The Massachusetts House of Representatives took a number of important measures in addressing the ongoing opioid abuse crisis in the Commonwealth. The House passed comprehensive legislation that incorporated aspects of Governor Baker’s bill, the Senate opioid bill, input from the medical community, and input from families who have been affected by this scourge. The House […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell 2.5.16 I am pleased that the House of Representatives is currently closely reviewing legislation filed by Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante from Gloucester that will allow those suffering from addiction to go to their local police station for help without fear of being charged with drug possession. There may be […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Jan. 2016 We have an opportunity in coming weeks in the Legislature to send the Governor a comprehensive piece of legislation to further address the opioid crisis. Legislative action to date includes substantially increased funding for: treatment post-detox; Community Mental Health Centers for both adults and youth; and […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell – Dec. 2015 Before Thanksgiving, the Massachusetts House passed two important pieces of legislation. One of these bills will make significant changes to our antiquated public records law. The other will lift the cap on solar energy production to take advantage of existing solar projects and expiring federal tax credits. Both […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Nov. 2015 Over this past summer, we saw two women graduate from the Army’s Ranger School, our military’s premier course for both leadership and light infantry combat. While there has been a long ongoing debate upon whether American women should fill military occupations associated with close combat, we are […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell October, 2015 The Baker Administration has placed our DCF under new executive leadership that is deeply committed to effecting very necessary improvements in our State’s child protection systems. As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I can tell you that the Legislature is highly supportive […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell July, 2105 Francis “Fran” Gradzewicz, longtime resident of Methuen, was joined by her husband Thomas, her daughter Karen Hayden, and myself, as they brought their case regarding the lack of clarity in current law governing end-of-life medical care to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Fran testified in front […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell June, 2015 Massachusetts gets an F grade for access to public records according to some very respected public interest groups. A number of bills have been filed to change this including legislation filed by Senator Ives and co-sponsored by both Representative DiZoglio and myself. As a member of the […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – May, 2015 The Budget passed by the House of Representatives for Fiscal Year 2016 closes a budget gap without tax increases, new fees, and without taking additional money from our “rainy day fund” as we needed to do during the recession and the years following, in order to […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, (Methuen) May, 2015 On Wednesday, the House concluded deliberations for the proposed FY16 with funding allocated for significant projects throughout the Merrimack Valley. In addition to the much toted $400,000.00 funding for the Nicholson Stadium Project the House FY16 Budget also included funding for additional Methuen programs and projects sponsored […]
By: State Rep Linda Dean Campbell – April, 2015 Constituents and members of the press often run into significant roadblocks trying to obtain public records. These include excessive wait times and excessive fees charged which prove to be an insurmountable barrier for constituents attempting to access government publications and records which are public property. A […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell – March , 2015 This session I am sponsoring and co-sponsoring approximately fifty pieces of Legislation targeting substance abuse prevention in the Merrimack Valley. Perhaps the most challenging legislation that I am filing is that drafted by the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association. After meeting with DA Blodgett to discuss his perspective on […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell – November, 2014 Very recently, I was afforded the opportunity to have a discussion with our new national Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert McDonald. Wisely, he is taking time to visit VA health care centers across the country, including our center in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. I was impressed by some of […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – 9-14 In my recent visits on and to the Merrimack River, I was impressed with the water quality. It is still amazing to me how far we have come from those years when the smell of the Merrimack River reminded us of how polluted it really was. I […]