Dear Neighbors:
I hope that you are staying safe and healthy! It has been an exciting and productive 10 months since being sworn in on January 6th. I am excited to update you on my work in the past few months as your State Representative for the 14th Suffolk District and I look forward to continuing to work with you in the months ahead.
As always, it has been great seeing you all at the many community meetings, block parties, advocacy meetings and neighborhood events that have been held both virtually and in-person over the last 10 months. My Legislative Aide Emily Carrara and I are continuing to work on hundreds of constituent service cases and many important neighborhood issues, providing direct assistance to those in need. If we can be helpful in any way or if you want to share your thoughts on any city or state issue, please continue to email us any time at Rob.Consalvo@mahouse.gov or call our office at 617-722-2800, ext: 7311. When calling, you must listen to the whole message as it asks you to press the number 1 to reach an extension. After pressing 1, you can enter our extension and you will get our voice mail.
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AT THE STATE HOUSE
As a reminder, I am honored to participate in the important work of four committees: the Joint Committee on Housing, the Joint Committee on Revenue, the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, and the new Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management.
I have been excited to participate in 10 hearings with the Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management. Many of these important hearings were held to hear from people across the state who have been working on the front lines of the state’s COVID-19 response. These hearings have been essential in examining how Massachusetts has responded to the COVID-19 crisis. I look forward to the Committee's additional work ahead as we examine the Commonwealth’s emergency preparedness and management efforts.
As a member of the Joint Committee on Housing, I have attended and participated in multiple Committee hearings on important housing issues such as dealing with our statewide housing policies, a review of home rule petitions, a discussion on housing production, COVID-19 equity housing legislation and a review of public housing in the Commonwealth. I was proud to coordinate a tour of the public housing developments in the 14th Suffolk District for the Chair of Housing and his staff. As well, I was happy to also coordinate a meeting for the Chair and his staff with Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing and Director of Neighborhood Development for the City of Boston, along with many homeownership advocates, to discuss how we can work collectively to support more homeownership opportunities all across the City of Boston and the State of Massachusetts.
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In addition, I was also worked with the the Joint Committee on Revenue and the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets on critical legislation such as authorizing a new soldiers home in Holyoke as well as supporting the FY22 Chapter 90 Program to fund needed improvements to roads and bridges across the Commonwealth. This funding will bring almost 15 million dollars to the City of Boston.
FY2022 BUDGET
The Massachusetts Legislature passed its $48.07 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). This budget maintains fiscal responsibility, does not cut services, and makes targeted investments to address emerging needs, safeguard the health and wellness of the most vulnerable populations and ensure residents will benefit equitably as the state recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The recently passed budget also includes funding for organizations and public open space in the 14th Suffolk District. I was proud to vote for a thoughtful and responsible budget that makes important and needed investments for my District, the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am thankful to Chair Michlewitz, Speaker Mariano, Senator Mike Rush and Senator Nick Collins for supporting our amendments to bring funding to Doyle Playground in Hyde Park, the Menino Arts Center, Riverside Theatre Works and funding to protect the Fowl Meadow in Readville, an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
I was proud to introduce my first resolution before the House of Representatives supporting VITFriends, a Vitiligo Support Group, and the work they do to educate, support, advocate and spread awareness of Vitiligo in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States of America. This resolution passed the House of Representatives unanimously and I am so glad to support this amazing group and this extremely worthy cause.
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PARC - PARKLAND ACQUISITIONS AND RENOVATIONS FOR COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM
I am excited to report that the State’s Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has awarded the City of Boston close to $400,000 to preserve historic open space at LakesideAve/Sprague Pond in Readville. This area is within a designated Commonwealth of Massachusetts Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and has significant cultural and historic associations, being part of the Civil War-era Camp Meigs, the home to the MA 54th Regiment. As the first Black Regiment serving during the Civil War, the 54th Regiment is an essential part of Hyde Park’s, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States of America’s history. In addition, it is also within an area of documented pre-colonial settlement by Native Americans in the Neponset River Valley. I was proud to support this effort with State Senator Mike Rush. Many thanks to Angelo Scaccia, Martha McDonough, Frank O’Brien, the HP Historical Society and many others for their great work on this.
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GREAT POND DESIGNATION
I am also thrilled to announce that the Department of Environmental Protection has designated Sprague Pond in Readville as an official "Great Pond." This designation requires further protections of the pond and allows public access to the pond for, at a minimum, fishing, boating, and other activities. I was so proud to support this effort alongside my colleagues in government and so many community leaders!
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NEW DISTRICT OFFICE
It’s official! My District office has opened at 678 Truman Parkway in Hyde Park. Since we do not have an office at the State House yet due to COVID-19, we are at the District office regularly each day. Please feel free to stop by if you need assistance or just to say hello! I'm also happy to schedule appointments as needed at this location. All appropriate COVID-19 safety protocols will be taken into consideration if a meeting is held in person at the office.
IN THE COMMUNITY
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I was so happy to be a part of an amazing and powerful Juneteenth Celebration at the Martini Shell! |
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Thank you to all the community groups and neighbors for inviting me to block parties and community day events! It was a beautiful day at the Hyde Park Central River Neighborhood Group Block Party. |
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Glad to work with DCR and the community to help Riverside Theatre Works plan a summer concert series! |
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So proud to participate in the Veteran's Square dedication to Mr. James Higgins. Thank you to Mr. Higgins for your service to our country! |
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It was great to be back marching in the Roslindale Parade and see so many friends! Thank you for the great response! |
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Unemployment Benefits: Federal UI benefits, including FPUC, PUA, PEUC and MEUC ended the week ending September 4, 2021. No weeks after that will be paid even if a claimant has a balance or remaining weeks to claim. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts wants to be helpful to constituents currently looking for work, and is offering MassHire as a resource.
Paid Family Medical Leave: If you work in Massachusetts and you need time off from work to care for yourself, a new child, or a seriously ill or injured family member, Paid Family and Medical Leave may give you up to 26 weeks of paid time off, while protecting your job for you to come back to.
Since January, Massachusetts’ paid family and medical leave program, passed by the legislature in 2018, has allowed workers to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid leave to care for a new child, up to 12 weeks to meet family needs arising from a family member’s active duty military service, up to 20 weeks to recover from a serious illness or injury, and up to 26 weeks to care for a seriously ill or injured service member. Since January, thousands of Massachusetts workers have taken paid leaves as part of this new state program.
The final piece of the legislation took effect on July 1, and workers are now able to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid leave to care for a seriously ill or injured family member. “Family” means different things to different people, and this caregiving leave accounts for every unique situation. Family Leave can be taken to care for spouses, children, parents, in-laws, domestic partners, foster children, parent-like figures, siblings, and more. The law is not gender-specific, and where a seriously ill or injured family member lives does not affect their eligibility.
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As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can be helpful in any way. |
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