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.

Check out the latest episode of Cup o' Jo where I sit down w/ Senate Pres. Karen Spilka for a wide-ranging conversation — from transparency to school funding and beyond. youtu.be/wOYRDn716xw

No place else I'd rather be on 7/4 than the Center for New Americans 17th Annual Naturalization Ceremony where cheers rang out for 53 new Americans from 27 nations. Congratulations and WELCOME to all who took the oath of citizenship. Our nation and Commonwealth are stronger today because of you.

The fight to stop the big brutal betrayal bill is not over. We must keep pressing: www.politico.com/live-updates...

Pat Larson was in Boston last week to receive a Commonwealth Heroine Award from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. My team and I nominated Pat to recognize decades of work and leadership, especially in the North Quabbin.

NEWS: Ranking Member Jamie Raskin’s statement on the Supreme Court decision in Trump v. CASA, Inc: 

“The Constitution and the people are stronger than Donald Trump’s determination to ignore them both.”   Read the full statement here⤵️

A shameful decision.

Today is the 10th Anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationally. In 2004, Gina + Heidi Nortonsmith helped lead the way in MA, showing 'em how it's done. And we're not going back. A few months ago, we took out a full page ad to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

There just aren't enough good news stories about government, so I wanted to tell this one. It starts with this: www.nbcboston.com/news/local/o... And ends with this: www.recorder.com/Orange-takes...

Smooth surfaces, inclusive wayfinding, and other features of accessible trails will create more opportunities for birders of all abilities to connect with nature. ‪@wgbh.org Ask your reps to support the #TrailsForAll Act (H.915/S.548) and help make that possible: p2a.co/cRYo2VU

This is not about the merits of Iran’s nuclear program. No president has the authority to bomb another country that does not pose an imminent threat to the US without the approval of Congress. This is an unambiguous impeachable offense.

🚨🚨🚨 @aoc.bsky.social on 🎯 #Presidential

And yet only Congress can declare war.

Proud to testify w/ Indigenous leaders Brittney Walley, (Chaubunagungamaug Hassanamisco Nipmuc Bands) + WMA Com. on Indian Affairs Rhonda Anderson, for An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth (S.312/H.575): www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyps....

On #Juneteen we commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. + we recommit to the enduring + critical work of racial justice and equity, and the yet unfulfilled promise of true justice and freedom for all. Honored to join #Juneteen celebrations — from Boston to Greenfield.

Calls for #NoMoreKings rang out in every state in the U.S. TY to the organizers. In Northampton, the crowd swelled w/ chants + calls to action as speakers urged courage, resistance, noncooperation + relentless collective action. As speakers urged hope, resilience, and joy. We keep fighting.

❤️

Yesterday, as a rainbow flag 🏳️‍🌈 took its place on the State House flag pole for #LGBTQ Pride Month, we said together that in MA, love is love is love is love. ❤️💙🖤🤎💚🧡💜💛 Happy and joyous #PRIDE Month!

So glad to be in the company of great legislative colleagues, great advocates, and great providers, all focused on maternal health equity. I'm in this work for the long haul with all of them.

Check out our team's latest newsletter: conta.cc/4jOeFKL

This Is What Autocracy Looks Like: a must-read reflection on 700 Marines, called up by #Trump, and 4,000 national guard sent to quell one protest in LA: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/o...