Mass Senate: Responding to the State of Our Union

The Senate didn't need a rambling speech to understand the impact federal policies are having on Massachusetts communities. That's why we've been responding in real time over the past year.

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Responding to the State of Our Union The Senate didn't need a rambling speech to understand the impact federal policies are having on Massachusetts communities. That's why we've been responding in real time over the past year. Senator Cindy F. Friedman Feb 26 ∙ Guest post   READ IN APP   President Trump delivered his State of the Union address Tuesday night. As we've come to expect, his speech spun a web of lies while completely ignoring the reality of what's happening to our country—and to people like you and me, our families and our neighbors. In the Massachusetts Senate, we believe in being honest. We also believe in focusing on substance and solutions, not soundbites. That's why the Senate has spent the past year examining ways to protect our residents, defend our values and lead Massachusetts during the second Trump administration. Because right now our rule of law is at risk and our residents are worried about their jobs and their healthcare, while our president only seems to care about punishing people who don't agree with him and making money for himself and his friends. We clearly need to act—and we have been through the Senate's Response 2025 initiative. What's at Stake It's no secret that Massachusetts largely stands for everything Trump is trying to tear down. Personally, think he's jealous. We invest heavily in public education at every level, celebrate the strength that our diversity brings, and practice "small d" democracy in communities across our Commonwealth. Our economy is built on scientific research, innovation, and hard work, all of which we appreciate and celebrate. So, it should come as no surprise that the Trump Administration's pro-billionaire, anti-democratic, anti-science and, frankly, anti-American policies pose a number of threats to our Commonwealth. What Response 2025 Means for Massachusetts To address these threats, the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy—of which I am Chair—has worked every day for nearly a year to analyze federal actions in real time, collaborate with experts, and elevate carefully-considered policy solutions. This is all part of the Senate's Response 2025 initiative, a name derived from the source of many policies we're responding to: the infamous Project 2025 agenda. Together, we have proposed and passed: The Shield Act 2.0 that protects health care providers and patients while preserving access to reproductive care and the rights of our transgender loved ones. Governor Healey signed it into law on August 7, 2025. One of the nation's strongest data privacy bills that would prevent billionaire tech CEOs from making even more money from selling your personal information to federal government agencies. $5 million for legal representation and advocacy for immigrants—money that is being used to help those facing a heightened risk of ICE intimidation RIGHT NOW. Protections for Massachusetts federal employees who may be subject to eviction or foreclosure because of a federal government shutdown. Share There's more. The Steering and Policy Committee have detailed all of our actions—from protecting the LGBTQ+ community to preventing book bans to keeping construction going on much-needed new housing even as costs rise due to tariffs—in a letter located on our committee website. 2025 May be Over, but Response 2025 is Not The work to respond to Project 2025 is ongoing, because the impact from these policies is ongoing. Our committee continues to meet weekly—and remains committed to staying alert to new federal actions that could affect Massachusetts residents. Obviously, our top concern right now is the actions of ICE in our communities and the need to protect our immigrant neighbors. The Steering and Policy Committee was instrumental in helping to develop Senate President Pro Tempore Brownsberger's newly-proposed bill that seeks to protect residents from direct actions by federal law enforcement that violate our rights protected under the United States Constitution.  While immigration enforcement falls to the federal government—only Congress can enact the comprehensive reforms needed to update our immigration system—we can and will act to protect our residents here in the Commonwealth. Senator Brownsberger's bill is just one piece of a broader, ongoing review of immigrant protections being undertaken as part of Response 2025. The Best Offense is a Good Defense Massachusetts has always believed that the best offense is a good defense. We have budgeted carefully, set up strong civil rights protections, and kept faith with science, innovation and education. We invest in strong, sustainable programs to best serve our residents. We are focused on doing what we can to weather the storm ahead. But we also will never hesitate to protect our residents and our way of life when needed. Just like the patriots in my district 250 years ago on the Lexington Battle Green, we will never wait to be asked to lead—we just do it. And we will never back down when it comes to defending our values of freedom, compassion, creativity, integrity and justice for all. Subscribed Know someone who may be interested in the Senate's Response 2025 initiative to protect and defend Massachusetts? Share this post! Share Get more from The Massachusetts State Senate in the Substack app Available for iOS and Android A guest post by Senator Cindy F. Friedman Subscribe © 2026 Massachusetts State Senate Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02133

Senate President Karen Spilka: A Holiday Greeting and End of Year Recap

Updates from Beacon Hill & MetroWest Happy Holidays! Pictured: Me with my District Liaisons, Jess and Momina (L to R) at our office holiday party. Dear Friends,    I hope this letter finds you in good spirits this holiday season. Since I last updated you, there's been a lot happening in our community and on Beacon Hill and I'm looking forward to bringing you up to speed on all the great highlights from this year. I'm truly proud of the work we've done in the Senate this year and I'm thankful to my colleagues and our staff for making it possible. The 194th Legislative Session is far from over, but there's plenty of accomplishments to share from this first year alone. We launched the Senate's Response 2025 Initiative to combat actions of the of the federal government that would have a significant negative impact on Massachusetts and its residents. Some actions under this initiative include: The Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, which would establish some of the strongest consumer data protections in the nation. The Shield Act 2.0 to strengthen protections for those seeking or providing reproductive and gender affirming care. Protecting federal employees from residential eviction or foreclosure during any federal shutdown. Protecting freedom of thought in Massachusetts schools and public libraries and safeguarding open access to books and other educational materials in the wake of widespread politically motivated books bans. I'm also proud of the work we've done in the Senate to remove the greatest distraction device ever created' from classrooms. In late July, the Senate passed An Act to promote student learning and mental health, requiring all public-school districts to adopt cell phone-free school policies by fall 2026. The Senate has also passed several timely bills including: Chapter 90 legislation to support our state's infrastructure including roads and bridges. An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker, in response to a rise in attacks. An Act modernizing the Commonwealth's Cannabis laws, which would reform oversight of the maturing cannabis industry. Bills that would increase access to menstrual products and require the disclosure of ingredients. As always, if my office can be of assistance to you or your family, please don't hesitate to reach out at karen.spilka@masenate.gov or call 617-722-1500.   karenspilka.com Want more frequent updates? Follow us on social

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House Room 332 | Boston, MA 02133 US

Newsletter was removed for publication here. The web link to the remaining content can be found -> https://karenspilka.com/updates/2025/12/23/2025-senate-year-in-review

Senate President Spilka: Lowering Drug Costs, Long-Term COVID Planning, Women's Health, Caring for Veterans and More

Plus news from the district & around the state

Updates from Beacon Hill & MetroWest March is National Social Work Month. I couldn't let this month go by without offering my sincerest thanks to the social workers who, every day, go above and beyond to bring vital services and a human connection to people facing mental health challenges, addiction, poverty, isolation, or discrimination. From an early age, I was inspired by mother, a social worker. Her commitment to helping others made me want to become a social worker too. The skills that I learned as a social worker have been invaluable to me as a legislator. Social workers and other behavioral health providers are key to the wellbeing of Massachusetts residents. That's why, under the Senate's Mental Health ABC Act 2.0, support to providers is included in our vision for expanded mental health support. It's also why the Senate fought for $400 million in support for mental health in the state's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, including $122 million in loan repayment programs to recruit and retain mental and behavioral health care professionals. As always, my office is available if you need assistance or wish to share your opinion. You can email me at karen.spilka@masenate.gov or call 617-722-1500. Take care, and be well! Warm regards, The newsletter was shortened for publication here. There is not a single source to find this on the internet, so (1) I encourage you to subscribe to get your own copy and (2) check out the updates page on Senate President Spilka's web site -> https://karenspilka.com/updates

If Franklin matters, you can help

I believe Franklin matters, hence the name for this site. I have written of how the site came to be and how it is my public service effort here.

I am realizing that as much as I can do, there is still more to be done and hence can use some help.

• If you believe that Franklin, MA matters
• If you have some skill in writing
• If you have a willingness to learn some Web 2.0 tools

I would like to expand the writers on this site.
I would like to include those who have answered Yes to the questions above and would be willing to help.

In particular, there are Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and Design Review meetings that would be good to attend and report on. I have focused on the Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee and Financial Planning Committee to "follow the money". These other areas are important to cover and I can not do it all. Nor would I attempt to.

If you already have some skill and interest and a topic that would be good to share with the Franklin community, then we should talk as well.

So if you are reading this, you already maybe someone who can help or know of someone who might be able to.

If you'd like to explore what this would mean (and what help/training I would provide) please let me know.

You can comment or send me an email at shersteve@gmail.com.

Thank you!


Franklin, MA

Ze Frank - fun for Friday!

I haven't posted recently on our Web 2.0 series so I thought I would do so today.

I miss Ze Frank's "The Show" - It was a glorious exploration, everyday something new. Yes, some worked better than others but going through each day, it was magic.

I recall back at the first PodCamp Boston, Steve Garfield coordinated a session that produced this video on "Riding the Fire Eagle Danger Day"!

Ze Frank summarizes some of his work in this TED talk. The two best parts are the Ray story and the last piece on "Hey, you're okay"




Of course, you should have fun everyday and not just Friday!

What are you going to do to have fun today?


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video

This was originally posted to Steve's 2 Cents
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2010/10/ze-frank-fun-for-friday.html

For additional posts on the Web 2.0 series, you can use the search feature on the top right column and look for "Web 2.0".


Franklin, MA