The People's Blog

On August 15, I joined my colleagues in both the Senate and the House to unanimously pass a comprehensive maternal health bill, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and […]

This is the hardest blog I’ve had to write this session.  I believe an honest accounting of our work for the 2023-2024 legislative session must include an accounting of bills […]

Sometimes, legislation doesn’t need to become a law in order to be implemented.  My team and I work diligently to introduce bills that capture necessary policy changes requested by constituents. [...]

Back in May (which seems at once like three years and three minutes ago), the Senate passed its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget. Over four days of […]

On July 19 I joined farmers from across western Mass at a meeting to learn about the impact of the draft Clean Heat Standard regulations, which would require heating energy […]

On July 31 (really 9:57 a.m. on August 1), the Massachusetts Legislature technically finished its 2023-2024 formal legislative session.  Highlights of what passed the Legislature and is awaiting [...]

On July 30, the Senate passed legislation expanding support for residents coping with substance use disorder, and to address the opioid crisis which claims thousands of lives each year.  S.2898, [...]

The budget signed by Governor Healey puts an end to “home equity theft” — the process that happens when a property is taken by city or town by foreclosure due […]

On July 25, the Senate approved sweeping reforms to the Commonwealth’s long term care and assisted living sectors. The legislation, S.2889, An Act relative to long term care and assisted […]

On July 18, the Senate passed urgent reforms to the Commonwealth’s health care system to boost oversight and transparency in the market and improve patient access to prescribed medication and [...]

Today, July 26, 2024 marks the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, we celebrate July as Disability Pride Month.  My team and I wanted […]

On Monday July 22, the Senate began its last full week in the 2023-2024 legislative session by passing four pieces of legislation.  Read on to learn more about what was […]

On Thursday, the Senate will debate a much-needed long-term care reform and oversight bill, S.2889 — An Act relative to long-term care and assisted living. You can read the bill […]

On July 25, the Senate will take up S.2889 – An Act relative to long term care and assisted living. Prior to debate, I shared the following with constituents regarding […]

On July 11, the Senate debated and unanimously passed omnibus economic development legislation.  The legislation, S.2856 — An Act Relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership, [...]

In February, I wrote to you after the Senate passed its version of a comprehensive gun safety bill, S.2572 — An Act to sensibly address firearm violence through effective reform, […]

On July 10, I wrote to constituents ahead of the Senate’s debate on the economic development bond bill (S.2856).  Read on to learn more about the work I engaged in […]

On June 25, the Senate debated and passed omnibus clean energy legislation by a vote of 38 -2.  Thank you to everyone who emailed or called with advocacy on this […]

On June 27, I joined my colleagues in the Senate to pass comprehensive housing legislation, S.2834 — the Affordable Homes Act, authorizing $5.4 billion in borrowing and making policy changes […]

On June 27, the Senate will debate its version of the Affordable Homes Act, the housing bond bill originally introduced by Governor Healey last fall and debated by the House […]

The following is important news about the FAFSA application and financial aid in Massachusetts which I shared with superintendents. Please feel free to use these advocacy materials in your own [...]

On June 20, I joined my colleagues in passing S.2830 — An Act to reduce plastics.  Each year I participate in river cleanups in our district. As much as I […]

On June 21, I wrote to constituents with key updates about FirstLight Energy’s hydro relicensing process. Read on for the updates. ***** Energy Use A number of you have raised […]

On June 19, ahead of the Senate’s debate on a clean energy omnibus bill, I wrote to constituents about the work my team and I are engaged in on this […]

It’s hot outside!  Below please find a list of cooling centers across our communities that are open to the public throughout the summer months.  * Please visit their website or […]

On Thursday, June 13, my colleagues in the Senate and I voted unanimously in support of H.4671, An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (HERO Act).  This […]

On Monday, June 10, District Director Elena Cohen and I were thrilled to welcome our State House-based staff to the district for a day filled with beautiful visits and important […]

On Thursday, May 23, just before the clock struck midnight and after a delay caused by a fire alarm, my colleagues and I unanimously approved the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 […]

On Monday, May 20, the Massachusetts Senate opened its debate on the fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget proposal.  As part of the opening day of debate, I offered remarks on […]

Monday, May 20 kicks off “budget week” in the Senate, the week where my colleagues and I will debate the proposed state budget for this coming fiscal year (FY 2025), […]

Two bills suggested by constituents that I had the honor of filing are making positive progress this session.  I am grateful to constituents for bringing important issues to our attention […]

On May 2, I joined Representatives Natalie Blais, Daniel Carey, Mindy Domb, Lindsay Sabadosa, and Aaron Saunders to submit a joint public comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [...]

On May 3, I attended Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Annual Meeting and 60th Anniversary Celebration to celebrate CAPV’s transformative work.  I was honored to receive the Sargent Shriver [...]

On Earth Day, I wanted to share a few updates with you regarding FirstLight Power’s hydro relicensing process. Read on to learn more. ***** As many of you are aware, […]

Written by Jared Freedman, Chief of Staff  When Jo talks to groups of constituents or advocates, she always says “people power is what makes government work,” and “people most affected […]

On Tuesday, April 9, I was honored and humbled to receive the 2024 Distinguished Legislator of the Year award from the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) during Autism Advocacy […]

The Joint Committee Ways and Means began a series of hearings on February 7 that would take members across Massachusetts to unpack the Governor’s proposal and to inform the legislature’s […]

On March 21, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously voted to pass An Act to prevent abuse and exploitation.  This bipartisan legislation would criminalize the sharing of sexually explicit images or [...]

During the second week of March, the Massachusetts Senate passed the Early ED Act.  This bill proposes making childcare more affordable and better wages for those who care for our […]

I was honored to be invited to speak to a room of Children’s League advocates focused on the needs of transition-age youth. I spoke to the youth to let them […]

On February 7, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a major deadline in the 2023 – 2024 legislative session, known as “Joint Rule 10 Day.” This is the day by which all […]

During the Ways and Means hearing I co-chaired with Representative Andy Vargas at Greenfield Community College in early March, we heard comprehensive testimony from Healey-Driscoll Administration [...]

On Wednesday, March 6, I received a Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) —- an organization dedicated to supporting people living with [...]

On February 10, an article listing 11 places in Massachusetts that could be ghost towns by 2100 came across my desk. Five of these 11 towns are in Franklin County. […]

This session we are going to make community college free in Massachusetts. It’s an incredible opportunity, and a very complex policy that we have to get right. As Senate Chair […]

Last week, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means kicked off hearings on Governor Healey’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal. (Just as a reminder: The budget process begins with a […]

On February 1, the Senate debated a comprehensive gun safety bill, S.2572, An Act to sensibly address firearm violence through effective reform—the SAFER Act. The following is a summary of […]

This month, my team and I are celebrating five years of service to the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district — that’s 175,000 people in 25 remarkable communities within three counties in […]

Joe Tringali — a 45-year member of the Stavros Center for Independent Living; a passionate, beloved, and fierce leader in the disability justice movement — passed away on December 27. […]

Today, I spoke on the Senate floor in support of An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The bill passed the Senate with […]