Today, the Mass. House and @MA_Senate announced with @MassGovernor that municipalities & school districts will NOT face a budget cut for unrestricted local aid or Chapter 70 school funding in Fiscal Year 2021. #mapoli
Due to the severe economic recession brought about by the pandemic, most cities and towns have been bracing for state budget cuts so this should be very welcome news. #mapoli
Unrestricted local aid will be funded at a level no less than last fiscal year. Chapter 70 will be funded at a level no less than last fiscal year for each school district (plus the impact of inflation and any enrollment changes on foundation budgets). #mapoli
This commitment gives our towns/cities more budget certainty & it is the minimum they can expect. If enough federal relief is made available to states and/or the economy improves faster than expected, we'll work to increase local aid/Ch. 70 when we debate the FY21 budget. #mapoli
Towns, cities & school districts have also received almost $1B in federal and state assistance to address costs related to the pandemic response.
Of course, I’m disappointed that this level of Ch. 70 funding does not begin to implement the 2019 #StudentOpportunityAct. #mapoli
However, we remain fully committed to the #StudentOpportunityAct and the goal of ensuring adequate & equitable funding for all students & districts, particularly our most disadvantaged. #mapoli
If the state has sufficient resources when we debate the FY21 budget this fall, my top priority will be to begin implementing the #StudentOpportunityAct and increase Chapter 70 funding. #mapoli
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We're all spending a lot more time at home this year, and for many of us, that means spending a lot more time with our furry friends. Meet the cats of Team Lewis! #mapoliwithanimals
My cats Mimzie and Mookie, both 9 years old!
District Director Emily's kittens Oliver and Juniper, 5 months old!
Happy #LaborDay! The past six months during the coronavirus pandemic have made us all better understand and appreciate the essential workers who perform their jobs despite the health risks to themselves and their loved ones. Thank you!
There are many policies we need to pursue at the state and federal level to address unconscionable economic inequality and injustice in our state and country.
One of these policies that we urgently need is emergency paid sick time, so that no worker has to choose between staying home if they risk spreading COVID-19 and earning a paycheck to support their family.
I'm speaking now to the @Winchester_MA School Committee and asking them to finally replace the town's Sachem mascot.
We are all proud of our town's strong public school system. However, something that I know many of us are not proud of is the continued use of the Sachem mascot for our sports teams.
Tonight, speaking both as Winchester’s state senator and as a Winchester resident and parent, I urge you to vote to finally replace the Sachem mascot.
In the state legislature, I am the lead sponsor of a bill to redesign our current state seal.
Most MA residents are probably familiar with our state flag. They no doubt recognize the white field, blue crest and gold figure. But few stop to consider the meaning of this image-- our state seal, displayed as the official emblem of our Commonwealth on our flag & elsewhere.
Our state seal has changed a number of times over the past 400 years. The current state seal was designed by Edmund Garrett and adopted in 1898.
I'm speaking now on the @MA_Senate floor in support of Amendment #141, which increases funding for the successful Complete Streets program. #mapoli
#CompleteStreets is a @MassDOT Program that provides technical assistance and funding to eligible municipalities in order to enable safe mobility access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. #mapoli
#CompleteStreets make it easier and safer to cross the street, walk to shops, catch the bus, or bicycle to work. #mapoli
At 10:00, the Joint Committee on Education will kick off the first session of an oversight hearing on early education and child care. I'm looking forward to chairing this important conversation with my House co-chair @RepAlicePeisch. Tune in here: malegislature.gov/Events/Hearing…
Even before the #COVID19 pandemic, the #EarlyEducation & #ChildCare system in Mass. was facing significant challenges. Since mid-March, when @MassGovernor issued a state of emergency order and most childcare programs had to close their doors, the sector has been in crisis.
We understand this has been - and continues to be - a very difficult time for providers, staff, and families with young children. We also recognize how critical high quality, affordable childcare is for children, families, employers and our economy.