Sen. Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield)
BOSTON – Today, western Massachusetts-based State Senators Adam G. Hinds (D- Pittsfield), Eric P. Lesser (D- Longmeadow), Anne M. Gobi (D- Spencer) and Donald F. Humason, Jr. (R- Westfield) announced that they will collectively advocate for the regional needs and policy priorities of the communities within the Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester Senate District for the remainder of the formal legislative session.
Due to the resignation of Senator Stan Rosenberg, the two dozen communities will be without representation in the Massachusetts Senate, effective at 5 p.m. tonight. The 2017-2018 formal legislative session will conclude on July 31, 2018, and many key bills will be debated during the next three months, including the Fiscal Year 2019 state budget.
The four Senators issued the following statement:
“We wish to assure the residents, local and regional officials in the Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester Senate District that we will work together to represent your needs and priorities on Beacon Hill. We will work collectively to advance your agenda and protect your interests for the remainder of this legislative session. It is the right thing to do for western Massachusetts and to keep our region strong.”
Sen. Don Humason (R-Westfield) (WNG File Photo)
Further, the Senators secured a commitment from Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D- Worcester) that she will help them protect the interests of Rosenberg’s former District:
“The Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District will continue to have a voice on Beacon Hill. Under the leadership of Senators Hinds, Lesser, Gobi and Humason, this body will continue to stand for the legislation important to residents. As Senate President, I add my voice to theirs, and pledge to work with my colleagues in local, state and federal government to advocate for the issues vital to this Western Massachusetts District.”
Members of Senator Rosenberg’s staff will continue to be available, both locally and in the State House, for casework inquiries and to provide guidance to the Senate on pending policy matters until the 2019-2020 legislative session begins in January. However, policy work such as sponsoring and filing bills, home rule petitions, amendments and participating in Senate debate and roll call votes cannot be done by staff. Senators Hinds, Lesser, Gobi and Humason will collaborate to ensure key priorities for the Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester District are presented and considered by the Massachusetts Senate for the remainder of this term.
The Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester Senate District is comprised of twenty four communities: Amherst, Bernardston, Colrain, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Leverett, Leyden, Montague, New Salem, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Royalston, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell and Whately.
Contact information for the regional state Senators and their policy staff:
State Senator Adam G. Hinds, Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District [email protected] (617) 722-1625
State Senator Eric P. Lesser, 1st Hampden & Hampshire District, [email protected] (617) 722-1291
State Senator Anne M. Gobi, Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire & Middlesex District [email protected] (617) 722-1540
State Senator Donald F. Humason, Jr., 2nd Hampden & Hampshire District [email protected] (617) 722-1415
