I have served as a State Senator for the Middlesex and Worcester district since January 2009. I devote all my work as State Senator to delivering for those I represent. On Beacon Hill, I serve as the Senate-Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. I also am the Senate-Chair of the Clean Energy, Criminal Justice Reform, Medicare For All, and MBTA Caucuses.
S.148 - An Act Authorizing Municipalities to Expend Certain funds for the Acquisition of Land to be Used for Rail Trails
This bill would expand the Communities Preservation Act to allow municipalities to purchase land intended for rail trails. Enacted through the FY21 Budget
S.527 - An Act improving municipal water infrastructure
This bill applies a $.70 fee per 1,000 gallons of water withdrawn for private and commercial uses in Massachusetts. Fees would be kept in a separate account dedicated to drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater infrastructure; 75% of which will be redistributed to municipalities for water infrastructure projects and 25% would go to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust.
S.258 - An Act Protecting Pollinators by Eliminating Harmful Products
This bill would ban the use of harmful pesticides called neonicotinoids, which peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown to negatively impact pollinator health. IT would also ban the sale of blooming or flowering plant, plant material or seed that has been treated with a neonicotinoid shall be sold within the Commonwealth.
S.529- An Act protecting water systems through the labeling of flushable wipes
This bill would establish standards for classifying wipes and require those that do not meet dispersible standards to be labeled accordingly. A provider would need to submit a form to the Department of Environmental Protections verifying that the flushable wipe meets the performance standards and/or comply with the labeling 76 requirements.