Senator Rausch: Vaccine Pre-Registration Update and Legislative Roundup

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MA is finally launching its vaccine pre-registration system tomorrow, and I have updates about bill filing, committee appointments, and more!

View this email in your browser Senator Rausch State House Briefing   Part 2, Chapter 4 (March 11, 2021)  Dear friends,  The sunshine is back! I hope you and your families are taking advantage of the improving weather as the days get longer and the temperature inches its way up again. Don't forget that the clocks change this weekend.  My team and I hit the ground running this legislative session: drafting and filing over 40 justice- and equity-advancing bills (details below!); gearing up for committee work as the new Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture; and fighting tooth-and-nail for a comprehensive, equitable, and streamlined vaccine distribution system in our Commonwealth.   In the coming months, you can expect to hear more from me about committee hearings and formal sessions on Beacon Hill. I am proud and privileged to represent you and your community in the Massachusetts State Senate for a second term; rest assured I'll keep pushing for progress on our shared values, including strong personal and public health protections.  Also, as you may have already heard, we've got two big COVID updates – starting tomorrow, Friday, March 12, anyone who hasn't yet been vaccinated can pre-register for your shot and skip the current hassle of repeatedly searching online for a vaccination appointment. Second, the CDC this week issued new guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals on mask-wearing, group gatherings, and other COVID-19 safety precautions. As a reminder, educators and school staff are now eligible for vaccines at all vaccination sites. I led an effort with nearly 50 of my legislative colleagues in calling on the administration to ensure educators and school staff are fully vaccinated before a return to full, in-person learning. More details below!  As always, if you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office via phone (617-722-1555) or email (becca.rausch@masenate.gov). We are here to help. You can also find robust resources to help you navigate through COVID-19 on my website.    I wish you and your family continued strength, health, and resilience.  Yours in service,     Senator Becca Rausch     Office Hours    Sign up for a 15-minute appointment here.     Residents from any part of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District are welcome to share their questions and opinions on state issues with me and my team via video chat or phone call. Office hours are available to discuss any matter.     Additional office hours will be held on the following dates:  Friday, March 19, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  Friday, April 9, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  Friday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.