Informal sessions on Beacon Hill scheduled for August 22 News
Formal sessions, where the full legislature meets typically to debate or vote on legislation, are not scheduled this month. However, lawmakers can still meet in informal sessions, which helps keep bills moving along in the process.The legislature can schedule informal sessions where they usually take up non-controversial legislation and help ensure bills are moving along in the process.
“If we didn’t meet, they would just come to a halt,” State Sen. Cindy Friedman explained. “So the informal sessions allow us to continue with housekeeping.”
State’s tax revenue for July larger than initially estimated 22 News
BOSTON (WWLP) – The state is starting off the new fiscal year slightly above benchmark in revenue collections, after experiencing a revenue shortfall last fiscal year.Revenue collections for the month of July totaled about $1.8 billion, according to the state’s Department of Revenue. This puts the state $6 million above July’s expectations.
Arlington State Senator Cindy Friedman told 22News she hopes that the legislature restores spending in areas including criminal justice, mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.
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Friedman assigned chair of Senate Public Service Committee Your Arlington
“Cindy is a true public servant and community leader, and I know she will carry on the legacy of our late colleague, Senator Ken Donnelly, by standing up for working families and creating legislation that will make a lasting impact in their lives,” Rosenberg said in a news release. “I look forward to working with Cindy and her staff in the weeks ahead to build on the legacy of Senator Donnelly and work tirelessly on behalf of those without a voice.”
Friedman said: “I’m humbled and honored to be elected the new state senator for the 4th Middlesex district and am incredibly grateful to the voters that put their faith in me to succeed my good friend and late colleague, Ken Donnelly.”
“Now more than ever, state government and public engagement matters. I’m eager to work with my constituents and Senate colleagues to preserve all of the work we have done and ensure that, moving forward, everyone in our Commonwealth has access to equal economic opportunities, affordable healthcare, and quality education that will allow them to succeed.”
Legislature rejects Baker’s MassHealth plan Lowell Sun
GOV. BAKER’S MASSHEALTH CHANGES (H.3822) — House 41-116, Senate 32-6 rejected Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposal to make some major changes to MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program that provides health care for approximately 1.4 million qualified low-income and disabled persons.
Supporters said Baker’s plan is a humane and responsible approach and argued that under the changes, not a single person would lose coverage, and low-income families would continue to have access to zero-premium health plans.
Opponents said the Legislature just a few days ago held a hearing on these changes and argued more time is needed to consider strategies to control cost growth in MassHealth and the entire health care system. Others said changes will kick 100,000 working parents off MassHealth in favor of more expensive insurance with less coverage.
Watch Senator Friedman’s Official Swearing-in Speech
Longtime political aide Cindy Friedman wins state Senate seat The Boston Globe
When Kenneth Donnelly died of brain cancer in April, he left behind an open seat in the Massachusetts Senate and a district shaken by his loss.
Last week, voters in the Fourth Middlesex District turned to the aide who most often stood by his side at the State House: his chief of staff, Cindy Friedman. Friends and district residents remember the two as equals and partners — and complementary ones at that.
Cindy Friedman Wins Special Election BCAT TV
U.S. Senator Ed Markey joins Friedman Campaign ahead of General Election
In announcing his official endorsement of Cindy Friedman, Senator Ed Markey joined volunteers at campaign headquarters in Arlington to help “Get Out the Vote” prior to the July 25th special general election to succeed the late Senator Ken Donnelly. Markey noted Friedman’s work ethic, experience in the Senate, and long-standing dedication to public service.
