Volume 1 Issue 1

Senator Paul R. Feeney

Massachusetts State House, Room 507
Tel: (617) 722-1222
Fax: (617) 722-1056
Paul.Feeney@MaSenate.gov

“Working for US”

100 Day Update!!! CHAIR: Joint Committee On

Public Service
VICE-CHAIR: Joint
A LETTER FROM SENATOR PAUL R. FEENEY Committee On Public Health
When I campaigned for the State Senate in 2017, I said that I was
ready to serve on Day One, and I know we have lived up to that Facebook.com/
promise to hit the ground running. The newsletter below highlights SenatorPaulFeeney/
some of the ground that we have covered in that time: traveling
across the Bristol and Norfolk District for office hours and events
where we had conversations with constituents about the issues that
Twitter.com/
matter, I have hosted hundreds of meetings in the State House so I
can be better informed on what’s going on in the District and the PaulFeeneyMA
Commonwealth, and I have been in the Senate Chamber voting on
bills that propel Massachusetts forward.
malegislature.gov/
I am proud to have voted to advance legislation that contains Legislators/Profile/PRF0
healthcare costs, reduces property tax rates for our seniors, military
personnel, and the disabled, and so much more. The past few
months have been a whirlwind, but hearing from you is what keeps
me grounded and I enjoy and value every second I serve being your INSIDE THIS ISSUE
State Senator – it is the honor of a lifetime.
State House... .......... 3
Please know that I remain available to you 24/7 and urge you to
reach out to our office for anything at all. This is and will remain my Legislation.. ............ 3
full time job so I can devote all of my time to serving you. The Medfield .................. 4
following newsletter highlights some key moments. For a more in
depth look at what I am doing on your behalf, be sure to like my Walpole ................... 4
Facebook Page: Senator Paul Feeney and follow me on Twitter: Sharon .................... 4
PaulFeeneyMA Norton ..................... 5
Foxborough ............. 5
Feel free to scroll through the newsletter to better understand what I
have been up to since November 1. Mansfield ................ 6
Attleboro ................. 6
Yours in service, Rehoboth................. 6
Paul R. Feeney Seekonk................... 7
Office Hours ............ 7
Paul R. Feeney
State Senator Meet the Staff .......... 8
Bristol & Norfolk District

February 10, 2018

 INSIDE THE STATE HOUSE
“Throughout my first 100 Days
I have hosted several groups
and individuals from the dis-
trict at the State House.
Members of the United States
Paralympic Wheelchair Curl-
ing Team, residents of
Walpole’s New Pond Village,
students from Sharon and
Attleboro and many more have
come to discuss legislation,
watch the Senate in action,
perform, and take a tour.”

“..[the decision] was hasty, short-sighted, and tone-deaf.

FEENEY CHAIRS This hearing is absolutely necessary to fully understand
why the process was flawed, to hold the GIC accountable,
GROUP and to ensure changes to prevent this from happening in
INSURANCE the future.”
COMMISSION
OVERSIGHT LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
HEARING HEALTH Act
A comprehensive health care cost containment bill, including reforms related to
Senator Feeney as the Chair of
mobile integrated health care, optional Medicaid buy-in, hospital reimbursement
the Joint Committee on Public
rates, and pharmaceutical industry transparency and accountability. I also proudly
Service, joined with the Chair of
co-sponsored and advocated for the inclusion of many amendments:
The Senate Committee on Ways
and Means, the Senate Chair of The Single Payer Benchmark Amendment – filed by Senator Julian Cyr that
the Joint Committee on Public passed by a vote of 35-3. This amendment takes the vital step toward af-
fordable and universal healthcare as a right and will allow the Common-
Health and the Vice Chair of the
wealth to truly compare costs and gather data on transitioning to a Single
Joint Committee on Public Ser-
Payer healthcare model versus our current broken system.
vice, to hold an oversight hear-
ing in Task Force on Insurance Related to Food Allergies Amendment – filed by Sena-
order to review the Medical and tor Cynthia Stone Creem, would create a Food Allergy task force made up of
experts, medical professionals and a parent of a child with food allergies to
Behavioral Health
study the rising rates of allergies as well as the gaps in insurance and high
Procurement for employee
costs of services and medically necessary foods.
health insurance coverage by the
Group Insurance
Commission (GIC).
Uniform Financial Aid Information
S.2247, An Act Requiring Institutions of Higher Education to Provide Uniform
Financial Aid Information to Accepted Applicants filed by Senator Eileen Do-
noghue creates transparency and eases cost comparisons for admitted students
considering the Commonwealth’s colleges and universities. This bill helps students
and their families easily compare costs, graduation rates, loan default rates, and
expected monthly loan payments after graduation. Furthermore, this helps stu-
dents find the colleges that will allow them to graduate on time with as little debt
as possible. About 3,300 U.S. institutions, including 66 in Massachusetts, already
use the shopping sheet.

After receiving unanimous support by the Senate in a 39-0 vote, the bill now moves
to the House of Representatives for their review and consideration.
2
 ACCESS Law
Filed by Senate President
Harriett Chandler, House
Pro Tempore Patricia
Haddad and Representative
John Scibak S.499/H.536,
An Act advancing
contraceptive coverage and
economic security in our
state (otherwise known as
ACCESS) bill was viewed as
both a safeguard and a
worst-case-scenario means
to shield Massachusetts
women from regressive
healthcare-policy rollbacks
Go Red for Women Day to raise awareness for heart disease in women. at the federal level. Now
enacted into law after
CAPITAL BOND BILL receiving Governor Baker’s
signature, and passing both
S.2279, An Act providing for capital facility repairs and improve- House and Senate with
ments for the Commonwealth authorizes up to $3.65 billion in bonds overwhelming support,
for repairs and improvements of capital facilities across the state, Massachusetts demonstrated
which the Senate just enacted earlier this week. Spending authoriza- that we are leading the way
tions in the bill include bonds for state university and community col- to ensure that women and
lege campus improvements, public safety and security facilities and families have access to
clean energy and efficiency programs. affordable, safe
contraception of their own
I am proud to announce that several amendments for local priorities choosing regardless of their
that I filed were adopted by the Senate: economic status or who they
work for. Contraception is
$1.2 million for Foxboro turf field complex; basic, preventive health care
$20 thousand for Rehoboth Senior Center HVAC upgrades; that every woman should be
able to access, regardless of
$2 million for Design and Construction of a new Norton Council her economic status.
on Aging facility;
$4.7 million for School infrastructure improvements in Walpole
$3 million for a firefighting substation on Route 140 in Fox-
borough, near Mansfield
The Capital Bond Bill will now head to a conference committee to
have their differences reconciled before heading to the Governor for
his review and consideration.

Governor Baker signing the

ACCESS Bill into Law.

3
MOMENTS FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT….

EAGLE SCOUT MEDFIELD

COURT OF On January 7th, I attended the 10 year
HONORS Anniversary of The Center at Medfield.
Serving over 900 seniors and family
In the first 100 Days, Paul has members, The Center is a cornerstone
had the pleasure of participating to the Medfield community and relies
in Court of Honor Ceremonies for heavily on the nearly 140 volunteers.
many new Eagle Scouts
throughout the Bristol and
Norfolk district. Becoming an
Eagle Scout is a serious and
admirable accomplishment that
only 4% of Boy Scouts are able to Presentation of an official Senate citation
achieve. At each of these for The Center’s 10 year anniversary.
ceremonies Senator Feeney
presents the recipients with an
official Senate citation to recog-
nize their achievement.

WALPOLE
Golden Opportunities for
Independence provides Golden
Retriever service dogs to people in
need. On November 27th, I attended
a fundraiser benefiting this Walpole-
based organization. Meeting incredi-
ble people like Pauline Hoegler and
Sue McCarthy, who work selflessly
to better the lives of those living
with disabilities.

SHARON
The Sharon Rotary Club is
an active group that focuses
on initiatives on a local and
international basis. Every
year the group holds a Gifts
of Hope program to provide
assistance to those in need
during the holiday season.
In it’s 26th year I was able
to present the group with a
congratulatory citation
along with Representative Lou Kafka
4 and Senator Walter Timilty.
 NORTON
I had the pleasure of meeting with
Superintendent Dr. Baeta, the Norton
Teachers Association, School Committee
Members, Principal Lafayette, Principal DiFonso,
faculty, staff and students for a tour of Norton
High School. I was impressed with the
innovative programs and curriculum that are
evident in every classroom and lab. Students are
able to learn in a welcoming, open, tech friendly,
creative and positive environment.

FOXBOROUGH
On January 6th, I was honored to attend the
Official Re-Grand Opening and Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony for the Orpheum Theatre.
The Foxborough Regional Center for
Performing Arts recently purchased the
theatrical enterprise and with Executive
Director, Robert Hickey of Foxborough, at
the helm, The Orpheum has become a new
hub for the community. Staff and volunteers
have worked tirelessly to bring new life to the
common through new and exciting programs
for all ages.

KEEP TRACK AND STAY CONNECTED!

These “Moments From Around The District” are just a small sampling of all of the incredible people,
organizations and events in our districts that I have the pleasure of interacting with and attending. I post
frequently on FACEBOOK & TWITTER to keep constituents aware of where I am, what I am working on ,
how I am voting and legislation that I am trying to advance.
Like my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter: PaulFeeneyMA for daily and weekly updates!

5
 MARTIN LUTHER MANSFIELD
KING, JR. DAY I was completely blown away
by the goodness on display at
Held at Attleboro City Hall, the Rev. Dr.
the Annual Personal Best
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial com- Karate Turkey Brigade.
memorated the progress made since the Hundreds of volunteers
days of MLK Jr., but also drew attention created a massive line
to the work still necessary. wrapping all around the
“..We must continue to inspire each other, parking lot and gym at the St.
to lift each other up, to give each other Mary’s School to assemble
hope and to spread light and love over 3,000 Thanksgiving Din-
throughout our community and our na- ners for local families in need.
tion. From the halls of Congress, to the Master Chris Rappold is the
maestro of this effort and truly
chamber in which I serve, to Attleboro
a man for others.
City Hall and right down to our own
homes and kitchen tables; WE MUST
NOT BE SILENT. To do so, as Dr. King
pointed out, marks the beginning of the
ATTLEBORO
end of our own lives. On November 16th, I
...Our fight is right and our cause is just. was fortunate to at-
equality does not end with a victory at the tend the Attleboro
front of a bus, the end of a bridge, the High Blue Pride
stool at a lunch counter or even the seat in Night. This informa-
a classroom. Dr. King died while sticking tive night featured
up for sanitation workers because he un- presentations,
derstood that true freedom does not exist performances and art-
work from students,
if economic justice is not delivered. As
as well as booths fea-
more and more income and wage inequal-
turing all of the clubs
ity causes despair in our own communi-
and sports Attleboro High has to offer. Principal Bill Runey gave an
ties, we must once again learn from Dr.
excellent rundown on the robust “CTE” curriculum that educates
King and stick together and stand up for
students in technical and human service trades so they are career–
each other to realize true freedom with
ready upon graduation.
economic justice and hope…”
REHOBOTH
I had the pleasure of attending the famous Rehoboth American
Legion Post 302 All
-You-Can-Eat
Breakfast on Janu-
ary 14th. This
American Legion
Post works hard
throughout the
year to serve our
community and
assist our
veterans through a
6 broad array of services. I’m looking forward to celebrating
REHOBOTH 375 all year!!!
SEEKONK
Site visit to the former Attleboro Dye Works in
Seekonk. This site includes three parcels: a pond,
dam and settling ponds. Due to a partial roof col-
lapse in 2009 and a catastrophic fire in 2012, the
site is in need of remediation. There are many
Seekonk officials doing a lot of work to clean this
site up and redevelop it. I look forward to working
alongside local officials, as well as Representative
Howitt, to make it happen.

….& MANY, MANY MORE TO COME!

AVAILABLE & ACCESSIBLE—OFFICE HOURS & MORE

I was blessed to have a mentor in my life
who used to remind me that “it’s not just
simply about your ability, it’s about your
availability”. With that in mind, my Staff
and I set out to hold office hours in every
community in the district within the first
45 days of my term. These sessions are a
great way for citizens to come meet me
face to face to chat about issues,
legislation, ideas or to seek assistance for
anything at all. We will be out and about
in the community on a regular basis and
will schedule office hours at different
times to ensure that shift-workers,
parents, public safety workers and others
have a chance to attend. Be on the look-
out for these sessions and please don’t
hesitate to reach out to my office at any
time!
I have been meeting with local elected
officials and appearing before Boards of
Selectmen as well to fully understand the
needs of each community and to be an
effective Senator
MEET THE STAFF Michael Gallant
Chief of Staff
Michael.Gallant@MaSenate.gov
Former: Legislative Director for Representative Stephen Kulik
Westfield State University, Class of 2009

Blair Usedom
Legislative Aide
Blair.Usedom@MaSenate.gov
Former: Volunteer Coordinator for City Council Jan Devereux Campaign
Wheaton (MA) College, Class of 2014

Drew Phelan
District Director
Drew.Phelan@MaSenate.gov
Former: Cancer Researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital
Bryant University, Class of 2016

Hanna Switlekowski
Legislative Director
Hanna.Switlekowski@MaSenate.gov
Former: Legislative Aide for Representative Lou Kafka
Brandeis University, Class of 2013

Valentino Capobianco
Communications Director / Scheduler
Valentino.Capobianco@MaSenate.gov
Former: Political Campaign Consultant
Suffolk University, Class of 2011