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Sadly, these continue to be difficult days for many of us, with yet another mass shooting, the continually emerging horrors of Hamas's terrorism during the Simchat Torah October 7 massacre, and astronomically rising anti-Israel and anti-Jewish hatred, bigotry, and violence. Just as we see this rise in antisemitism, we also see a rise in Islamophobia. As President Biden has stated, identity-based hatred in all its forms must be rejected unequivocally. I have always held this core value, and I always will. Consistent with this value, I have also been unequivocal in my condemnation of Hamas, whose barbaric acts of evil reflect their utter loathing of the Jewish people.
I have heard from many of you in these last few weeks with both asks for and offers of support. Thank you for your messages. Please know that my team and I continue to extend support to you as we all continue to navigate this immensely challenging and heartbreaking time. Remember that mental health support is just a call or text away via Hey Sam and 988.
This month's Rausch Report includes legislative updates, details on my upcoming virtual Youth Town Hall, a roundup of district events, some spooky family fun happening in the district, and more.
For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.
Yours in service,
Senator Becca Rausch
Resolution Supporting Israel
I co-authored a Massachusetts Senate resolution in support of the people of Israel, the victims of Hamas's terrorist attack, and those who are being held hostage. My Jewish colleagues and I presented the resolution during our October 12 session, reading it into the record together, standing in solidarity and community.
Addressing Pay Inequities
Last week I voted alongside my colleagues to pass legislation aimed at tackling pay inequities in the Commonwealth, which significantly and disproportionately impact women and people of color. The bill, known as the Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act, targets these inequities by empowering employees and prospective candidates with salary information, including when they are seeking jobs and receiving promotions, and by creating new data tools for the state to track employment trends. The House and Senate will now reconcile the differences between their versions of this bill before sending it to the Governor's desk for her signature.
Health Care Access and Equity
Earlier today I voted YES on the Senate floor on two bills aiming to increase health care access and equity in the Commonwealth:
S.2480, An act enabling pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer PrEP: This bill authorizes pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, and administer a short-term supply of HIV prevention drugs, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The bill requires pharmacists to provide counseling to patients regarding the ongoing use of PrEP and connect patients who need a referral with primary care providers for ongoing care and obtaining a prescription for PrEP.
I joined Bay State Birth Coalition and statewide advocates to call for long-overdue midwifery care in Massachusetts by passing legislation I filed alongside Representative Brandy Fluker-Oakley and Representative Kay Khan. Attendees heard from families, midwives, physicians, community leaders, and legislators about how midwives are a solution to the Commonwealth's maternal health crisis.
Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 215 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133
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