Jo has lived and worked in western Massachusetts since the late 1990s, arriving fresh out of New York City’s Hunter College School of Social Work where she focused on homelessness policy, prison reform, and earned an MSW.
Recognize Veterans’ Public Service
S.1672, An Act to extend veterans retirement buyback opportunities
Many veterans continue their public service by going into teaching or other public employment. We should count both times that veterans have served the public when we consider their retirement benefits. My bill (S.1672, An Act to extend veterans retirement buyback opportunities) lengthens the amount of years spent working in public service that veterans can apply to their retirement credit from 4 years to 10 years, and increases the credit for national guard or active reserve service.
Keep Veterans’ Services Local
S.2395, An Act providing for timely reimbursement of cities and towns for veterans’ benefits
Local veterans’ services officers provide critical, often life-saving services to veterans living in our communities. My bill (S.2395, An Act providing for timely reimbursement of cities and towns for veterans’ benefits) directs the state Veterans’ Administration to more quickly reimburse municipalities, so that our municipalities can more easily support veterans and not be financially burdened awaiting reimbursement.