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News Archive
Jul 28 2017
Comprehensive Marijuana Legislation Signed Into Law
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Comprehensive Marijuana Legislation Signed Into Law
(BOSTON) – Today Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that fully implements consumer access to adult-use marijuana while creating a robust...
Jul 28 2017
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Signed Into Law
PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Signed Into Law
BOSTON – Last week, Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) and her colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which...
Jul 26 2017
Jehlen is Named Assistant Majority Leader for Massachusetts Senate in Seventh Term
Cambridge Day
State Sen. Pat Jehlen, a Somerville Democrat, was appointed assistant majority leader Wednesday by Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg.
“Sen. Jehlen has been a progressive champion in the Senate for the last 12 years and before that in the House. She will...
Jul 18 2017
Newsletter: Marijuana Bill
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
Last month, the House and Senate passed very different bills about marijuana regulation. The Senate bill was far closer to the law passed by voters last November, on the tax rate, on voters' control over local bans, on social justice and opportunity for...
Jun 30 2017
Medford resident honored as Unsung Heroine
Wicked Local Medford
Mimi Gordon, of Medford, was honored as an Unsung Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women in a recent ceremony at the Statehouse. Sen. Patricia Jehlen, D-Somerville, and Reps. Christine Barber, D-Somerville; Paul Donato, D-Medford; and Sean Garballey...
Jun 20 2017
Life and Learning in MA Turnaround Schools
Citizens For Public Schools
On Tuesday, June 13, Senator Pat Jehlen hosted a powerful State House briefing featuring eyewitness accounts from a student, a parent and teachers about what it actually looks and feels like to be in a Level 4 “turnaround” school.
It was clear that the...
Jun 17 2017
Newsletter: Marijuana
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
Since I was appointed Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy in February, my staff and I have worked hard, held five hearings across the state, met with hundreds of people, reviewed many studies and books, and visited medical marijuana...
Jun 14 2017
Sen. Jehlen gives pot bill harsh reception
State House News Service/Medford Transcript
By Andy Metzger / State House News Service
Posted Jun 14, 2017 at 11:27 AM Updated Jun 14, 2017 at 11:29 AM
The higher marijuana tax rates in a reform bill backed by House leadership will “maintain the...
Jun 11 2017
Newsletter: Bail Reform
Senator Pat Jehlen
Pretrial reform – Massachusetts can do better
Last Monday I joined many other legislators to testify on criminal justice reform. This is my testimony on S834, An Act Reforming Pretrial Process.
There are two problems with our bail system:
It...
May 26 2017
Jehlen responds to passing of Senate’s Fiscal 2018 budget
Wicked Local Medford
Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) and her senate colleagues voted Thursday, May 25 on a $40.8 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2018, investing in key areas related to local aid, education, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The budget makes targeted...
Apr 26 2017
Newsletter: Alternative Education Facts #2
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
This newsletter is the second part of a presentation I've given recently, using visual aids about Mass. education. (See Alternative Fact 1: American Schools are Failing) If you find it interesting, please share it, and invite others to...
Apr 20 2017
Marijuana panel chair aims to kill off black market quickly
The Boston Globe
By Joshua Miller Globe Staff April 20, 2017
A key state senator wants to kill the black market for marijuana by keeping the tax on the drug low when it is sold legally next year, continuing to require communities to hold a voter referendum if they want to ban pot...
Apr 4 2017
Newsletter: Alternative Education Facts #1
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
This newsletter is the first part of a presentation I've given to a few groups recently, using visual aids about Massachusetts education. If you find it interesting, please feel free to share this newsletter, and to invite others to subscribe.
The...
Mar 2 2017
Newsletter: What is a good school? The answer matters
Senator Pat Jehlen
Dear Neighbors,
What's a good school? And how do you know?
How you answer may affect where you choose to live, send your children, or teach.
How we answer as a state can affect the future of children, teachers, schools, and communities.
There are a lot of...
Feb 23 2017
Newsletter: Criminal Justice
Last Thursday, ten senators held a press availability to talk about our priorities for criminal justice reform this session. Among the issues we raised were: pre-trial detention and bail reform, juvenile justice, community corrections, decriminalization of minor offenses,...
Feb 20 2017
Somerville politicians support bill targets 100 percent renewable energy goal
Wicked Local Somerville
By Gerry Tuoti
Wicked Local Newsbank Editor
Every house, building and car in Massachusetts would be powered by renewable energy sources in the coming decades under a new bill in the state legislature.
That would make Massachusetts the first state in the country...
Feb 19 2017
Newsletter: Appointments and Bills
This week, the Senate President and House Speaker announced committee appointments for this session. I am Senate chair of the Committee on Marijuana; I will protect the will of the voters, while listening to suggestions for improvements to the ballot question. We will...
Feb 16 2017
Democratic Mass. Senators Lay Out Bevy Of Criminal Justice Proposals
WBUR
By Steve Brown
Just days before a long-awaited review of the Massachusetts criminal justice system is set to be released, several Democratic state senators on Thursday detailed their policy proposals for criminal justice reform, which they say will be a major priority...
Feb 16 2017
Massachusetts Senate Democrats propose criminal justice reforms, including eliminating mandatory minimums
MassLive
By Shira Schoenberg
BOSTON -- Massachusetts senators will consider a range of proposals to reform the state's criminal justice system during this legislative session, from eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses to...
Feb 9 2017
Newsletter: Response to Executive Orders
Many of us have joined marches and protests in response to the president's orders restricting immigration.
Many of you have written and called in support of the Safe Communities Act, which would essentially make Massachusetts a Sanctuary State. It would state that law...
Feb 9 2017
First wrongly convicted, now wrongly delayed
Boston Globe
By Yvonne Abraham GLOBE COLUMNIST
When it comes to waiting, Angel Echavarria is an expert.
Spending 21 years in prison for a crime you didn’t commit will do that.
But now that he’s finally free, the state — which owes him for every minute of...
Jan 28 2017
Newsletter: Next Week
Almost every day there's a meeting or demonstration in response to the national situation. Yesterday I joined SEIU 32BJ in a rally to protest Pres. Trump's counterproductive actions on immigration.
And last Saturday, 175,000 of us joined the Boston Women's March for...
Jan 13 2017
Newsletter: Reminder: Sunday Soup and Health Care
You're invited to our annual soup party on Sunday, January 15, from 5 to 8 pm at our house, 67 Dane Street in Somerville. RSVP's are welcome but not required.
All you need to bring is yourself, and a friend if you want to. But if you want to bring snacks, drinks, or...
Jan 2 2017
Newsletter: Thanks, New Year, Soup, ICYMI
I am so grateful to all of you who helped in my campaign this past year! Our almost 4-1 victory against a well-financed opponent was due to your door-knocking, phone calls, donations, and talking to friends. It was a testament to our many years of working together for...
Dec 14 2016
Pat Jehlen and Ellen Story: The champions of equal pay for women
The Boston Globe
By Shirley Leung December 14, 2016
Never give up: It could be the anthem for women in 2016.
That mind-set kept longtime state legislators Patricia Jehlen and Ellen Story going in their quest to close the stubborn gender wage gap in Massachusetts. After two...