All at once 3: the budget

First, an update: I'm happy to say that the. governor signed the Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender-affirming Care, that I wrote about in an earlier newsletter.

As you probably know, the legislature finally adjourned formal sessions at about 10 am Monday, after an all-night session. In the last few days, we passed many important bills. The governor can still decide to sign, veto, or send them back with amendments. It's too late to override a veto, or to deal with an amendment unless there is unanimous support.

All at once 2: Climate and more

On July 12, I wrote about the eight conference committees meeting to resolve differences on legislation between the House and Senate. Since then, we have given final approval to four conference committee bills - and passed new bills that need resolution by conference committees. This week, I wrote about the bills we approved on Tuesday. Here is information about the bills we've approved on Climate and COVID Extensions.

Everything at once 1: Tuesday

Two weeks ago, I wrote to you about all the work remaining in the last weeks of session. We're making progress.

Yesterday, we passed the bill, after a conference committee of the House and Senate resolved differences in the versions from each house. We also passed a bill authorizing bonds for general government, as well as my bill on pooled special needs trusts for older people (described below) and other bills. As usual, I'll assume you read the news, and I'll focus on my own efforts on each bill.

Lots more work and more reports later this week!

Three Weeks

Full formal sessions in the legislature end July 31; after that, any bill we try to pass will require unanimous consent. While a lot of legislation and spending has been done this session, so much remains to do in the next 3 weeks. We expect to work through the final weekend till past midnight on Sunday.

Senate Budget

You've probably seen press reports about the Senate budget, so I'll just mention some issues I focused on.
I'm grateful to the many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of residents who have written to us about their budget concerns. My staff and I are working hard to respond to your emails.

RIP Roe?

We are now reminded that freedom isn't free, that rights aren't permanent, and that elections have consequences.
Many people today can't remember the time when abortion at any stage was illegal. They never searched an underground network looking for a "doctor" who would provide an unknown substance that might or might not cause a miscarriage, or one who would provide a procedure that might or might not be safe. Abortion has never been an easy choice. Neither were some alternatives.

We can be proud that Massachusetts passed the ROE Act, anticipating the Court's decision, and protecting those rights. There are many ways to support people in other states who have lost reproductive rights -- and voting rights. We should do that.

Transportation 1: GLX Arrives in Union Square

Last Monday, as you have certainly read and heard, the first new station on the Green Line Extension was opened in Union Square. I was asked to speak at one of the three ribbon-cuttings as a representative of the state legislators. This newsletter starts with a version of those remarks, and then has some more notes on the GLX and the day's events, including a rally for affordable housing.