Press Releases

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.”

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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.”  

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LOWELL — Employers in Burlington hope that a new Lowell to Burlington shuttle will help them tap into the city’s labor pool. The shuttle launched last week after years of research and planning. For years employers, particularly restaurants, in Burlington have struggled to access a labor pool large enough to fill their job openings, and for years Lowell has struggled with the opposite problem – connecting residents with a wider job pool.

Hoping to address the problem, the Middlesex 3 Coalition and Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce approached Sen. Cindy Friedman, D-Arlington, and Rep. Ken Gordon, D-Bedford, for help. The collaboration has resulted in $250,000 in state funding over two years and contributions from the Town of Burlington.

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