News Archive
Nov 17 2017
Jehlen Votes to Move Free Birth Control, Healthcare, and Bilingual Ed Bills Forward
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Jehlen Votes to Move Free Birth Control, Healthcare, and Bilingual Ed Bills Forward
BOSTON – Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) joined her Senate colleagues in successfully passing several pieces of...
Nov 6 2017
Newsletter: Criminal Justice Reform Part 2: Solutions
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
Earlier today you received a newsletter describing problems in the criminal justice system. This newsletter describes some of the provisions of the Senate bill adopted Oct. 26. The House takes up its version of criminal justice reform on...
Nov 6 2017
Newsletter: Criminal Justice Bill Part 1: Problems
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
On October 26, after 13 hours of debate and consideration of 162 amendments, the Senate passed a comprehensive criminal justice bill, which the Globe called "a model" for the country.
The bill's passage was due to months of...
Nov 3 2017
Senate Passes Sweeping Criminal Justice Reform Bill
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Senate Passes Sweeping Criminal Justice Reform Bill
BOSTON – Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) recently joined her Senate colleagues in voting for a comprehensive criminal justice reform package that...
Nov 3 2017
Bipartisan Legislators Push for Gas Industry Reforms
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Bipartisan Legislators Push for Gas Industry Reforms
Over 3/5 of Legislature Sign Letter Calling for Ban on “Pipeline Tax,”
Regulatory Shift at Department of Public Utilities
BOSTON...
Oct 23 2017
Newsletter: Over half our students not succeeding?
Senator Pat Jehlen
Not meeting expectations???
Are you confused or concerned about headlines suggesting Massachusetts students suddenly know less? Last week, the state released scores on the "next generation MCAS" for schools; this week parents will receive reports on their...
Oct 18 2017
Tufts responds to new medical marijuana home delivery services
Tufts Daily
BY HANNAH UEBELE
OCTOBER 18, 2017
Several medical marijuana dispensaries in Greater Boston are authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to conduct home deliveries. These dispensaries include SAGENATURALS...
Oct 13 2017
Senate Votes to Ban Bump Stocks and Trigger Cranks
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Senate Votes to Ban Bump Stocks and Trigger Cranks
BOSTON- Yesterday the Massachusetts Senate voted to ban bump stocks and trigger cranks, and classify them under the same general law that governs machine...
Oct 2 2017
Should state change compensation law for wrongfully convicted?
New England Center for Investigative Reporting
By Christopher Burrell - October 2, 2017
Public defenders, advocates and former inmates whose convictions were overturned are meeting at the Massachusetts statehouse on Monday to call for changes to a state law that provides compensation to the wrongfully...
Sep 29 2017
Legislators, Advocates Strongly Support Legislation to Increase Minimum Wage At Committee Hearing
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Legislators, Advocates Strongly Support Legislation to Increase Minimum Wage At Committee Hearing
BOSTON - Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) joined over a dozen of her colleagues last week to...
Sep 28 2017
What price should Mass. pay to lure Amazon?
Boston Globe
By Joshua Miller Globe Staff September 28, 2017
Beacon Hill policymakers and insiders agree they don’t need gimmicks to lure Amazon’s new headquarters when Massachusetts can emphasize the state’s strong education, technology, and innovation...
Sep 27 2017
Newsletter: Wrongful Convictions
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
On Monday I spoke at a State House event honoring International Wrongful Conviction Day. We heard from defense attorneys, forensic scientists, and advocates about the need for better standards for courtroom science, and for updating the wrongful...
Sep 21 2017
Lawmaker wants new measure of school success
Boston Herald
Some lawmakers are pushing to change how the state ranks and holds schools accountable for student performance, arguing that the current system harms poor communities with large numbers of English language learners and homeless kids by labeling them failures.
“It is...
Sep 12 2017
Am I A Victim Of Pay Discrimination: The New MA. Pay Equity Act
Wareham Community Television
Sep 1 2017
Senate Passes Legislation on Property Tax Abatements
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Senate Passes Legislation on Property Tax Abatements
BOSTON- The Massachusetts Senate recently passed legislation providing property tax breaks for low-income seniors, veterans, and the disabled. The bill,...
Aug 18 2017
Newsletter: Facing Charlottesville and Ourselves
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
Last Saturday's scenes from Charlottesville were shocking. The rallies and vigils since then have helped us feel connected with other people, and given us hope, and tomorrow's rally is important. There's also a vigil in Medford...
Jul 28 2017
Comprehensive Marijuana Legislation Signed Into Law
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Comprehensive Marijuana Legislation Signed Into Law
(BOSTON) – Today Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that fully implements consumer access to adult-use marijuana while creating a robust...
Jul 28 2017
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Signed Into Law
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Signed Into Law
BOSTON – Last week, Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) and her colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which...
Jul 26 2017
Jehlen is Named Assistant Majority Leader for Massachusetts Senate in Seventh Term
Cambridge Day
State Sen. Pat Jehlen, a Somerville Democrat, was appointed assistant majority leader Wednesday by Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg.
“Sen. Jehlen has been a progressive champion in the Senate for the last 12 years and before that in the House. She will...
Jul 18 2017
Newsletter: Marijuana Bill
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
Last month, the House and Senate passed very different bills about marijuana regulation. The Senate bill was far closer to the law passed by voters last November, on the tax rate, on voters' control over local bans, on social justice and opportunity for...
Jun 30 2017
Medford resident honored as Unsung Heroine
Wicked Local Medford
Mimi Gordon, of Medford, was honored as an Unsung Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women in a recent ceremony at the Statehouse. Sen. Patricia Jehlen, D-Somerville, and Reps. Christine Barber, D-Somerville; Paul Donato, D-Medford; and Sean Garballey...
Jun 20 2017
Life and Learning in MA Turnaround Schools
Citizens For Public Schools
On Tuesday, June 13, Senator Pat Jehlen hosted a powerful State House briefing featuring eyewitness accounts from a student, a parent and teachers about what it actually looks and feels like to be in a Level 4 “turnaround” school.
It was clear that the...
Jun 17 2017
Newsletter: Marijuana
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
Since I was appointed Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy in February, my staff and I have worked hard, held five hearings across the state, met with hundreds of people, reviewed many studies and books, and visited medical marijuana...
Jun 14 2017
Sen. Jehlen gives pot bill harsh reception
State House News Service/Medford Transcript
By Andy Metzger / State House News Service
Posted Jun 14, 2017 at 11:27 AM Updated Jun 14, 2017 at 11:29 AM
The higher marijuana tax rates in a reform bill backed by House leadership will “maintain the...
Jun 11 2017
Newsletter: Bail Reform
Senator Pat Jehlen
Pretrial reform – Massachusetts can do better
Last Monday I joined many other legislators to testify on criminal justice reform. This is my testimony on S834, An Act Reforming Pretrial Process.
There are two problems with our bail system:
It...