New Year's Update

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope that 2017 has started off well for you and that the holidays provided you with downtime to enjoy your family and friends.

Jim and I and our children spent Thanksgiving in China visiting my parents, where my father was serving as head of the Beijing City International School. My mother planned an amazing visit for us, including a visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, touring the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the Beijing Zoo.

Three days after returning from China, I left on a trip of 12 legislators to Israel as part of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston Community Leaders Study Tour. The knowledge and insight I gained into political, cultural, business, security, social and societal challenges and opportunities that Israel and the Mid-East face was profound. Each day we met with people ranging from members of Israel's parliament, to colonels in the Israel Defense Force in charge of security and a former Senior Adviser on Arab Affairs who discussed the Syrian conflict as we stood overlooking the Israel/Syria border (picture below), to the Mayor of Ramallah's staff during our day in the West Bank, and members of an Israeli settlement living on the border with the Gaza strip controlled by Hamas. Through in-depth discussions with municipal leaders, social activists, doctors, innovators, an ambassador and the first Arab-woman nominated president of an institution of higher education in Israel, we explored a very complicated land with a complex, ancient history and the hard work of so many to bring real peace, economic development and educational opportunities to all.

It's been a busy start to the new year on Beacon Hill. On Wednesday, January 4th I was sworn in as a member of the 190th Biennium session of the Great and General Court, and with the bill filing deadline approaching Friday, January 20th, my colleagues and I have been focused on drafting and filing our legislative priorities for 2017-2018.

As the state representative from the 11th Worcester District, one of my top priorities is to advocate for legislation that is important to the residents of Shrewsbury and Westborough. Before all the pomp and circumstance that took place on swearing in day, the House and Senate worked late into the night before trying to finalize previously-filed bills before closing out the 2015-2016 session. I am pleased to report that House Bill 4411 that the Westborough delegation filed for the Town of Westborough relative to changes to the Town Charter was one of the 95 bills sent to Governor Baker just before the stroke of midnight.

As we embark on a new two-year legislative session, I look forward to continuing to be an effective voice on Beacon Hill and to ensuring that you are informed of my work at the State House and local events.

Appointed to Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health

I am honored to have been appointed by Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr as his designee on the special commission on local and regional public health. The commission was created through legislation signed into law by Governor Baker and will assess the effectiveness and efficiency of municipal and regional public health systems in Massachusetts.

Boston Globe West Editorial

On Sunday, January 1st an editorial I wrote in response to the Boston Globe's request that I answer "Why Governor Baker was right in deciding to make mid-year budget cuts" ran in the Globe West section. The reductions authorized by the Governor represented ¼ of 1% of the $39.25B state budget and were in response to budgeted revenues becoming insufficient to meet budgeted expenditures, primarily due to disappointing tax revenue. While the scope does not lessen the impact, the reality is the Baker-Polito Administration has been working to close a persistent gap and rebuilding the Commonwealth's long term fiscal health. My full editorial can be read here.

SELCO Receives Grant for Municipal LED Streetlight Conversion

SELCO applied to the Baker-Polito Administration LED Streetlight Conversion Program that incentivizes communities to make an environmentally friendly and cost efficient change to LED streetlights by reducing the cost of conversion through grant contributions, with SELCO expecting a grant ranging from $250,000 to $300,000. SELCO will be required to match the grant amount and cover the cost of labor associated with the work. It is expected that the Town of Shrewsbury will notice at least 25% in electricity savings in one year as a result of the conversion.

Town of Shrewsbury Receives $45,690 Water Management Act Grant

Shrewsbury was one of nine communities to receive a Water Management Act grant from the Baker-Polito Administration, focused on conservation of our most precious natural resource. The grant will enable the town of Shrewsbury to improve accounting of water uses, take critical steps towards controlling water loss, and will allow the town to better correlate customer metering data and source meters, enhancing Shrewsbury's municipal water system.

Worcester County Food Bank Award

This fall I was honored to be recognized, along with my colleague Representative Daniel Donahue, by the Worcester County Food Bank with a Harvest Award for being an Advocacy Partner. I am proud to do what I can to help create a hunger-free community.

E-Z Pass Transponder Sign Up Event

In early November I hosted an E-Z Pass Transponder Sign Up Event in both Shrewsbury and Westborough where over 300 people signed up for free transponders for use on the Massachusetts Turnpike gantry toll system.

Local Events and Initiatives

Spending time in Shrewsbury and Westborough supporting local initiatives, attending events and speaking on issues important to our community are the most rewarding aspects of being State Representative. Here is a sampling of initiatives and events from the last few months.

In late October I spent a terrific morning talking with Ms. Robertson's and Mr. Gildea's 5th grade classes at Mill Pond School in Westborough and Ms. Noor Ali's 5th grade class at Al-Hamra Academy in Shrewsbury about the election process and the role of a State Representative. I love being able to spend time talking with young, inquisitive students about public service.

Shrewsbury Firefighter Adam Towner also serves as part of the State Police Tactical Paramedic team who were on site when a State Trooper was wounded in the shoot-out with the felon who killed Auburn Police Officer Tarantino. Adam was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Massachusetts State Police at the State House in October for his role in saving the Troopers life and I presented Adam with a citation while being joined by an adorable group of kids from Lilliput Programs Early Childhood Center who were touring the Fire Station.

Excited to have sponsored again this year Westborough Education Foundation's Turkey Trot fundraiser benefitting the Westborough Public Schools.

Enjoyed my annual opportunity to read to Mrs. Hogan's 2nd grade class at Floral Street School as part of the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury MA Literacy Day! Every class is gifted four books for their classroom.

The Thanksgiving annual community celebration Turkey Trot for the Memory in Shrewsbury is a fundraiser for Alzheimer's Research that I was pleased to sponsor again this year.

Arranged for the Burns Bridge to be lit blue for World Diabetes Day on Monday, November 14th, the birth date of Dr. Frederick Banting, the Canadian doctor who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his use of insulin as treatment for people with diabetes.

Recorded my November Conversations with Hannah with our former State Representative and current Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matt Beaton. Watch the show to hear about the many important issues that Matt works on on behalf of the Baker-Polito Administration.

Senator Moore and I co-hosted our annual Christmas Luncheon at the Shrewsbury Senior Center and enjoyed seeing many of our senior friends and singing carols together!

Attended the Lakeway Business District Annual Meeting held at The Bean Counter in Shrewsbury.

On the last night of Hanukkah, which coincided with New Years Eve this year, I attended the menorah lighting sponsored by the Chabad of Westborough on the Shrewsbury Town Common. It was a cold and beautiful evening as the eighth and final candle was lit.

I presented a citation to Judge Vito Virzi of Westborough upon his retirement after 24 years of dedicated public service and commitment to excellence on the Massachusetts Trial Court.

On Sunday, January 8th my colleagues in the Westborough delegation and I joined many Westborough residents at the first event of the year-long celebration of Westborough's 300th Anniversary of being incorporated as the 100th Town, a Ribbon Cutting at the 1717 Shoppe , where shoppers can purchase Westborough memorabilia and consigned items. I am excited to be a sponsor and grateful to the volunteer committee working so hard to make this year a memorable and celebratory one for all Westborough residents, young and old!

Celebrated Westborough resident Matthew Krumsiek expanding his business and tax advising company Krumsiek and Associates to Westborough with an official ribbon cutting last week with members of Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to Krumsiek and Associates!

Fall Intern

This fall I hosted Boston College senior and Shrewsbury resident Michael Kotsopoulos as a legislative research intern at the State House. Michael tackled numerous projects that included researching the status of state legislation, reaching out to State Representatives with respect to budget items, and briefing passed bills in light of local town laws. Michael had the opportunity to attend multiple presentations investigating the opioid crisis plaguing Massachusetts, an issue he feels strongly about after volunteering at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. Michael was invaluable and will be missed!

Welcome my New Legislative Aide

Jessica Beliveau, a May 2016 graduate of Boston College and Westborough resident, has joined my office. Jessica majored in Political Science and minored in International Studies, and spent the summer of her junior year at Boston College as an intern for Governor Charlie Baker, including helping to organize and participate in the Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence council meetings. Jessica served as the Student Representative to the Westborough School Committee when she attended Westborough High School. I am thrilled to have Jessica join our team and I am grateful for the outstanding work that Erin Ryan, my former Legislative Aide, undertook while working in my office and I know that she will serve the Commonwealth well working at the Health Connector.

Monthly office hours

I hold office hours in Shrewsbury and Westborough for residents to stop in and discuss an issue or problem. The upcoming times and locations can be found on my home page on RepHannahKane.com. I hope you can join me!

Thank you for all of your support. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my Legislative Aide, Jessica Beliveau. O ur office number is 617-722-2430. I welcome your thoughts, perspectives and questions and please know that it an amazing honor to serve as your State Representative.

With sincere gratitude,

Hannah Kane

State Representative

11th Worcester District