Volume 5, Issue 8 | August 25, 2023 | |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you well after a sunny (and slightly rainy) week! August's newsletter includes information on the status of the FY24 budget, as well as highlights from a selection of recent events and announcements relevant to the district. As summer comes to a close, the Legislature will head back into Formal Session after Labor Day.
As always, serving our constituents is our top priority. In September, I will host three in-person office hours. Please note cancellations due to holidays. If you cannot attend scheduled office hours, you are welcome to contact my staff to schedule a meeting.
As a reminder, my staff and I have recently moved offices within the State House—please see below for our office’s updated contact information.
State Representative Joan Meschino
State House, Room 162, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133
Updated phone number: 617-722-2092
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy start to the fall season!
Very truly yours, Joan
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FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | |
Governor Signs Legislature's FY24 Budget Conference Committee Report to Enact, Potential Budget Overrides Expected After August Recess | |
On August 9, Governor Maura Healey signed the finalized version of the Legislature's FY24 budget with minor edits. This budget has been published online at https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FinalBudget, with funds directed at initiatives in the 3rd Plymouth District.
The Legislature may conduct budget overrides in September or October for funds that may have not been included in the original budget.
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TUE Committee Visits Vineyard Wind Project By Boat | |
On August 2, the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Joint Committee attended a vessel tour of the Vineyard Wind 1 project off of Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod with House and Senate colleagues. Our legislative delegation had an informative session focused on clean electricity, the construction of over 60 turbines, and the emerging technological developments taking place in our state. | |
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Left: Rep. Meschino takes a photo with fellow House member Rep. Carol Doherty (D-Taunton).
Right: A component of the offshore Vineyard Wind turbine project under construction.
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Summer Intern from Rep. Meschino's Office Highlighted by Harvard's Climate Institute | One of my office's summer interns, Chris, was featured in an article written by Harvard University's Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability. Read more about his experience working on climate bills here: https://salatainstitute.harvard.edu/summer-in-the-state-house/ | |
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Left: Chris glances up at the dome in the State House's Memorial Hall.
Right: Amelia and Chris (middle), Rep. Meschino's summer interns, sit in a collaborative meeting with Meschino staffers Geordie (left foreground) and Chris (right).
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STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | |
MassDOT Sumner Tunnel Construction Project Continues, Limiting Access From Airport To South Shore; Weekend MBTA Ferry Service Schedule to Boston Continues for Hingham and Hull Until October | |
The MassDOT Sumner Tunnel project, which will provide structural upgrades to the century-old southbound tunnel, is now underway. The Tunnel will be closed until August 31, with weekend closures continuing into the fall. To learn more about the MassDOT Sumner Tunnel project, please visit https://www.mass.gov/sumner-tunnel. Please consider taking alternate modes of transit to Logan Airport this summer to avoid travel disruptions.
All ferries are back to full pre-COVID service levels and will maintain regular service schedules (including summer weekends) in light of MassDOT's current construction project on East Boston's Sumner Tunnel. Starting October 10, weekend service will pause until the spring for the Hingham – Hull – Logan Airport – Long Wharf Ferry (F2H) ferry. Please plan accordingly.
To learn more and to view ferry schedules, please visit https://www.mbta.com/schedules/ferry or https://www.mbta.com/service-changes/fall-2023-service-changes.
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Massachusetts Residents’ Data Involved in MOVEit Global Security Incident; Individual Notifications Being Released | |
Earlier this month, UMass Chan Medical School began notifying more than 134,000 individuals currently or previously enrolled in certain state programs that their personal information was involved in a recent third-party data security incident. This incident was part of a worldwide data security incident involving a file-transfer software program called MOVEit, which has impacted state and federal government agencies, financial services firms, pension funds, and many other types of companies and not-for-profit organizations. No UMass Chan or state systems were compromised in this incident. Impacted individuals have been sent notice by mail and will be contacted by phone, text, and e-mail where possible.
Beginning on August 15, 2023, individuals whose information was involved received letters from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and UMass Chan. The letter explains what data was impacted for each individual, the actions taken in response to the MOVEit incident, and detailed steps that individuals can take to protect their information.
For more information, please visit mass.gov/MOVEitIncident or umassmed.edu. Individuals who receive notification that their data is involved and have further questions may call 855-862-7769.
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Rep. Meschino Celebrates Local Growers at Hingham and Cohasset Farmers Markets | |
This month from August 6 to August 12 was National Farmers Market Week! I visited the Hingham Farmers Market and Cohasset Farmers Market to celebrate the abundance of quality food products that are grown or raised right here in Massachusetts. | |
A selection of local vegetables and herbs from the Hingham Farmers Market. | |
Hull HS Youth and Hull Lifesaving Museum Launch Boat Dedicated to Local Veteran | Last week, the Hull Lifesaving Museum and Hull High School students launched the SSG Emily Carroll in honor of Hull veteran Staff Sergeant Emily Carroll. The collaboration garnered the grant support of both US Rowing and Mass Cultural Council. What a fantastic achievement! | |
The SSG Emily Carroll at the HLM Boathouse at Pemberton Point. | |
Rep. Meschino Attends Hingham Public Schools Groundbreaking with School Officials | Today, I attended the groundbreaking for the new elementary school that will replace the Foster School in Hingham. I joined building committee members, local and state elected officials, school staff, and MSBA representatives at the event, and I look forward to the project's continued progress. | |
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Left: Rep. Meschino and Senator O'Connor's staffer Mike represent the legislative delegation at the groundbreaking.
Right: Rep. Meschino (right) joins school leaders to ceremonially break ground for the new elementary school in Hingham.
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Grilling With Mickey at Hull Senior Center | Last but not least, check out some nice photos from this week's Grilling with Mickey event at the Hull Council on Aging: | |
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Announcing Office Hours for September
Constituent services are our top priority. We continue to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, a staff member will be present in the State House. On Mondays, I host in-person office hours in the district with me or a member of my staff.
If you would like to reserve a time slot for virtual office hours or outside of the times listed, please call the office at our new phone number 617-722-2092 or email my Legislative Aide.
- Monday, September 11, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, September 18, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, September 25, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, Hingham
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
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General Resources
COVID-19 Vaccines
- Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment using the Vaccine Finder
- COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9 AM-2 PM) is available by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts for assistance / translation services.
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Homebound Vaccination Program information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
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MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov allows residents to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history
COVID-19 Tests, Cases & Treatment
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