State Rep. Kelly Pease
FROM YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
By Kelly Pease
Now that the snow has started falling, it feels more like the holiday season. I am looking forward to the holidays and going skiing with my family. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! If you do not celebrate Christmas, I wish you happy holidays!
By the end of November, things had started to quiet down at the State House, as we started our holiday break. There were still several committee hearings and meetings over the past few weeks, but otherwise we have mostly been out in the community or handling constituent cases.
This past week, I went to the Statehouse to meet with the governor, lieutenant governor and my Republican colleagues to discuss any issues and talk about the upcoming months. On Dec. 15, the remote/electronic city/town meetings law will expire, and a new round of grant programs will be starting. I did raise some concerns about ARPA spending equity and the increase in auto thefts and break-ins. This next year will certainly be an interesting campaign season, with no incumbent running, and I would like to thank Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito for their service to the commonwealth and all the best in their future endeavors.
Over the last few weeks, I have attended several meetings, to include the Joint Committee on Veteran and Government Affairs, Joint Committee on Education, PFAS briefing, Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs, Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce meeting and holiday breakfast, Red Cross presentation on supporting our military community, and the Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture meeting. CISA is an organization that supports local farms in Western Massachusetts. I also joined a new caucus on blockchain technology. I look forward to learning about blockchain technology via the blockchain caucus and hope to advocate for freedom, safety, and advancement going forward. These new technologies cannot be treated with skepticism and hesitancy, we must face them head-on and be prepared for their increasing usage.
I had the opportunity to speak to a UMass political science class taught by former state Rep. Aaron Vega. He asked local legislators to talk about the journey to the State House and what it was like coming in as a freshman during COVID-19. It was great talking to so many young people who are energetic and eager to get involved in state politics. I should also note that my chief of staff, Ethan Flaherty, is taking this class.
It was my pleasure and honor to finish this past week presenting a citation to Eileen Collins for her 42 years of service to Barnes Airport. Thank you for your service and best of luck in retirement.
Besides all the meetings, I had the pleasure of attending several holiday events. The Westfield Christmas Tree Lighting and the Jewish Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the Green, the Westfield Sportsman Club Christmas Party, and I took Riley to the Southampton Road Elementary School holiday drive-through. All were great events!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! I hope everyone takes the time to enjoy the season with family and friends.
If you need any assistance with state departments or agencies, please reach out to my office at 94 N. Elm St., Suite 301N, in the Westwood Building, phone 413-875-8787 or email [email protected] or [email protected].
Kelly Pease, R-Westfield, represents Westfield in the state House of Representatives.
