Rausch Report: Bills, Black History, and another Blizzard

Your monthly Beacon Hill update from Senator Becca Rausch. 

View this email in your browser Dear Neighbor, Another month, another major blizzard! MassDOT snowplows with names like Flake Maye, Clearopathra, and Sleet Caroline have been out in force making roads safe to travel, as have hundreds of hardworking municipal employees and plow operators in our communities. I hope you and your families, friends, neighbors, and loved ones are safe and warm as we dig out together. It may be chilly outside, but in the Massachusetts Senate, things are heating up! We passed a slate of consumer protection measures and authorized more than $3 billion to boost public higher education. As Senate Chair of the Municipalities Committee, working in collaboration with my House colleague, we reported favorably a major bill filed by Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll to empower towns and cities. And early as it may seem, preparations for the May budget debates are already under way.    Longtime Rausch Report readers know I'm a huge supporter of civics education, and this month I joined Rhode Island electeds and education experts for a panel discussion about the success of Massachusetts Civics Project Trust Fund, funding for which I have championed for several years. Also, as we do every year, I hosted Brandeis University legislative advocacy students in the State House, where they delved into the details of bills ranging from immigration policy to reproductive health with the lawmakers and staff who filed them. Read on in this month's Rausch Report to learn more about legislation passed by the Senate, our district's Black Excellence on the Hill honoree, plans for Women's History Month, upcoming events in the district, and more. For real-time updates, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. 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    NEARING THE GOVERNOR'S DESK  Building Resilient Infrastructure to Generate Higher-Ed Transformation (BRIGHT) Act. I voted YES alongside my colleagues to pass the BRIGHT Act, a $3.28 billion bond bill to invest in our public higher education institutions and address the significant backlog of deferred maintenance on campuses. To help our students achieve success, they must have access to modern infrastructure and facilities, including modernized laboratories. These funding authorizations will also support workforce development and vocational technical training. The House passed a different version of the bill, so the differences between the two iterations must now be reconciled before the legislation goes to Governor Healey for her consideration. PASSED BY THE SENATE I voted YES along with my colleagues to pass the following bills, which are now before the House for their consideration:    Strengthening Fair Housing Protections. This bill will promote fairness in housing access by mandating anti-discrimination training for all real estate agents and strengthening state enforcement of fair housing law. Under the bill, applicants for a real estate license would attend at least four hours of classroom instruction on the Fair Housing Law. A real estate broker who violates that law twice in two years would have their license suspended for 180 days instead of 90, and information on complaints and license revocations would be published.   Car Purchase Consumer Protection. This bill strengthens the state's Lemon Law, allowing motor vehicle buyers to void a sale if the vehicle fails inspection within seven days of delivery of the car, rather than the date of purchase. The bill also increases the maximum mileage for used vehicle warranties and protects consumers from fraud by doubling the surety bond required of used car dealers. Small Business Unit Pricing Threshold. Grocery and big box stores are required to display products' unit pricing – often the "price per ounce" found in orange next to the total price. Small businesses such as bodegas are not required to have these labels if they generate less than $5 million in in-store sales each year. Recognizing the growing popularity of high-value lottery tickets and gift cards, which generate very little actual income for our small businesses, this bill excludes the sales of lottery tickets and gift cards from counting toward the annual sales volume of these small neighborhood stores.  Growing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Workforce. This legislation modernizes the pathway to becoming a CPA by removing outdated and costly requirements and updating the standards for certification to feature a balanced mix of a college degree and on-the-job work experience. Note: This newsletter was shortened for publication here - view the full set of contents -> https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-18251903 Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 215                          24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133

Senator Rausch looking for nominations for a woman making a difference

via Senator Rausch

Please nominate her today! -

 https://forms.office.com/g/5nX8iH2B6N 

March is Women’s History Month! 

Every year, I uplift and recognize the incredible contributions women make to our communities by celebrating female leaders throughout our district. Do you know a woman making a difference through her work, activism, or volunteering? 

Please nominate her today! - https://forms.office.com/g/5nX8iH2B6N 

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/18DdFRSWaR/

Rausch Report: New Year, Renewed Energy

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you and your families, friends, neighbors, and loved ones are safe and warm amid all the snow and these frigid temperatures.  

Read more in this month’s Rausch Report

This month been an emotional time for many of us. ICE agents in Minnesota, Maine, and throughout the country have detained small children, ripped parents out of their children’s arms, dragged people from their homes, and killed Renée Good, Alex Pretti, and others this month, after they made 2025 ICE’s deadliest year in decades. ICE’s recklessness defies both democracy and safety; their actions are a gut punch to American values and human decency.  

I have spoken out about this several times, including on the Senate floor. This moment requires more. 

Yesterday, I filed a comprehensive suite of anti-ICE legislation:  

• An Act to get ICE out of families 
• An Act to de-ICE Massachusetts law enforcement 
• An Act supporting the pursuit of justice against ICE 
• An Act to melt ICE defenses 
• An Act to uncover ICE 

These bills bolster the continuing work across multiple state government branches to address this horrible and heartbreaking reality, to the greatest extent we can. Yesterday, Governor Maura Healey issued an Executive Order to prohibit the state from entering into any new 287(g) agreements with ICE and exclude ICE from using state property as staging areas. She also introduced robust legislation to prohibit ICE activity in schools, childcare centers, hospitals, and places of worship. Additionally, several of my legislative colleagues recently filed anti-ICE legislation, all of which I have cosponsored, including an anti-mask bill that incorporates language I first filed back in October.

Meanwhile, the natural gas companies tried to charge you interest on the heating payment deferrals designed to provide some cost relief during these frigid months. My colleagues and I said “no way” to that; I co-led a bipartisan letter from more than half the Senate membership to the Department of Public Utilities, urging the administration to reject that outrageous proposal. Hours later, and after pushback not only from the Senate but also the House and the Governor herself, the utility companies backed away from their attempted money-grab. I also cosponsored a resolution in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and had the privilege of welcoming championship-winning student athletes and award-winning educators to the State House. Plus, the Senate passed several bills to support students, seniors, and our communities.

Read on in this month’s Rausch Report for more details about my newly filed legislation, a welcome to our new spring interns, information about upcoming events in the district, and more.

For real-time updates, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. 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 

Continue reading Senator Rausch's January recap ->

https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-18251387

Senator Rausch Introduces Anti-ICE Legislative Package

Last week, State Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) introduced a legislative package of five bills designed to protect Massachusetts residents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents’ increasingly dangerous actions. After 2025 was their deadliest year in decades, only a month into this year, ICE and Customs and Border Police (CBP) have detained small children, ripped parents out of their children’s arms, dragged people from their homes into the cold, and killed Renée Good and Alex Pretti. 

State Senator Becca Rausch

“ICE’s recklessness defies both democracy and safety. Their actions are a gut punch to American values and human decency,” said Senator Becca Rausch. “We can and should pursue all of our options here in Massachusetts to protect our communities and ensure accountability. These bills aim to rein in ICE from operating with dangerous impunity and defend our civil and constitutional rights.”  

Three of Senator Rausch’s anti-ICE bills focus on immediately improving community safety.  

• An Act to get ICE out of families ensures that no parent of a minor child can be detained or held without an approved care plan for that child.  
• An Act to de-ICE Massachusetts law enforcement prohibits current ICE agents from serving in state and local police forces.  
• An Act to uncover ICE halts the state issuance of undercover license plates to ICE agents. 

The remaining two bills make it crystal clear that ICE is not above the law.  

• An Act to melt ICE defenses ensures that federal agency memos, including from ICE, cannot be used as a defense against civil or criminal liability under Massachusetts state law. 
• An Act supporting the pursuit of justice against ICE empowers anyone in the Commonwealth to sue ICE agents for violations of their constitutional rights. 

This anti-ICE suite of legislation would protect vulnerable children from being forced into abandonment by ICE, advance accountability, and help shield our communities in a moment of growing chaos and dangerousness in ICE operations. Last year, 32 people died in U.S. immigration custody. In January of this year alone, eight people were killed by ICE or CPB agents or died in their custody.  

This legislative package bolsters the continuing work across multiple state government branches to address ICE’s dangerous actions. Last week, Governor Maura Healey issued an Executive Order to prohibit the state from entering into any new 287(g) agreements with ICE and exclude ICE from using state property as staging areas. She also introduced robust legislation to prohibit ICE activity in schools, childcare centers, hospitals, and places of worship. Senator Rausch has also cosponsored several bills filed by her colleagues to place limits on ICE, including a bill filed by Senator Lydia Edwards to limit ICE actions at courthouses and an anti-mask bill filed by Senator Pat Jehlen that incorporates language Senator Rausch first filed as an amendment in October 2025. 

Now serving her fourth term in the Massachusetts Senate, Senator Becca Rausch represents the Norfolk, Worcester, and Middlesex District (Bellingham, Dover, Franklin, Medfield, Milford, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Plainville, Sherborn, and Wrentham). She is the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, and the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on the Census. 

Senator Rausch video interview on "That Milford Show" (video)

"Here in Massachusetts, we operate differently. We actually talk to each other, we trust science and understand evidence, and we don't dwell in rhetoric - we focus on action and meaningful results that are going to generate positive outcomes for people in their daily lives."

I joined Al Correia on "That Milford Show" for a wide-ranging conversation about the state budget, my Community Immunity Act to uplift public health in the Commonwealth, and much more.

Watch the full show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEKWPnpUayM

Franklin gets MassTrails Grant for the SNETT

via Senator Becca Rausch:

"Trails connect our Commonwealth in beautiful and unexpected ways, bringing people closer to neighborhoods, parks and downtowns. Congratulations to Town of Bellingham MA, Town of Franklin MA, and Town of Wrentham, Massachusetts for receiving MassTrails Grants to help develop and improve the Charles Headwater Greenway, the SNETT Rail Trail, and many more outdoor spaces. "

From MassTrails Award listing (spreadsheet)

"This project will provide benches periodically along the 2.8 mile section of the SNETT and offer a convenient place to rest and enjoy the outdoors.  These benches will be similar to the DCR benches already in place on the SNETT Trail located from Center St out to the Rt 126 tunnel.  $16,263"

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DmmzSpKit/

Gov Healey press release ->   https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-awards-75-million-in-grants-for-trail-improvements-across-the-state

Legislative update - early voting cost coverage advances

Via Senator Becca Rausch:

Legislative update - early voting cost coverage advances

"My bill to proactively pay for early voting costs, rather than making towns and cities pay from their own budgets and then get reimbursed, has been reported favorably by the Committee on Election Laws.

There’s no need to continually burden local budgets when we could issue funds in advance."

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ABvthHGRd/

For other legislation Senator Rausch has filed, check the list

https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/RLR0

Rausch Report: Passing the Gravy and Passing Bills

Dear Neighbor,

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving! As we approach the holiday, I’ve seen so much in our district for which to be thankful, including two brand new community hubs: the Caryl Community Center in Dover and the Franklin Children’s Museum. I also had the privilege of speaking at Veterans Day observances in Needham and participating in a coat drive for veterans in Plainville. 

Rausch Report: Passing the Gravy and Passing Bills

At the State House, we’ve been plenty busy with formal sessions and committee hearings every week. Under our current rules, all timely filed bills must have some initial action from the committee of jurisdiction by December 3, so there’s lots of activity as November draws to a close. Many of my bills have already been reported favorably out of committee, including public health protections, mental health support for K-12 schools, multiple women’s health bills, census implementation improvements, and several upgrades to our elections protocols. 

Read on in this month’s Rausch Report for more details about my legislation, committee hearings where I testified, information about upcoming events in the district, and more.

For real-time updates, please follow me on Bluesky, 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

Continue reading the Rausch Report ->

https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-18250303?

Resilient Rhythms: A Teen’s Story of Strength Through Dance

“Dance can transform every emotion into strength, healing, and connection by bringing communities together in ways words cannot.” — Tanavi Balaji

Franklin High School junior Tanavi Balaji recently marked a remarkable milestone with her Arangetram, the traditional solo debut in Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest and most revered classical dance forms. Known for its intricate movements, expressive storytelling, and rhythmic precision, Bharatanatyam demands years of dedication and discipline.

The Arangetram, which means “ascending the stage,” represents a dancer’s formal graduation after years of rigorous training. Tanavi began her journey at age five and delivered a performance that was both powerful and graceful, leaving the audience mesmerized by her artistry and emotional depth.

(L-R)  Tanavi Balaji, Jeffrey N. Roy

Her extraordinary dedication drew recognition from Massachusetts State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy, who presented her with an accolade, and Massachusetts State Senator Rebecca L. Rausch, who honored her for her artistic achievements and contributions to cultural enrichment. Both leaders praised her for using art to inspire others and foster the well-being of the community. The celebration was further graced by Professor Kaye Kelly, Senior Faculty at Berklee College of Music, who spoke of dance as a transformative force that softens hearts and unites people through its universal language.

Beyond her technical skill and stage presence, Tanavi dedicated her Arangetram to promoting emotional & mental resilience, highlighting dance as a universal language of healing and expression. “Dance allows us to feel, express, and come together,” she said. “It transforms every emotion, whether joy, sadness, hope, or love, into strength that uplifts and inspires communities.”

“In today’s ever-changing world, it is important to pause and celebrate what brings us together through art, culture, and compassion,” Tanavi added. Her Arangetram was both a personal triumph and a testament to resilience, inclusivity, and the power of art to unite communities.

Moments like these remind us that creativity and culture can inspire, heal, and leave a lasting impact on all who experience them.

Governor’s Supplemental Budget – Education Earmark Awards for Franklin Public Schools

via Superintendent Lucas Giguere

"I am excited to share that Franklin has been awarded two education earmarks under the Fair Share Supplemental Budget. Governor Healey’s Supplemental Budget, signed on June 24, 2025, invests in education and transportation across the Commonwealth, with funding directed toward projects that support students at every level.

The first earmark, $75,000, will support the replacement of a specialized transportation van. This funding enables us to continue updating our aging fleet, ensuring that students who require these services have access to safe and reliable transportation. Special thanks go to State Representative Jeff Roy for his advocacy in securing this important support.

specialized transportation van

The second earmark, $100,000, will support the first phase of improvements within our school courtyards, transforming them into outdoor learning environments and engaging spaces for students. These redesigned areas will enhance the interior spaces within the school footprint, creating safe, flexible, and inspiring environments for hands-on learning and social interaction. Special thanks to State Senator Rebecca Rausch for her advocacy in securing these important funds.

Details on the earmarks statewide can be found on the state’s website:

👉 Fair Share Supplemental Budget – Education Earmarks

We are deeply grateful for this recognition and support. Thank you to our legislators and community partners for their continued advocacy on behalf of Franklin Public Schools.

FY26 MIIA Safety Grant

I would like to thank the Town of Franklin and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and his staff for supporting Franklin Public Schools in submitting our proposal for additional two-way radios for our schools. The proposal was awarded in the amount of $9,945. These two-way radios help to support a safe learning environment for students and staff, and ensure quick and efficient communication throughout each school day and in the event of an emergency.

Shared from the FPS Page -> https://www.franklinps.net/live-feed#10203952

Senator Rausch schedules office hours at Franklin Senior Center - Monday, Oct 20

Senator Rausch schedules office hours at
Franklin Senior Center - Monday, Oct 20

Senator Becca Rausch will be holding office hours at the Senior Center next month and still has two slots available.

To sign up please visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044ea4ad2fa3f85-senator2#/

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoWpOjjXyK/

Town Council retires Fire chief, appoints new one, hears from Legislative delegates, Norfolk Cnty Sheriff & Food Pantry (audio)

FM #1507 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1507 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Meeting held Wednesday, Sep 3, 2025. 8 members were present to begin the session (Pellegri absent), one member during the long session (Chandler)

Discussion items: 

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: Hunger Action Month

b. Police Department

i. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Police Sergeant Michael Campanelli

ii. Promotion Recognition: Police Sergeant Joseph MacLean

c. Retirement Recognition & Proclamation: Fire Chief James McLaughlin

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Fire Chief  - Chuck Allen

b. Community Preservation Committee - Richard Johnson    

c. Cultural Council

i. Ryan Hanley

ii. William Lee

iii. Caryn Parnell

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Food Pantry Update: Tina Powderly, Executive Director

b. Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Update: Patrick McDermott, Norfolk County Sheriff

c. Legislative Update: Senator Rebecca Rausch and Representative Jeff Roy

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-50: Adoption of Local Initiative Program “Friendly 40B” Policy (Tabled from July 23, 2025 Town Council Meeting) 

b. Bylaw Amendment 25-942: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic - Second Reading 

c. Resolution 25-56: Acceptance of Gifts - Veteran’s Services ($750), Senior Center ($100)  

d. Resolution 25-57: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4  

The meeting recording runs about 4 hours and 10 minutes (the recess audio was removed to shorten the elapsed time). Let’s listen in Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1507-franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-09-03-25/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ILK2Y6yTw 

The agenda doc ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032025-1891  

My notes captured in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/12XGRErMbkxyGIwR7fA0nqhhzqnrsJ-mV/view?usp=drive_link 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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