By: MA State Representative Estela Reyes
February is a short month, and it has been a busy one in the State Legislature. We are off to an exciting start with new committee placements, updated rules, and renewing caucus memberships.
I am thrilled to announce that I have been selected as the Vice Chair on the Joint Committee of Emergency Preparedness and Management. It is an honor to hold the leadership position of Vice Chair on this important committee.
This committee oversees the speedy response and recovery procedures across many areas of safety and health. I will be serving alongside Chairman Steven Ultrino, Senate Chair John Cronin, Senate Vice Chair Joan Lovely, with committee members from both the House and Senate.
I am deeply grateful to House Speaker Ronald Mariano for entrusting me with this role and for his confidence in my ability to ensure that the Commonwealth is well-prepared to handle any emergency that may arise.
Additionally, I am a sitting member of three committees: the Joint Committee of Consumer Protections and Professional Licensure, Joint Committee of State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and Joint Committee of Veterans and Federal Affairs.
I was a member on all of these committees last session as well. I look forward to continuing the work in these committees with new and old colleagues.
Outside of the legislative work, my office has been actively addressing a surge in constituent concerns, with one of the most pressing being the rising cost of gas and natural gas for home heating.
I am highly attuned to this issue and have been working closely with many colleagues to address it at the state-level.
I signed on to multiple group letters from the Merrimack Valley Delegation and from the State Legislature to express the inequities and undue burden our constituents face from the drastic price increase, especially on the delivery charges.
We have sent letters to the Department of Public Utilities, Eversource, and the Attorney General to take action on the market greed. Eversource did drop the inflation increase from 30% to 25%, however it is too little too late.
To manage this issue in the long term, I sponsored a bill, HD.1902, that will cap the gas delivery charge at $0.80 per thermal unit. As of now, most gas companies are above or hover around that level due to recent increases.
I want to be sure residents across the Commonwealth do not feel the rug pulled from under them regarding gas prices for coming winters. Heating our homes should not be a luxury, it is a basic need that protects vulnerable groups and can even save lives. Thank you to those who have already reached out to share their experiences with this matter. Your advocacy is heard and appreciated.
This month has also been full of turmoil for immigrant communities.
I feel empathy towards individuals and families who are weighed down by the fear and uncertainty from the demands of the federal executive office. For more information check out the shared resources on my Facebook or if you have a personal question please contact my office directly.
Lastly this month, Happy Black History Month and Happy Dominican Independence Day! Celebrating the array of cultures across this great nation is a source of joy and unity. ◊