Malden Delegation Helps Push Sweeping Economic Development Bill Across the Finish Line

BOSTON (November 22, 2024) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a major economic development bill that will position the Commonwealth for continued economic growth and leadership in life sciences and biotech, offshore wind energy development and other climatetech, artificial intelligence, and other sectors of the economy. The bill also includes numerous additional provisions to strengthen healthcare, education, small businesses, and communities across the state.

“This major economic development bill provides significant new investments in our state’s economy and will advance Massachusetts’ global leadership and competitiveness,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m also very pleased that two pieces of legislation that I’ve been championing for several years were included in this package: the Educator Diversity Act to strengthen our K-12 teacher workforce, and a bill that strengthens our healthcare workforce by providing a pathway for foreign-trained physicians to become fully licensed and practice in Massachusetts.”

“I am proud that the Massachusetts House of Representatives has put together an economic bill that will invest in our future, business innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic development,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “By enhancing infrastructure and promoting job growth, this bill will ensure that Massachusetts remains at the forefront of economic advancement. I look forward to the positive impacts this legislation will bring to Malden, its residents, and businesses.”

“This economic development bill represents a transformative opportunity to create jobs, enhance economic growth, and strengthen key industries that drive the future prosperity of our Commonwealth,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “I am incredibly proud to support the provisions in this economic development bill, which will have a lasting, positive impact on our state. From policies on clean energy development, strengthening public health, educator diversity, and many more, this bill addresses the diverse needs of our economy and empowers our residents.”

“This legislation authorizes critical investments in major sectors of the Commonwealth’s economy and advances important policies including consumer protections for ticket sales, my bill on campaign funds for childcare, and educator diversity,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “The economic development package will help ensure Massachusetts retains our competitive advantage in leading industries, such as life sciences, while maintaining affordability for our residents.”

Key provisions of An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership include:

● Advancing Massachusetts’ global leadership in the life sciences and biotech industry with a $500 million bond authorization for the Life Sciences Breakthrough Fund.

● Launching a new effort to make Massachusetts a leader in climatetech with a $400 million bond authorization to support the development of offshore wind energy and to foster innovation and deployment of new climate technologies.

● Funding the MassWorks Infrastructure Program with an additional $400 million bond authorization to support local public infrastructure projects and create jobs.

● Investing $100 million to advance the development of artificial intelligence solutions in Massachusetts.

● Supporting small businesses by establishing a five-year pilot program to assist businesses in acquiring surety bonds.

● Entering Massachusetts into the national nurse licensure compact to help alleviate the nursing workforce challenges facing the healthcare sector.

● Strengthening the physician workforce by creating a pathway for physicians previously authorized to practice medicine outside the United States to be able to become licensed and practice in the Commonwealth (legislation that was sponsored by Senator Lewis).

● Strengthening the K-12 educator workforce with the inclusion of the Educator Diversity Act (also legislation that was sponsored by Senator Lewis).

● Permitting locally produced craft beer to be sold at farmers markets, which is already allowed for wine and cider.

● Ensuring ticketing transparency by requiring sellers to list the actual prices of tickets and banning automated ticket purchasing software, known as bots, which drive up prices.

● Allowing for the environmental cleanup and construction of a new soccer stadium and waterfront park in Everett, and stipulating that no public funding may be used for stadium construction.

● Overhauling the state’s fragmented public health system to ensure strong public health protections for all residents regardless of race, income, or zip code.

● Requiring all school districts to notify students prior to graduating from high school of the availability of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and to provide students with information on financial aid options for higher education.

● Authorizing public agencies and municipalities to enter into project labor agreements for public works contracts when such an agreement is in the best interest of the public agency or municipality.

● Modernizing Massachusetts civil service laws to give municipalities more options in filling job vacancies while giving qualified job seekers more opportunities to find a match. After final passage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on November 20, 2024.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov

Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition recognized by The Commonwealth Seminar as “Game Changer” Honoree

BOSTON (November 20, 2024) – This Monday, Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition (GMAAC) was recognized by Commonwealth Seminar as a 2024 “Game Changer” honoree. Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden) and his office was proud to have nominated GMAAC for their work in civic engagement and community action in the Greater Malden area.

The Commonwealth Seminar is a nonprofit organization with a mission of “Opening the Doors of Government to Everyone”. The Commonwealth Seminar offers intensive training programs focused on teaching diverse leaders how the legislative process works. Their program teaches participants all aspects of the legislative process from budget processes to advocacy. The goal of the Commonwealth Seminar is to encourage diverse leaders to become effective advocates and to pursue careers in public service.

“I am proud to have nominated the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition for the “Game Changer” award,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino (D – Malden). “This recognition is a testament to their unwavering commitment to public service, civic engagement, and positive change they bring to our community. I am thrilled to celebrate this well-deserved achievement!”

The Commonwealth Seminar’s 2024 Civic Engagement Celebration & Expo was hosted at the Nonprofit Center on November 18th, 2024. Additional information on the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition can be found here.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov

Malden Delegation Helps Pass Legislation to Expand Access to Breast Cancer Screenings

BOSTON (November 15, 2024) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass legislation that requires health insurers to provide coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer.

An Act relative to medically necessary breast screenings and exams for equity and early detection requires health insurance providers to provide coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer, digital breast tomosynthesis screening, and medically necessary and appropriate screening with breast magnetic resonance imaging. Although access to routine preventive screening mammograms is currently covered under the federal Affordable Care Act, this legislation goes further by requiring coverage for certain screenings and exams that are not currently uniformly covered.

“I was pleased to support passage of this important healthcare legislation,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “It will ensure that all women are able to access all medically necessary and appropriate breast cancer screenings, which will enable early detection and save lives.”

“This pivotal piece of legislation exhibits our dedication to providing all individuals with access to essential healthcare services,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “Early detection of breast cancer can save lives and create opportunities for individuals to receive necessary care. No one should face financial barriers in accessing these vital screenings. I am proud of my colleagues for joining together to pass this important legislation.”

“The passage of this bill demonstrates the Legislature’s commitment to health equity,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “This healthcare legislation is a victory for patients across the Commonwealth by expanding access to medically necessary breast cancer screenings.”

“One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and in this year alone, more than 6000 people in Massachusetts will be diagnosed,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “I was proud to join the legislature to pass this critical legislation that will ensure Massachusetts residents are afforded the opportunity to access all necessary screenings for breast cancer detection. Early detection saves lives, and this bill will allow Massachusetts to remain a national leader in providing screenings and care.”

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, breast cancer was the leading cancer among Massachusetts women between 2016 and 2020, accounting for over 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in the state, afflicting more than 30,000 individuals and resulting in 4,010 deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is localized and detected early, the five year relative survival rate is 99%.

After final passage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on November 14, 2024.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov