Sunrise with Monte, Jim, and a record number of good folks who are walking to raise funds for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts — in the leg between Northampton and Greenfield.

Today is World Pancreatic Cancer Day, part of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Join us in raising awareness today to help shine a light on this disease. #PancreaticCancerAwareness #WorldPancreaticCancerDay #mahealthcare #cancerawareness #LegislativeAction

In recognizing #TransDayOfRemembrance, we recommit to ensuring that Massachusetts is a place where everyone can live, work, and love safely and with dignity.

Today at Prospect Place in Northampton was magical as a crowd gathered to support 60 new units of affordable housing for families and individuals in a reclaimed former nursing home. Pictured: A breathtaking mural and its artists and a playground that screams, "Come live and play here."

The Gov's Anti-Hunger Task Force is holding a listening session. Grateful to serve among this coalition of advocates, providers, state agencies, + community leaders working to ensure everyone in MA has access to nutritious, affordable food. More: www.mass.gov/governors-an...

I joined Rep. Natalie Blais @ the @mascschoolcomm.bsky.social conference. The topic of our panel was RURAL and LOW/DECLINING ENROLLMENT SCHOOLS — and the actions the *state must take* to ensure equitable opportunity to students in schools across our region.

Thrilled to see $10.23 million coming to the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district in economic development and housing infrastructure grants. Grateful to @massgovernor.bsky.social, @kimdriscollma.bsky.social, + their administration for investing in western and north central Massachusetts.

"What happens to the letters I write when Clean Water canvassers knock on my door?" We deliver them directly to your elected leaders! We're fighting for legislation to clean up air pollution. Shout out to Sen Mark's and @jocomerford.bsky.social's enthusiastic staff! Keep the letters coming!

On Friday, officials from the MDAR, MassHealth, and DPH joined farmers and producers @ Just Roots in Greenfield to learn about the health and economic benefits of locally-grown, nutritions food - delivered like medicine.

Thank you @massago.bsky.social for always answering the call for and leading us to justice. Donald Trump must release all available funds for the November SNAP payment to states.

How can parents protect their kids from cauldrons of unknown toxic threats? Good news! There is legislation pending in MA that requires the disclosure of toxic chemicals in children's products! Take action to support the Toxic Free Kids Act: cleanwater.org/ma-toxic-fre... @jocomerford.bsky.social

Delighted to nominate Naomi Bledsoe, Youth Engagement Coordinator for the Communities that Care Coalition, + Nate Woodard, Co-Chair of the Greenfield Human Rights Commission, to represent the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district @ the Senate's 90th Citizen's Legislative Seminar.

I was deeply honored to be recognized at the Disability Policy Consortium's annual John Winske Memorial Awards last week — receiving the Thomas Menino Award for Public Service alongside the wonderful Rep. Christine Barber. (Pictured with DPC's great ED Harry Weissman.)

Just passed UNANIMOUSLY: An Act relative to menstrual product ingredient disclosure, a bill I share w/ Rep. Natalie Blais. Today in the Senate we focused on menstrual equity. We know that access is not equitable if menstrual products are not safe. www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Ny...

Massachusetts has made strides in expanding college access—but completion rates still lag. Learn how the #SUCCESS program addresses this challenge & more. Don’t miss our briefing alongside the Hildreth Institute, @jocomerford.bsky.social, and Rep. Dave Rogers.

Fabulous to meet with @umassamherst.bsky.social nursing students in the State House as part of an American Nurses Association lobby day.

On Monday, I'm celebrating #IndigenousPeoplesDay, proud to be the Senate sponsor of a bill to make that change official, working in partnership with Indigenous leaders across the state. The legacy of colonization, in the name of Columbus, is one not worthy of memorialization.

October 18 Rallies across WMA and central MA www.nokings.org See you there

Until recently, MA had an ineffective, inefficient, inequitable public health system. That changed w/ the passage of SAPHE 2.0 + w/ $200 million to transform our state's public health delivery system. If you want to be inspired by transformative work, watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsC_...

Somehow these two messages just aren't aligning.

THRILLING to be at Greenfield Community College to cheer the graduation of new HVAC techs AND the launch of the Climate Service Corps with Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center executive director Dr. Emily Reichert and team.

Our team's latest newsletter: conta.cc/4mC2gLd

Catch up with episode 4 of Keeping Hope Alive featuring Adela Imul Ajanel from the Center for New Americans in Northampton. Catch the full video here: youtu.be/LjeRpo_TxfQ

Tune in to episode 3 of Keeping Hope Alive to hear from the formidable Kirsten Levitt, Executive Director and Chef of Stone Soup Café in Greenfield. Full video available here: youtu.be/v5BJDS4VAfU

Episode 2 of “Keeping Hope Alive” features Dr. Sunny Shukla, Chief Medical Officer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He talks about the challenges health care providers face, his commitment to protecting and caring for patients, + how volunteering builds community + hope. Watch: youtu.be/20kvXlPCacA

Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Kennealy joined forces in opposition to a new state flag, seal, and motto. Here's my response:

I joined the 50th Anniv. celebration of the MA Caucus of Women Legislators. Since its founding, 243 women have served in the MA State Legislature. I’m proud to be part of this legacy, working w/ incredible, ceiling-shattering colleagues. Here’s to the next 243 women shaping the future of MA.

Episode 2 of “Keeping Hope Alive” features Dr. Sunny Shukla, Chief Medical Officer at Cooley Dickinson Health Care Hospital. 🎥 Full video: youtu.be/20kvXlPCacA

I joined Rep. Natalie Blais for what's become our annual participation in the Connecticut River Conservancy's Source to Sea cleanup. In 1 hour, we collected the trash that's pictured in this post. More: www.ctriver.org/source-to-se...

Thrilled to kick off “Keeping Hope Alive” w/ the first guest, Monte Belmonte @ the Shea Theater in Turners Falls. “Keeping Hope Alive” is a series of 11 videos featuring community changemakers who are leading hopeful + community-strengthening work. 🎥 youtu.be/HmGDKtBkiJI

TONIGHT: Virtual Public Forum for the Trails for All To present draft recs for improving trail accessibility across Massachusetts. Register: bit.ly/accessibletrails2 TY to Paul Jahnige, Director of the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation and a host of wonderful advocates!

Super fabulous to see Mattea Kramer's 'Untended' as @nepublicmedia.bsky.social's book club choice. I know and love Mattea and her writing. On my fiction pile, Untended is on the TOP. TY NEPM for raising up this book and its author. www.nepm.org/nepm-events/...

👏👏👏 Yes! It's past time to protect Massachusetts kids from toxic chemicals! Thank you @jocomerford.bsky.social for standing with Clean Water Action, the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, and our coalition partners to fight for children's health! www.masslive.com/opinion/2025...

Joined the launch of a new Campus Pantry @ @umassamherst.bsky.social. This vision is now a reality w/ tnx to all who have advocated for years + to the Amherst Survival Center. The pantry opened this weekend + 170 individuals/families received food. More: senatorjocomerford.org/celebrating-...

As our kids head back to school, we must redouble our efforts to protect them and our families from toxic chemicals found in everyday products. H/t @masslive.bsky.social for running this call to action. H/t Clean Water Action for leading. www.masslive.com/opinion/2025...

When I say we’re going to protect vaccine access in Massachusetts, I’m not just talking about the COVID vaccine. I’m talking about the vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella and more that keep our children healthy. It’s not political — it’s public health.

Tickets please! Jessye Deane, Exec Dir of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, shares that Northern Tier Passenger Rail is a fantastic opportunity to connect visitors to our region w/ outdoor rec., the arts, and more! More from Jessye here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JZU...

All aboard! Lily Frank hears from Franklin Regional Council of Governments ED Linda Dulavy on Northern Tier Passenger Rail. Watch the full video here: youtube.com/shorts/wl7_G...

Now arriving into the station! Lily Frank speaks w/ Trains in the Valley's Ben Heckscher re why we need the restart of Northern Tier Passenger Rail: youtube.com/shorts/d5iRx... H/t @massdot.bsky.social for pressing forward!

Grateful to join @repmcgovern.bsky.social + local, state, + federal officials + advocates to learn from Warner Farm, Big River Chestnuts, Meadowfed Lamb, + Bardwell Farm. The impact of federal cuts, tariff-related inflation + volatile markets mean that MA must prioritize farms and the food system.

Glad to join the Franklin Regional Council of Govts + Rural Dev. Inc., + FC colleagues to host LG @kimdriscollma.bsky.social, Housing + Livable Communities Sec. Ed August, + housing leaders for a summit focused on the opportunities + challenges in developing rural housing.

Our team's latest newsletter hit inboxes earlier this afternoon Check out our latest update here: conta.cc/3Ujeixn

On #NationalInternDay, I want to recognize the superstar team of interns and fellows my team and I have had the privilege to work with this summer. Our future is in very good hands.

Let's get this done, indeed! TY @appmtnclub.bsky.social and a great group of advocates! Glad to partner with @repciccolo.bsky.social on this essential bill!

PASSED: An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder. TY to Senate colleagues. TY to the Arc of Massachusetts and AFAM - Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts for their incredible advocacy.

Spread the word! We're hiring for a temporary position. (Position is based in Boston.) All the information is here: senatorjocomerford.org/contact/inte...

This is why we are working to pass the Toxic Free Kids Act in MA. There should not be toxic chemicals in children's products. @jocomerford.bsky.social‬

Congratulations Katie! The nation needs you and @moveon.org to fight like hell. So glad you'll be leading.

TY @repmcgovern.bsky.social for leading the way. So glad to join you, Rep. Natalie Blais, and so many. Grateful to @massdot.bsky.social for hearing the call of our constituents to bring back #NorthernTierRail.

Co-hosted A Year of Compassion: A Tribute to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, w/ The Regional Tibetan Assoc. of MA, Tibetan Assoc. of Boston, @mindyforma.bsky.social, @sabadosama.bsky.social, @repmcgovern.bsky.social. 28 Sens. + 90 Reps. signed a resolution honoring the Dalai Lama's life + legacy.