Government

Senator Brownsberger Seeks Applicants for Summer 2018 Internships

By |

State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s office announced he seeks applicants for Summer 2018 internships at the State House. The part-time, unpaid internships will be available in Senator Brownsberger’s State House office to students from the 2nd Suffolk & Middlesex district. A cover letter and resume should be sent to Andrew Bettinelli, at Andrew.Bettinelli@masenate.gov, or mailed to Senator William Brownsberger, State House Room 504, Boston, MA 02133. The application deadline is Friday, March 9, 2018. Interviews will be conducted in March and applicants will be notified of their status by Friday, April 13, 2018.

Government

Rep. Hecht Provides Year End Review of Work in the State House, in Town

By |

Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht wrote up a review of the accomplishments for his district and the state on his website, including increasing state dollars coming to Watertown, approval of the Greenway path in East Watertown and studies to improve major roadways in town. Hecht’s office sent out the following statement:

State Rep. Jon Hecht invites Watertown residents to read the 2017 year-end review he has posted on his website: http://www.jonhecht.com/2017-in-review/. Learn about legislation adopted this year in Massachusetts, get an update on district projects and priorities, and see what’s in store for the second half of the 2017-18 legislative session. Anyone wishing to receive Rep. Hecht’s updates and office hour announcements by email can sign up at http://www.jonhecht.com/sign-up/

Letters

LETTER: Resident Thankful for Sharing Meal With Immigrants and New Citizens

By |

There’s nothing like the thrill of sharing a meal with 100’s of determined, brave immigrants, refugees and newly sworn-in U.S. citizens who make Massachusetts such a great place to live. Members of Watertown Citizens’ Refugee Support Group had the honor of again attending the annual Thanksgiving luncheon organized by the Mass. Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) at the State House. 

Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, who moderated the event and is herself the child of Haitian immigrants, was joined by the passionate voices of many other advocates and public officials, including Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, Attorney General Maura Healey, State Health & Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Sister Marie-Judith Dupuy, Emerson College President M. Lee Pelton, and former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez. No doubt the most moving moment of the afternoon was hearing from DACA dreamer Paola Sanchez, who has worked in the US since the age of 14, both to support herself and to send money home to support her mom and sisters. She is now a full-time student at MassBay Community College.

Government

Find Out When You Can Meet with Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

By |

Representative Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours twice in Watertown this month, he announced. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following times and locations:

 

Monday, September 11, 5:30-6:30 pm

Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St, Raya Stern Trustees Room

 

Thursday, September 21, 8:30-9:30am

Watertown Town Hall, 149 Main St, 3rd Floor hallway

 

Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Around Town

Residents Invited to Attend Armenian Genocide Commemoration at State House

By |

Each April for the past 32 years, members of the Armenian community along with state legislators and guests have come together at the State House to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. This year marks the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with the commemoration taking place on Friday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. in the House Chamber with a program of speakers, music, and honorees, announced State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s office. Following the ceremony, a reception provided by Ani Catering of Belmont will be held in the Hall of Flags. The event recognizes the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 by the Ottoman Turkish government. This is an opportunity for survivors and Armenian-American descendants to demonstrate their commitment to preserving their culture, religion, and language; working for humanitarian projects and awareness; and striving for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Government

State Sen. Will Brownsberger Looking for Summer Interns at State House

By |

State Senator Will Brownsberger has announced that up to four part-time unpaid internships will be available in his State House office to students from the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex District for the summer of 2017, his office announced. Internships are open to undergraduate college students and high school students who will have completed their sophomore year. All applicants must have a permanent residence or attend school in the Senator’s district. Internships require a commitment of 8-10 hours a week for a minimum of five weeks, with possible added research work outside of scheduled hours. A cover letter and resume should be sent to Andrew Bettinelli, at Andrew.Bettinelli@masenate.gov, or mailed to Senator William Brownsberger, State House Room 504, Boston, MA 02133.

Government

Watertown State Rep. Hecht Reflects on His Work in 2015

By |

With the end of the first half of the 2015-16, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht, who represents 3/4 of Watertown, looked back on his work during the year in two updates he recently wrote up. 

Hecht was one of 11 Democrats who voted against eliminating the term limit for the House Speaker, and the only one to speak on the floor about it. “I believe that eliminating term limits will further concentrate power in the Speakership, reduce open debate and independent thinking in the House, and heighten the risk of corruption and other abuses,” Hecht wrote. He also wrote about his efforts to not let experienced state employees leave as a result of Gov. Baker’s retirement incentives, funding the MBTA, expanding Earned Income Tax Credits and much, much more. Hecht also looked back at help he provided people in his district. Some of the areas include helping people access government services, including joining with Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist Danielle DeMoss and the Watertown Housing Authority to find housing for two Watertown families at risk of becoming homeless.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger Seeking Summer State House Interns

By |

State Sen. Will Brownsberger announced this week that up to four part-time unpaid internships in his State House office will be available to students from his district for the summer of 2015. Legislative internships offer students a wide variety of experiences including issue research, constituent service, legislative work and budget tracking. Daily seminars on different aspects of state government are scheduled by the Senate. Internships are open to undergraduate college students and to high school students who will have completed their sophomore year. All applicants must have a permanent residence in the senator’s district which includes Watertown.