Dear Neighbor,

Last week, on Thursday, October 26, the Senate passed our menstrual equity bill - unanimously for the second time.  

This simple bill requires that free menstrual products be available in schools, prisons and shelters in readily accessible locations and in a way that minimizes any stigmatization.  The bill was made possible by the extraordinary organizing of the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition which includes more than 70 organizations and hundreds of activists. 

Across the state, so many young people, particularly high school students, have organized local drives and policy campaigns to provide products in their high schools.

Dear Neighbor,

Today, the Senate passed our Menstrual Equity Bill!  More on that soon!

Last Thursday, October 18, the Senate joined the House in passing our Frances Perkins Workplace Equity bill.  The House already passed a very similar version, so final action should occur soon.

This bill is an important part, but only part, of addressing the pay gap.  Women earn on average about a million dollars less over their working lives, and enter retirement with much less financial security.  The same holds true for people of color, and particularly women of color.

Dear Neighbor,

The past week has been so busy I never finished this newsletter about the week before.  I'll send it now just to give a sense of our State House work. 

Like many people, I'm feeling overwhelmingly sad and angry about what's happened and is happening in the Middle East.  Hamas’ attack on civilians in Israel was horrific and indiscriminate. The siege, bombing, and evacuation in Gaza is horrific and indiscriminate.  All civilians should be safe.

Dear Neighbor,

Many of you have told me your opinions about tax cut proposals by both governors Charlie Baker and Maura Healey and by the House and Senate.  Last Thursday, we voted on a final compromise tax cut plan. 

Larry Edelman’s column in the Globe was headlined, “Tax relief has something for everyone to hate.”

But there was more to love, despite serious concerns.

Sadly, we have decided to postpone the Pat Jehlen Garden Party till June.  All our previous parties have been in the June of campaign years, and next year is the campaign.

Our amazing Women's Night Committee has planned a lovely evening, with friends, music and refreshments.

Dear Neighbor,

There's a lot of discussion about what makes Massachusetts "competitive."  People in public life and in the media continue to assert that we have to cut taxes on the wealthy and corporations to stop their leaving for other states.

You may have read my previous newsletter about this.   Just this week, the Globe accused the legislature of "dithering," while the conference committee resolves important differences between the House and Senate versions.  At least they acknowledge that the House bill would phase in a billion dollars in tax cuts (= spending reductions).  (See end of newsletter for colleagues' comments about the reduction in short-term capital gains tax rate which the Globe supports.)

Do it yourself!

Dear Neighbors,

Most of my newsletters are on one topic, but every week we work on so many different issues.  I thought I'd share some of the highlights from last week as a example.  This of course doesn't include meetings, emails and calls with constituents and my staff. 

Dear Neighbors,

ICYMI, Eileen McEnneny of the Pioneer Institute wrote a response to my recent Globe letter about the flight of the millionaires.  See if you think she succeeded in actually refuting any of my points.  I don't.  

BUDGET SUMMARY

It's hard to write a summary of the $55.9 billion Senate budget.  It includes expansion of childcare funding, first steps toward free community college, and increased funding for the MBTA, thanks to $1 billion in revenue from the Fair Share Amendment.   

Thanks to Laura Gomez Arango, my communications director, and Matt Hartman, my chief of staff, for a comprehensive press release you can read here.  It's really worth at least skimming, for information on the many programs constituents asked me to prioritize, including local programs and Fair Share commitments.  But you've told me to keep newsletters shorter.

Dear Neighbors,

I'll write soon about some of our successful priorities in the Senate budget.  Today I want to draw your attention to a few times in the four days of the budget process when debate was particularly interesting.  I feel very fortunate to serve with such smart and passionate colleagues, and thought you might like to hear some of our conversation.

Dear Neighbors,

Thursday night, the Senate finished our debate on the budget.  I'll write about that next week.  But now, save June 10 for our first Salad Party

For many, many years, I invited friends, neighbors, and supporters to our home for a soup party. 

In 2020, Cambridge CoHousing invited us to have the party there, shortly before the pandemic.  In 2021, we gathered online, and I shared some of our traditional Soup Party recipes.  

In 2023, friends at Cornerstone Cohousing in Cambridge have invited us to have the party there.  It will be mostly outside, weather permitting, so we've changed the time to June, and the menu to salads.

Dear Neighbor,

So many people have commented about my past four newsletters* about proposed tax cuts vs. services!   I haven't had time to respond to all of them or pick a few to highlight.  Most comments have been positive, and others told me why they disagreed.  Thank you to all! 

It's budget and hearing season, so we're very very busy.  Last week saw the release of the Senate Ways and Means budget proposal.  My staff and I filed 28 amendments.  This week we're responding to cosponsorship requests and advocating with Senate Ways and Means.  I also chaired an Elder Affairs hearing, hosted a briefing on wrongful convictions, and testified on our bill to support parents running for public office.  Next week will be our Senate budget debate all week, and sometimes all night.

This newsletter is mostly about a bill to provide significant property tax relief to older homeowners, but doesn't reduce revenue for either the state or local government.  Then there are a couple of updates about the real numbers on population change: it's not what the Pioneer Institute, the  Herald and other commentators think!