This week at Rotary State Senator and past Salem Rotarian Joan Lovely wrapped up our Legislative Speakers Series. Joan is the Assistant Majority Leader and the Chair of the Senate and Joint Committee on Rules, among other committee and legislative caucus assignments. 

 

Senator Lovely gave Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce an update from Beacon Hill. The legislature just wrapped up the FY23 budget which includes funding for several local programs that she was able to earmark money for. Some highlights are funding for sexual abuse prevention, Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative which allows students to attend college without passing the MCAS, the Home Works program that provides additional transportation for students in need to attend after school programs, and food policy grants. 

 

There were many additional legislative accomplishments that Senator Lovely was happy to review. In terms of economic development, the focus was on education and training, as well as encouraging new manufacturing in the Commonwealth. For housing support, legislation addressing shelters, families in transition, and assistance for the homeless was passed. Early Education and Childcare laws looked to stabilize early education and care, and to provide ways for parents to return to work with improved access to childcare. 

 

Joan Lovely also reviewed some of the Senate accomplishments that she was most proud of. These include various Covid recovery bills and the creation of a Women's Rights History Trail which will have two stops in Salem. Both the Next Generation Climate Roadmap and the Drive Act were passed to set goals regarding climate change, and strategies on how to reach these goals, like rebates for electric vehicles. For Salem, this includes setting aside $45 million for offshore wind. Other legislation addressed barriers to health care, like telehealth and cost care for things like prescription drugs. 

 

Next up, the state legislature will focus on an economic development bill and a new tax package. Conference committees will resolve differences in a sports betting bill, energy and climate bills, soldiers' home reforms, and election reforms. Senator Lovely wrapped up by reminding members that Roe v Wade was codified here in Massachusetts and that the Commonwealth has extremely low gun related deaths resulting from strong gun laws. 

 

The four way test

Today our Club welcomed members of the Chamber of Commerce. AV guru Jack Keirnan was also there to keep us connected to our Zoom friends!

 

NO NEWS THIS WEEK

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