Now that we’re in mid-April, we’re just over 100 days into 2024 and just over 100 days until July 31, i.e., the last day of the formal period of the legislative session. So what’s happened in 2024 so far?
74 bills have been signed into law in 2024:
- 44 are about just 1 town.
- 17 are about just 1 city.
- 12 are about just 1 person
That totals 73 out of the 74 being about 1 town, 1 city, or 1 person.
And that 1 other bill? It’s about 2 towns.
We have a lot of work to do. Read on for actions to take and events to sign up for to help build some pressure in the coming days and weeks.
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In solidarity,
Jonathan Cohn
Policy Director
Progressive Mass
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Keep Families Connected Action Alert
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Last year, Massachusetts passed critical legislation to guarantee free communication in prisons and jails, the most comprehensive such legislation passed in the country so far. With No Cost Calls in effect, the number of calls made from MA's prisons rose by more than 60% in January relative to just a few months prior, and the number of electronic messages sent nearly tripled, meaning that people who are incarcerated are better able to stay connected with their loved ones back home.
But the larger work of keeping families connected is not done. We need to make sure that there is robust reporting to ensure full and effective implementation by the Department of Correction and county jails, and we need to build on the win of No Cost Calls by improving access to in-person visitation as well.
Please contact your state representative by next Tuesday (4/23) to urge them to co-sponsor the following amendments to the FY 2025 budget:
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- #975 and #986, amendments to No Cost Calls (These amendments make technical fixes and improvements to reporting requirements with the aim of maximizing effective implementation of free communication in prison and jail)
- #1263, “Strengthening Community Connections” (This amendment mirrors legislation to improve access to in-person visits)
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Other amendments worth highlighting for your state rep:
#788, "Lift Kids out of Deep Poverty" (This amendment would provide 10% grant increases for very low-income families with children, elders, and people with disabilities.)
#1479, "Access to Counsel" (This amendment would clarify that the Access to Counsel pilot would be statewide, that it would be for full legal representation, and that the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, the fiscal administrator, would in consultation with an advisory committee, determine how to implement the program)
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~Upcoming Events & Opportunities~
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Tomorrow (4/18): Raise the Age Lobby Day
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Join fellow activists for a rally this Thursday, April 18th, at noon on the steps of the Massachusetts State House. Citizens for Juvenile Justice, More Than Words, and several other youth justice organizations are rallying in support of a bill to RAISE THE AGE of the juvenile justice system to include 18-20 year olds. You can read more about the bill at https://www.raisetheagema.org/.
If you plan to attend, please fill out this RSVP form
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Sunday, 4/21: Activist Afternoons
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Join fellow activists in making calls to other Progressive Mass members about important issues at the State House at Activist Afternoons, such as
- the Thrive Act
- the Real Estate Transfer Fee
- the Put Gas in the Past campaign
Veteran and first-time phone bankers are both welcome! Just bring a laptop, a headset (if you want), a cell phone, and a good attitude!
WHEN: Sunday, 4/21 (and every first & third Sunday), 4 pm
WHERE: St. James Church, Porter Square, 1991 Mass Ave, Cambridge
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4/30: Join the Common Start Coalition Lobby Day!
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In March, the Senate unanimously passed the EARLY ED Act—and brought us one step closer to the Common Start Coalition's vision of a robust early education and child care infrastructure.
The Coalition will be building on this momentum by hosting a Common Start lobby day on Tuesday, April 30th—this is our opportunity to advocate directly to (and thank!) legislators in the House and Senate for their past support, and urge them to continue taking steps towards the full Common Start Vision by passing comprehensive child care legislation in the House and by funding early education and care in the FY25 state budget.
DATE: Tuesday, April 30th at 12:00 PM
WHERE: State House Cafe, 4th Floor
ADDRESS: 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
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5/16: Progressive Mass Lobby Day
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If we want to see action on the issues we care about—affordable housing, climate change, public education, and so much more, we know that we need to show up.
Join us at the State House for our 2024 Lobby Day on Thursday, May 16, at 10 am.
Whether you're a lobbying pro or a first-time grassroots lobbyist, we'll make sure that you feel prepared to talk to your legislators!
Stay tuned for updates about speakers and materials.
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