Feb 5 2014
Welcome the Immigrant Driver
Boston Globe
Most Massachusetts residents don’t seem to know what to think of the undocumented immigrant population. And yet, this demographic is categorically an economic fact of life in the Commonwealth. These workers often are part of the silent backdrops in our everyday...
Jan 17 2014
Let’s clean up Mystic River
Boston Globe
While the famous Red Sox anthem “Dirty Water’’ might still be a local favorite as we celebrate our beloved team, the underlying theme of a polluted Charles River is fortunately no longer relevant. Boston Harbor and the Charles River are national examples...
Jan 17 2014
Senate Passes Election Reform Bill
Medford Patch
The Senate on Thursday voted 37-1 to pass legislation reforming the election laws in the Commonwealth by authorizing early voting for state and federal elections and primaries, allowing residents to register to vote on Election Day and creating an online voter registration...
Dec 19 2013
RIDE users to see decrease in fares
Cambridge Chronicle
This week the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors approved an MBTA plan to reduce fares for RIDE users from $4 per trip to $3 per trip. This is welcome news for tens of thousands of Massachusetts paratransit users who, in July 2012,...
Nov 21 2013
Senate Passes Bill to Restore Minimum Wage
The Somerville News Weekly
BOSTON – The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that will restore the value of the minimum wage in Massachusetts by increasing the minimum wage to $11 by 2016 and tying future increases to the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast region. The bill also increases...
Oct 25 2013
Staying safe when renovating lead paint
Somerville Journal
Contractors, homeowners and owners of child care centers built before 1978, take note. A recent update – Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) – requires contractor supervisors to take a one-day class on lead paint safety and contractors to be licensed...
Oct 24 2013
Senator Jehlen Announces Passage of Parental Leave Legislation
The Somerville News Weekly
Senator Jehlen announced today that the Senate voted to pass S865 An Act relative to parental leave. Senator Jehlen is the lead sponsor of this legislation, which protects employees and modernizes the legal concepts of parental leave.
“I am proud of the hard work...
Oct 13 2013
Recognizing ‘Employ Older Workers Week’
Medford Transcript
Everybody knows we’re living longer. We’re also working longer. Seventy-five isn’t quite the new 65, but a quarter of people 65 to 74 are still working.
Without older workers, the labor force in Massachusetts would actually be shrinking. By 2020, more...
Sep 16 2013
Senate Updates Manslaughter Statute
Inside Medford
The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed legislation to strengthen penalties against corporations convicted of manslaughter by raising the fine from $1,000 to no less than $250,000 and including the possibility of corporate debarment for up to 10 years, Senator Patricia...
Sep 8 2013
Jehlen Helps Secure Funding to Remove Water Chestnuts
Inside Medford
The Mystic River is an unrivaled escape in our otherwise urban setting, enjoyed by runners, dog-walkers, bird-watchers, photographers, boaters and many more. Any day, looking out on the river you will find canoes, kayaks, speedboats, or a family walking along the river...
Sep 7 2013
Medford Arts Council to receive more than $17,000 from state
Medford Transcript
Medford —
Sen. Patricia Jehlen announced the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has approved $77,675 in grants to cultural organizations and schools in the district.
The MCC also approved $70,080 in funding for local cultural councils.
Jehlen said these grants...
Jul 24 2013
Looking after those with Alzheimers
Somerville News
The fear of a loved one wandering or becoming lost is a frightening thought for anyone who cares for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory impairments.
In light of recent events, I want to share some information about Silver Alert, a community...
May 28 2013
Dream realized: Slain MIT officer named to Somerville Police
NBC News
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation naming Collier to the Somerville Police Department, where he had worked as a civilian employee. He also lived in Somerville, a suburb just north of Boston.
“Officer Collier was a true hero and this deserving...
May 26 2013
Jehlen announces homeless animal fund up to $249k
Winchester Star
Winchester, MA —
State Sen. Patricia Jehlen announced recently that the new Homeless Animal Prevention and Care fund raised $249,030 this tax season to help animals.
The fund was created as part of Chapter 193 of the Acts of 2012 that also updated many of the laws...
May 13 2013
Medford legislators support increase in local aid for roads, bridges
Medford Transcript
The Medford legislative delegation of Sen. Patricia Jehlen, Rep. Paul J. Donato, Rep. Carl Sciortino and Rep. Sean Garballey joined their colleagues in voting to support a significant increase in state funds for municipal governments to address road and bridge...
May 2 2013
Loan Program Provides Options for the Needy
Somerville News
Faced with physical limitations, some seniors and people living with disabilities may have difficulty navigating their own homes safely. In some cases, they might even be forced to move away or to assisted living facilities. The Massachusetts Home Modification Loan Program...
Apr 4 2013
Jehlen led on new retirement community safeguards
Patriot Ledger
Congratulations to state Sen. Pat Jehlen, who helped lead the effort to bring more safeguards to seniors who buy into continuing care retirement communitites. The new law should give buyers more control over their decisions.
Governor Deval Patrick held a ceremonial bill...
Apr 2 2013
Sen. Jehlen: Common Sense Tax Reform Needed to Move MA Forward
Inside Medford
Massachusetts has reached a fork in the road. One path leads to an even better education system, a reliable public transit system, well maintained roads and bridges, and a revived economy. The other path leads to further cuts for vital services, decrepit roads and bridges...
Jan 15 2013
Jehlen, Aide Attend ‘Artists for Alzheimer’s’ Event
Inside Medford
On December 13, 2012 Senator Patricia Jehlen and her Elder Affairs director Vicki Halal attended Artists for Alzheimer’s (ARTZ) “Meet Me at the Coolidge…and Make Memories!” This is a free, quarterly, inclusive, interactive film program for people...
Dec 30 2012
Much Done, Much Left to Do
Winchester Star
As 2012 comes to an end, the 187th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is also wrapping up its business.
Over the last two years we tried to shepherd the Commonwealth through a tough fiscal climate while also addressing many major and controversial issues...