Latest news with #JoComerford
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers decry FirstLight dam's 300-gallon oil spill into Conn. River
TURNERS FALLS — FirstLight's Turners Falls hydroelectric operations leaked 300 gallons of hydraulic fluid into the Connecticut River on Tuesday evening, according to a statement from state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield. Comerford was notified of the spill by Firstlight, according to Comerford's spokesperson. This is the fourth spill lawmakers know of since 2021 at Firstlight hydroelectric facilities and comes as the company seeks relicensing from the federal government. 'We also urge Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to hold FirstLight accountable by reviewing prior infractions and taking the steps necessary to ensure compliance with environmental requirements and to deter future violations,' Comerford and Blais said in a joint statement. FirstLight's team told Comerford they are actively investigating the problem, and that the company is on track this summer to undertake an overhaul of the bascule gate system that caused the leaks. Bascule gates regulate water flow through a dam using a drawbridge-like system, lowering a gate to open the flow and raising it to close. In a statement, FirstLight said there was a sudden failure in the hydraulic system that supports the pistons below one of its four water gates. Three other gates have been inspected and are working as intended. Firstlight said its system has been stabilized, and there are no indications of an ongoing release of hydraulic fluid. FirstLight's team is deploying absorbent booms in areas where an oil sheen is visible in the water and will actively monitor the area until the problem is fully resolved. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection already has issued a 401 Water Quality Certificate as part of FirstLight's federal relicensing process. Western New England University names interim president Ironman race expected to bring $2M boost to WMass With sale of Borinquen Apartments, New England Farm Workers Council pays off debt to state over misspent money Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This Massachusetts bill would permanently protect benefits due to foster kids
BOSTON (SHNS) – Children's attorneys and disability advocates are trying to reignite their push to safeguard benefits that are owed to foster kids but were previously diverted to state coffers. The Department of Children and Families last year ended the practice of depositing certain benefits — including Social Security and veterans benefits intended for foster children whose parents had died or became disabled — into the state's General Fund, Sen. Jo Comerford said. The state used to take about 90% of the benefits each year, which Comerford said translated into nearly $5.5 million that was meant for roughly 600 foster kids. Advocates say the approach disproportionately harmed children of color and LGBTQ youth, who could have used the money to cover certain expenses while in foster care or to gain financial stability after aging out of the system. 'DCF, again, has taken the right steps, and I commend the Healey-Driscoll administration to fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities to manage state resources in the best interests of foster children,' Comerford said at a committee hearing on Tuesday. 'While this is incredibly meaningful for youth who are currently being served by the foster care system, again we must codify these DCF directives into state law to protect vulnerable children from the unpredictability of future administrations and budgets.' Comerford and Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier refiled bills (S 105 / H 227) to ensure the state conserves benefits for foster children. Under the bill, DCF would be required to offer financial literacy training to children beginning at age 14, and provide updates on benefit accounts that the state is managing for foster children. A redrafted proposal (H 4704) last session cleared the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities in early June before dying in the House Ways and Means Committee. Protecting Social Security benefits preserves foster children's 'humanity and dignity,' said Alexis Williams Torrey, co-director of strategic advocacy at the Children's Law Center of Massachusetts. She said her clients in foster care have used benefits to buy 'modest items,' such as noise-canceling headphones and their preferred feminine hygiene products. Young adult clients also have more capacity to plan for their future, since those benefits can help them cover rent or a security deposit, she said. 'My clients understand that this money was always their money and don't want other young adults to feel the same insecurity that they have felt,' Williams Torrey said. Rick Glassman, former director of advocacy at the Disability Law Center who retired last year, said the bill has 'essentially no opposition,' after lawmakers, state officials and advocates worked to refine it last session. 'This is fair because parents pay into the Social Security system knowing that [if] they pass away or they become disabled, their kids will have financial support. And SSI benefits are given because the federal government understands that even with Medicaid, there are additional expenses to being disabled and to becoming economically self-sufficient,' Glassman said. Individuals exiting foster care are at heightened risk of negative outcomes, he said, including experiencing homelessness or unemployment. 'We're better off to conserve these benefits, not inflict unnecessary pain and trauma, and not pay increased costs for human services at the back end,' Glassman added. DCF so far has opened more than 800 accounts to support the various benefits available to foster children, including survivor and disability benefits, said Linda Landry, senior attorney at the Disability Law Center. The legislation is a 'moral' issue, said James Mackey, associate director of government relations and policy at youth empowerment nonprofit More Than Words. 'There's broad bipartisan support for this bill,' Mackey said. 'The youth we work with are watching, and they deserve to know that the commonwealth is willing to do what's right — not just what's routine. By passing these bills, you send a powerful message that foster children are not a burden.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate announces 'Response 2025' to Trump administration actions
BOSTON (WWLP) – Massachusetts Senate leaders announced a response plan to the Trump administration, consisting of designating a pre-existing committee to the task of responding to new federal policies, 70 days into Trump's second term. Senators describe their plan as a coordinated effort to protect Massachusetts residents–dubbed 'Response 2025'–by tasking the Steering and Policy Committee with meeting with other senators to come up with strong policies to combat Trump. Notably, meeting with other senators to put forth bills is already the job description of the Steering and Policy Committee, but one western Massachusetts senator says naming Trump's response as a priority will allow for faster action. 'We know how to do this, we know how to get together, get the best ideas surfaced, move as quickly as we must do to meet the acute challenges of this time,' said Steering and Policy Vice Chair Senator Jo Comerford. Senate leaders were asked multiple times how this committee will differ from the normal day-to-day business of the Senate, and they emphasized that it will expedite lawmaking and allow for a more targeted response to Trump. 'That is the idea, to meet with experts, meet with the Senate chairs, to come up with policies that will help alleviate some of the pain,' said Senate President Karen Spilka. While senators did name Trump policies they are specifically concerned with, and they spent time naming past accomplishments, they did not disclose any specific policies or areas of focus for the committee, and no related bills are being filed today. Any policies put forth by this senate committee will need to be approved by the House as well, and President Spilka says she is confident they will be able to reach compromises and pass significant laws this session. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Leaders meet to support immigrants in Massachusetts
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Tuesday evening, State Senator Jo Comerford and State Rep. Mindy Domb hosted the American Civil Liberties Coalition Union of Massachusetts. In the meeting, legislators and organizations discussed with community members on ways they can support immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts. Ariana Keigan from the Pioneer Valley Workers Center spoke about her experience of working with immigrants, and how they are an important part in the American workforce. 'These are the folks who are building infrastructure in our commonwealth,' she says. 'These are the folks that are putting food on our tables. And above all these are human beings. These are moms, dads, parents, neighbors, loved ones. And I think that it's important that in these moments to remember we are talking about human beings, and not people that just bring economic value to our country.' Members of the union say they plan to meet again to discuss ways to ensure immigrant safety. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
