Cindy Friedman, Author at Senator Cindy Friedman

Senate Passes Genocide Education Bill

August 10, 2020January 25, 2022Cindy Friedman

BOSTON (8/10/2020) – The Massachusetts Senate recently passed the Genocide Education Act to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide and to promote the teaching of human rights issues.

“Hate incidents and hate crimes have increased dramatically in recent years, which is why it’s imperative that we use every tool at our disposal to dismantle hate in our Commonwealth,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington). “Education and learning about the history of genocide – and the painful consequences of ignorance, bigotry and intolerance – is one of those tools. I believe the passage of this bill is an important step toward equipping the next generation with the knowledge and the resources they need to recognize hate and to dispel hate in our communities.”

Friedman Secures $2.5 Million For Burlington Transportation

July 22, 2020January 20, 2022Cindy Friedman

Senator Cindy F. Friedman(D-Arlington) recently joined her colleagues in voting on legislation to jumpstart investment in transportation infrastructure and make the Commonwealth’s transportation system more reliable and accessible to residents. The bill includes $2.5 million Friedman fought for to support roadway and sidewalk reconstruction and traffic safety improvements in the Town of Burlington.

“This bond bill allows our cities and towns to invest in local transportation projects that will enhance our infrastructure while creating much-needed jobs during this time of financial hardship,” said Senator Friedman. “I’m pleased that I was able to secure vital investments for our community, paving the way for a more modernized transportation infrastructure that works for everyone.”

Sen. Cindy Friedman responds to Woburn Pride flag incident

July 6, 2020January 20, 2022Cindy Friedman

Sen. Cindy Friedman, D-Arlington, who represents the city of Woburn, released the following statement on June 30 after someone tore down the Pride flag in Woburn Common:

“I’m deeply disappointed and saddened to hear that someone tore down the Pride flag in Woburn — this is a hateful act that is simply not representative of who we are as a community. Despite this, members of our community stepped up and raised a new Pride flag today, and I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts.

The Pride flag is for everyone — it symbolizes safety, unity, inclusiveness and love for all, and sends the message that “all are welcome here” no matter your sexual identity, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or background. All who live in and visit our district should always feel safe and welcome to be who they are and love who they want to love.”

COVID-19 testing must become more accessible, experts say

June 29, 2020October 9, 2020Cindy Friedman

Public health experts argued Monday that Massachusetts needs to make universal COVID-19 testing available to reduce the outbreak’s disproportionate impact on low-income and nonwhite communities, and the Baker administration believes it can respond best with a more targeted approach.

After several local and regional health officials told a Senate panel they want more funding to be directed to health boards, Sen. Cindy Friedmanasked what else besides money they needed to better protect the state’s residents. Three speakers in a row all offered similar responses: Testing needs to be far more accessible than it currently is, and at no cost.

Bill to allow Woburn fire headquarters construction

June 26, 2020January 20, 2022Cindy Friedman

Rep. Richard Haggerty, D-Woburn, Rep. Michelle Ciccolo, D-Lexington, and Sen. Cindy Friedman, D-Arlington, announced the passage of legislation allowing for the swapping of land parcels in Woburn to allow the city to begin construction of its new Fire Department Headquarters at Forest Park.

“This bill was the first step to ensure Woburn has access to the land it needs to build a new fire station,” said Friedman. “I’m excited that the Woburn Fire Department can now move forward with this project, which will benefit our firefighters, our residents and the larger Woburn community. I’m glad to have worked with my colleagues in the House to get this done.”

Opinion: Telehealth is working, let’s keep it that way

June 22, 2020January 20, 2022Cindy Friedman

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our lives, our healthcare system, and our economy, but one silver lining has been the immediate and dramatic expansion of telehealth services. We’d be foolish not to seize this opportunity to ensure that telehealth access remains a part of routine medical care in the Commonwealth long after the pandemic is over.

Teleheatlh refers to health care services that are provided remotely, typically through videoconference or phone call. It offers a convenient way for patients to access care and consult with a doctor through technology, such as a laptop or phone, that a patient may already own. Telehealth allows patients to essentially take part in a virtual doctor’s appointment—whether it’s using a tablet to snap a photo of your skin to send to your dermatologist for a quick evaluation or having a 30-minute counseling session with your therapist over the phone.

Senate bill extends telehealth, scope of practice

June 18, 2020January 20, 2022Cindy Friedman

Senate leaders on Thursday released a health care bill, called the Patients First Act, which addresses telehealth, out-of-network billing, and scope of practice changes. While the bill is only partially related to COVID-19, Sen. Cindy Friedman, an Arlington Democrat who co-chairs the Committee on Health Care Financing, said the pandemic makes it urgent that lawmakers pass reforms to ensure the health care system is financially sustainable and people continue to have access to care.

“The impact on the health care system has been so profound we’ve got to make sure we have policies in place that allow providers to continue to do the work as things ramp up and as people come back into the system,” Friedman said.

Senate Unanimously Passes Comprehensive Elections Bill to Address Voting Safety Concerns during COVID-19

June 17, 2020January 25, 2022Cindy Friedman

BOSTON (6/17/2020) – On June 16, 2020, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to expand voter access and address safety for all remaining 2020 elections, including the September 1, 2020 state primary and November 3, 2020 general election, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts, we must do everything we can to ensure that our voters can cast their ballot without risking exposure to the virus,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman, a member of the Senate COVID-19 Working Group. “The ability to vote is the bedrock of any democracy, and this historic bill ensures that our voters can make their voices heard this fall. No one should have to choose between exercising their right to vote and protecting their own health, and this bill allows our voters to do both.”

Black Lives Matter

June 8, 2020January 20, 2022Cindy Friedman

Rightfully so, many of you have reached out to me over the last few weeks calling for reform in the way that we police and to confront the systemic racism that is deeply embedded in our institutions – and I couldn’t agree more. This moment requires us to stand together, make our voices heard, and demand action so that we can make meaningful change together.

Coronavirus Updates

June 5, 2020January 20, 2022Cindy Friedman

I know that many of you are growing increasingly concerned about the impact the coronavirus is having on our district and the Commonwealth. I share your concerns and I am working hard to address them.

To keep you as informed as possible, I’ve created a “Coronavirus Updates” page on my website that I will keep updated with the latest information. Please feel free to bookmark it and check it often for the latest updates and guidance.