Cindy Friedman, Author at Senator Cindy Friedman

Friedman Backs Bill To Extend Unemployment Benefits Burlington Patch

December 4, 2018Cindy Friedman

On Monday, December 3, Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) voiced her strong support for the nearly 1,250 Massachusetts workers and their families that have been impacted by the National Grid lockout. In a mass email to constituents, Friedman said she has been in regular contact with National Grid and the United Steel Workers Unions regarding the ongoing contract negotiations and remains “troubled that National Grid has been unable to put forward an agreeable contract, and am frustrated by reports of continuous safety violations on gas lines.”

“I fear that National Grid is using the expiring unemployment benefits to unjustly improve their bargaining position, thus preventing the negotiation of a fair contract,” Friedman said. “By preventing a trained and qualified workforce from returning to work, National Grid has placed citizens across the Commonwealth who rely on this public utility at risk. That’s why I believe it is appropriate for the state to intervene on behalf of the locked out workers, and I intend to support these pieces of legislation to ensure that a fair contract can be negotiated.”

An update on National Grid and protecting locked out workers A message from Senator Cindy Friedman

December 3, 2018Cindy Friedman

Over the last few weeks, I have heard regularly from many of you regarding your concerns with National Grid’s lockout and the impact it has had on over 1,250 Massachusetts workers and their families. I wanted to provide you an update and let you know that I have been in regular contact with National Grid and the United Steel Workers Unions regarding the ongoing contract negotiations. I remain troubled that National Grid has been unable to put forward an agreeable contract, and am frustrated by reports of continuous safety violations on gas lines. As the cold winter months approach, it is especially imperative that the locked out workers be able to return to work.

Sen. Friedman continues fight against opioid crisis Billerica Minuteman

November 30, 2018November 30, 2018Cindy Friedman

After playing a major role in spearheading opioid legislation that was signed into law this summer, Sen. Cindy Friedman, D-Arlington, is working in collaboration with several health care professionals, law enforcement officers, elected officials and others to explore more ways to decrease opioid-related overdose deaths across Massachusetts.

“I’m proud of the work we did on the opioid bill, but our work did not end when the bill was passed into law,” said Friedman, who co-chairs the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “This epidemic continues to impact residents throughout the commonwealth, so it is critically important that we find more ways to reduce harm and save lives. I’m eager to serve on these commissions, collaborate with expert stakeholders and analyze best practices for our ongoing fight against this epidemic.”

Judge’s injunction would allow inmate to receive methadone treatment MassLive

November 30, 2018Cindy Friedman

In a closely watched case involving addiction treatment for prisoners, a federal judge on Monday granted a preliminary injunction that requires Essex County officials to provide a soon-to-be-incarcerated Ipswich man with access to physician-prescribed methadone treatment. In her ruling on Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper said that in weighing Geoffrey Pesce’s request for relief, the court considered the likelihood that his case would succeed and whether relief was in the public interest. The judge concluded that Pesce “will be irreparably harmed if denied methadone treatment while incarcerated.”

A law signed in August by Gov. Charlie Baker will bring medication-assisted treatment to new institutions around the state, introducing it to Department of Correction prisoners, offering it to lower-level offenders in five counties, and mandating that emergency rooms and involuntary commitment facilities can provide it. Medication-assisted treatment can include methadone, which helps stave off the effects of withdrawal, and Vivitrol, which helps prevent relapse.

“For the houses of correction there will be five pilots for continuing treatment, for people who come in with a valid prescription or under medical care,” Sen. Cindy Friedman, the Senate chairwoman of the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Prevention, said when the bill was agreed upon.

Statement in support of climate change initiatives

November 20, 2018Cindy Friedman

I have always been supportive of policy initiatives that seek to address climate change and protect our environment. After reading the recent New York Times report outlining the future of our environment and the impact that rising food shortages, wildfires and dying coral reefs will have on our livelihood by the year 2040, it is even more apparent just how serious the threat of climate change is. If we don’t act now, we will put our children and grandchildren in serious danger. We must take real action with a sense of urgency so that we can build a sustainable future for generations to come. The federal government may fail to address, or even acknowledge, this threat to society, but Massachusetts will not. No matter what happens, we will continue to lead on clean energy efficiency and pass commonsense measures that keep our state moving forward. This session, I was proud to join my colleagues in supporting the Clean Energy Future bill that passed the Legislature. The bill will increase the use of renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs in the green economy. As state Senator, I will continue to remain firm in my commitment to creating a cleaner future for all and advocate for legislation that will protect our planet and create a healthier environment for everyone. Our lives depend on it.

Student loan repayment would help strengthen HS workforce Op-Ed by Senator Cindy Friedman

November 20, 2018November 30, 2018Cindy Friedman

Human service workers provide critical support to nearly one-in-ten Massachusetts residents, yet the industry continues to face enormous difficulties recruiting and retaining staff due to low wages and immense student loan debt.

These workers care for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities – the elderly, disabled and individuals suffering from mental illness and substance use disorder – who require assistance in daily living situations.

Social workers, psychiatrists, therapists, counselors and numerous other professions all fall under the human service worker umbrella. This diverse coalition of professionals is often required to provide the kind of holistic treatment and care needed by many of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Lexington at Large: Veterans Day 2018 Lexington Minuteman

November 14, 2018November 16, 2018Cindy Friedman

Sunday, Nov. 11, begins the 100th anniversary year of Veterans Day, the federal holiday first declared by President Woodrow Wilson as Armistice Day, following the close of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. President Dwight Eisenhower’s 1954 proclamation renamed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, “to insure proper and widespread observance” of this holiday for all veterans and the entire citizenry.

On Saturday, Nov. 3, the Town Celebrations Committee and Lexington/Bedford Veterans’ Services Office, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Lexington, held its seventh annual Veterans Day Breakfast at Keilty Hall, St. Brigid’s Church, hosting about 200 veterans. Dignitaries from Hanscom Air Force Base included Brig. Gen. Michael Schmidt, Col. Amanda Kato, Col. Chad Ellsworth, and their spouses; and Master Sgt. Henry Hayes, installation command chief; state Sen. Cindy Friedman and Rep. Jay Kaufman were also present.

Senator Friedman discusses the opioid crisis, public transportation, and more on the Woburn Spotlight Woburn Public News Media

November 8, 2018November 8, 2018Cindy Friedman

State Senator Cindy Friedman appeared on the Woburn Spotlight to provide a legislative update and discuss some of the work she has been doing in the Massachusetts Senate to benefit Woburn, the 4th Middlesex district and the Commonwealth. The interview included a discussion about what is being done on the state-level to address the opioid crisis, improve public education, advance workforce development, improve public transportation, and create more housing options for Massachusetts residents.

Arlington cop’s columns pulled by Mass. Police Association after call to violence WCVB Boston

November 1, 2018Cindy Friedman

ARLINGTON, Mass. — A statewide nonprofit that advocates for police retracted a trio of columns it published in its newsletter, penned by an Arlington police officer, that rejected police tactics like “de-escalation” and called for violence against offenders, according to the Arlington Advocate.

“I sincerely believe that the troubling views expressed in the newsletter do not reflect the values of our Town, our hard-working and compassionate police department, or our residents,” state Sen. Cindy Friedman said in a statement. “I strongly support the decision by Police Chief Fred Ryan to immediately relieve Lieutenant Pedrini of his police duties. Such inflammatory rhetoric and behavior has absolutely no place in our police force or our community.”

Cindy’s Quarterly Newsletter, October 2018

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018Cindy Friedman

Since I was sworn into the Senate last July, it has been an honor to serve the people of the 4^th Middlesex district and fight for policies that benefit everyone in Massachusetts. This session, I worked hard to move important legislative initiatives forward, secure vital resources for our district, and vote for bills that ensure Massachusetts continues to progress. I‘m especially proud that we passed a comprehensive Opioid Bill, raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and made substantial reforms to our criminal justice system. We accomplished a lot this session, but there is still much more work to do.

Click here to view my quarterly newsletter