I hope everyone is able to get out and visit the Big E at least once this fall while it’s still going on. As the state Senator who represents West Springfield and many of its surrounding communities, my team and I have been spending a lot of time at the fairgrounds showing off all that our region has to offer. Just this past Thursday, I joined Gov. Healey and many other local and state officials to ring in the start of Massachusetts Day.
Monday morning was an especially momentous start to the week as I chaired our third public hearing for the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery alongside my House co-chair, Adrian Madaro. The hearing was focused on opioid legislation and we heard in-person and virtual testimony on bills focused on prescription opioids, patient and prescriber education requirements, non-opioid alternative forms of care, and other related matters.
Wednesday afternoon, I chaired a hearing for the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. The specific focus of this hearing was legislation concerning veterans’ recognitions and designations. Along with my House co-chair, Rep. Gerry Cassidy, I heard testimony from many advocates on numerous bills, including my own, S. 2357, “An Act Relative to Recognition of the ‘Honor and Remember’ Flag in the Commonwealth.” This bill would designate the Honor and Remember flag as a symbol of the commonwealth’s concern and commitment to honoring and remembering the lives of all members of the United States Armed Forces who have lost their lives while serving, or as a result of service, and their families. Thank you to all the veterans who have worked on this legislation.
