Innoventures​, North Shore Technology Council​, City of Gloucester, MA​, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Our blue economy has tremendous potential for the future and capturing that potential and strengthening current area uses such as marine and life sciences, tourism, technology, and of course fishing. You can listen to this WBZ News Radio​ report in the item below and read the paper here: https://www.umass.edu/ses/gloucester-marine-station/north-shore-blue-economy

 

 

 

Baker-Polito Administration Provides Update on Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Booster Availability, Additional State-Sponsored Booster Sites Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 boosters now available for eligible residents

BOSTON — Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced how eligible Massachusetts residents can access Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots. In accordance with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Moderna COVID-19 booster is now available to individuals 65 years of age and older, and individuals 18-64 years of age at risk for severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions or who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of occupational or institutional settings who received their second shot of Moderna vaccine at least six months prior. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster is now available to all individuals who received a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 single dose vaccine at least two months ago. 

Both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster shots are now available to: 

• Individuals 65 years and older 
• Individuals 18+ who live in long-term care settings 
• Individuals 18+ who have underlying medical conditions 
• Individuals 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings 

 
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots are now available to: 

• All individuals 18 and older who received a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago. 

CDC recommendations now allow for mixing and matching of different COVID-19 booster doses. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. The Administration recommends that residents with questions about which booster is right for them should ask their health care provider for advice. 

To view more information from the CDC, please click https://www.cdc.gov/.../p0924-booster-recommendations-.html. 

Massachusetts residents are able to receive COVID-19 booster doses from more than 460 locations, including over 450 retail pharmacies, and state sponsored COVID-19 booster locations, with appointments available now for booking. With the approval of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters, over 750,000 residents are newly eligible for booster shots under federal eligibility criteria. 

Additional State Sponsored COVID-19 Booster Sites 

On Tuesday, October 26th, two additional state-sponsored COVID-19 booster locations will open in Brockton and Danvers. Brockton: Brockton Vaccination & Booster Clinic, Shaw’s Center at 1 Feinberg Way, Brockton, MA 

Opening October 26th, the Brockton Vaccination & Booster Clinic has capacity to administer 450 doses daily and can ramp up to capacity for 1,000 doses daily. The clinic will offer Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters and primary series doses. Appointments can be booked by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov, with walk ins also accepted. Language translation services will be available on site. Brewster Ambulance will serve as the provider for this clinic. Danvers: Danvers Vaccination & Booster Clinic, 1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA Opening October 26th, the Danvers Vaccination & Booster Clinic has capacity to administer 300 doses daily and can ramp up to capacity for 1,000 doses daily. The clinic will offer Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson boosters, as well as primary series doses. Appointments can be booked by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov with walk ins also accepted. Language translation services will be available on site. Transformative Healthcare will serve as the provider for this clinic. 

How to Get a Booster 

If you are eligible, here are the steps to find a convenient location for getting a COVID-19 booster: 

• Visit the VaxFinder tool at vaxfinder.mass.gov for a full list of locations. Residents are able to narrow results to search for locations that are offering boosters, with appointments available now for booking. Many locations are booking appointments out weeks in advance. 
• For individuals who are unable to use VaxFinder, or have difficulty accessing the internet, the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9 AM-2 PM) is available by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts for assistance. The COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line is available in English and Spanish and has translators available to in approximately 100 additional languages. 

Vaccines are widely available across the Commonwealth. Getting vaccinated remains the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves, their families, and their community. Fully vaccinated residents should receive a COVID-19 booster shot when they are eligible and as vaccines are authorized by the CDC. As a reminder COVID-19 can be given at the same time as your annual flu shot. If you are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose and have not received your annual flu shot yet, ask your health care provider or pharmacist for both vaccines. 

The COVID-19 booster is safe, effective, and free. Individuals do not need an ID or health insurance to access a booster and do not need to show a vaccine card when getting a booster. Additional information on the COVID-19 booster, including FAQs, can be found at mass.gov/COVID19booster. 

Individuals can check if they are eligible for a booster using the eligibility tool at mass.gov/BoosterCheck. 

Massachusetts leads the nation in first dose vaccination rates per capita, with more than 90% of eligible residents having received at least one dose. Almost 79% of the eligible population, totaling over 4.7 million residents in Massachusetts, are fully vaccinated. 

 

Today in the formal session of the Senate, I was pleased to stand in bipartisan support of two bills offered by my legislative colleagues. They are: Senate Bill 2557, An Act Concerning Genocide Education, will provide education to middle and high school students on the history of genocide and to promote the teaching of human rights issues. Each middle school and high school in the state will include instruction on the history of genocide under the provisions of the bill. We must ensure next generations can be good stewards of this democracy and be leaders in our society. Genocide is horrible, unthinkable, and because it's difficult to discuss and sometimes difficult to understand, it must not be ignored or allowed to fade into history.

You can read the language of the bill here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2557

Senate Bill 2558, An Act Relative To Military Spouse-Licensure Portability, Education And Enrollment Of Dependents, supports military families who relocate to the Commonwealth by providing career stability for the spouses of service members and quality education for their children. The Senate has always advanced bills to expand our efforts to care for of our service members and veterans. We have passed landmark legislation to support family members and veterans and provide them with needed resources and this bill continues in that tradition.

You can read the language of the bill here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2558

This legislation, known as the SPEED Act, would speed up the professional licensure process for military spouses to ensure they can continue their careers, allow for advanced and virtual enrollment for military children to minimize disruptions in education, provide in-state tuition continuity for military-connected college students, and establish a Purple Star Campus designation to identify public schools that show a major commitment to military families. The bill would also help Massachusetts meet criteria used by the Department of Defense and military officials when considering basing assignments and federal investments for military installations.

Thanks to Senators Senator Michael Rodrigues , the lead sponsor of S. 2527, and Senator John Velis, who is the lead sponsor of S. 2558. The Senate approved these bills by a vote of 39-0, and I am glad to be one of those votes.

 

 

 

Cake Ann Has A Plan

Fun time helping with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Cake Ann at their beautiful new location at 63 Rogers Street in Gloucester. You can certainly tell by all the smiles that everyone was in a festive mood and happy to celebrate their sweet new home. 

www.cakeann.com

 

 

Redistricting Map Proposals Issued by the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting

Yesterday the legislature's Special Joint Committee on Redistricting released proposed maps for the State House of Representatives and Senate. The districts reflected on the maps, which are based on information received from the 2020 Federal Census, would go into effect for the next regular elections in 2022. You can view the maps here: Redistricting (malegislature.gov)