Dear Neighbor,

THIS IS NOT A "NEWS" LETTER

If you've been reading this "newsletter" for a while, you know that it rarely has breaking "news,"  Sometimes I'll describe a particular day's activities or a bill the Senate voted on.  Mostly I write when I have time to talk about a particular issue.

Would you like to know more about what I'm testifying on or what local events I'm attending?  My communications director, Laura Gomez-Arango, posts regularly about those.  You can follow me on Facebook and Threads to get some updates.  We no longer post on Twitter: let me know if you agree or not.

Next week is budget week, so we'll post about that pretty often.

It's not always that easy to learn about the legislature from metro news sources.  In a recent Commonwealth column, Margaret Monsell of Cambridge noted that even the Globe, which reports at length on Patriots coaches and now covers RI and NH, has reduced coverage of the State House.  Neither metro nor local papers generally report roll call results in news stories.  Local papers often carry roll call votes from Beacon Hill Roll Call.

Dear Neighbor,

In February, the Globe broke the story of Sungida Rashid, a new mother who died because St. Elizabeth's Hospital, owned by Steward Health Care, didn't have embolism coils to stop her bleeding.  The coils had been repossessed because Steward didn't pay the vendor - just as they weren't paying other vendors.

This tragedy is how most of us found out about the disaster that is Steward Health Care.  Now we're learning more and more and more.  Particularly memorable: Brian McGrory's column about CEO Ralph de la Torre's yachts.

Steward had already announced plans to close one of its eight Massachusetts hospitals   Now all of its hospitals face sale and/or closure. 

Dear Neighbor,

On March 14, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the EARLY ED bill, to increase support for early education and care (EEC).  We recognized the importance of quality EEC for children, for families, and for businesses and the economy.

Dear Neighbor,

This is my second newsletter about rent stabilization.  Here's the first one.  

Channel 25 ran a story about the conflict between renters and homebuyers vs. investors.  They "found when investors use limited liability companies or LLCs to purchase properties – they can be hard to track."  Rep. Uyterhoeven's bill, H3566, would allow identification of the owners of LLCs.

Dear Neighbor,

Somerville has submitted a home rule petition, S2545, to allow the city to regulate rents in buildings of 3 or more units not occupied by the owner.  This newsletter is the first of two based on my testimony in favor of the bill.

Dear Neighbor,

There's a strong consensus that we need hundreds of thousands of new housing units in Massachusetts.  Governor Healey said in her State of the Commonwealth address that housing is our greatest challenge.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council's recent report, Homes for Profit: Speculation and Investment in Greater Boston, uncovered another problem that prevents potential homebuyers from competing in the market, and raises rents for tenants.

Dear Neighbor,

Last week, on Thursday, October 26, the Senate passed our menstrual equity bill - unanimously for the second time.  

This simple bill requires that free menstrual products be available in schools, prisons and shelters in readily accessible locations and in a way that minimizes any stigmatization.  The bill was made possible by the extraordinary organizing of the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition which includes more than 70 organizations and hundreds of activists. 

Across the state, so many young people, particularly high school students, have organized local drives and policy campaigns to provide products in their high schools.

Dear Neighbor,

Today, the Senate passed our Menstrual Equity Bill!  More on that soon!

Last Thursday, October 18, the Senate joined the House in passing our Frances Perkins Workplace Equity bill.  The House already passed a very similar version, so final action should occur soon.

This bill is an important part, but only part, of addressing the pay gap.  Women earn on average about a million dollars less over their working lives, and enter retirement with much less financial security.  The same holds true for people of color, and particularly women of color.

Dear Neighbor,

The past week has been so busy I never finished this newsletter about the week before.  I'll send it now just to give a sense of our State House work. 

Like many people, I'm feeling overwhelmingly sad and angry about what's happened and is happening in the Middle East.  Hamas’ attack on civilians in Israel was horrific and indiscriminate. The siege, bombing, and evacuation in Gaza is horrific and indiscriminate.  All civilians should be safe.

Dear Neighbor,

Many of you have told me your opinions about tax cut proposals by both governors Charlie Baker and Maura Healey and by the House and Senate.  Last Thursday, we voted on a final compromise tax cut plan. 

Larry Edelman’s column in the Globe was headlined, “Tax relief has something for everyone to hate.”

But there was more to love, despite serious concerns.

Sadly, we have decided to postpone the Pat Jehlen Garden Party till June.  All our previous parties have been in the June of campaign years, and next year is the campaign.

Our amazing Women's Night Committee has planned a lovely evening, with friends, music and refreshments.