Testimony, Letters & Statements (2020)

December 23, 2020

Letter to the Northampton Police Department in support of their application to the Department of Mental Health

Joint Letter to Mass Cultural Council in support of Franklin County Fairgrounds Cultural Facilities Foundation Grant

December 18, 2020

Joint letter to Chair Barrett regarding environmental justice provisions in climate bill conference committee report

Joint letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development in support of Sunderland’s Local Rapid Recovery Planning Grant application

Joint letter to the Housing Choice Initiative in support of Sunderland’s Housing Choice Capital Grant application

Letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development in support of Amherst’s Local Rapid Recovery Planning Grant application

Letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development in support of Greenfield’s Local Rapid Recovery Planning Grant application

Letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development in support of Northampton’s Local Rapid Recovery Planning Grant application

Letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development in support of South Hadley’s Local Rapid Recovery Planning Grant application

December 17, 2020

Letter to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in support of Greenfield’s Urban Agenda grant application

December 16, 2020

Joint letter from the western Massachusetts delegation regarding Pam Am Railways Inc. acquisition by CSX Corp.

December 14, 2020

Letter to the Massachusetts Cultural Council in support of the Shea Theatre’s Cultural Organization Economic Recovery Program application

December 11, 2020

Joint letter to the Department of Conservation and Recreation regarding the causeway at Laurel Lake

December 10, 2020

Joint letter to Senate Ways and Means supporting advancing snowmobile legislation

Joint letter to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources regarding the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides on pollinators

Joint letter from the western Massachusetts legislative delegation regarding COVID-19 testing and vaccine for early education and out of school time providers

November 24, 2020

Joint letter to Colony Hills Capital and Appleton Corporation regarding Woodland Crossing

November 16, 2020

Joint letter to the State Ethics Commission regarding draft advisory on social media

November 12, 2020

Joint letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development in support of Valley Community Development Corporation’s for Amherst Supportive Studio Housing

November 9, 2020

Letter to the Economic Development Administration in support of Greenfield Community College and LaunchSpace’s joint Non-Construction Economic Adjustment Assistance grant application

November 5, 2020

Joint letter to Commissioner Ryder regarding adult day programs

October 30, 2020

Comment to the Department of Energy Resources Agricultural regarding Solar Tariff Generation Units guideline straw proposal

Joint testimony to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary supporting S.2818/H.4978 – An Act to address estate recovery issues due to COVID-19

October 29, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker regarding Farren and Mount Saint Vincent during COVID-19

October 28, 2020

Joint Letter to Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development regarding broadband internet solutions

October 23, 2020

Letter in support of Diversity and Youth Empowerment Mural project in Northampton

October 22, 2020

Joint letter to Senate leadership regarding level funding for higher education

October 20, 2020

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security regarding cell phone service report and bond authorization

October 19, 2020

Joint letter to Massachusetts Office on Disabilities in support of Montague’s Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act Grant application

Joint letter to Lieutenant Governor Polito in support of Sunderland’s Community Compact Grant application

October 15, 2020

Joint comment to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Revenue (DOR) on the study of the municipal education contribution formula

October 7, 2020

Advisory Committee comments on the West-East Passenger Rail Study

October 6, 2020

Joint letter from the western Massachusetts legislative delegation regarding the East-West Passenger Rail Study

Joint letter to the Department of Conservation and Recreation regarding the causeway in Erving State Forest

October 1, 2020

Joint letter to Senator Lovely regarding S.2884/H.4852 – An Act relative to accountability for vulnerable children and families

September 30, 2020

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in support of the Sunderland Police Department’s Justice Assistance Grant application

Joint letter to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding school funding, reopening, and regional equity

September 28, 2020

Letter to Massachusetts Department of Transportation in support of the French King Bridge barriers

Joint letter to Governor Baker supporting nomination of western Massachusetts resident to Supreme Judicial Court

September 27, 2020

The Public Health Implications of Single Payer Health Care in Massachusetts

September 25, 2020

Joint letter to Sheriff Koutoujian regarding voting rights for incarcerated people

September 24, 2020

Joint Letter to Secretary Acosta regarding Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) benefits

September 22, 2020

Sen. Comerford’s testimony supporting the Northfield Schell Bridge Replacement

September 17, 2020

Joint state and local leader letter to President Trump regarding refugee resettlement in fiscal year 2021

Joint letter to the Registry of Motor Vehicles regarding license renewal for individuals over the age of 75

September 16, 2020

Joint testimony from Sen. Comerford and Rep. Blais to Department of Public Health regarding Farren Care Center closure hearing

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of the Franklin County Community Meals Program’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

Letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of Congreagation B’nai Israel’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

Letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of the Northampton Survival Center’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

September 15, 2020

Food System Caucus letter regarding Hunger Action Month priorities

Joint letter regarding 2020-2030 Solid Waste Master Plan

September 11, 2020

Letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of Earle M. Parsons & Sons Inc. Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

September 10, 2020

Joint letter to MassDevelopment in support of Whately’s Real Estate Technical Assistance application

September 9, 2020

Joint letter regarding western Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) locations

September 4, 2020

Letter to the Administration for Children and Families in support of Community Action Pioneer Valley’s application to expand head start programming

Letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of Grow Food Northampton’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

September 3, 2020

Letter to MassDevelopment in support of Erving’s Real Estate Technical Assistance application

Letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

September 1, 2020

Letter to the National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review in support of the RADx program

August 31, 2020

Letter to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts in support of the Shea Theatre’s Nonprofit Stabilization Grant application

August 28, 2020

Letter to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in support of South Hadley’s MassWorks application

August 27, 2020

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of Wendell Good Neighbor’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in support of Amherst’s MassWorks application

Letter to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in support of Erving’s MassWorks application

Letter to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in support of Leyden’s MassWorks application

Letter to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in support of Orange’s MassWorks application

August 26, 2020

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in support of Northfield and Warwick’s MassWorks application

Letter to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in support of Colrain’s MassWorks application

August 25, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Pollack regarding Pan Am Railways sale

August 24, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Sudders and Commissioner Bharel requesting a stop-the-spread state-funded COVID-19 testing site in Hampshire County

Letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of Pioneer Valley Workers Center’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

August 17, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Department of Environmental Protection regarding Connecticut River hydropower relicensing

August 14, 2020

Letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of Riquezas del Campo’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

August 13, 2020

Letter to Mass Humanities in Support of the Shea Theater’s Operating Support Grant application

August 12, 2020

Joint testimony in support of H.4877 – An Act authorizing DCAMM to convey 33 King Street in the City of Northampton

Letter to Conference Committee on Climate Change

August 10, 2020

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs in support of Seeds of Solidarity’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

Sen. Comerford’s testimony in support of S.2814 – An Act responding to the COVID-19 emergency by instituting a moratorium of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

July 28, 2020

Joint letter to Stop & Shop regarding employee hazard pay

Letter to Conference Committee in support if retaining mental health, behavioral health, and de-escalation language in S.2820

July 27, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Sudders and Commissioner Bharel regarding public health requests to support the community with incoming college students

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in support of Sunderland’s Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant application

Sen. Comerford’s testimony supporting S.2831/H.4878 – An Act to guarantee housing stability during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery

July 23, 2020

Letter to Commissioner Riley regarding Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) negotiations and reopening guidance and funding

Joint letter supporting inclusion of hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) provisions in economic development bond bill

July 21, 2020

Joint letter from Food System Caucus co-chairs in support of agriculture legislation in economic development bond bill

July 20, 2020

Joint statement supporting enactment and implementation of bold climate legislation

Sen. Comerford’s testimony to the Department of Public Health regarding the closure of Midwifery Care of Holyoke

July 16, 2020

Joint letter to Trinity Health of New England regarding Farren Care Center

Letter to the Department of Transportation in support of Orange’s Shared Streets and Spaces grant application

July 14, 2020

Letter to the Department of Transportation in support of Northampton’s Shared Streets and Spaces grant application

Joint letter to Governor Baker and Secretary Sudders supporting accelerated improvements in local health system

Joint letter to Chancellor Subbaswamy regarding University of Massachusetts Amherst reopening

Joint letter requesting public health guidance for higher education

July 10, 2020

Joint letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding Vineyard Wind

July 9, 2020

Joint letter to the Department of Transportation regarding delay on construction of Northampton roundabout at Hatfield and North King Streets

July 8, 2020

Joint letter to President Trump regarding international students

July 7, 2020

Letter to Governor Baker and the MassTech Collaborative in support of the Wachusett Business Incubator

July 6, 2020

Joint letter in support of joint school committee resolution on COVID-19 reimbursement

June 29, 2020

Letter to Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in support of Snows Acquisition and Bart’s Ice Cream Food Security Infrastructure Grant application

June 25, 2020

Joint letter to Health and Human Services requesting MassHealth estate recovery changes

June 24, 2020

Joint letter in support of SD.2975 – An Act to make Juneteenth Independence Day a state holiday

June 22, 2020

Letter to the Department of Children and Families regarding child-parent visits

June 19, 2020

Letter to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs regarding Bowen’s Pond Dam

June 18, 2020

Joint letter in support of H.1194/S.683 – An Act establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts

June 17, 2020

East-West Passenger Rail Study Advisory Committee letter to Rail and Transit Administrator Astrid Glynn

Joint letter of support for S.2433 – An Act relative to step therapy and patient safety

June 11, 2020

Letter to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services regarding Holyoke Soldiers’ Home facility

Joint letter to Secretary Acosta regarding community organizations with unemployment insurance issues

June 9, 2020

Letter to Senate President Spilka regarding priority legislation ready for floor vote

June 8, 2020

Letter to Colrain Central School community for their North River service project book

Food System Caucus letter to Ways and Means regarding FY21 Healthy Incentives Program (HIP and Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) allocations

Joint testimony supporting H.4744/S.2700 – An Act to provide liability protections for contractors, sub-contractors and unions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 5, 2020

Joint letter regarding police funding in bond bill H.4733

Joint letter to Baker Administration regarding request of public health-related protest guidance

Letter to Secretary Theoharides and Commissioner Woodcock regarding Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) emergency regulations

Joint letter to Secretary Theoharides regarding meat supply chain system

June 4, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Theoharides and Commissioner Kershaw regarding Buy Local programs

June 3, 2020

Joint letter to UMass community regarding COVID-19 concerns

Letter to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the digital divide in rural communities

June 2, 2020

Joint letter from the LGBTQ+ Caucus to Gov. Baker regarding flying the Rainbow Pride flag at the State House

Letter to Chair Rodrigues regarding transportation bond priorities

May 31, 2020

Sen. Comerford’s remarks at Hatfield’s 350th Celebration

May 29, 2020

Massachusetts State Senate Letter to federal delegation regarding COVID-19 issues

May 28, 2020

Joint Letter to Governor Baker and Secretary Sudders regarding expanding non-congregate shelters

May 27, 2020

Joint letter to Liberty Mutual regarding role in climate change

May 26, 2020

Letter to Secretary Kennealy & Lieutenant Governor Polito regarding reopening and refusal to work due to COVID-19 concerns

Letter to Secretary Kennealy and Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy regarding reopening considerations for childcare and childcare providers

Joint letter from the Food System Caucus regarding COVID-19 resiliency fund recommendations

Joint letter to Commissioner Riley regarding COVID-19 Concerns from Hampshire, Franklin, Berkshire school superintendents

Senator Comerford’s testimony on 2021 Capital Investment Plan

May 22, 2020

Joint letter regarding the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness funding through the Department of Housing and Community Development

May 16, 2020

Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center Food Security Task Force Initial Recommendations

May 11, 2020

Sen. Comerford’s testimony to the Board of Building Regulations and Standards supporting Dark Sky amendments

May 6, 2020

Joint letter to UMass regarding graduate student needs during COVID-19

Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester Senate District COVID-19 Food Insecurity Survey Summary

May 5, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker regarding to the Reopening Advisory Board

Joint letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development requesting an equitable distribution process

May 2, 2020

Joint letter to Attorney General Healey, Governor Baker & Secretary Turco regarding treatment of Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE) detainees in the Bristol County House of Corrections

April 30, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker regarding extensions for municipal grant deadlines

April 29, 2020

Joint letter to the Attorney General’s Office in support of the Town of Orange’s Small Business Relief Partnership Grant

April 23, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker regarding inmate release

April 21, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Sudders regarding distribution equity for personal protective equipment (PPE)

April 18, 2020

Letter to Chair Rodrigues regarding rural and small town needs for COVID-19 town meeting arrangements

April 16, 2020

Letter to the Massachusetts Historical Commission in support of Royalston’s Preservation Projects Fund grant extension request

Letter from Food System Caucus to Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Spilka regarding legislation, the dairy industry, and the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)

April 15, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Sudders regarding rural health and Franklin County COVID-19 death rates

Joint letter to Governor Baker regarding grocery curbside pick-up

April 14, 2020

Joint letter regarding authorizing the use of Massachusetts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for online grocery purchases

Joint letter to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for Orange Dexter Park School building project

April 10, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker following up on temporary emergency medical licenses request

Joint letter with the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to Governor Baker regarding crisis standards of care

April 8, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Sudders requesting transparency around the dissemination of personal protective equipment

April 7, 2020

Joint letter to Commissioner Bharel and Secretary Sudders regarding local and regional disclosure of confirmed COVID-19 cases

Joint letter to United States Senate leadership regarding the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Joint letter to United States Department of the Interior regarding the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

April 6, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker and Secretary Sudders regarding language accessibility with unemployment assistance and application

April 4, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Sudders regarding Franklin County COVID-19 deaths

April 3, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker regarding credentialing requirements for school nurses and COVID-19

Joint letter to Governor Baker requesting to expand healthcare workforce

April 2, 2020

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services regarding Trinity Health of New England

Joint letter to Governor Baker requesting to suspend non-essential construction

April 1, 2020

Joint letter to the Department of Public Health requesting emergency action to ensure safe home birth

March 31, 2020

Joint letter requesting for immediate briefing on Holyoke Soldiers Home

Letter in support of ServiceNet’s Small Business Administration disaster loan application

March 27, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker requesting a rural health care expert be added to the COVID-19 Response Command Center Advisory Board

March 26, 2020

Joint letter to Secretary Sudders regarding COVID-19 western Massachusetts hospitals testing and supplies

March 25, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker and Secretary Sudders regarding additional shelter for people without homes

March 16, 2020

Joint letter to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) regarding “western MA cluster” category on MDPH COVID-19 surveillance report

March 13, 2020

Letter to Veterans Health Administration in support of All Out Adventures’ Veterans Adaptive Sports Grant application

March 10, 2020

Letter to Peter Pan Bus Lines regarding federal immigration officials on buses

Joint Letter to American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in support of the Franklin County Fairgrounds 2020 Community Challenge Grant Application

March 3, 2020

Joint letter to Governor Baker regarding waiving cost sharing associated with testing for COVID-19

Letter of support to Massachusetts Community Health Fund regarding Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and Community Legal Aid grant application

February 26, 2020

Joint letter to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding 21st Century Education Trust Fund

February 20, 2020

Joint letter to Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs regarding Massachusetts State Geologist

February 19, 2020

Letter to Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General in support of All Out Adventures 2020 Healthy Youth Summer Jobs Grant

February 18, 2020

Letter of support for Easthampton’s Community Development Block Grant application

Joint letter to Attorney General Healey regarding lawsuit against companies responsible for PFAS contamination

February 10, 2020

Sen. Comerford’s letter of recommendation for Raju Gandhi’s UMass 21st Century Leader Award nomination

February 6, 2020

Food System Caucus letter to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) regarding the suspension of the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)

February 4, 2020

Joint Letter to the Veterans Affairs Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System regarding Urgent Care Clinic closure

January 31, 2020

Joint letter of support for Sunderland Senior Housing

January 28, 2020

Joint letter to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in support of the Hampshire Mosque Nonprofit Security Grant Application

January 27, 2020

Sen. Comerford and Rep. Carey’s testimony supporting S.2465/H.4275 – An Act quantifying the SPED Gap by comparing actual special education costs to current special education assistance

Sen. Comerford and Rep. Carey’s testimony supporting S.2336 – An Act relative to state employment postings

January 23, 2020

Sen. Comerford’s testimony supporting S.1401/H.3573 – An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents

January 14, 2020

Sen. Comerford’s testimony on H.2810 and S.1924 (carbon pricing bills)

Letter to Pioneer Valley School Committee regarding the upcoming vote to close Warwick Elementary School

January 10, 2020

Joint letter to Senate Ways and Means regarding supplemental budget funding for the Healthy Incentives Program

January 9, 2020

Food System Caucus letter to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary supporting H.1475/S.869 – An Act encouraging the donation of food to persons in need

Sen. Comerford’s testimony on H.4123 – An Act authorizing the division of capital asset management and maintenance to transfer certain parcels of land to the City of Northampton

January 2, 2020

Letter to Massachusetts Department of Transportation in support of the French King Bridge Barriers

Letter to Department of Housing and Community Development requesting core funding for Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness