Updates from the Senate Floor!
April, May & First Half of June
- On April 7th the Senate passed S.2823 a bill Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry This will help communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and enforcement to take part in the Commonwealth’s growing cannabis market. I was proud to cosponsor Senator John Velis' amendment to ensure host communities are told why their license was not accepted by the Cannabis Commission & the support the creation of a host community guide for prospective municipalities and businesses to follow.
- On April 14th the Senate passed S.2819 An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward, this legislation will: open the door for 10,000 megawatts of Off-shore wind energy, increase rebates for many Electric Vehicle purchases to $3,500-people trading in traditional cars will be eligible to receive $4,500, the bill also mandates MBTA Buses to be fully electric by 2028.
- On April 28th the Senate passed an act to legalize & regulate sports betting S.2844, I was proud to add a requirement to study how many & who has been incarcerated & fined for sports betting. I am hopeful this study leads to expungement & second chances for many people; laws should prevent harm & heal when possible.
- On May 6th the Senate Passed the Work & Family Mobility Act; I was proud to vote for this practical and safe policy which has been endorsed by a majority of City Police Chiefs in Massachusetts.
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I'm proud to continue to advocate for Boston, Cambridge, Revere, and Winthrop.
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Supporting the creation of a MBTA Winthrop Ferry as a part of an intra-regional system.
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Supporting an amendment to ensure LGBTQ Veterans receive state benefits for their service.
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My testimony in favor of Boston's Transfer fee, which would provide millions of dollars for affordable housing programs.
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On Memorial Day this year I was proud to honor the sacrifices made by so many members of the military.
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- At the end of April I was honored to attend the annual Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Thanks for having me!
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- Grateful to speak at Environmetal League of Massachusetts’ annual Earth Night 2022 Gala! Congratulations to the award winners Rep. Joan Meschino, Maria Belen Power & Andrea Nyamekye, Massachusetts General Brigham, & Jeremy Grantham!
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- Play Ball! Happy to be out celebrating Opening Day at the North End & East Boston Little Leagues!
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- Honored to spend Earth Day in community with friends & neighbors in Eastie. Thanks Kannan Thiruvengadam, Eastie Farm, Boston Local 12, Metro BTC, Insulators Union, Greater Boston Labor Council for coming together to bring green jobs & infrastructure to our neighborhood.
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- Grateful to attend the 32nd Annual Pride Brunch in Cambridge! Thank you to John Gintell who was honored for his years of service to the LGBTQ Community!
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- Thank you to Hannah Belcher for organizing this year's Winthrop's Outdoor Spring Market! Check out these incredible small businesses!
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- Excited to attend For Kid's Only Afterschool for the opening of your new, beautiful space. Thank you for building our children into the strong adults we know they can be!
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- Congratulations Jillian Dempsey of Winthrop and the Boston Pride Hockey team who recently won the Isobel Cup. Jillian is also a 5th teacher at the Arthur T. Cummings Elementary school in Winthrop! So happy to honor her & her team's achievement at the State House!
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- During this holy month for so many I was honored to be in community with Muslim neighbors and friends in Revere. Thanks Asmaa Aboufouda, the City of Revere & Mayor Arrigo for bringing us together.
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- Loved celebrating the grand re-opening of Revere History Museum! Since 1994 the Revere Society for Cultural & Historic Preservation has educated interested learners about Revere’s rich history. Please visit them at 108 Beach st! Enjoy your refurbished space!
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- In May I joined elected leaders in Revere to learn more about the work Sheriff Steven Tompkins is doing at the Suffolk County House of Corrections.
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I’m hiring a Legislative Director for my Senate Office. If you are a passionate individual with experience in policy making please apply! Click here for a Job Description. Please send Resumes and a brief statement of interest to Lydia.edwards@masenate.gov.
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Onward,
Lydia Edwards
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