FRAMINGHAM – The Massachusetts Senate today voted in favor of Senate Bill 2014, An Act relative to motor vehicle license suspension, Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) announced.
This bill repeals the current law that subjects individuals convicted of a non-violent drug offense to an automatic license suspension for up to five years and a license reinstatement fee of $500, even if the offense does not involve motor vehicles in any way. Thirty-four states, including every other New England state, have already taken action to repeal similar laws.
The bill would have no effect on license suspension penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and only removes the outdated state requirement that penalizes every drug offense with (more…)
Karen Spilka, named Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Senate President Stan Rosenberg today announced his leadership team and Committee chairmanship assignments. Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) has been named the new Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, which oversees the budget and finances of the Commonwealth.
“I would first like to thank Senate President Stan Rosenberg for this honor,” said Senator Spilka. “I am grateful and humbled that he would place his confidence, faith and trust in me. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I will work hard every day to help President Rosenberg achieve his ambitious, bold agenda to empower all members, increase transparency and reduce public skepticism about government. I will work hard every day with my colleagues to assist our communities and help raise up all of the residents of Massachusetts. Now, we have a lot of work to do.”
Logo of the newly established Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, (Oct. 2, 2014)FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is pleased to announce the appointments of nine commissioners to the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women. The Commissioners are as follows: Cathy Ashton of Wayland, Leonor Filipe of Framingham, Patricia Hohl of Framingham, Kelly Love of Norwood, Jennifer Maseda of Natick, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert of Norfolk, Nancy Rosenblum of Ashland, Denise Schultz of Franklin, and Heather Wightman of Hopkinton.
The Commissioners will be sworn-in at the Inauguration of the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women at the D. Justin McCarthy Center at Framingham State University in Framingham, MA on (more…)
FRAMINGHAM, MA – On Friday, December 5, 2014, Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5) met with Framingham Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stacy Scott and his leadership team to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Framingham schools, students and families. The group discussed (more…)
Logo of the newly established Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, (Oct. 2, 2014)FRAMINGHAM, MA – Governor Deval Patrick recently signed legislation establishing the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women. The legislation was filed by Senator Karen Spilka at the request of women in the MetroWest area and organized by the United Way of Tri-County.
The MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women will consist of nine commissioners appointed by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women who will represent the strength and diversity of the region in regard to geography, age, professional background and personal experience. The commissioners will share a common commitment to the improvement of the status of women in the MetroWest area.
Victoria A. Budson, chair of the MCSW, stated: “The newly formed commission will provide insight to identify the challenges and opportunities for women of the Metrowest region with the goal of improving the lives of women, their families, and communities. I am confident the commissioners appointed to serve on the Metrowest Commission on the Status of Women, each with her own skills and base of knowledge, will be able to move us toward this goal.”
Per its enabling legislation, the Commission will be charged with conducting an ongoing study of matters concerning women within the MetroWest area. The Commission is mandated to report its findings to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women annually and to recommend solutions to the challenges facing the women and girls of the MetroWest area.
“This commission will amplify the voices of women and girls in the MetroWest region and identify specific ways to advance women’s rights here and across the state,” Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) said. “We are promoting equality and opportunity for all women in our communities and helping to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the Commonwealth.”
There are currently five women’s regional commissions across Massachusetts, which include, Berkshire County, Bristol County, Cape Cod and the Islands, Essex County, and Worcester County. Additionally, there are nine independently-functioning municipal commissions across the Commonwealth with which the MCSW and regional commissions maintain a working relationship.
The creation of the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women augments these well-established commissions and broadens the reach and scope of organizations committed to improving women’s access to opportunities, rights, and equality in all areas of life. “Building a better community for women in MetroWest begins with understanding the issues facing women in our region,” said Jen Maseda, Senior Vice President of United Way of Tri-County. “Greater women’s representation and involvement in advisory commissions like the newly established MetroWest Commission, corresponds with a more equitable distribution of community resources, advancing programs related to health, financial stability, nutrition, and education.”
For additional information or to request information regarding the application process, please contact The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women at 617-626-6520 or online at mcsw@state.ma.us.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Join Senator Karen Spilka and Puja Mehta, Senator Spilka’s District and Constituent Services Director, for district office hours on Friday, April 18th in Framingham and Natick and on Friday, April 25th in Franklin and Medway.
Senator Spilka and/or staff members will be available to update constituents on the latest news and events from the State House and in the district. Constituents will also have the opportunity to discuss their concerns, questions and policy priorities.
Senator Karen Spilka accepts the Champion for Change award from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change initiative, in recognition of her leadership on a broad range of juvenile justice reforms in Massachusetts. From left to right: Cecely Reardon, Attorney in Charge, Youth Advocacy Division; State Senator Will Brownsberger; Hon. Paula Carey, Chief Justice of the Trial Court; Joel Loitherstein; State Senator Karen Spilka; Ed Kelley, President and CEO, Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps; Tom Grisso, Director of Psychiatry and Director of the Law-Psychiatry Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School; Anthony Benedetti, Chief Counsel, Committee for Public Counsel Services; Naoka Carey, Executive Director, Citizens for Juvenile Justice.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – State Senator Karen Spilka has been named a Champion for Change in juvenile justice reform by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change initiative. She was recognized at the 8th annual Models for Change national conference on Monday, December 16th, 2013 in Washington, D.C. for her leadership on a broad range of juvenile justice reforms in Massachusetts.
The Models for Change Executive Committee selected Senator Spilka from 16 nominees from across the country in the Champion for Change in State Leadership category. Senator Spilka was nominated for the award by a group of Massachusetts advocates, researchers and organizations representing a wide array of stakeholders in the juvenile justice system. In nominating Senator Spilka, they praised (more…)
Karen Spilka kicks-off her campaign for U.S. Congress, July 1st, 2013.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – On Monday, July 1st, 2013, Karen Spilka launched her congressional campaign in front of over 200 supporters who braved the weather and the heat to show their support for her run for U.S. Congress.
Karen was introduced by Bobby Bower of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, who referred to Karen as a champion of the middle class and someone who knows how to get things done. Her remarks focused on her ability to deliver results and her desire to get to Washington to (more…)
Senator Karen Spilka and Dr. Timothy Flanagan at Framingham State University, (5/19/2013).FRAMINGHAM, MA – On Sunday morning, May 19th Senator Karen Spilka was presented with the Citizen Laureate Award at the Framingham State University graduate commencement ceremony. The award, given annually to an individual who has consistently supported the University, was awarded to Spilka in recognition of her advocacy on behalf of the MetroWest region. President Flanagan praised Spilka for her leadership in advancing public transportation and strengthening public higher education in the Commonwealth.
Accepting the award, she remarked on the importance of the University in her career. “In my many years as a MetroWest resident and legislator, I have had a long and extremely rewarding relationship with Framingham State University – we are truly partners in advancing higher education,” Spilka said. “FSU is a prime example of what makes my work as a public servant worthwhile: the opportunity to invest resources, creativity and new ideas into an institution that prepares the next (more…)
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Massachusetts State Rep. Tom Sannicandro (D-Ashland) filed a bill Friday that would prohibit the use of public funds to purchase bottled water, a bill that would reduce waste, energy use, and costs.
“There is no reason we should spend taxpayers’ money on a product that is unnecessary, expensive and harmful to the environment when there are clean and cheap alternatives”, Representative Sannicandro said. “It is important that we lead by example and do our part to reduce bottle waste and save the Commonwealth money.”
In December, the MetroWest Daily News ran a story about how the state had expended $300,000 in half the fiscal year on bottled water to staff events and meetings, often at buildings that have clean drinking water available.
“Not only is state spending on bottled water wasteful at a time when our state can ill afford unnecessary expenses, it broadcasts the absolute wrong message about the value, quality and importance of our public water systems,” said Kristin Urquiza, a spokesperson for Corporate Accountability International.
Click logo (above) to download a copy of Corporate Accountability International’s “Getting States Off the Bottle: Second Edition” (in Adobe .PDF format)
While tap water could cost pennies for a gallon, bottled water could be between 250 and 10,000 times more expensive.[2] And compared to a liter of tap water, a liter of bottled water requires as much as 2,000 times as much energy, according to one study. That study also found that bottled water consumption in America alone sucked up between 32 and 54 million barrels of oil last year.
This bill would recommit state agencies to use our public water supplies. Rep. Sannicandro believes it makes no economical or environmental sense for Mass Water Resource Authorities to host meetings with bottled water on the table when reservoirs connected to state of the art water purification systems sit directly behind those buildings.
This bill does not affect Massachusetts residents’ ability to purchase bottled water.
For more info about MA State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, or to contact Tom, visit his website at: www.tomworksforus.com
For more information about Corporate Accountability International’s “Think Outside the Bottle” campaign, visit: www.stopcorporateabuse.org
![[logo] Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women](https://framingham.biz/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ma-comm-status-of-women.jpg)
![[photo] Senator Spilka and Dr. Timothy Flanagan at Framingham State University (5/19/2013)](https://framingham.biz/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/20130519-fsu-comencement-karen-splika.jpg "Senator Karen Spilka and Dr. Timothy Flanagan at Framingham State University, (5/19/2013).")
