AGAWAM – Representative Nicholas A. Boldyga (R-Southwick) reflects on some of the achievements of the legislature over the past year. Since the 189th General Court convened on January 7, 2015 nearly 6,000 bills have been filed in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The incoming administration of Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito promised to tighten the spending in the budget and pass some meaningful legislation in their first year.
The Legislature passed a budget, which included an increase of $111.2 million for Chapter 70 education aid, an increase in $34 million in unrestricted government aid, and an increase of $7.5 million for regional school transportation, which will directly benefit schools in our district.
Some of Boldyga’s district accomplishments this year include a $100,000 award for the Agawam Junior High School to renovate and upgrade their auditorium. Agawam also saw an increase in educational and general state aid of $225,000, securing a $425,000 grant for the construction of a new salt shed on the grounds of the Southwick DPW facility and a $1,000,000 MassWorks Grant for the Town of Granville to revitalize and address much need safety concerns of their Rt. 57 corridor.
The House of Representatives passed many important pieces of legislation over the past year. These bills included a bill reforming the Department of Children and Families, a bill protecting veteran’s gravestones, creating a felony for trafficking in Fentanyl, waiving all fees at state parks and reservations for Purple Heart Veterans. The House also passed bills which are currently waiting on final action: Public Records reform is currently awaiting approval by the Senate and Solar Net Metering Cap legislation is currently being worked on in a conference committee to reconcile the Senate and House versions.
Boldyga has several bills that he is working to bring to the floor in the next year. He filed a bill that would establish a Right to Try (H3270). This bill would allow people with terminal illnesses to work with the drug companies to get drugs that have passed the safety protocol for the FDA but is still facing final approval. This legislation could prolong lives and, at a very minimum, ensure a person’s right to potentially life saving treatments. Passing a stopped school bus with its lights flashing and arm extended is a dangerous, and possibly deadly, action that has become all too common in the Commonwealth. This legislation has gained local attention via several news affiliates, most notably WWLP 22 News. As a father of three children, Boldyga sees all too often, reckless drivers endangering the lives of children and thought it was time to strengthen these laws, he filed bill H1178 to do just that.
“I am very proud of some of the accomplishments of the Legislature in 2015 and I hope that we can get even more important pieces of legislation across the finish line in 2016. I am very happy that I was able to bring back crucial funding for Agawam, Southwick, and Granville.” Boldyga said. “I hope that we can continue to make fiscally responsible budget decisions, pass meaningful legislation, and bring some more local aid back to our district for capital projects that will benefit all of our residents.”
