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Massachusetts needs a Regional Drought Plan
President John F. Kennedy once said that “the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” In Massachusetts, while the vast majority of communities aren’t currently facing drought conditions, the time to act is now to empower the state to better address future droughts.
By Representative Joan Meschino and Senator Jamie Eldridge
3/24/2024
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Massachusetts needs a Regional Drought Plan
The Boston Globe — President John F. Kennedy once said that “the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” In Massachusetts, while the vast majority of communities aren’t currently facing drought conditions, the time to act is now to empower the state to better address future droughts.
Image by David L. Ryan of The Boston Globe
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Devenscrest tenants should not be treated this way
Sentinel and Enterprise — It has been more than two years since Brady Sullivan Properties, an out-of-state real estate investment company with a troubling history, purchased 110 rental homes at Devenscrest in Ayer – and immediately sent eviction notices to some of the tenants and said it intended to displace the rest.
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It’s time to make debt-free higher ed a reality
CommonWealth Magazine — It's the right thing for our economy and for our residents. By Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Rep. Natalie Higgins, and Rep. Carmine Gentile. (Photo: MassBay Community College Facebook)
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Hospitals ‘padding the pockets of their executives’ during the pandemic
The Boston Globe — Boston Globe story “Some hospital CEOs saw pay increases in 2020” depicts yet another example of executives taking advantage of public sympathy and public money at the expense of their workers.
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Let’s complete our moral commitment to our brave Afghan refugees
June 10, 2022
MetroWest Daily News - The federal effort to resettle Afghans in the U.S. is known as “Operation Allies Welcome.” Despite these efforts, Afghans in the U.S. today continue to experience hardships with housing, employment, and overall adaptations. Federal, state and local governments must do more to support them.
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Moderna should do its part, share its vaccine
March 27, 2022
CommonWealth Magazine - The Cambridge firm should help developing nations deal with the virus. Now is the time for Moderna to do its part and be a good corporate citizen and for the rest of us to hold them accountable if they are not.
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Pass the HERO Act: New bill to secure funding for housing and climate programs
Feb 24, 2022
Bay State Banner - We need to adapt our existing infrastructure to the realities of the climate crisis. We need to build and preserve our housing for all the people of Massachusetts — the young families, our senior citizens, and those in between — in a way that will sustain us for generations to come.
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ARPA budget makes significant investments, but not 'once in a lifetime'
Dec 14, 2021
MetroWest Daily News - While the ARPA budget will make a meaningful impact in our decades of underinvestment – recurring and progressive revenue is the only path to moving Massachusetts forward. It’s important to point out that the FY22 state budget was over $42 billion.
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The Devenscrest housing crisis in Ayer
Nov 18, 2021
Lowell Sun - In mid-July, I began receiving Facebook messages, emails and calls from Ayer residents, expressing concern that families who lived in the Devenscrest neighborhood had begun receiving eviction letters from the new owner of the property, Brady Sullivan Realty, that encompassed over 120 homes.
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State Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Danillo Sena: Pass the Work and Family Mobility Act
July 21, 2021
MetroWest Daily News - The bill would allow hard-working residents of Massachusetts who lack legal immigration status to be able to obtain a driver’s license.
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Mass. should build on fed anti-poverty programs
May, 8 2021
CommonWealth Magazine - Massachusetts is one of the richest states in the country, yet has a poverty rate higher than 24 other states.
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New Bill Embraces Environmental Justice
April 23, 2021
Lowell Sun - The Next Generation Roadmap Climate Change law proposes major overhauls to current ones.
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Legislative Fixes for Essential Worker Problems
April 17, 2021
CommonWealth Magazine - The Massachusetts workforce has been suffering from lack of support.
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Post-pandemic realities demand expansion of public goods in Massachusetts
Feb 10, 2021
Lowell Sun - Healthcare, higher education and public benefits should be rights.
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Senate Amendment Reinforces a Woman’s Right to Privacy
Nov 17, 2020
CommonWealth Magazine - Measure would codify Roe v. Wade into Massachusetts law.
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Baker Not Doing Enough on Environmental Justice
July 23, 2020
CommonWealth Magazine - Orders and updates are not enough – a law is needed.
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Corporations Need to Pay Their Fair Share
Jun 16, 2020
CommonWealth Magazine - Expanding a failed tax break is the wrong way to go.
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Mass. Citizens Point the Way on Climate Change
Oct 14, 2017
CommonWealth Magazine - State policymakers need to get on the same page as voters.