December 31, 2019
December 30, 2019
Stories that linger: A new legislative delegation takes charge
December 27, 2019
Comerford fights for health equity, women’s health
December 19, 2019
Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce awards $150K to local non-profits
December 17, 2019
Northampton, Easthampton, Hatfield secure more than $3M in infrastructure grants
December 11, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Dec. 2 to Dec. 6, 2019
December 10, 2019
Press release: Massachusetts State Senate Adjourns in Memory of Dierdre Scott
December 6, 2019
Yankee Candle opens $6.5M R&D lab in Deerfield, consolidates manufacturing in Franklin County
December 5, 2019
Local legislators tackle sewer, water issues
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Nov. 25 to Nov. 29, 2019
December 4, 2019
Local legislators support bill that would protect immigrants in Massachusetts
New date set for Amherst State of the Town Address
December 3, 2019
Area lawmakers throw support behind Safe Communities Act
Exemption, standards bills stir debate over vaccinations
Legislative listening sessions return Friday
December 2, 2019
One final push? With courthouse transferred to state, work remains to dissolve HCG
Press release: State legislators announce return of popular Legislative Listening Sessions
November 29, 2019
Historic Hampshire County Courthouse has a new owner
November 27, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Nov. 18 to Nov. 22, 2019
November 26, 2019
A new review is coming for an old law, Prop 2½
November 25, 2019
Amherst to convene ‘State of the Town Address’ with speeches from municipal and state leaders
November 21, 2019
Legislature approves bill to give historic Northampton courthouse to Massachusetts Trial Court
Legislature OKs bill to donate historic courthouse to state Trial Court
November 20, 2019
Area lawmakers active in crafting landmark education bill
Senate sends bill banning handheld cell phone use while driving to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Nov. 11 to Nov. 15, 2019
November 19, 2019
Critics Say Mass. Flag And Seal Are Symbols Of White Supremacy
November 18, 2019
Brockton area school leaders, legislators say now is the time to invest in public higher education
November 17, 2019
Bills would pull the plug on sky-high jail phone costs
November 15, 2019
West County Notebook: Nov. 16, 2019
November 14, 2019
‘X’ marks the spot: RMV offers non-binary gender option on IDs
Hemp, rail and soil touted to help Mass. farmers with climate change
Governor signs college financial transparency bill
‘Legislative Coffee’ coming to Millers Falls
November 13, 2019
State House hearing on glyphosate draws local testimony, comment
Non-binary gender designation now available in Mass.
November 12, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Nov. 4 to Nov. 8, 2019
November 11, 2019
Lawmakers file bill to extend veteran retirement benefits
November 10, 2019
Local delegation pitches veterans legislation
November 8, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, 2019
November 7, 2019
November 5, 2019
Celebration honors Sojourner Truth for voting rights fight
On Election Day, a former slave gets her due
November 4, 2019
Lawmakers advance endowment match for public colleges
November 1, 2019
Comerford files bill to study ‘real life costs’ of spec. ed.
October 31, 2019
October 30, 2019
Comerford, Blais to host water, sewer forum on Friday
VoteTruth: Celebrating Sojourner Truth on the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Oct. 21 to Oct. 25, 2019
October 29, 2019
October 27, 2019
Lawmakers hear list of concerns during Royalston visit
October 25, 2019
October 22, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Oct. 14 to Oct. 18, 20
October 21, 2019
Comerford to file bill for special ed. study, awareness
Legislators, providers tackle homelessness
State politicians visit UMass crop, animal research center
October 18, 2019
Legislators hear recommendations for public health solutions
October 16, 2019
Sen. Jo Comerford to tour area libraries
October 15, 2019
Legislators to hold hearing on public health Friday
Press release: Comerford Senate team announces: The People’s Office Library Tour
October 11, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2019
Bill would invest $1.5B more in education over 7 years
October 10, 2019
October 9, 2019
People’s Office Library Tour dates set
October 8, 2019
Senator Comerford announces the People’s Office Library Tour
Press release: Comerford releases update on Joint Committee on Public Health progress
October 5, 2019
Economic development event talks strategy, priorities for North Quabbin region
Montague resident Francia Wisnewski wins Latinx Excellence on the Hill Award
October 4, 2019
Press release: Comerford questions DOER officials about solar at oversight hearing
October 3, 2019
Massachusetts Senate passes education reform bill
Senate punts charter school issues to working group
Press release: Comerford strengthens Senate K-12 education funding legislation
October 2, 2019
No time for ‘half-steps’: Lawmakers aim to pass reform bills in education, health care
September 30, 2019
Legislators Listening Session set for Oct. 26 in Royalston
September 27, 2019
State legislators hear about hunger and what they can do
September 25, 2019
At hearing on Mass. forest protection bill, it’s climate vs. industry
September 24, 2019
Mass. impeachment push precedes Pelosi announcement
Legislators to discuss food insecurity at GCC
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Sept. 16 to Sept. 20, 2019
September 23, 2019
Legislative delegation active on climate change
Global warming climate strike takes UMass by storm
Representatives meet with South Hadley residents
September 20, 2019
Hundreds of UMass Amherst students join global climate strike movement
September 19, 2019
Lawmakers target harassment case payouts
September 18, 2019
Sen. Jo Comerford bill would ban use of public or campaign funds for sexual harassment payouts
Lawmakers target ‘unjust’ harassment case payouts
September 17, 2019
Bill to end use of public funds for sexual harassment settlements
September 12, 2019
September 11, 2019
Press release: Senator Comerford & Rep. Carey to host Town Hall in South Hadley
September 10, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Sept. 2 to Sept. 6, 2019
Gender X bill backers seek House vote
Lawmakers considering new gender-neutral bathroom regulations
September 8, 2019
’Gentle woman with a spine of steel;’ legacy of activist Frances Crowe celebrated
September 7, 2019
St. John’s student leads effort to put suicide lifeline on student IDs
A State Wrestles With Its Imagery: A Sword Looming Over a Native American
August 30, 2019
A new dawn for rail? Valley Flyer pilot makes its debut
August 29, 2019
August 28, 2019
Energy agency coming to Amherst to talk about solar goals
August 27, 2019
Hampshire Council of Governments pays another month’s health insurance for 50 retirees
August 25, 2019
UMass talk on public service features Comerford
August 23, 2019
Bill advances to protect health insurance for Hampshire Council of Governments retirees
August 22, 2019
Senate advances bill to provide health insurance to Hampshire Council of Governments retirees
August 15, 2019
Western Mass. delegation says it works as one voice for constituents
August 12, 2019
State gives $150K to warming center for homeless
A valley of pioneers: State legislators tour hemp farms
August 11, 2019
Amherst seeks protections from college closings
August 9, 2019
State lawmakers to host hemp farm tour in western Massachusetts
August 6, 2019
UMass students confront another tuition increase
August 5, 2019
Comerford secures $60,000 for Children’s Advocacy Center
No vetoes in Baker approval of$43.1B budget
August 2, 2019
After cuts, state almost restores Opioid Task Force funding
Overcoming challenges via collaboration specific to a region
Press release: Comerford announces staffing changes
August 1, 2019
$43.3B state budget includes funding for veteran mediation training
Press release: Three of Comerford’s bills approved by Legislative committees
July 31, 2019
Amtrak offers ticket sale; reduced fare good Aug. 11 to Jan. 31
July 30, 2019
Legislative committee approves bill to transfer historic Northampton courthouse to the state
Your View: Americans remain in dark about how Congress spends tax dollars
Beacon Hill Roll Call: July 22 to July 26, 2019
July 26, 2019
Massachusetts Higher Ed commissioner targets sudden college closures
July 25, 2019
Massachusetts study for east-west rail on track
Marketing money for Knowledge Corridor caps drive for extra train runs
July 24, 2019
July 22, 2019
Gov. officials talk North Quabbin challenges
What will happen to historic Hampshire County Courthouse, a downtown Northampton landmark?
July 20, 2019
Bill filed to dissolve Hampshire Council of Governments, shift $5.9M pension liability to state
July 19, 2019
Legislation Filed That Would Dissolve Hampshire Council Of Governments
July 18, 2019
Legislation filed to dissolve failing Hampshire Council of Governments
July 16, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: July 8 to July 12, 2019
July 11, 2019
29 senators urge DEP to block Weymouth gas facility
Senator cooks, delivers Meals on Wheels to seniors
July 10, 2019
Senators alarmed by medical parole regulations
Lawmakers To Host Conversation With Higher Education Commissioner On College Closures
Editorial: State should be a bellwether in pesticide use
July 9, 2019
Lawmakers aim to lower healthcare cost for low-income seniors
Beacon Hill Roll Call: July 1 to July 5, 2019
July 5, 2019
State Sen. Jo Comerford files hiring transparency bill
Massachusetts education chief to talk college closures in Amherst
July 3, 2019
Following concerns about herbicide spraying, lawmakers ask state agency for info on glyphosate
June 29, 2019
Native American mascot debate: Racism vs. community and school pride
June 28, 2019
Right-to-die advocates support Kafka’s bill
June 26, 2019
State lawmakers hear support for Native mascot ban
June 25, 2019
Native Americans, locals urge ban on ‘damaging’ mascots
Lawmakers want Native American mascots removed from Massachusetts schools
June 21, 2019
Area legislators address chamber
June 20, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call, June 10-14, 2019
June 19, 2019
June 18, 2019
House aims to pass Greenworks bill this summer
Lawmakers try to hammer out bill dissolving Hampshire Council of Governments
Lawmakers urge Gov. Baker to support transgender troops
June 17, 2019
Conway, Greenfield named residents Unsung Heroines
Panel floats ideas on treating opioid addiction
Press release: Greenfield’s Joannah Whitney receives Unsung Heroine Award
June 16, 2019
Using restorative practices to build healthy relationships between students
Fifty years after Stonewall riots, a time for Pride in Franklin County
June 15, 2019
June 13, 2019
State extends comment period on biomass
June 11, 2019
Bill would speed up town reimbursements for veterans’ benefits
Legislators pass hands-free driving bill
Beacon Hill Roll Call: June 3 to June 7, 2019
June 7, 2019
Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Joe Kennedy introduce bill to ban ‘gay panic’ defense in court cases
Northampton City Council backs expansion of abortion rights statewide
June 5, 2019
Sen. Jo Comerford: Northampton’s Old Courthouse should revert to state ownership
June 4, 2019
Berkshires to Boston by Rail? Mass. Lawmakers Like the Idea
June 3, 2019
Sens. Comerford, Hinds want changes to PILOT program
Doctor-assisted death bill making strides with lawmakers
June 1, 2019
Plenty of people on board with resurrecting passenger rail linking North Adams, Boston
May 31, 2019
GCC students’ art heads to State House
May 30, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: May 20 to 24, 2019
May 29, 2019
Which Box Do You Check? Some States Are Offering a Nonbinary Option
Comerford, Whipps to talk food access, local issues at Quabbin Harvest
May 28, 2019
Senate adds $250K to budget for Knowledge Corridor
Press release: Senator Jo Comerford sponsors Greenfield Community College art at the State House
May 24, 2019
Mass. Senate adopts amendment to examine PILOT payment formula
Education, rail and addiction: Here are some ways the Senate budget will affect Western Mass
May 23, 2019
UMass objections to tuition freeze fall flat in Senate
Press release: Massachusetts Senate adopts amendment to examine PILOT payment formula
May 22, 2019
Study of east-west rail connecting North Adams, Greenfield and Boston passes Massachusetts Senate
Maine Just Banned Native American Mascots. It’s a Movement That’s Inching Forward.
May 21, 2019
3 Cost Centers Consume Half Of State Budget
May 20, 2019
Massachusetts considers net-zero standard for new buildings
May 16, 2019
Local lawmakers call on legislators to expand rail service to northwest MA
May 15, 2019
A show of support: In anticipation of teacher layoffs, students send a message to the State House
Lawmakers pitch northern rail route to western Massachusetts
May 15, 2019
Lawmakers pitch northern rail route to Western Mass.
A show of support: In anticipation of teacher layoffs, students send a message to the State House
May 14, 2019
Comerford files bill for east-west rail study
Beacon Hill Roll Call: May 6-10
May 13, 2019
Massachusetts lawmakers mull oversight of ailing colleges
May 9, 2019
Lawmakers, university leaders concerned over Senate budget proposal
May 7, 2019
Statehouse Online: Gender ‘X’ on Massachusetts drivers licenses discussion
Beacon Hill Roll Call: April 29 – May 3
May 1, 2019
He said, she said, they said: What Valley residents think of proposed driver’s license legislation
April 30, 2019
Beacon Hill Roll Call: April 22-26, 2019
April 29, 2019
Comerford delivers inaugural Senate speech
Comerford, Domb seek to ban non-consensual pelvic exams under anesthesia
April 26, 2019
Comerford’s gender-neutral identification bill clears Senate
April 25, 2019
State Senate approves alternative gender designation
Gender X identification bill clears Mass. Senate
April 19, 2019
Event in Northampton discusses solutions for local school districts needing more funding
April 17, 2019
Hampshire County lawmakers developing legislation to dissolve Hampshire Council of Governments
April 15, 2019
Here’s how some Massachusetts lawmakers want to fix the foster care system
April 11, 2019
Salem State moving higher education debate to classroom
Proposed tax on high earners gets warm reception on Beacon Hill
April 10, 2019
Survivors testify about sexual assault on college campuses before Higher Ed Committee
April 3, 2019
Pioneer Valley lawmakers vote to protect Title X funding
Whipps, Comerford meet with PanAm officials
March 29, 2019
Erving breaks ground for a new library
Earlier start could boost gender x ID bill
March 28, 2019
Massachusetts lawmakers renew effort to allow ‘X’ as gender option on driver’s licenses
Transportation officials review new driving, license laws for MA residents
March 21, 2019
Lawmakers raise concerns over Hampshire College crisis
March 20, 2019
Comerford launches new website
March 18, 2019
Amherst Survival Center hosts 11th annual Empty Bowls Dinner
Under the golden dome: Where lawmakers stand on public records law
Hampshire County state delegation holding local forums
Press release: Comerford announces new Senate website
March 13, 2019
Funding the Future of Public Education in Holyoke
March 12, 2019
March 8, 2019
Kids, Senator go to bat for schools
March 3, 2019
Does the state’s school building reimbursement formula hurt poor cities and towns?
March 1, 2019
Northampton state senator launches new online program to communicate with constituents
February 28, 2019
Comerford launching webinar series on legislation, issues
February 27, 2019
Cooley Dickinson lobbies for expansion of state student loan repayment program for doctors
February 26, 2019
February 22, 2019
February 21, 2019
Legislators speak to how Hampshire news impacts constituents, cultural village
Lawmakers Monitoring ‘Painful’ Situation At Hampshire College
February 19, 2019
Northampton High students host town hall for legislators
February 18, 2019
New lawmakers get committee assignments
February 16, 2019
Present, future leaders talk issues at student-led town hall in Northampton
February 15, 2019
Newly appointed lawmakers in Franklin County hold local listening session
February 14, 2019
Breakfast After the Bell takes stigma away from school meals
Press release: State Senator Jo Comerford appointed Senate Chair of Joint Committee on Public Health
February 11, 2019
Area lawmakers sign on to carbon pricing bill
February 8, 2019
Legislature should back North Adams-to-Boston rail study
February 6, 2019
Comerford co-sponsors statewide plastic bag ban
More options coming for local rail users
February 5, 2019
Aging county shifts demand toward public transportation
February 4, 2019
Comerford visits Newton Elementary School, talks hunger
February 1, 2019
January 31, 2019
Whipps, Comerford back moratorium on forest cutting
January 30, 2019
Seven important points discussed at “Women Leading Western Mass”
Legislator wants to right historical wrongs
January 29, 2019
Western Mass Lawmaker Wants Study On Rail Service Between North Adams And Boston
UMass hosts legislators in ‘Women Leading Western Mass’ panel
January 28, 2019
Press release: Comerford Senate team announces: The People’s Office
January 26, 2019
Comerford proposes bill to study rail service from North Adams to Boston
January 24, 2019
Comerford files bill for Trump impeachment
Press release: Senator Jo Comerford named to federal government shutdown working group
January 23, 2019
January 22, 2019
Sabadosa, Comerford to hold town hall forum in Hatfield
January 21, 2019
Props to local legislators pushing for increased school funding
At Northampton women’s march newly elected officials promise change, advocate for action
Honoring MLK Jr. — for 35 years
January 19, 2019
Personal and political: Women of all ages and their allies, march in Northampton
January 18, 2019
Bravo to local legislators pushing for increased school funding
Advocates aim to add over $500 million a year to Massachusetts public higher education funding
January 17, 2019
Proposed bill filed by Sen. Comerford aims to address higher ed funding gap
Leaders lobby for education money
Pioneer Valley Women’s March set for Saturday
Press release: Senate President Spilka kicks off Senate mentoring program
January 16, 2019
‘Wake up and listen to the kids’
New delegation to hold 2019 listening sessions
Proposed bill filed by Sen. Comerford aims to address higher ed funding gap
January 10, 2019
January 8, 2019
January 7, 2019
Comerford assembles legislative district team
January 2, 2019
Ready to get to work: Five new Valley legislators sworn into office
