Dear Neighbor,
RESPONSES TO FEDERAL ACTIONS
Tomorrow, Tuesday March 4, prior to President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, 50501 Massachusetts will hold a rally at the Boston Common to speak about the state of our Union today and the need for nonviolent resistance to protect our democracy. It's part of the "50 States 50 Protests One Movement." Speakers start at 4:30.
Medford Democrats will host a tea time at Medford City Hall on Saturday, March 8th at 12PM in the Council Chambers. RSVP on Facebook.
The purpose is to have informal conversations with like-minded people, create a space for discussions about local organizing, mingle, and reinvigorate in-person political communities in these uncertain times. You can also join with Google Meet or phone 1-317-743-0515 PIN 364048387
Senator Markey invites people to a town hall in Malden on Saturday, March 8 at 2 pm. Doors open at 1; getting a free ticket in advance may be wise. He's also having an organizing call at 6:30pm this Wednesday, March 5 about taking on the Trump-Musk administration with grassroots activists.
There'll also be an International Women's Day March on Saturday at noon at the State House.
Other Women's Day events are a MassNOW breakfast on Friday March 6 and a panel discussion and networking reception on March 11 at the Boston Public Library.
Congresswoman Pressley's guest at the Trump address Saturday will be a fired federal worker from HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
Somerville Public Library and SomerViva will be hosting three Know Your Rights trainings at all three branches of the library. The first one is tonight at 6 at the West Branch.
The library's social worker is inviting people, especially multi-lingual folks, to assist families with the practical steps of creating an emergency plan: having conversations about what they might do in case of detention or family separation, writing down key emergency information for children, making copies of essential documents, and potentially designating an alternate/temporary caregiver. If you'd like to be trained as a volunteer to help families, contact jsavage@somervillema.gov
MY COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Last week, legislators received our committee assignments, so we can begin to hold hearings and act on legislation.
I'm happy to once again co-chair the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence (formerly Elder Affairs, renamed to match the Executive Office of Aging and Independence). Rep. Tom Stanley will co-chair for the third term, so we and our staffs (particularly Vicki Halal, my Senior Policy Advisor) start with a lot of knowledge. We are hoping to be the first committee to schedule hearings and report out bills, especially ones we reported favorably last session that didn't get to final passage.
I'm also excited to be vice-chair of the committees on Education and Revenue. I'll also serve on the committees on Cannabis Policy, Labor and Workforce Development, and Judiciary.
As chair of Aging and Independence, I'll chair the Commissions on Continuing Care Retirement Communities and on LGBT Aging. I also serve on the commissions on Assisted Living and on Senior Housing, the task force on Rest Homes, and the Advisory Committee on Alzheimers Disease.
The next newsletters will be on some of the bills I've filed this session, the rules debate, and the shelter crisis. I always appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Stay in touch,
Pat Jehlen