¡THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE YEAR IS UPON US!
Dear Family of 15th Suffolk,
We are reaching the end point of the 192nd General Court, meaning Nika and I are putting all of our efforts into passing our pieces of legislation. We have already gotten a few victories this month. However, this is just the beginning. With the end in sight, we are racing towards the finish line and will finish strong!
¡The Road So Far!
For the last four years, Nika has worked closely with her community and her district to identify the needs of the underserved. From youth jobs, housing security, workforce development, and community engagement, Nika has operated in her district's best interest. The earmarks that she has advocated for in the FY23 Budget Bill and the EcoDev Bill are a few recent examples of how she has placed her community first.
Below are some of the victories we've received this month. These will lead to even more opportunities in the future!
¡FY23 Budget Bill Has Left Conference Committee!
A few of our amendments made it into the final budget bill for the Fiscal Year of 2023! This means that we've received $200,000 for our various programs and nonprofits in our district.
$50,000 is going to our Main Streets, which will be used for training, resources, and overall business development!
$100,000 is going to the Boston Housing Authority, in partnership with Justice 4 Housing, for the Stable Housing and Reintegration Pilot Program to help formerly incarcerated individuals get public housing.
$50,000 for the Tobin Community Center to build unity and civic leadership amongst its youth.
THIS IS GREAT NEWS! We are truly excited and thrilled with this development. There are a few projects and programs we want to help fund, and we will look towards other avenues to make this happen.
¡The EcoDev Bill left the House and is now with the Senate!
13 of our amendments made it into the House EcoDev Bill, H5007! Because this bill combines bonds, the supplemental budget, and ARPA funding into one, it was a little tricky filing amendments. However, we are happy to report that several projects are either fully funded in monies or have the potential to be invested in through bonds. While this is only in the House bill, and we'll have to wait for the bill that leaves the Conference Committee, it is amazing that so many of our asks made it this far.
In money, we received a total of $1,200,000.
- $65,000 for Mission Hill LINK Shuttle Bus Service
- $100,000 for the North American Indian Center of Boston’s Headquarters Updates
- $25,000 for Tobin Community Center to tackle gun violence and gun-related trauma
- $10,000 for Mildred C. Hailey Food Distribution Service
- $1,000,000 for Small Properties State Acquisition Funding Pilot as part of the Housing Stabilization and Investment Trust Fund.
As mentioned, we had bond language approved as well. We refer to this as "future money," as we hope to cash in on these approvals in future years. Bond Bills provide funds for capital projects approved by the Governor's administration. These funds are not guaranteed disbursement, but represent an important step towards drawing down on federal infrastructure dollars in particular. Once the bond bill is law, the process of getting the money disbursed involves, among other things, reaching out to the executive branch, which we will do.
In bonds, we received a total of $2,687,500.
- $12,500 for Uplift JP, which will cover for events, programs, and resources to address racist and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks on BIPOC-owned businesses while uplifting the Jamaica Plain community.
- $12,500 for JP Centre & South Main Streets
- $12,500 for Three Squares Main Streets
- $12,500 for Mission Hill Main Streets
- $12,500 for Roslindale Main Streets
- $25,000 for Envision Hotel to continue their efforts in helping those struggling with Substance Abuse Disorder.
- $100,000 for JPNDC for high-speed internet to strengthen home-based childcare businesses entrepreneurs.
- $2,500,000 for NuSq Life Science Training Center Inc. for workforce development and infrastructure (co-filed with Rep. Jon Santiago)
We are pleased and grateful for this result. While many of our asks didn't make it to the final, that does not mean we will stop trying to receive funding for other programs and projects in the future.
¡STATUS OF BILLS!
Enacted:
H4205 - An Act relative to certain affordable housing in the Jamaica Plain section of the city of Boston
- Signed by the Governor, Chapter 104 of the Acts of 2022 as of 7/14/22.
H583 - An Act ensuring diversity in public education, Accompanied H4539 ([link removed] ) , An Act relative to educator diversity.
- H583 preceded H4539, so when it accompanied it, Section 3 from Nika's bill made it into the H4539, which now has language in the House EcoDev bill! This language will ensure that diversity is at the forefront when hiring new educators and school administrators.
H1396 - An Act enabling public housing authorities to borrow against real estate equity of publicly-owned properties
- House Ways & Means as of 7/27/22.
- While the bill is in HWM, Section 3 of the bill made it into the EcoDev bill, which deals with procurement of land. While we are advocating the other two sections, we see this as a victory and a promising first step.
In Ways & Means:
H4071 - An Act securing housing options for eligible tenants with a history of criminal justice involvement
- House Ways & Means as of 7/27/22.
H3204 - Resolve providing for the creation of a commemorative memorial portrait in the Massachusetts State House in honor of State Representative Doris Bunte
- House Ways & Means as of 7/27/22
H3453 - An Act to eliminate debt-based incarceration and suspensions
- Accompanied H3535, An Act allowing for partial payment of fines relating to driver’s license suspension or revocation. House Ways & Means as of 7/27/22
H581 - An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth
- Accompanied S2493, An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth. Senate Ways & Means as of 7/27/22
In Committee:
H358 - An Act promoting fairness in the rendering of dwelling accommodation services
- Ordered Third (H) as of 7/27/22.
H3735 - An Act designating September as PCOS awareness month
- Ordered Third (H) as of 7/27/22.
In 2nd Reading/Calendar Item
H3377 - An Act to protect Native American heritage
- Accompanied H3385, An Act to protect Native American heritage.
- Calendar Item 467, 2nd Reading (H) as of 7/27/22
H2891 - An Act to protect elder housing
- Calendar Item 449, 2nd Reading (H) as of 7/27/22.
H2018 - An Act relative to employment protections for victims of abusive behavior
- Accompanied H4613, An Act relative to employment protections for victims of abusive behavior.
- Calendar Item 532, 2nd Reading (H) as of 7/27/22.
The CROWN Act Is Law!
After years of hard work and sacrifice by these brave women, The Crown Act is finally law in Massachusetts!
"I gave them my necklace. It says “Fierce Badass” and was given to me by a group of women who hand them only to the fiercest among us. These young women stood in civil disobedience and then changed the law. Decriminalizing our culture, our economy, our lives- that’s what I’m here for!" - Nika
The Crown Act aims to combat hair discrimination by defining natural and protective hairstyles in the statute, as well as prohibiting discrimination in schools, businesses, and other public spaces. Many public institutions, employers, places of business, places of learning, and even landlords used natural and protective hairstyles to prevent opportunities that could close the gap in wealth disparity, learning, career growth, and overall, the betterment of black and brown lives. The enactment of this law means so much. This truly is a victory.
Announcements
Here are some events happening soon to keep track of!
💦Sprinkler Parks💦
Rose Kennedy Greenway Fountains ([link removed] ) —Chinatown, Wharf District, and North End
Dorothy Curran Playground ([link removed] ) — South Boston
Artesani Playground Spray Deck and Wading Pool ([link removed] ) —Brighton
Ryan Wading Pool and Playground ([link removed] ) —Mattapan
Stony Brook Spray Deck ([link removed] ) —Jamaica Plain
Johnson Playground Spray Deck ([link removed] ) —Jamaica Plain
Alfond Memorial Spray Deck ([link removed] ) —West End
Olsen Swimming Pool and Spray Deck ([link removed] ) —Hyde Park
Frog Pond, Boston Common ([link removed] ) —Beacon Hill
Splash Fountain, Christian Science Plaza ([link removed] ) —Back Bay
Due to how the end of session is Sunday, we will be submitting a follow-up newsletter with final tallies and updates. Keep your eyes open for that, and thank you for this amazing journey!
CONTACT OUR OFFICE
For constituents, advocates, or anyone else looking to get in touch, you can reach the office at (617) 722-2263, or
[email protected]!
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State Representative Nika Elugardo, 24 Beacon Street, Room 448, Boston, Massachusetts 02133, United States
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