With the beginning of a new legislative session, I wanted to take this opportunity to briefly highlight some of the things we accomplished together in the session that just ended. The past two years have been extremely productive for the Massachusetts Legislature, with a number of major bills being passed throughout 2023 and 2024. The 193rd session…
Today, the Massachusetts Legislature approved legislation to combat the opioid crisis and support residents living with substance use disorder (SUD). An Act relative to treatments and coverage for substance use disorder and recovery coach licensure will expand non-opioid pain treatments, establish licenses for recovery coaches, and support pregnant people and their children who have been…
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding residents that beginning May 7, 2025, anyone traveling by plane domestically or entering certain federal facilities will need a Registry-issued REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport. The Registry is strongly encouraging everyone seeking a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card to…
Gloucester High is the beneficiary of nearly $1 million in grants from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to provide a lift to two of its Career and Vocational Technical Education programs as part of a wider $16 million in statewide awards to support training and job opportunities in the clean energy and climate tech sector.…
As the Beacon Hill political crowd munched on ceviches and chowders in the Great Hall on Wednesday, they heard a message from the seafood industry aimed more at Washington, D.C., than the halls of the State House. Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, the daughter of a fisherman and a 30-year advocate for the fishing industry, spoke at…
This Wednesday is Seafood Day on Beacon Hill, and plans are to celebrate the myriad cultural, economic, and food security benefits of the Massachusetts fishing industry. Seafood Day is being held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Massachusetts State House Hall of Flags in a building were a wooden Sacred Cod effigy, highlighting…
When I first ran for public office, it was because I believed I could make a difference in our community. I believed that I was fortunate to have earned degrees in Economics and Law, and wanted to use what I learned to put Cape Ann first and change peoples lives for the better. It was with this…
The Massachusetts Legislature has passed An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Service Members and Veterans (HERO Act), legislation designed to boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the United States military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans. This compromise legislation increases and…
State Sen. Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, say they have secured $823,500 in state funding earmarks for 15 initiatives for Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea in the recently signed state budget. The $58.78 billion state budget signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey on July 29, is for fiscal…
In celebration of its victory, the team was invited to the Massachusetts State House last week for a recognition ceremony and was presented with official citations courtesy of Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante. The team and MERSD staff were honored to be able to attend and receive such a high level of…
