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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES - APRIL 2021
A message from MA State Senator Diana DiZoglio
Hello again,We have been under an indefinite state of emergency, declared by the Governor, for one year now – a challenging period in which we have witnessed countless small businesses close their doors for good and all too many individuals scramble and struggle, especially our elderly and disabled, to obtain a vaccine appointment. Now more than ever we need checks and balances regarding the Administration’s pandemic response.That is why I have filed legislation, SD2335, An Act relative to the duration of a proclaimed state of emergency, to reign in the powers held by the Governor of Massachusetts when it pertains to declaring a state of emergency for an indefinite period of time.Ideas for responding to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic should come from the working families in our communities and not just from one, single individual or administration. We need to come back to the democratic process, where our residents have a seat at the table. There must also be a return to a bidding process, as we’ve seen throughout this pandemic the administration unilaterally hands out millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded contracts to hand-picked, private companies no bidding process involved.We’ve seen, time and time again, the administration take unilateral action, without input from the community, only to need to go back and change things that could’ve been addressed from the beginning had they only sought such input. The result was wasted time and taxpayer dollars on failed websites and programs with the vast majority of vaccine doses getting funneled to mass vaccination sites that were inaccessible to our most vulnerable populations.The Administration is not supposed to be the main lawmaking body in Massachusetts. Legislators are tasked with working alongside residents every day on the ground, in the community, and legislating based on those conversations. Instead of that community-based approach to governance where the people have the power, the Administration has instead had unilateral authority and relied on hand-picked appointees - bypassing the elected representative voices of the people.The people of Massachusetts deserve to have their voices heard again in a process that respects all voices, and not just the most powerful. I am hopeful we can get this bill across the finish line and provide our communities the voice and support they continue to need in recovering from the pandemic.If you have questions about this or any other issue, please contact me and my team anytime via email at diana.dizoglio@masenate.gov or phone 978-984-7747.Yours in service,DianaA message from Representative James M. Kelcourse:
Happy Spring! While there still may be some rainy days ahead, the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. As the 192nd Session of the Massachusetts General Court progresses, bills will soon be assigned to their respective committee for hearings. I sit on the Joint Committee on Education, Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Joint Committee on Ways and Means, and House Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement. If there is a bill that you are passionate about, and would like to see me support, please feel free to reach out to my office about it and I would be more
than happy to read further into it. The FY22 budget amendment filling will be coming up soon as well. Additionally, please feel free to contact me about any line-items that you would like me to look at. This is the best way that I can advocate for you, the great citizens and business owners of Salisbury, Newburyport, and Amesbury!
Additionally, my office has been working to assist those who are currently eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccination, and have had trouble doing so. If you are a patient of the Beth Israel Lahey Health medical group, you should be receiving an email, text message, or phone call with an invitation to sign up for an appointment. The Newburyport Senior Community Center is one of the closest participating locations. If you are not a patient, the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative is a vaccination collaborative partnership between nine communities, including Salisbury.
The Amesbury High School is one of the closest participating locations. More information on the clinic, as well as the appointment link can be found at: https://www.amesburyma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/covid-19-vaccine-distribution.
Should you have any questions or need assistance, please contact my office at james.kelcourse@mahouse.gov or (978) 465-1777.
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