The Baker administration and the Massachusetts Legislature have been gung-ho about pursuing offshore wind power and preparing the state’s infrastructure to deal with the consequences of climate change, but lawmakers last week impressed upon the administration the importance of keeping the state’s historic fishing industry in mind as well. “We’ve been taking steps over the…
Today, the Commonwealth announced a new $75 million grant program to support Massachusetts small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new program is part of the plan to spend $4 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that was passed by the House of Representatives in December 2021. The new program is modeled after Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation’s (MGCC)…
Last week, I voted in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation to expand participation in our elections by making permanent several voting changes that were in effect in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes were tried, tested, and shown to securely expand access to the right to vote. They include: reducing the…
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, joined local officials, including newly installed Mayor Greg Verga, during a tour of the nonprofit Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute’s waterfront facility on Main Street. There, he learned how the institute is making a difference when it comes to spurring marine biotech research in this 399-year-old seaport undergoing a sea change…
This Thanksgiving I wanted to send you all a special message of gratitude! There is nothing easy about surviving this pandemic, and there is nothing easy about cancer. This past year, I experienced both. Although either one could be difficult to navigate, the two in combination can be overwhelming. However, the prayers that were said,…
Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to unanimously pass its spending proposal utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) surplus funds. Funded at $3.82 billion, the bill addresses disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to facilitate recovery through one-time investments in housing, environment…
With electric and natural gas rates set to rise this winter season, Attorney General Maura Healey launched a campaign to educate customers about new and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their energy bills. Due to COVID-19 economic uncertainty and volatility in global fossil fuel prices, customers in New England will see a spike in…
State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, announced the fourth and fifth recipients of the Jeremiah J. Healy Service Award, applauding the efforts of Lenny and Dottie Linquata and the residents behind the Facebook group “We Are All in This Together Gloucester.” Read more on the Gloucester Daily Times website→
Low-income workers who toiled in hospitals, grocery stores and other frontline businesses during the pandemic could be getting cash bonuses under a legislative plan to spend billions of dollars in federal relief and surplus funds. The plan, rolled out by House Democrats on Monday, calls for spending $3.65 billion to make “once-in-a-generation” investments in housing,…
Today, the House Committee on Ways and Means announced a $3.65 billion piece of legislation to invest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and surplus funds in key sectors of the Commonwealth. I was glad to join Speaker Ron Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Chair Dan Hunt, and Chair Bud Williams today to outline the investments the…
