Kathleen O’Connor Ives Sworn in as Massachusetts State Senator New First Essex District legislator ready to get to work for constituents Boston, Mass. Kathleen O’Connor Ives was sworn in as First Essex District State Senator on Wednesday, January 2nd at the State House on Beacon Hill. She was elected to the seat […]
Listen to Hour 1 Listen to Hour 2 Saturday on The Paying Attention! Radio Program on WCAP (980AM) Senator-Elect Kathleen O’Connor Ives co-hosted The Paying Attention! Radio Program with Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan. Ives commits to attend Tea Party Meetings and listen to the concerns of her constituents in the Tea Party. […]
We started off the year of 2013 losing our good friend and colleague, Ronnie Ford of Methuen. We missed him all year and it would be impossible to start a “year in review” without remembering Ronnie and his family. AUDITOR SUZANNE BUMP & ALL THOSE MISSING EBT CARDS Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne Bump conducted an […]
By: State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives, September, 2013 In 2007 a federal audit found that about one in seven elderly residents were being given antipsychotic medication in nursing homes despite the fact that those drugs carry a “black box” warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A “black box” warning is designed to call […]
By: State Senator Kathleen Ives – August, 2013 There has been some misinformation in the press about the Legislature’s recent vote to override Governor Deval Patrick’s veto of the Transportation Finance Bill. Some outlets are reporting that by fighting against the Governor on this veto, the legislature chose to raise the gas tax by 3 […]
Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives reports to the Valley Patriot that she has voted on the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget today in a 36-3 vote. The budget included numerous items that she advocated for, such as: $300,000 for Salisbury Beach Replenishment Salisbury beach is one of the Commonwealth’s most popular beaches and contributes greatly to our […]
By: Senator Katie O’Connor Ives – June 2013 May was a busy month in the Senate. It was my first budget season and per tradition in the legislature, a new legislator has to give a first formal speech – a “maiden speech” before being able to engage in discussion and debate on the floor. Senators […]
PAYING ATTENTION! By: Tom Duggan, (11-17-12) While Tea Party member are still in shock over the 2012 ass kicking we took in the polls on Election Day, now is the perfect time for a lecture on course correction. FAILED STRATEGIES Very high on the failed strategy list for the Tea Party is the way […]
Fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables are now available at 11 citywide market stops [LOWELL, MA] – Outdoor farmers’ market season is in full swing in the City of Lowell! Seasonal, locally grown produce is available 5 days a week via Mill City Grows’ (MCG) Mobile Market, a “Farmers’ Market on Wheels,” which makes stops at […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – Dec. 2017 I recently testified in front of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on a bill I co-sponsored, S448 An Act Promoting Awareness of Safe Recreation in Public Waterways requesting that it be given a favorable recommendation. This bill will institute a statewide sewage discharge […]
By: Tom Duggan, Jr. – Dec. 1, 2017 Earlier this year The Valley Patriot learned about Lawrence Police Officer Jeremaiah O’Connor had died in the line of duty back in the 1950’s but his sacrifice was never recognized. Officer O’Connor has since been declared a line of duty death and his family given the “last […]
BOSTON – In one of the final legislative actions of the 189th legislative session, both the Massachusetts Senate and House enacted a bill on Tuesday night which calls for schools to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs). For years, advocates from across the Commonwealth have pushed for this common-sense requirement to make the life-saving devices accessible […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – Nov, 2016 Leading up to the beginning of a new formal legislative session in January, I’m focusing in on which bills will be priorities for me to file, re-file and co-sponsor. My column over these next months will be focused on a number of those bills. This month’s column […]
BOSTON – The State Senate passed legislation on Thursday, by a 22-13 vote, which seeks to help students in all public schools in the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 2203 “An Act Enhancing Reform, Innovation and Success in Education,” or The RISE Act, renews the Commonwealth’s commitment to education by ensuring adequate funding of the public school […]
By Tom Duggan – 12-26-15 Hundreds of needy and underprivileged children in Methuen were shocked yesterday morning to find a present under their Christmas trees, thanks to the efforts of the Methuen Police, Fire, and the volunteers at Debbies Treasure Chest, which is headquartered in Lawrence. Methuen Officers Derek Licata and Mike Blanchette, as well […]