Senator Jason Lewis Applauds Unanimous Senate Passage of FY24 State Budget

BOSTON—Following a robust debate over three days, the Massachusetts Senate approved a $55.9 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) on Thursday, May 25. As the Commonwealth continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate’s budget supports the economic health of the state while upholding fiscal discipline and responsibility. The Senate budget delivers historic levels of investment in education, housing, healthcare, workforce development, climate preparedness, and more, as part of a comprehensive strategy to make Massachusetts more affordable, equitable, and inclusive.

 

“I’m proud that this budget, passed with bipartisan support, will deliver significant resources for our public schools and communities, and make our state more affordable for working families by helping to address the high costs of housing, childcare, college, and healthcare,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “I want to thank all the advocates and constituents who shared their priorities and helpful feedback with me throughout the budget process.”

 

The Senate’s FY24 budget includes $1 billion in revenues expected to be generated from the Fair Share Amendment, approved by voters last November, to strengthen the state’s education and transportation sectors. To safeguard this new source of revenue, the Senate’s budget establishes a dedicated Education and Transportation Fund to account for all Fair Share revenues in an open and transparent manner.

 

Some highlights of the Senate’s FY24 budget include: 

  • $6.59 billion in Chapter 70 funding for K-12 public education, an increase of $604 million over FY23, ensuring that the state remains on schedule to fully implement the landmark Student Opportunity Act by FY27.
  • $1.5 billion for early education and child care programs, including $475 million for Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants, to improve quality, access, and affordability for families.
  • Almost $20 billion to fund MassHealth, providing more than 2.3 million people with continued access to affordable, accessible, and comprehensive healthcare services.
  • $1.3 billion to support a spectrum of mental health services and prevention programs for adults and children, including investments in staffing, inpatient placements, and supportive housing.
  • Over $1 billion for housing development and programs that support housing stability, residential assistance, and homelessness prevention.
  • $100 million to enable the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to make supplemental grants to school building projects that experienced unprecedented cost increases due to the pandemic. These projects include Stoneham High School and Northeast Metro Tech Regional Vocational High School.
  • Significant new funding for community college and public higher education, as part of a plan to make community college free for all students by the fall of 2024. Undocumented students who graduate from Massachusetts high schools and meet certain other criteria would also become eligible to pay in-state tuition rates at our public colleges and universities.

 

Senator Lewis was also successful in securing $500,000 to fund a variety of local projects and programs in our communities, including funding to help open an inclusive cafe to be operated by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Stoneham and Wakefield that will employ adults and teens with developmental disabilities. 

 

The FY24 Senate Budget will be available on the Massachusetts legislature’s website: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2024/SenateBudget. A conference committee will now be appointed to reconcile differences between the versions of the budget passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, before being sent to Governor Healey for her signature.

Senator Lewis Announces Passage of $388 Million Supplemental State Budget to Address Critical Needs

BOSTON (3/29/2023)—State Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts State Legislature last week in passing a $388 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). This legislation funds vital programs and services that address food insecurity, housing instability, continued pandemic recovery and economic development, and more. 

The bill provides $130 million for SNAP food assistance benefits to help families who were receiving enhanced SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic that were recently ended by the federal government; $68 million for the early education and childcare C3 stabilization grant program; $65 million for the continuation of universal free school meals for all students; $45 million for additional emergency shelter assistance for homeless individuals and families; and $40 million for supports for refugees and migrants. 

The bill also authorizes $740 million in capital investments to support economic development across the Commonwealth. Notably, this includes $400 million for the popular MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to cities, towns, and other public entities for infrastructure projects; and $125 million for state matching funds to compete for new federal grant opportunities, including those funded through the CHIPS and Science Act, which encourage innovation in Massachusetts.

Finally, this legislation also extends initiatives first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, including authorization for outdoor dining for restaurants and remote public meeting access.

“I’m pleased that the state legislature was able to work closely with our new Governor to quickly pass this critical supplemental budget bill,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “These investments in food security, housing supports, economic development, and infrastructure are urgently needed by residents and communities in our region and across the Commonwealth.”

Having been passed by the Senate and the House, the supplemental budget now goes to Governor Healey for her signature.

Summer 2023 Internship with Senator Lewis

State Senator Jason Lewis is seeking candidates for a summer internship with his office. Senator Lewis proudly represents the people of the Fifth Middlesex District of Massachusetts, which includes the cities and towns of Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Winchester. Senator Lewis is a member of Senate President Karen Spilka’s leadership team, and serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education and the Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee. He also co-founded and co-chairs the legislature’s Zero Waste Caucus and Middlesex Fells Caucus. He has been a leader in shaping public policy on a range of issues important to his district, region, and the state, including education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for all. 

Interns will support the Senator’s staff in a variety of ways, but we are specifically looking for interns with interest in one or more of the following:

  • implementing the Senator’s communications strategy,
  • supporting local projects and our work with organizations in the district, or
  • assisting with constituent services.

Tasks may include: 

  • attending project briefings, 
  • researching information and statistics, 
  • creating pamphlets and charts, 
  • drafting social media posts, and 
  • event planning. 

Interns will have the unique opportunity to engage with policymaking, politics, and government from the inside. Although unpaid, interns will obtain meaningful experience by witnessing and participating in the day-to-day functioning of a State Senate office with a special focus on our work with the Education Committee.

Interns must have strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail. Candidates must also be comfortable with Microsoft Office, Google applications, and major social media platforms. Preference will be given to applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent. Applications from the Fifth Middlesex District are strongly encouraged. Hours and duration of internship are flexible, though ideal applicants will be available 8-10 hours per week. This position will be in-person, hybrid, or fully remote. 

Our office does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, or age. Applicants of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Candidates should send a resume and a brief letter of interest to Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov by Thursday, May 4, 2023. References should be available upon request. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so interested parties are encouraged to apply promptly. With questions, please call (617) 722-1206.

Senator Jason Lewis Reappointed as Senate Chair of the Education Committee

BOSTON (2/17/2023)—Earlier this week, Senate President Karen Spilka reappointed State Senator Jason Lewis as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education in the Massachusetts legislature for the 2023-24 legislative session. Senator Lewis will also continue to serve as a member of President Spilka’s leadership team.

Senator Lewis was also appointed to several other leadership and committee roles for the new legislative session:
-Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee
-Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
-Member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee
-Member of the Senate Rules Committee
-Member of the Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing
-Member of the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet, and Cybersecurity

“I’m excited to continue my leadership role in advancing state funding and policies to ensure a high-quality public education for all students across the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “I also welcome the opportunity to work with my Senate and House colleagues, the Healey administration, municipal officials, advocates, and other stakeholders to pursue an ambitious agenda for Massachusetts in the new legislative session.”

Previously in the role of Senate Chair of the Education Committee, Senator Lewis helped lead the effort to pass the landmark Student Opportunity Act to provide adequate and equitable funding for our public schools. Among the priorities for the Education Committee this legislative session is likely to be the passage of major legislation expanding access to high-quality, affordable early education and childcare.

Senator Lewis Supports Effort to Increase Public Participation in State Legislative Process

BOSTON (2/10/2023)—State Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate in voting for a rules package on Thursday, February 9 that will require all legislative public hearings to be conducted in a hybrid manner, which means that members of the public can participate either in-person at the State House or remotely. The rules package governs the operations of the state legislature for the duration of the new legislative session (2023-24).

Prior to the pandemic, almost all public hearings held by the state legislature — where members of the public can provide testimony in support or opposition to proposed legislation — took place at the State House in Boston and required in-person attendance. During the pandemic, public hearings were held online and members of the public were able to testify remotely. Hybrid public hearings offer the flexibility and convenience for public participation in the legislative process to be either in-person or remote. This maximizes the opportunity for all members of the public to participate in state government, making the process more inclusive and encouraging civic engagement.

“I strongly support all measures that increase transparency and public participation in our government,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “This builds greater trust in our public institutions, improves the lawmaking process, and ultimately strengthens our democracy.”

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has also voted to require legislative public hearings to be conducted in a hybrid format during this legislative session.

Senator Lewis Accepting Winter Interns

Office of State Senator Jason Lewis Winter 2023 Intern Posting 

Senator Jason Lewis is seeking candidates interested in a winter internship in his State House office. State Senator Jason Lewis proudly represents the people of the Fifth Middlesex District of Massachusetts, which includes the cities and towns of Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and parts of Winchester. Senator Lewis is a member of Senate President Karen Spilka’s leadership team. He serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education and the Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. He also co-founded and co-chairs the legislature’s Prevention for Health Caucus, Zero Waste Caucus, and Middlesex Fells Caucus.  He has been a leader in shaping public policy on a range of issues important to his district, region, and the state, including education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for all. 

We seek applicants interested in supporting our district-wide projects and/or assisting with the implementation of our communications strategy. 

Tasks may include: 

  • attending project briefings, 
  • researching information and statistics, 
  • creating pamphlets and charts, 
  • drafting social media posts, and 
  • event planning. 

Interns will have the opportunity to engage with all of our staff to learn about topics they find interesting, but will report mainly to our District Director and Communications Director. Although unpaid, interns will obtain meaningful experience by witnessing and participating in the day-to-day functioning of a State Senate office with a special focus on our work with the Education Committee.

Interns must have strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail. Candidates must also be comfortable with Microsoft Office, Google applications, and major social media platforms. Preference will be given to applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent. Applications from the Fifth Middlesex District are strongly encouraged. Hours and duration of internship are flexible, though ideal applicants will be available 8-10 hours per week. This position will be hybrid or fully remote. 

Our office does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, or age. Applicants of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Candidates should send a resume and a brief letter of interest to Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov by Wednesday, January 25, 2023. References should be available upon request. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so interested parties are encouraged to apply promptly. With questions, please call (617) 722-1206. 

Senator Lewis Wants to Hear Your Feedback: Respond to Our Constituent Survey

I was thrilled to be sworn in for another term as your State Senator earlier this week. I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for the confidence that you have continued to place in me to represent you in the State Senate. I look forward to a productive legislative session working alongside my colleagues and the new Healey Administration. 

As we prepare for this new legislative session, we are setting our priorities and developing our policy agenda. To this end, we are eager to get input and feedback from our constituents on the issues that are most important to you and your families. We have created a brief survey and are trying to hear from as many people and diverse perspectives as possible from across our district (Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and parts of Winchester). 

We will use your feedback to help guide our policy priorities and agenda for the new legislative session. The survey is open until Friday, January 20, and should only take about 5-10 minutes to complete. All responses will be anonymous. After it is closed, we will compile the information and host a virtual Town Hall event on Tuesday, February 7, at 6:30 pm to discuss the results.

The survey can be accessed here.

Thank you so much for your participation in our constituent survey. I am proud to serve as your State Senator and will continue to do my best to represent you and listen to your thoughts and concerns.

State Senator Jason Lewis

Senator Lewis to Host Community Conversation on Reproductive Justice and Freedom

Senator Lewis to Host Community Conversation on Reproductive Justice and Freedom

 

BOSTON, MA – Senator Jason Lewis is pleased to announce that he will be hosting a Community Conversation on the topic of reproductive justice and freedom. With the Supreme Court having overturned Roe v Wade, more than half of states across the country have already, or are expected to, ban or severely restrict access to abortion care. In Massachusetts, the state legislature has taken decisive action to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare, but there is still more that needs to be done.

 

Community Conversation: The Fight for Reproductive Justice and Freedom will take place on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 from 6:30-8:00 pm. The event will be live-streamed at Facebook.com/SenJasonLewis and a recording will also be available after the event.

 

Senator Lewis will be joined by a distinguished panel of experts, including Claire Teylouni, Director of Government Affairs at Reproductive Equity Now; Dr. Erin Tracy Bradley, MD, MPH, FACOG, Associate Professor in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School; and Katherine Rushfirth, CNM, FACNM, Policy Director at the Neighborhood Birth Center.

 

Senator Lewis and the panelists will explore issues ranging from access to abortion and other reproductive health services to reducing maternal health disparities in Massachusetts. They will discuss concrete ways that we can tackle these issues and advance greater reproductive justice and equity in our communities and Commonwealth. After opening remarks from each panelist there will be ample time for audience questions and discussion.

 

If you have any questions about this event or need further details, please contact Senator Lewis’ Office at Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov or (617) 722-1206. You can RSVP at facebook.com/SenJasonLewis. All are welcome to attend

 

Previous Community Conversations hosted by Senator Lewis have addressed a wide range of timely topics, including racial justice; public education; climate change and environmental sustainability; early education and childcare; public transportation; small business and entrepreneurship; challenges facing senior citizens and caregivers; supporting our veterans; mental health and addiction; and affordable housing.

### 

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Two Bills to Support Veterans and Military Families 

The Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate recently passed two bills to better support the needs of veterans, active duty service members, and their families in the Commonwealth. An Act relative to the governance, structure, and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes makes key reforms to the governance structure and operations of the state’s two veterans’ homes. An Act relative to military spouse-licensure portability, education, and enrollment of dependents, also known as the SPEED Act, expands support for military families that relocate to Massachusetts. Both bills have been signed into law by Governor Baker.

“Our veterans, active duty service members and their families have made many sacrifices in service to our country,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m very pleased that with the passage of these two bills we will ensure that our veterans’ homes provide the highest quality care to their residents, and that we are providing as much support as possible to our military families, including when they newly relocate to Massachusetts.”

An Act relative to the governance, structure, and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes requires all state-operated veterans’ homes to be licensed as nursing homes by the Department of Public Health (DPH); prescribes certain qualifications and responsibilities for the superintendent and medical director of each home; elevates the Secretary of Veterans Services to report directly to the Governor; and creates a new Office of the Veteran Advocate to ensure that veterans are receiving all services in a humane and dignified manner.

Following the tragedy at the Holyoke veterans’ home in 2020, which resulted in the COVID-19 related deaths of 78 veterans, the state legislature established a Special Joint Oversight Committee to investigate the causes of this tragedy, and their recommendations formed the basis for this legislation.

The SPEED Act, which is the second bill recently passed by the state legislature, expands support for military families who relocate to Massachusetts, including occupational license portability for spouses and support for school enrollment for children. The bill also establishes the Purple Star Campus Program, to designate schools that demonstrate a commitment to students and families of service members, and the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity to be presented to the next of kin of a service member or veteran who died as a result of service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, or a service-connected condition resulting from a traumatic brain injury or exposure to harmful toxins. 

Senator Jason Lewis Applauds Senate Passage of the SAVE Students Act 

State Senator Jason Lewis recently joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts State Senate in passing An Act relative to safety and violence education for students, also known as the SAVE Students Act. This bipartisan legislation expands violence prevention and suicide awareness programming in schools, creates an anonymous reporting system for tips related to student safety concerns, and tasks the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) with developing a model threat assessment policy for responding to dangerous activity.

“We must do everything possible to support our schools in keeping students and staff safe, and ensuring a positive and healthy learning environment,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I was very pleased to work with Senator Finegold and Sandy Hook Promise to help get the SAVE Students Act passed in the Senate.”

Sandy Hook Promise, a non-profit organization founded to protect children from gun violence in honor of the precious lives that were lost in the school shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school, helped draft and advocate for this legislation.

“Research proves that the most effective way to prevent school shootings, violence, and suicide is teaching youth and adults the warning signs and how to get help” said Mark Barden, Co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, and father of Daniel who was killed in the Sandy Hook elementary school tragedy.

The SAVE Students Act is a response to two concurrent crises: a school shooting crisis and a youth mental health crisis. In the past 25 years, over 310,000 students have been exposed to gun violence during school, and more than 185 students, educators, and other school personnel have been shot and killed. In addition, between 2007 and 2018, suicide rates rose by more than 57 percent for those aged 10 to 24. The SAVE Students Act complements the state legislature’s ongoing efforts on comprehensive gun safety and behavioral health reforms.

Having passed the Senate, the SAVE Students Act now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.