An Update From Congressman Jake Auchincloss for past 2 weeks (as of May 1, 2024)

Aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Voting in defense of our allies in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan  Helping Ukraine win CCP's state-sponsored fentanyl poisoning of the United States Advocating for more federal aid to address the migrant crisis           — Bringing drug-pricing policy center stage with the New England Council, Pioneer Institute, and Mass Biotech Council Upholding U.S.-Japanese ties with Consul General Suzuki Speaking to next-generation leaders at MIT Honoring MA-04's own heroic letter carrier Celebrating local talent for the Congressional Art Competition On the Hill Voting in defense of our allies in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan: During a special Saturday session, I voted to defend our fellow democracies against the axis of China, Russia, and Iran. These autocracies are working together to upend the Pax Americana that has supported freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The United States must respond by working together with our allies to fight back. The three bills, which will send $95.3 billion to aid our democratic allies, include $60.8 billion to Ukraine, $26.4 billion to Israel, and $8.1 billion to Taiwan, as well as $9.2 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and elsewhere.  Despite the big price tag, this national security bill is a bargain. For a tenth of what Congress spends annually on the military, we are investing in a free world that is more strong, self-reliant, and safe. The passage of these aid bills is even more critical following Iran's attack on Israel. As I told the Boston Globe:  "If the response to this attack is focused purely on Iran, it would miss the geopolitical reality that Iran, China, and Russia are inextricably linked in an axis opposed to the United States," Auchincloss said. "And they are working together to undermine freedom, democracy, and the rule of law." Helping Ukraine win: I joined MSNBC's "Way Too Early" before the vote to reiterate my support for our allies, and I spoke with Julie Mason afterward to remind listeners that victory in Ukraine is possible. The Ukrainians have the willpower to win, but they need Congress and the President to deliver the firepower. Victory looks like: a secure eastern border, freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, and accession to the European Union in the near term.  The House also passed a bill to increase sanctions against Russia and Iran and to allow the Biden administration to re-possess ~$5 billion in Russian assets, already frozen in the United States, to send to Ukraine. NATO should invest these assets into Ukraine's defense industrial base.  Should Speaker Johnson's job be threatened because he allowed aid to Ukraine to pass, I will vote to table the motion. My colleagues and I are in Washington to govern, and letting extremists sow chaos in the House benefits only the purveyors of clickbait. CCP's state-sponsored fentanyl poisoning of the United States: I expressed my concern about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s encouragement of fentanyl trafficking during a recent Select Committee on China hearing. The Committee released a report on April 16, which you can read here, that details how the CCP is not just facilitating, but subsidizing and abetting the manufacture and export of 97% of all fentanyl precursors. Chinese nationals are also assisting the drug cartels in laundering money from fentanyl trafficking. As I said in the hearing, an authoritarian government that can lock down its population overnight is capable of stopping fentanyl precursor manufacturers from breaking domestic and international laws. Instead, the CCP subsidizes them. The fentanyl crisis we're experiencing in the United States is tantamount to the state-sponsored poisoning of Americans by a foreign adversary. I am working in a bipartisan manner on a legislative response. Advocating for more aid to address the migrant crisis: I joined my colleagues in sending another letter to FEMA Administrator Criswell requesting the swift allocation of Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding to address the migrant crisis. Additionally, the letter requested that FEMA broaden the eligibility criteria for SSP funding, which would allow new non-profit agencies, religious organizations, and groups that have not previously applied or received grants to apply for funding.  Nearly $7 million in SSP funds are on their way to Massachusetts, but this is still not enough to address the full financial scope of shelter and services for migrants. In the second half of 2023, Massachusetts saw a significant increase in families arriving, placing an even greater strain on the shelter system. The last round of SSP funding, allocated in September 2023, did not take into account this increase and failed to provide adequate resources at the time. Today, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development is housing over 3,800 families in hotels in addition to the more than 3,600 families currently in traditional shelters.  I will continue to advocate for the rapid disbursement of remaining FY24 federal funds and work to secure additional funding for Fiscal Year 2025. More fundamentally, America desperately needs immigration reform. I am a cosponsor of the DIGNITY Act, which is bipartisan and comprehensive legislation to upgrade border security and rationalize the naturalization process. I also continue to support the bipartisan border security bill agreed in the Senate but torpedoed by former president Trump for political purposes. Make your voice heard → I want to hear from you. Do you support increased federal Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding for Massachusetts? Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact This newsletter was shortened for publication here. You need to subscribe to get your own copy to get the full contents. Or send me an email and I'll send you the full copy of this. Steve PS - You can also check online ->   https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/enewsletters  this edition is not yet posted there but it may be evntually

Franklin High School: e-newsletter for week of 11/20-11/23

Franklin High School (@FranklinHS) posted on Mon, Nov 20, 2023:

FHS Newsletter https://t.co/KJDO7tm3qH   or -> https://www.canva.com/design/DAFzaJV3qpw/mP---b7tIvb9rAR7_l07Yg/view

@FranklinPSNews

Shared from -> https://t.co/HtCh5OQcRj

Franklin High School: e-newsletter for week of 11/20-11/23

Town of Franklin September E-Newsletter

11.5 Million Saved, Flu Clinics, Touch A Truck, Restaurant Expo and more!

Subscribe for News September 2023 Edition Biennial Town Election The Biennial Town Election is set for November 7, 2023 at Franklin High School from 6am - 8pm. You can access the official candidacy list for the upcoming election here. The last day to withdraw candidacy is September 22, no later than 1pm. Questions? Contact the Town Clerk's Office at 508-520-4900 or email ndanello@franklinma.gov. October 28 is the last day to register to vote. You may check or update your information via the State's Online Voter Registration tool. For additional Election information, please visit the Town Clerk's webpage. $11.5 Million Saved for Municipal Aggregation Users. Consumers enrolled in Franklin's Municipal Aggregation program have saved $11.5 Million and counting since November 2020. We're excited to announce a renewal of the program with a fixed rate of 15 cents per kWh through November 2025. Read the full announcement here! Real Estate Tax Exemptions for FY 2024 A note from the Assessors Office: As of July 1, 2023, Property Owners who are Seniors 70 or older, Surviving Spouses, Blind, or Veterans with a Purple Heart or a 10% or greater disability may be eligible for a Real Estate Tax Exemption for Fiscal Year 2024. Exemption applications have been available since July 1, were sent to those owners who were eligible in FY 2023, and are continuing to be accepted and processed by the Board of Assessors. If you think you may be qualified, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by early Autumn; this way if granted, your exemption credit could be applied to your 3rd (January) and 4th (April) Quarter Tax Bills. Applications are available in person and online via the Assessors webpage here. Questions? Call the Assessors Office at (508) 520-4920. Department of Public Works Rain (Barrel) Drops The fall residential rain barrel program is open! Visit the Great American Rain Barrel website to purchase your rain barrel. Deadline for ordering is September 24 and pickup will be at the DPW Admin Building (257 Fisher St.) on October 4 from 4pm - 6pm. Order your rain barrel today! Touch A Truck Save the date! The Department of Public Works will host a Touch A Truck event on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 10am - 2pm at 257 Fisher St. Winners of the Hydrant Painting contest will be announced at the event! There will be plenty of trucks including food trucks! Franklin Public Schools Welcome Back! Our talented FPS staff has worked hard throughout the summer to collaborate and prepare for the upcoming school year. Which led to a great first week welcoming students into our buildings. We're ready for the 2023-2024 school year! Free and Reduced Meal Application The Commonwealth of Massachusetts voted to make universal free school meals for all students permanent. This means that breakfast and lunch will continue to be served at no cost to all students through the 2023-2024 school year! Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is important for families to still complete the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2023-2024 school year if you believe you might qualify. Senior Center Programs Cardio Fusion – Get your endurance up with our new exercise class with Judi! Every Wednesday at 4pm, $3/class. Live Drum Circle – Jam with percussionist Kimberlee O'Brian on Sept. 8 at 1pm Mobile Food Pantry – Receive a bag of stable items, choice of protein, and dairy items on Sept. 13 at 11am. This monthly mobile food pantry is offered in partnership with the Franklin Food Pantry, Hockomock YMCA and Franklin Senior Center. Pizza and Movie Night – Watch the new Indiana Jones Movie: "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" on Sept. 14 at 4:30pm. Call to Register $3/person Blues Party – Feeling BLUE that summer is over? Join our Blues party on Sept. 15 at 11am and enjoy live entertainment and a delicious ham dinner. Call to Register $6/person Eat Around the World – OUI are so excited for our taste buds to travel to France with Chef Anne's French cuisine! Join us Oct. 22. Call to Register $6/person Senior Scribblers Book Signing – Our writer's group, the Senior Scribblers, have published a book! Join us to celebrate and get your book signed on Sept. 26 at 10am. There are a lot more programs, so make sure to check out the Senior Connection Newsletter or stop by the Senior Center for more information! Questions? Visit the Senior Center website or call 508-520-4945 to learn more. Upcoming Events Flu Shot Clinics Are you looking to get your Flu Shot? The Franklin Health department will offer FREE Flu Shot clinics. There will be a clinic for adults only and another for kids only. Both will be at the Franklin Senior Center. Adult Flu Shot Clinic | Click to Register September 28, 2023 from 12pm - 3pm Kids Flu Shot Clinic | Click to Register October 11, 2023 from 3pm - 6pm Restaurant Expo The Franklin Health Department will host a Restaurant Expo at the Franklin Public Library on September 27, 2023 from 2pm - 5pm. The Franklin Restaurant Expo allows for food service/restaurant and hospitality industry professionals to connect with a variety of vendors in the region. Interested in reserving a booth or learning more? Visit our event page here. Senior Expo The Senior Expo is back! Join us October 6, 2023 from 10am - 1pm at the Senior Center for live entertainment, raffle prizes, a flu shot clinic, hearing tests and more. This event is geared towards providing resources to our Seniors in a fun way! Learn more about the Senior Expo here. Harvest Festival Get ready for fall during the Franklin Downtown Partnership's 20th annual Harvest Festival on September 30 from 12pm - 5pm on Main Street! Rain date is October 1. There will be music, food, kids' activities, balloons, and plenty of specialty products, art, crafts and more from over 160 vendors. Interested in volunteering for the festival? Email Bryan Taberner at btaberner@franklinma.gov Franklin Public Library Event Highlights! Sept. 14 – Author Talk with Talk: Emily Franklin "The Lioness of Boston" Join us at 6:30pm for readings and conversation with Lioness of Boston Author Emily Franklin! As a special treat signed book plates will be available at the event for your copy of the book! RSVP here. Sept. 16 – Robo-Racer Workshop Have a middle schooler with a passion building and tinkering? Register them today for a 90 min build challenge and engineering experience. Program starts at 10am. Participants will be grouped in teams of 3-4, Hub, motors and LEGO Technic parts will be provided. The Franklin High School robotics team will conduct the workshop. RSVP Here. Sept. 22 – Farmer's Market Fun! Join the Franklin Public Library from 2pm-4pm for a special monthly visit at the Franklin Farmer's Market! Sept. 24 – Wildlife Photography Workshop Registration Required! Zoo admission is NOT included with this program. Discounted admission is available at the Circulation Desk! Join Nature Photographer Steve McGrath on a Wildlife Photography Workshop where you will learn how to use your preferred digital camera like a pro and improve your wildlife photographic technique. This First Class will have a short presentation to discuss tips and techniques for getting great zoo photographs that look like they were taken in the wild! Then off to the Zoo to Photograph for the day, make sure you bring the longest lens you have. There will be a second class at the Library in October, where we will view our Images and Critique them for a show and tell! With an opportunity to show your best work! RSVP here. Sept. 30 – Bluey Bash Celebrate everyone's favorite canine family with an awesome morning of games, crafts, snacks, dancing and more at 10:30am. Library Hours The Library's summer hours are Monday - Thursday, 9am - 8pm. Friday & Saturday, 9am - 5pm. Sunday hours of 1:30pm - 5pm will resume after Labor Day. Library Calendar of Events - September 2023 Veterans' Services Dates to Know Sept. 15 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day - A day to remember and honor those Americans who were prisoners of war and those who served and never returned home Sept. 18 – U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard's 76th Birthday Sept. 21 – Veterans' Council Meeting - 7pm at the Senior Center. All Franklin residents interested in Veterans' events and activities are welcome. Sept. 24 – Gold Star Mothers and Families Day Veterans Memorial Walkway The next engraved brick installation will be in November to coincide with Veterans' Day the deadline for submitting a brick order form is September 15. Veterans need not be from Franklin to be honored with a brick. All members of the U.S. military are eligible. Brick order forms are available in the Town Hall and Senior Center lobbies.  Tune It Out! The Tune It Out guitar lessons program for Veterans will will resume on September 12. Call the Veterans' Services Office for details. Contact Veterans' Services at 508-613-1315 or access their webpage to learn more. Downtown Parking Changes Town Administration and Town Council have since refined the parking bylaw as of July 19, 2023. There is now Depot St. and the Ferrara's municipal parking lot. Visit the Town of Franklin's Online Parking Portal for more information.