Congressman Auchincloss: An Update For the past 2 weeks (03/05/24)

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Standing with our allies 30th anniversary of the Brady Bill Attorneys General share support for my drug-pricing efforts Protecting kids online with the Dads Caucus Talking transportation with Radio Boston           — The state of Massachusetts manufacturing Medically tailored meals in Mansfield Virtual Roundtables with constituents across the district On the Hill Standing with our allies: I joined CNN to discuss funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Putin's murder of Alexei Navalny is emblematic of his drive towards autocratic governance – a repressive vision shared by dictators like Xi Jinping. Ukraine is fighting on the front lines against this assault on democracy. Navalny's murder underscores why it is so critical to fund Ukraine and all our democratic allies abroad.  Next, we turned to the Israel-Hamas war. I stressed the immediate need to secure the return of the hostages, surge aid, and deny Hamas, which has immiserated the Palestinian people and vowed to repeat the atrocities of October 7th, any role in postwar governance of Gaza.  Right now, there is a deal on the table that would enable a temporary ceasefire, unlock aid, and return many of the hostages. Israel has agreed to it. For the sake of the hostages and the Palestinian people, Hamas must accept it. Then, I followed up with WBUR, where I explained why Speaker Mike Johnson won't bring the Senate's national security bill to the House floor: he's afraid of Trump. The House has the votes to pass funding for our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as humanitarian aid to Gaza; it has the support of a bipartisan majority. But the MAGA flank is vociferous, and Speaker Johnson fears they'll move to oust him for standing up to what a former Bush 41 foreign policy advisor has called the GOP's "bizarre romance with Russian authoritarianism."  Speaker Johnson does not have control of his conference and is on the way out, regardless. His legacy will be defined by whether he stands with Ukraine. Recognizing 30 years of the Brady Bill: I shared my thoughts with you last week on the enduring legacy of the Brady Bill, which has blocked almost 4.9 million illegal gun transactions since its enactment in 1994. Last Congress, we passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the first major piece of gun safety legislation since Brady's passage. 90 percent of Americans – Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike – want to expand Brady to include universal background checks and strengthen extreme risk protection orders, or "red flag" laws, to prevent criminals from purchasing guns. I am committed to going beyond thoughts and prayers and to working with members of good conscience across the aisle to enact bipartisan, common-sense gun safety legislation that will end the scourge of gun violence in America.  Attorneys General share support for my drug-pricing efforts: I was happy to see Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and a coalition of attorneys general from across the country send a letter to Congressional Leadership last week in support of drug-pricing legislation that I helped introduce in the House. The letter states that "the DRUG Act, Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, and The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act…would be an important step toward reforming this industry." Among other things, these bills would de-link PBM compensation from the cost of medications, prohibit spread pricing and patient steering, and prohibit PBMs from paying affiliated pharmacies more than independent community pharmacies. In plain English: they would help lower drug prices for patients! I have been encouraged to see the efforts of state regulators and law enforcement to stop PBMs from evading state law and regulations. Now, Congress must pass legislation so that state and federal regulators have the necessary tools to work together to finally hold drug-pricing middlemen accountable. Talking transportation with Radio Boston: I spoke with WBUR about my ideas for replacing the federal gas tax with state and local funding mechanisms as we look toward a transportation system unencumbered by automobile dominance. The federal government induces states and cities to choose highways over transit by offering better deals on funding for these projects. Owning two cars shouldn't be a precondition to participate in civil society. In a 2022 op-ed, I explained why the federal gas tax would be better used to subsidize locally-sponsored projects that promote walkability, micromobility, and transit:  "The benefits of reforming federal highway funding and changing the way we spend the federal gas tax would be swift and tangible. First, giving states and cities more latitude will encourage local innovation, helping us find better transportation solutions and root out failed practices. Second, it will compel honest accounting of the cost of car-centric infrastructure. Right now, federal gas tax revenue incentivizes states to build and build without thinking about the compounded costs of maintaining an ever-expanding roadway, which are paid for by our children in the form of federal debt. Eliminating that revenue stream eliminates that unsustainable incentive.  Third, a transparent account of the costs of maintenance will make it more likely that states implement strategies like congestion pricing and improved alternative mobility options, like cycling lanes, rail, and on-demand transit. The transition will be disruptive to politicians and bureaucrats, but the net effect will be a lower carbon footprint, better mobility, and more walkable downtowns."  Protecting kids online: I was appointed Chair of a new Congressional Dads Caucus working group focused on children's mental health and online safety. The Technology, Media, and the Family Working Group will convene subject matter experts to educate members on issues related to modern technology and media and their impact on families, particularly children.  As a millennial parent in Congress, I know parents shouldn't have to wrestle with trillion-dollar social media corporations over what's best for their children. Meta, TikTok, and the rest are attention-fracking America's youth, but they are so big and profitable that they have knocked down objectors. As Chair of this working group, I am intent on taking on their corporate greed to protect our children's mental health, cognitive development, and sense of self. Are you concerned about the impact of social media on children's mental health? Around the Fourth The state of manufacturing in MA: I joined State Senator Paul Feeney and MassMEP at CPS Technologies in Norton to discuss how I am working to help equip Bay Staters to pursue the roughly 150,000 manufacturing jobs that require moderate on-the-job training, but no experience or degree. We also discussed the current landscape of manufacturing in Massachusetts. The Voice of the Manufacturer Survey in Massachusetts quantified my own impression from dozens of conversations with manufacturers across our district: access to talent is the most significant concern right now. According to the survey, 'availability of skilled labor' was the most commonly cited impediment to growth. To build a skilled workforce for the 21st century, there are two steps Congress should take that would secure our border and our economic future: Pass the bipartisan DIGNITY Act, which would help secure the border and provide documentation & dignity for immigrants, while also creating a skills fund, open to all, for apprenticeships and earn-and-learn programs financed by fees and back-taxes from naturalization; and Encourage the federal government to set a better example in its own hiring practices by not defaulting to degree requirements that screen out qualified applicants without degrees. Medically tailored meals in Mansfield: I also joined Community Servings, a nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers medically tailored meals for patients and their families, at their Mansfield ribbon-cutting ceremony. The thought leaders and volunteers at Community Servings are not only helping people in a moment of illness and insecurity; studies indicate that they are also taking costs out of the health care system by treating the whole person, including their daily nutrition needs. I hope Community Servings' approach to food as medicine can help inspire a broader societal reckoning with our appetite for the high-sugar, ultra-processed foods that are ultimately making us sicker. Virtual roundtables with constituents across the district: Over the past two weeks, I held a series of virtual roundtables with constituents in Brookline, North Attleborough, Mansfield, Sharon, Dover, Sherborn, Needham, Blackstone, Millville, Medfield, and Taunton. We discussed a wide range of topics from immigration, the Israel-Hamas war, and aid to Ukraine and our allies abroad to funding for complex disease research and access to multimodal transportation. I am encouraged by my neighbors' eagerness to engage in conversations about how federal policy impacts them at home. I value these virtual roundtable conversations with constituents and, along with phone calls, online opinion submissions, and informal conversations across the district with residents, it helps me to better serve as your voice and vote in Congress.  In addition to these community-centered conversations, I invited students from across MA-04 to join me for a virtual roundtable during the February school break. These bright students came prepared with great questions about the House, improving access to diabetes medications, what I did for fun at their age (read American history), and my favorite part of being a Member of Congress (calling high school seniors who have been accepted into military service academies). 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

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Wednesday, Mar 6, 2024

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This slot features the recent Chalkboard Chat recapping the School Cmte meeting of Feb 13, 2024   ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/in-this-chalkboard-chat-session-we-talk.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer point.

• In this episode hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi talk with David Glancy  ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode-258.html

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This slot features Town Council Quarterbacking recapping the Council meeting of Feb 28, 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/in-this-town-council-quarterbacking.html

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am Mental Health: Shannon Nesbitt

8:30 am Martin Luther King: Music and Spoken Word

10:00 am Care For Ukraine

11:30 am Comfort Food: Comfort Food

12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

1:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Fire Safety

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 4

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 1

3:30 pm Veterans' Call: VA Pension

4:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Paolo DiGregorio

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Joe Jencks

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

8:30 am MICCA Festival 2019

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini

11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: The Road to TD Garden

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Notre Dame Academy Hingham 02-28-24

2:30 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 01-05-23

8:00 pm Hockomock League Swimming Championship 2024 Day 2

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council 02-28-24

2:00 pm Town Council 02-28-24

6:30 pm Master Plan Committee  LIVE, Fl3 Training Rm  886 0910 7278

7:00 pm Joint Budget Subcommittee  Live, Chambers  834 3950 2247

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Presidential Primary - UNOFFICIAL Results for Franklin, MA - 03/05/24

The UNOFFICIAL results for Franklin, MA from Town Clerk Nancy Danello

UNOFFICIAL Results			Franklin, MA
Early Voters	2871
Election Day	4804
Total	7675
Register Voters	24694
Percent Turnout	31.08%

Democratic Party results

Biden    2773

Republican Party results

Trump    2263

Haley    1728

The complete sheet for the Democrat, Republic and Libertarian ballots can be found -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1umjNh5RbYfx20pPpQloOxYL0SHhpTKzH/view?usp=drive_link

Presidential Primary - UNOFFICAL Results for Franklin, MA - 03/05/24

`Cinema 80’ Feature Films Continue (Free) - "The Kid"

Silent Saturdays start at 6 PM on each Saturday of the month (except the last): Chris Leverone, a videographer and graphics artist from Franklin, has directed promotional and fundraising videos, and is currently a producer at Franklin TV. He developed this program of films in cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center.

• March 9 - The Kid

The Kid is Charlie Chaplin's crowning achievement, using pantomime humor to tell a memorable and heartfelt story.

March 9 - The Kid

Presidential Primary Election Day - March 5 from 6 AM to 8 PM at Franklin High School

The MA Presidential Primary voting opened at Franklin High School at 6 AM this morning and will close at 8 PM today. All 9 precincts vote in one place.

I plan on being at the high school to record the results and share them as soon as the Town Clerk has them available.

Presidential Primary Election Day - March 5 from 6 AM to 8 PM at Franklin High School

Sample ballots for the primary -> choose one party ballot to cast your vote

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/presidential_primary_3-5-2024_sample_ballots.pdf

Any additional info on the Primary Election can be found on the Town Clerk's page

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerkelection-administrator

Reminder: Veterans' Coffee Social on March 6, 2024 at 10 AM features Secretary Jon Santiago

Veterans' Coffee Social - March 6, 2024

Reminder to join the us, this Wednesday, March 6, for the Veteran's Coffee Social at the Franklin Senior Center!

We will be having a legislative visit from EOVS Secretary Jon Santiago (Army Veteran and Reservist), Rep. Jeffrey Roy, and Senator Rebecaa Rausch. Come and converse about issues that are important to our Veterans!

Join us on March 6th, 2024 at the Franklin Senior Center at 10:00AM

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/veterans-coffee-social-march-6th-2024

Reminder: Veterans' Coffee Social on March 6, 2024 at 10 AM features Secretary Jon Santiago

NFL Flag Football Clinic scheduled for April school vacation

NFL Flag Football Clinic

April Vacation

NFL Flag Football (April Vacation Clinic)-

Join head coach, Jack Geromini and his staff of FHS athletes as they put together a two day clinic for children ages 5-13 years old over April vacation (April 17 & 18), with a rain date of Friday, April 19. The first day will start with a brief introduction to Flag Football with passing, running, and defensive drills.  The next two days will be loaded with plenty of Flag Football Games.  Kids will be split into age appropriate groups, so they will be guaranteed to be playing with friends and classmates.

DATE:   April 17 & 18 (Raindate April 19)                          

TIME:    9:00AM-12:00PM

LOCATION:  Beaver Pond Turf Field

FEE:  $50 residents/$60 non residents

NFL Flag Football Clinic scheduled for April school vacation

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/news/nfl-flag-football-clinic

Ted & I have our climate discussion around my visit to the "pearl of Africa" (audio)

FM #1151 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1151 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the output of The Climate Minute podcast episode hosted by Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.  

The topic thread we talked of as we continued this making sense of climate discussion was the most extemporaneous that we have had. Ted turned the tables around and interviewed me to find out about my trip to Uganda and we discussed the climate implications of some of the lessons or highlights I shared. 

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 58 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1151-making-sense-of-climate-39-02-27-24

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Links to references made during this episode

African fragile states are at great risk for climate change

https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2023/08/30/africas-fragile-states-are-greatest-climate-change-casualties 

Loss and damage

https://www.unep.org/regions/africa/regional-initiatives/responding-climate-change 

And https://eacop.com/ 

Uganda pipeline mentioned

https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/10/uganda-oil-pipeline-project-impoverishes-thousands 

Climate colonialism

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/what-is-climate-colonialism-explain-climate-change/ 

** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

--------------

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

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

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

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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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Ted & I have our climate discussion around my visit to the "pearl of Africa" (audio) 

Help support and create awareness for the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT)

The Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is a volunteer advocacy group working to develop and support the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT). Help us support and create awareness for this valuable resource. 

Place your order for FBRTC custom branded apparel at the link below. Select your item, fill in your purchasing information and choose a shipping option.  Orders will be shipped to the group organizer (Bob Amrich) for distribution or can be  picked up at a monthly FBRTC meeting. 

Apparel can also be shipped directly to your address for an additional cost.  Apparel orders will be available approximately 2 weeks after the online sale ends on March 22.  

We look forward to seeing you on the trail or around town with your new FBRTC branded apparel! Thanks for your support!  

Place your order for FBRTC custom branded apparel.  ->   https://t.co/avr3FpODzz 

Place your order for FBRTC custom branded apparel

Shared from -> https://t.co/ElWl4e0Fvd

Zumba is Back! 10 Monday's at JFK Elementary with Lifelong Learning

10 Mondays starting March 11th

Lifelong Community Learning is pleased to offer ZUMBA dance fitness once again! We hope to see you! For information and to register, visit: Exercise & Wellness Classes

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

2nd Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk - set for Saturday, April 20

Spring is just around the bend! 

Join us for the 2nd annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk! 

More info and Maps to come!! Saturday, April 20!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C4HO8Dbxw9r/

Ladybug trail spring walk - set for Saturday, April 20

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Tuesday, Mar 5, 2024

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM  Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Martin Luther King: Music and Spoken Word

9:00 am Mental Health: Shannon Nesbitt

10:00 am Frank's Musings: More About Israel

10:30 am Frank's Musings: Pride Flag

12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

1:00 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 4

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 1

3:30 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Erin Gallagher

4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: The Road to Tsongas Center

5:30 pm Physician Focus: Oral Health

6:00 pm Senior Connection: Updates

7:00 pm Martin Luther King: Music and Spoken Word

8:30 pm Franklin Fallen Heroes

9:30 pm The Black Box: T3

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2022

9:00 am MICCA Festival 2019

11:30 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 01-05-23

2:00 pm Mental Health: Shannon Nesbitt

3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: The Road to Tsongas Center

4:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Andover 02-29-24

6:30 pm FHS Jazz Cafe 2024

8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v St. Mary's 02-28-24

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee 02-13-24

2:00 pm School Committee 02-13-24

7:00 pm  School Committee LIVE, Chambers 845 8419 1670 Word: 749780

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Second Sunday Speaker Series: Joe Landry - "The Thomson Press Building " - March 10

The Second Sunday Speaker Series at the museum continues on March, 10, 2024 with popular local historian Joe Landry, discussing the Thomson Press Building and its history (a structure recently added to the miniature Franklin exhibit, on display in December and January). 

Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE

Joe Landry - "The Thomson Press Building " - March 10

Save the date for PMC Kids ride - Sunday, June 9, 2024

Save the date for PMC Kids ride - Sunday, June 9, 2024

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/SAaWQfh28MvEQY3b/