Dear Friends,
 
Happy New Year! I hope that you enjoyed the holidays with your friends and family and that 2019 will be a happy, healthy and productive one for you.
 
I was thrilled to be sworn in for my third term as State Representative for the 11th Worcester District on Wednesday, January 2nd. Representing Shrewsbury and Westborough and working together with my colleagues in local and state government is an honor and opportunity that I cherish each day. The day following my swearing in, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito were sworn in for their second term and I was excited to be part of the legislative delegation that accompanied them from the Governor's office to the House Chamber. I am lucky to be able to work with my good friends and previous two State Representatives for the 11th Worcester District Karyn Polito and Matt Beaton and I am grateful to all who continue to support me!


"Towns of Love for Ava Roy" Community Fundraiser
On Sunday, December 9th in the early morning, Shrewsbury resident and Worcester Firefighter Christopher J. Roy passed away from injuries he sustained while fighting a fire as a member of the Webster Square Station, Ladder 4. Christopher was a single father to his 9-year old daughter Ava, described as "the light of his life," who attends Calvin Coolidge Elementary School in Shrewsbury. A memorial fund was established by the Worcester Firefighters IAFF Local 1009 in the name of Ava and firefighters, community members and local officials in Shrewsbury, Northborough and Westborough have come together to plan a community fundraiser to support Ava Roy, with all proceeds donated to the Ava Roy Fund.


The evening will feature three local bands - Tim Pitney and Red Badge, Dark Horse and Worcester Jazz Collective. A silent auction and raffle will be held, and a cash bar and refreshments will be provided. Tickets are $30 each and must be purchased in advance. Sponsorship levels range from $100 - $5,000 and donations are welcome if you are unable to attend. Click here for the invitation. I hope that you will consider joining us in support of Ava.
 
Beacon Hill Update

The last few months have been filled with preparing bills to file in the 191st Legislative Session and working on several of the commissions and task forces I serve on, including the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health, the Massachusetts Food Policy Council and the Regional Transit Authority Performance and Funding Task Force. I have also been attending forums, conferences and briefings on important policy areas that the Legislature will be working on over the course of the next two years. In November, I attended the daylong Massachusetts Association of Health Plans 2018 Annual Conference where health care challenges related to coverage, cost and innovation were discussed. In December, I attended with my colleague Representative Carolyn Dykema a forum hosted by Transportation for Massachusetts that included a presentation and discussion on the report of Governor Baker's Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth which looks at what transportation in 2040 could entail. The Republican Caucus also continues to meet monthly with the Governor to discuss legislative priorities, issues facing the Commonwealth and the state budget. The October meeting only featured a few members, as it was the height of the campaign season.


I also attended the 2nd Annual MA Food System Forum hosted by the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative. In addition to my work as a member of the MA Food Policy Council working on issues impacting the local food system, I have been working with several of my colleagues in the House and Senate to form a Food System Caucus with the goal of supporting and growing the local food system in the Commonwealth through three priority areas:
 
The caucus will focus its effort in three primary areas identified as priorities in the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan accepted by the Massachusetts Food Policy Council in 2015:
  • Food access/insecurity - reducing waste, hunger and food insecurity while making available more fresh healthy food to everyone who lives in the Commonwealth.
  • Farmland - protecting the land and resources necessary to produce food, while maximizing the environmental benefits of agriculture and fishing, and the preservation of agricultural land.
  • Economic development - recognizing the significant impact to local, regional and state economies, supporting the increase of production, sales and consumption of Massachusetts grown food and creating jobs and improving wages in food and farming.
Our priorities are underpinned by the impact that the food system has in the Commonwealth:
  • About 1 in 10 workers in MA (426,000) are employed in the food system.
  • The food system accounts for about 4.5% of all economic activity in the state.
  • MA residents spend about $32 billion on food each year.
  • Food processing revenue is about 10% of the states manufacturing revenue.
  • There are 41,000 food businesses in MA.
The kick-off meeting of the caucus will be held this week at the State House and I am looking forward to advocating for the caucus legislative and budget priorities in the coming year.
 
Local Grants/Awards

Shrewsbury receives a $3.75M MassWorks grant
The Baker-Polito Administration awarded the grant for the widening and reconstruction of roadway and related intersections along Route 20 in Shrewsbury as part of the planned redevelopment of the former Edgemere Drive-In Movie site, a $45 million private investment of the 68-acre parcel. The commercial and residential project will include 40,000 square feet of new retail space, up to 250 new housing units and an 80,000 square foot Market Basket grocery store.
 
Westborough's Metamagnetics and Shrewsbury's Metso Receive Manufacturer of the Year Awards
The Manufacturing Caucus hosted its 3rd Annual Manufacturing Awards and two local manufacturers were among the 58 recognized for truly "making in Massachusetts." I am pleased to be part of the Caucus and to help identify manufacturers who are being innovative in their efforts and committed to growth in the Commonwealth. Metamagnetics manufactures high-tech components of sensors, security systems and communications equipment, and Metso is part of a global supplier of technology and services that improve productivity and environmental quality in the industries they serve.
 
In December, I attended a meeting at Metamagnetics with members of the delegation and leadership from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School to explore the possibility of working together in the future on internships and technical education programs. It is great to see collaborations occur that help align the needs of the businesses with the training and education our students receive.


Shrewsbury and Westborough Receive Fire Safety Grants
Shrewsbury Fire Department received $8,254 and Westborough Fire Department received $6,954 in grant funding to continue providing the Student Awareness Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) and Senior SAFE in 2019. These grants provide our young students and seniors in the community with important life safety information that has proven to save lives.
 
Legislative Update

While formal session ended on July 31st last year, the House and Senate remain in informal session until the start of the next legislative session. During this time it is typical for many local/home-rule petition bills to get passed as well as bills in which both the majority and minority leadership in the House and Senate agree. While there is not a roll call for bills passed in informal session, any member of the Legislature can attend an informal session and hold a bill from passing by doubting the presence of a quorum. Several bills impacting the Commonwealth were passed in informal session in the last few months and sent to the Governor's desk for his signature, including the following:
 
An Act Relative to Background Checks by the Department of Youth Services
This bill that I co-sponsored requires background checks for certain people who have contact with children in the custody of the Department of Youth Services. The background check includes a fingerprint-based check of state and national criminal history databases. The Governor signed this bill into law on Thursday.
 
An Act Providing for Equitable Coverage in Disability Policies
This bill signed into law prohibits insurers from charging higher disability insurance premiums based solely on gender, race, religion or national origin. On average in Massachusetts, women pay 23.5 percent more than men for disability insurance policies.
 
An Act Relative to Consumer Protection from Security Breaches
The bill that takes effect in 90 days requires free credit monitoring for consumers after a data breach and makes it free for consumers to place a security freeze on their credit reports. The bill also requires third parties to gain consumers' written consent before obtaining credit reports for non-credit purposes.
 
Speaking Opportunities
 
Women in Public Office: A Conversation with Boston University Alumnae
In early November, shortly before the election, I spoke on a panel with two other Boston University alumnae - former Attorney General Martha Coakley and my House colleague Representative Kay Khan. Our moderated discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities for women running for office and serving in an elected position. I greatly enjoyed the event and speaking not only about my own experience but encouraging the over 100 attendees, mostly women, to either think about running for office themselves or to support candidates that they believe would make great public servants. My Dad, a former Assistant Dean in the BU School of Education was able to join us for the event along with my partner at the State House, Jessica Beliveau, and a former member of the House who represented Shrewsbury Roberta Goldman, was in attendance as well.


Legislative Meeting with Massachusetts Teachers Association Educators and Community Members
Each year I am grateful to have the opportunity to join with one of my legislative colleagues to meet with members of the MTA in the region to discuss education and legislative bills and budget items impacting our education system. Rep. Daniel Donahue and I met with 25 current and retired educators to gain insight and share perspective.
 
Shrewsbury High School ETS News
Several students working on a news story at Shrewsbury High School about the outcomes of the three ballot questions in the November election interviewed me as part of their segment. It is always fantastic to be asked to be part of student initiatives, especially when it involves information relative to voting on issues impacting the Commonwealth.
 
Elections Results Panel Discussion hosted by the MA Women's Political Caucus Worcester/Central MA Committee
Joining three other elected women colleagues in Central MA - Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler, Worcester City Councilor Sarai Rivera and Westborough Selectwoman Shelby Marshall - in a post-election panel about the increase in the number of women serving in elected office and the challenges women face in deciding to run made a good book-end to the BU panel from right before the election prognosticating about the 2018 election cycle. It is great to see a Central MA chapter of the Women's Political Caucus being formed as a way to support women candidates and I look forward to more opportunities to engage with women seeking to enter the fray!
 

Leadership Worcester
Leadership Worcester is a competitive, yearlong program that offers training and skill development to promising new professionals in Greater Worcester's civic life. I was asked to be part of the daylong session on government for the 28 members of this year's program. Speaking during the lunch segment, I discussed my own experience of getting involved, my role as State Representative and the role of legislature. Great questions and several follow-up emails from attendees looking to continue to the conversation on opportunities to serve.
 
Guest on Greater Boston with Host Jim Braude
My House colleague Representative Marjorie Decker and I appeared as guests on Greater Boston to discuss the situation of the federal government shutdown. I always enjoy the opportunity to appear on the show with host Jim Braude. You can watch the segment from last Thursday here.


Community Events, Town Celebrations & Recognitions

Shrewsbury Voters Approve Funding the new Beal School
On November 6th Shrewsbury voters thankfully approved funding to build a new K-4 Beal School on the site of the former Glavin Center. This new building is much needed as the current Beal facility at nearly 100 years old has come to the end of its useful life, and the existing elementary schools are over-crowded with enrollment projected to increase. With passage of the debt exclusion, the state will proceed with funding over $34 million of the total project costs as well. Thank you to everyone involved who helped get this project passed!
 
13th Annual U.S. Masters Tae Kwan Do Open Championship held in Shrewsbury
It was an honor to welcome the competitors and organizers of the Tae Kwan Do Open Championship to Saint John's High School in Shrewsbury. Grandmaster Jae H. Jeong kindly invited me to attend and I was grateful that a generous donation was made to Easter Seals Massachusetts by the organizers of the tournament. The Consul General of the Republic of Korea Yonghyon Kim was very gracious and it was an honor to meet him and wonderful to see so many students dedicated to building physical strength and character through this sport practiced by over 80M people in over 200 countries.


Westborough Good Scout Awards
Two great people were recognized for their many years of service to others at the Boy Scouts of America Mayflower Council Good Scout Awards. Former Westborough Police Chief Al Gordon received the Good Scout Award and Judy Wilchynski was honored with the first Lady Baden-Powell Award given by the Westborough Boy Scouts, which recognizes women who have demonstrated integrity and genuine concern for others in both their professional and personal lives .
 
Westborough Community of Friendship Circle
A beautiful outpouring of support from all faiths in Westborough as the community gathered at B'nai Shalom to stand against evil and embrace our Jewish friends and neighbors reeling form the senseless loss of life at Tree of Life Synagogue massacre. The service fell on the 80th sad anniversary of Kristallnacht. While the reason for the gathering began from an act of hate, the strong and binding support experienced by attendees left all feeling blessed to live in such an amazing community and grateful to the organizers for this act of love.
 

Veterans Day Remembrances
Beginning with the Veteran's Day Luncheon at the Westborough Senior Center where Representatives Dykema, Gregoire and I got to visit with Gold Star Mom Rita Lee and many other members of the Westborough community who have served our nation, speaking at the beginning of the somber Westborough remembrances at Minuteman Park and attending the Shrewsbury service at the World War I Monument in front of Beal School - I cherish each opportunity to pay my respect to all who have sacrificed for the noble ideals of our great country. The most touching part of the remembrances each year for me is watching the Shrewsbury Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts shake the veteran's hands and thank them for their service.


Middle Schoolers at Risk: What Every Family Needs to Know Now
We had a strong turnout of middle-school parents attending the forum hosted by the Shrewsbury Coalition for Addiction Prevention and Education (SCAPE) and Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services (SYFS). The panel members who spoke on topics such as vaping, social media, gaming, marijuana, and how to talk to your kids about these addictive behaviors offered excellent insight into the challenges facing our young people today. District Attorney Joe Early attended and spoke briefly and Liz Haddad from the DA's team provided parents excellent information at the "Hidden in Plain Sight" exhibit. Shrewsbury Media Connection recorded the forum and I encourage you to watch it here .
 
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Westborough Sugar Shack
Super fun ribbon cutting and yummy treats to buy at the Sugar Shack at the rotary in Westborough. The Sugar Shack is an exciting new opportunity for a school-learning lab within a vocational-technical program that can be offered as an "in-district" program to students age 18-22 who qualify. Students get to learn new life-skills and be downtown in the community they call home - definitely a win-win!


Senator Moore and I hosted our annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Holiday Luncheon
Sharing the joy and good food of the holidays, Senator Moore and I hosted for our 4th year together both our annual Thanksgiving Dinner and our annual Holiday Luncheon at the Shrewsbury Senior Center. Grateful to the many local officials who help serve the Thanksgiving meal and to Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School culinary program students who once again prepared a delicious meal Holiday buffet and the Assabet Honors Chorus who sang beautifully many classic holiday songs with joy!


Worcester-Framingham Commuter Rail Line Briefing
This past November I joined Lieutenant Governor  Karyn Polito and my legislative colleagues Senator Mike Moore and Representatives John Mahoney and Jim O'Day for a briefing and discussion on the Worcester/Framingham Commuter Rail Line at Worcester City Hall. The Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack recounted many of the improvements made in the last few years under the leadership of the Baker-Polito Administration, and we discussed the ongoing and needed improvements that my colleagues and I continue to advocate for. All levels of government are focused on the investments needed to make the commuter rail line as reliable, efficient and effective as passengers deserve and our economy requires.
 
Menorah Lighting in Westborough
Gathered with Rabbi Green, current and former Selectmen Hashmi, Tretter and Goldblatt, Fire Chief Purcell and Police Chief Lourie and many others to light the menorah, and we remembered Firefighter Christopher Roy who passed away earlier that day and his daughter Ava and extended family in our thoughts and prayers.


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.
  • Attended the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury's Fall Social at the Borgatti's Bar and had fun connecting with my many friends and neighbors who serve others through Rotary, and also participated in the Rotary annual Community Reading Day where I once again got to read 3 terrific books donated by Rotary to Mrs. Hogan's 2nd grade class at Floral Street School!
  • Loved watching the SHS Unified Basketball team play Shepherd Hill - the enthusiasm exudes from players and fans alike! Grateful to Andy MacIsaac for his work to make Unified Basketball a reality at SHS a few years ago.

  • Sponsored the 5th annual Westborough Education Foundation Turkey Trot and the 8th annual Turkey Trot for the Memory in Shrewsbury. Great to see so many in our community, young and old, enjoy the runs and supporting very worthy causes.
  • Picked up some delicious local produce and baked goods for Thanksgiving and a few Christmas presents at the Holiday Farmers Market at Oak Middle School.
  • Met with the Shrewsbury High School Service Learning Team to hear about their service projects planned and offer my ongoing support to this terrific effort to engage students in service.
  • Started my day at Veterans Inc. in Shrewsbury where volunteers from Home Depot were donating their time and resources to build a mediation garden and walkway. Grateful to Home Depot employees who have helped build and repair several areas at the facility and for their support of our veterans. I loved my personalized apron that the Home Depot folks made me!
  • Shrewsbury Boy Scout Troop 114 welcomed new Eagle Scout Benjamin Carriveau and Troop 158 welcomed three new Eagle Scouts - Liam Daigle, Gavin Fischer and J.J. Hannaford - congratulations to these fine young men!

  • Joined Corridor Nine/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce members and local officials for the ribbon cutting of the brand new business The Lash Lounge in Shrewsbury at Lakeway Commons.
  • Celebrated the 30-years of amazing service of Shrewsbury Superintendent of Buildings Bob Cox at his retirement party at Borgatti Bar at Whole Foods!
  • Stopped by and donated toys at the Shrewsbury Police Department's "Fill the Wagon" helping to support local children and make the holidays a little brighter.
  • Visited Oak Middle School Team 8 Red to present Melissa Correira with a citation acknowledging her selection as the Town of Shrewsbury's 8th grade Project 351 Ambassador! Melissa will begin her year of service next weekend alongside an 8th grader chosen from every city and town in the Commonwealth.
  • Enjoyed seeing one of our family favorite SELCO workers Gene Duhamel receive the Lutz Award for his exemplary service!
  • Welcomed attendees to the 495/Metrowest Partnership Award Ceremony held at Tavern in the Square in Shrewsbury. Howard Grossman was honored with the Partnership's Award for Private Sector Leadership for his fabulous development Lakeway Commons!

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!

 
Gratitude

Working on behalf of the residents of Shrewsbury and Westborough is a privilege and I am grateful each day for the opportunity. Being successful in this role requires having people you work with day in and day out who share your same commitment and I can say unequivocally that no staff member at the State House works harder or cares more about the people in the Commonwealth than Jessica Beliveau. Jess and I celebrate our 2nd anniversary working together this week and I am beyond blessed to call this amazing young woman my Legislative Director, public service partner and friend!

 

 

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



With sincere gratitude,

Hannah Kane
State Representative
11th Worcester District

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