Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On Friday, July 9, I voted in the affirmative on the $48.1 Billion FY22 Budget.
Despite the fiscal rollercoaster of the past 16-months, the Commonwealth is on a strong path towards recovery and is able to make meaningful investments in our future. New revenue projections indicate the Commonwealth is recovering, thus enabling the Commonwealth to invest in in critical programs related to the public education, public health, individuals with disabilities, the environment, women’s rights, economic development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
To read my full letter, click here.
Yours in Service,
Denise
District Updates
- In Needham, the Rotary Club of Needham is hosting the fourth annual Needham Carnival this weekend, Thursday July 22 to Sunday, July 25. Come enjoy the rides and the midway at this good old fashion carnival at Needham High school.
- In Dover, Dover Park and Rec and the Dover Library are hosting the Annual Free Summer Concert Series on the Dover Town Common with games and open family play with Knucklebones games. The next concert will be the band, Group Therapy, on Tuesday, July 27 at 6:45 PM.
- In Medfield, the School Building Committee is holding a remote Community Conversation for the proposed new elementary school at the Wheelock campus on Thursday, July 29 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Questions for the SBC may be submitted to NewElementarySchoolProject@gmail.com. The meeting information will be made available next week in advance of the meeting.
Legislative Updates
- On Wednesday, I testified for my legislation, H.2465, An Act requiring health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence. This legislation addresses violence across our healthcare system by requiring the Department of Public Health to develop standards for annual facility risk assessments and requiring health care employers to develop and implement a program to minimize danger in the workplace.
- On Wednesday, the Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held our first meeting. This Commission will work to advance the cause for all individuals with disabilities in the Commonwealth. I am honored to share with you all that I have been elected by my colleagues on the Commission to serve as the Chair. As the mother of a young adult with developmental disabilities and as a former nurse at the Charles River Center, I am deeply committed to individuals with disabilities, their families and communities, and the many people that comprise the workforce engaging with these individuals. For more information on the Commission, click here.
- On Thursday, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives in voting in the affirmative on H.3977 – An Act regulating sports wagering in the Commonwealth. This legislation will legalize sports wagering in the Commonwealth in person, on mobile apps, and on online platforms. This will raise an estimated $60 million in revenue for the Commonwealth, further assisting us in our economic recovery. This legislation prohibits advertising for people under 21 and invests funding into programs that address gambling addiction.
Statewide Updates
- Mass Humanities is accepting applications from Massachusetts museums, libraries, and other humanities institutions for SHARP (Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan) grants as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic. Applications for these grants close on Wednesday, August 4 and are anticipated to be announced mid-September. To access the guidelines, application, and FAQs, click here.
- Massachusetts residents ages 12 and up and who are fully vaccinated are eligible to enter the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway. Residents ages 18 and older have the opportunity to win one of five $1 million cash prizes and residents between ages 12-17 have the opportunity to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants. For more information on registering, click here.
Resources
If you are in need of information, resources, or support please visit my website for a list of resources regarding unemployment assistance, food assistance, housing, and mental health. Additionally, for town specific information visit the Towns of Needham, Dover, and Medfield‘s websites.
If you are in need of assistance, my office is still accessible by phone and email so please contact my office and we will get back to you.
Email: Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov
Phone: 617-722-2380
