By: State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – Feb. 2017 Last session, as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, I was tasked with reviewing proposals for a major overhaul of the state’s zoning laws which have become strained under modern housing pressures. The goal of the comprehensive bill passed by the […]
By: State Senator Katy Ives – June, 2016 In May, the Massachusetts Legislature approved legislation that seeks to enhance government transparency and accountability by providing residents with greater access to public records and imposing penalties for non-compliance with public records requests. I re-filed a piece of legislation this session, co-sponsored by Representative Diana DiZoglio, in […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – October, 2015 The State Senate recently passed additional reforms aimed at combatting the substance abuse epidemic in Massachusetts. Senate Bill 2020, which passed unanimously, focuses on prevention and early intervention, responsible pain management, expanded drug take-back programs by manufacturers, and reducing the number of opiate pills in circulation by […]
By: Sentaor Kathleen Ives – Sept., 2015 In January, I filed Senate bill 1200, An Act to Reduce Exposure to BPA, which is currently before the Joint Committee on Public Health. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that has been linked as a health and environmental pollutant. In January 2011, the Massachusetts Department of Public […]
By: Senator Katy Ives – August, 2015 The Massachusetts State Senate debated the Fiscal Year 2016 state budget last month, where I advocated for key provisions that will be beneficial to the constituents of my district. The items below are a number of the district-specific priorities included in the final budget: Fixing the MBTA Over […]
By: Christine Morabito – February, 2015 If clean, safe and efficient energy is to be our standard, then why use wind power at all? When we examine the entire process, the construction and operation of wind turbines is a dangerous and toxic affair. It begins with the mining of rare earth minerals, a collection of […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives November, 2014 November 11, Veterans’ Day, a national day of remembrance to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces during war, was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. In my first term as State Senator, I am proud to have worked […]
Paying Attention is hosted by Tom Duggan, Co-host Paul Murano and is produced by Chris Poublon. Paying Attention and airs on 980WCAP in Lowell on Saturday’s from 10am to noon. 1st Essex Senate Debate CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DEBATE SEGMENT 1 Senator Katheen O’Connor Ives and Jessica Finocchiaro begin their debate talking about what it means to […]
By: Senator Katy Ives – March 2014 Given this is The Valley Patriot’s 10th year anniversary special edition, I would like to highlight legislation in the State House especially relevant to freedom of the press. Government should have transparency and accountability and the only way to ensure that this is occurring is to have access. […]
By: Senator Ives – November, 2013 In the latest effort to support veterans, military members and their families in Massachusetts, the Senate unanimously passed legislation in October to expand benefits, increase access to services, and strengthen the recognition and honor given to our service men and women. Senate Bill 1876, “An Act Relative to Veterans’ […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives BOSTON – Following a press conference that Senate President Therese Murray held Monday morning, the Senate is due to take up a comprehensive welfare reform bill on Thursday aimed at making state assistance transitional. The bill addresses cyclical issues that prevent recipients from transitioning off of welfare as well as […]
By: Tom Duggan – January 8, 2013 What do you call it when the legislature passes a law but they purposely don’t impose any penalties for violating that law? Well if you live in Massachusetts you would call it the Public Records law, or MGL Chapter 66. Now Sate Representative Diana DiZoglio says the first […]