EDITOR’S NOTE – This month, Methuen resident Diana DiZoglio was sworn in as a State Senator in Boston, replacing Senator Katy Ives of Newburyport. Ives chose not to run for reelection last year to spend more time with her family. We want to thank Senator Ives for her six years in the senate and for […]
By State Senator Katy O’Connor Ives – March, 2018 One of the most important issues limiting our state’s economy as a whole, and families and residents individually, is the issue of childcare. The state of our economy is directly connected to the state of child care options for the work force. Though Massachusetts was one […]
By: State Senator Kathleen Ives – Sept, 2016 In August, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court made an important ruling, determining it to be unlawful for electric distribution companies to pass along to ratepayers the costs associated with the construction of new, privately-owned natural gas pipelines, through what some have referred to as a “pipeline tax.” […]
The Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved omnibus veterans’ legislation in June known as the Veterans H.O.M.E. Act. State Senator Katy Ives – July, 2016 Senate Bill 2325, “An Act Relative to Housing, Operations, Military Service, and Enrichment,” seeks to improve housing and employment opportunities for military veterans and their families. The bill allows municipalities to offer […]
The Massachusetts Senate passed several bills Tuesday aimed at protecting animal welfare. Senate Bill 2369, “An Act To Prevent Animal Suffering and Death,” seeks to avoid the negligent exposure of animals to extreme temperatures by prohibiting the confinement of animals in a motor vehicle during extreme heat or cold. Should an animal be left in […]
By: Senator Katy Ives – Jan. 2016 There have been a number of important legislative developments toward tackling public records reform. This month’s column is an opportunity to describe the status of public records legislation in the effort to produce meaningful public records reform this session. At the onset, Senator Jason Lewis filed S.1676, which […]
By: Senator Kathleen Ives Dec. 2015 The Massachusetts Senate recently completed the first year of a two-year legislative session by sending to the governor’s desk legislation for increased penalties for trafficking fentanyl, and five bills related to veterans. To further address the health crisis of opiate abuse in the Commonwealth, the legislature passed House Bill […]
HEROES – REP. DIANA DIZOGLIO (Methuen) and STATE SENATOR KATY IVES (Newburyport). Both DiZoglio and Ives worked tirelessly to get my public records bill a fair hearing in sub committees, made sure they were voted out of those committees favorably, held strong on penalties for law breakers, and then forced a full vote in the […]
By: Tom Duggan, November 3, 2014 While The Valley Patriot newspaper has a policy against endorsing candidates, each member of our editorial board is free to endorse or make public who we are voting for. Here are my personal picks for the 2014 election season and why. Governor Charlie Baker, Republican As a right […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives September, 2014 There are several pieces of legislation I supported and co-sponsored, which have been signed into law by the Governor and will assist the disabled community and their families in Massachusetts. These measures will expand employment opportunities, health care coverage and ensure these residents are being cared for in […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – August, 2014 July is one of the busiest months in the legislature because the legislative session comes to a close on July 31, 2014. As such, the Senate acted on a number of notable pieces of legislation. S. 2337 An Act Relative to Unsolicited Loans This bill was one […]
The Massachusetts State Senate debated the Fiscal Year 2015 state budget last month where I advocated for key provisions that will be beneficial to the constituents of my district. Below are some of the notable district specific priorities that were included in the final budget: • $300,000 for the Methuen Stadium This funding is vital […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives June, 2014 It has been a busy month in the State House, most significantly with the state budget, which the Senate passed on May 22. I’m happy to report that during the process I was able to secure key funding for priorities and initiatives that are important for citizens throughout […]
By Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives The Massachusetts State Senate has formed a special committee to study drug addiction and treatment options in Massachusetts and aims to address an epidemic of opiate addiction in the state. In response to rising levels of drug addiction, the committee plans to review current treatment options and will make recommendations […]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR4PzEKaC0M &w=380&h=320] State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives (D-Newburyport) has received the first ever Valley Patriot 1st Amendment Award at the newspaper’s tenth anniversary BASH last month. The 1st Amendment award is given to individuals who show with their actions that they value the 1st Amendment to the Constitution and are willing to fight for it. […]