EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE VALLEY PATRIOT By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio – (05-23) Being a senior citizen in Massachusetts should be especially fulfilling, as our Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) operates with a core mission to “develop, implement, and evaluate innovative programs to promote the independence, empowerment, and well-being of older adults, individuals with disabilities, […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Last Wednesday, surrounded by family and friends, I was sworn in as your State Auditor at Methuen High School, my alma mater, where I had the opportunity to share my audit plan. As Auditor, I am excited to collaborate with communities and stakeholders to increase access, accountability, and equity for […]
By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio – 1-23 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, It has been a true honor and pleasure serving the great people of the Merrimack Valley in the Massachusetts Legislature. Every day, I’ve walked out my door in the morning determined to make meaningful progress and change that helps people at home. This public […]
12/22 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Now more than ever, our working families and small businesses need every possible resource to make it through these challenging economic times. That is why I am so grateful we recently passed comprehensive economic development legislation that provides our communities with sorely needed tax relief and invests in important projects, […]
By: Senator Diana DiZoglio 0 11-22 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, State assistance is crucial when it comes to supporting the finances of our cities and towns across Massachusetts. Funding for education, general aid and reimbursements support more than a fifth of budgets for our communities and, for some cities and towns, state aid is the […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Recently, I took to the Senate floor in calling on the Legislature to return to session and resume debate over stalled economic development and tax relief legislation. Specifically, I have urged the Senate and House to suspend Rule 12A, the legislative rule that calls for an end to the formal legislative […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Right now, it is illegal to engage in sports betting in Massachusetts. The reality, however, is countless residents already engage in sports wagering, especially in a region like ours in the Merrimack Valley, as a short drive or walk will take you across the border to New Hampshire, where sports betting […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Four years ago, in April 2018, when residents across Massachusetts mourned the tragic loss of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, who was killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant, Gannon’s K9, Nero, was also shot and suffered life-threatening injuries. Under state law at the time, first responders could […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, During the COVID-19 pandemic, 77 residents of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragically died of the virus – the deadliest outbreak at a long-term care facility in the United States over the course of the pandemic. In late March 2020, there had been 230 residents at the home. By the end of […]
By: Senator DiZoglio Hello Valley Patriot Readers, The prevalence of life-threatening allergies among children is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that food allergies in children increased by 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. It is estimated that currently 1 in 13 children has a food allergy, and more […]
By: Senator Diana DiZoglio – Nov. 2021 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, While we have made important strides in recent years to help Massachusetts veterans – such as exempting members of the military in active duty from the automobile excise tax and expanding services and opportunities for veterans and their families through the Valor Act – […]
Oct. 2021 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, The state Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) licenses and regulates more than 580,000 individuals, businesses, and schools to engage in over 150 trades and professions in Massachusetts, from plumbers and electricians to psychologists and optometrists. Its mission is supposed to be to protect the public through the establishment of […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, This past February, the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. settled a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and 46 other state Attorneys General after admitting to their role in helping pharmaceutical companies, including Purdue Pharma, bolster the sale of opioids like Oxycontin to increase profits. The settlement, which saw […]
Aug, 2021 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, As a member of the Legislature’s Elder Affairs Committee, one of my top focuses this session is assessing bills filed that impact our older adults. Among these pieces of legislation is an important bill I have co-sponsored, Senate Bill 1823, An Act relative to property tax deferral for estates. […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Massachusetts people have too often been left in the dark due to the secretive and inaccessible culture of centralized power on Beacon Hill. Recently, I announced my candidacy for Massachusetts State Auditor to bring greater transparency and accountability to our government. As State Auditor, I will begin by auditing the Administration’s […]
