Dear Neighbors and Friends,
It has been a little while since my last Livingstone Dispatch. It has been a very busy summer and I can’t believe it’s already almost August. The Legislature has been busy and at the beginning of July we passed the final FY’22 budget.
There have also been many hearings each week and I have been providing written and oral testimony on many of my bills. You can find my written testimonies on my website here.
GETTING INVOLVED
#55 Bus
I have also been working with community members to improve the district. I have attended the #55 bus rally to advocate for the bus to be restored to its full service. The next rally will be August 8th at 5:30pm at the corner of Jersey and Queensberry St. Many members of the community rely on this bus to access their jobs, healthcare, among much more and we will continue to advocate until we see full restoration.
There will be a public meeting on AUGUST 5th at 6PM held by the MBTA to address the Fall 2021 schedule changes. To register for this meeting please use this link: https://www.mbta.com/events/2021-08-05/public-meeting-fall-2021-service-changes-virtual
Charlesgate Alliance
I took a walking tour with the Charlesgate Alliance and other elected officials to strategize on how we can receive funding to turn the park into a more accessible place for the community. The Charlesgate Alliance has a beautiful plan to improve the park and I look forward to continuing to work with them. It is imperative that we can access any available greenspace in the city.
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Fenway CARES
I have worked with Fenway CARES to help distribute to community members. Fenway Cares distributes food every other week, as it has done throughout the pandemic. If you would like to volunteer next time you can sign up here!
Magazine Beach Math Trail
Last Saturday, my family and I enjoyed Magazine Beach’s Math Trail. My kids loved the Math Trail on the pedestrian bridge, which measures the bridge by different animal steps. I caught up with the Charles River Conservancy and MathWorks leaders, who created the Trail, as well as Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. Afterwards, we enjoyed a very refreshing time at the spray deck and in the pool.
 
FINAL BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Local Earmarks
$25,000 to the West End Museum
$50,000 to the Women’s Lunch Place
$50,000 to Magazine Beach Partners
$100,000 to the Boston Landmarks Orchestra
SNAP Gap Language
Also included in the budget is language to require the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to implement changes to allow low-income applicants and recipients of MassHealth and Medicare Savings Program to initiate an application to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the same time as their application or renewal for MassHealth/Medicare Savings Program.
This brings us one step closer to closing the SNAP Gap and implementing a system that allow applicants to fill out one application for all public benefits rather than apply to each separately. This language relates to my bill I filed along with Senator DiDomenico H1290/S761 An Act to streamline access to critical public health and safety-net programs through common applications.
Parking Meters
As many of you know, Rep. Santiago, Rep. Tyler, and I secured an amendment in the House budget, and Senator Brownsberger in the Senate budget, that would prohibit the Department of Conservation and Recreation from installing parking meters along public ways without the prior approval of a municipality. This amendment would primarily help address the situation in Fenway where DCR is proposing to install meters in a residential neighborhood without fully engaging with the residents or understanding the parking uses in the area or even having the typical goal of meter programs - to create turnover during certain periods. DCR decided to proceed with meters in certain areas where it controlled the parkway regardless of the appropriateness of the spot for a meter.
Unfortunately, Governor Baker struck the entire provision and sent it back to the Legislature with different language. I am now working with my colleagues to get the language restored on the House side and Senator Brownsberger is working on the Senate side.
For a full summary of the final budget, check out my blog post here.
WELCOME MY NEW STAFFER
Finally, I have added a second staffer to my office. I want to welcome my new Legislative Aide, Cassidy Trabilcy. She will be available to assist constituents and advocates alike with concerns and questions. You can reach her at Cassidy.Trabilcy@mahouse.gov
I hope that everyone has been enjoying their summer. I look forward to spending more time in the community and to seeing more familiar faces.
Best,
Jay
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