Tag Archives: massachusetts legislators
Mental health and Michelle Alexander
Join EMIT on Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Maynard Town Hall, 195 Main Street, to discuss how mental health is treated in prisons, and the relationship to drug addiction. Joining in the conversation are police chiefs from Arlington, Hudson, and Maynard as well as Sarah Abbott, director of the jail diversion program for Advocates, Inc. Three legislators will weigh in on the discussion: State Senator Jamie Eldridge, and State Representatives Sean Garballey and Kate Hogan.
The event is 7-830 pm with light refreshments, and is free and open to the public. The cosponsors are the Maynard and Hudson Democratic Town Committees.
Join EMIT on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6-7:30 pm at the Hazlett Room of the Winthrop Public Library, 2 Metcalf Square for a showing of the 23-minute TEDx talk by Michelle Alexander, author of “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.” A discussion will follow, with free refreshments offered.
Sponsored by EMIT and hosted by the Winthrop Public Library. For information on either event, contact emit.susan@gmail.com, 978-772-3930.
Action you can take to influence the Judiciary Committee
The Judiciary Committee is now evaluating bills to reform the Commonwealth’s judicial and correctional systems. YOU CAN INFLUENCE this process in several ways.
1. Pledge to attend the June 9 hearing, 1 pm at the Gardner Auditorium of the Statehouse to show support for reform. Sign up here or show up at 12:45 pm at the Statehouse.
2. Print out multiple copies of this action letter. Invite others to sign individual letters. Mail them to EMIT, C/o Susan Tordella, 5 Hedgeway St. Ayer, MA 01432. EMIT will deliver them in person to the Judiciary Committee members. Or deliver the letters in person to Judiciary Committee members.
3.Call or email members of the Judiciary Committee and encourage other voters to do the same, to encourage legislators to support criminal justice reform, especially the bills in the action letter
Here are the Judiciary Committee members, positions and contact information.
The legislators with NONE beside their names really need to hear that we support reform.
Key (bills Sponsored -SP or Co-sponsored):
MM: End Mandatory Minimums
PT: Pre-Trial and Bail Reform
Just: Justice Reinvestment Act
Care: Caretaker Act
Exp: Expungement
RJ: Restorative Justice
Extra: Extraordinary Medical Release
William Brownsberger, D-Belmont – Chair 617-722-1280 William.brownsberger@masenate.gov
MM, Just, Exp, RJ,
Sen. John Keenen, D-Quincy – Vice Chair NONE 617-722-1494 john.keenan@masenate.gov
Sonia Chang Diaz, D-Boston 617-722-1673 sonia.change-diaz@masenate.gov
PT, MM, Just -SP
Patricia Jehlen, D-Somerville 617-722-1578 patricia.jehlen@masenate.gov
PT, MM, Care-SP, Exp, RJ, Extra -SP
Cynthia Creem, D-Newton 617-722-1639 cynthia.creem@masenate.gov
MM- SP, Just
Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham NONE 617-722-1555 richard.ross@masenate.gov
Rep. John Fernandes, D-Milford- Chair NONE 617-722-2396 john.fernandes@mahouse.gov
Claire Cronin, D-Easton – Vice Chair 617-722-2396 claire.cronin@mahouse.gov
PT, MM, Just, RJ Extra
Rep. Colleen Garry, D-Dracut NONE 617-722-2380 colleen.garry@mahouse.gov
Rep. John Velis, D-Westfield NONE 617-722-2582 john.vellis@mahouse.gov
Michael Day, D-Winchester 617-722-2582 michael.day@mahouse.gov
MM, RJ
Rep. Paul Tucker, D-Salem NONE 617-722-2400 paul.tucker@mahouse.gov
Rep. James Lyons, R-Andover NONE 617-722-2450 james.lyons@mahouse.gov
Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin 617-722-2020 jeffrey.roy@mahouse.gov
Pre-Trial, MM, RJ
Evandro Carvalho, D-Dorchester 617-722-2460 evandro.carvalho@mahouse.gov
MM, Just
Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield 617-722-2080 carlos.gonzalez@mahouse.gov
PT, MM, Just, Care
Sheila Harrington, R-Groton 617-722-2305 shiela.harrington@mahouse.gov
PT