Representative Lisa Field

When you buy local, you're supporting our farmers while having peace of mind that your fruits and vegetables are safe to eat!

Visit your local farms, farmers markets, and farm stands to shop for fresh, healthy, and delicious produce this season! www.mass.gov/MassGrown

Looking for a career in healthcare?

The Taunton Area School to Career (TASC) WIOA CNA Program is now accepting applications for its FREE Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certificate & job training program.

If you are between the ages of 18-24, out of school, and meet income guidelines, don’t miss this opportunity. Only a few spaces remain!

Must be a resident of Bristol County and able to attend in-person classes and clinicals at BCC Fall River.

Program benefits include:

Support services
Uniforms and necessary equipment
Job placement upon certification
Job coaching once employed

Apply here: https://forms.gle/Jmz

For more information, contact Ms. Jordan at 508-692-7573 or [email protected].

Get started on a new career path today!

Yesterday the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators met with Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias to discuss the connection between housing affordability, economic opportunity, and quality of life for women and families across Massachusetts.

It was an interesting conversation focused on the department’s work to lower housing costs, prevent homelessness, expand access to affordable rental and homeownership opportunities and support communities through the Statewide Housing Plan and implementation of the Affordable Homes Act. The Secretary and I will be having a follow-up meeting to discuss manufactured/mobile home communities and the unique issues facing residents of those communities.

Thank you to the Secretary, Caucus Chairs Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Christine Barber, as well as Caucus staff and members for the conversation and the partnership.

Yesterday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed S.3028: An Act promoting pet equity, treatment and safety. The legislation:
* removes barriers to public housing for pet owners
* outlines a civil process for animal neglect complaints
* establishes licensure for veterinary technicians
* bans animal testing on animals when an alternative method exists
* expands oversight of dog kennels
* regulates pet insurance
* imposes escalating fines on rideshare drivers who fail to accommodate riders with special needs such as those with service animals

The bill passed 151-1. The Senate unanimously passed their version earlier this year. The Senate version included a provision banning the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores. The House version did not. Under the new legislative rules this session, the House and Senate must appoint a conference committee by July 31 to start reconciling the pet shop language and other differences.

Also yesterday, Governor Healey signed S.2903: An Act honoring the Blue Star Families into law. It establishes special commemorative license plates and motorcycle emblems for the immediate family members of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. The Registry of Motor Vehicles has already opened plate applications.

Thank you to the 100-plus manufactured home residents who attended our forum on homeowner insurance this afternoon.

Residents are facing exhorbitant rates and the inability to even buy full coverage. This is an untenable situation for these residents, many of whom are living on fixed incomes and some of whom are being forced from their homes due to these costs. As several attendees made clear, this is an urgent matter that needs real action.

That's why I was happy to work with the Taunton Manufactured Home Communities Group to organize this forum. The highlight was the non-profit InnSure Corporation and innovative insurer MSI announcing MSI's entry into the market.

Meanwhile, my colleague, Rep. Kathleen LaNatra, and I secured $250,000 in the House Environmental Bond Bill for InnSure to do a deep dive on data related to manufactured home risks in order to develop new innovated insurance plans for these homeowners.

These are important tangible steps in confronting these challenges. Thank you to InnSure and MSI for working with us. I know their representatives learned a lot from the homeowners today.

Constituent Services
Need assistance with unemployment, housing, Mass Health? We will holding constituent hours on Tuesday July 14 from 10:30AM to noon at Queset Hall in Easton and on Wednesday July 15 from 10AM to noon at Taunton City Hall. Julie will be available to assist you.

Need assistance and you are not sure if we can help or cannot attend the constituent hours? Want to meet with me to discuss a policy or other issue? Send us an email at [email protected] or contact our office at (617) 722-2460.

I am pleased to partner with the Taunton Manufactured Homes Communities Group (TMHCG) and State Rep. Kathy LaNatra to find options to deal with the lack of home insurance choices available to residents who own manufactured/mobile homes. InnSure and MSI will be joining TMHCG to discuss information on a new project. Hope to see you there.

TAUNTON STATE HOSPITAL UPDATE

Today, at my invitation, the Commissioners of the Department of Youth Service and the Department of Mental Health, along with their staff and representatives from the State Police, came to Taunton for a candid and productive conversation about the services that are being provided as well as concerns that neighbors have brought forward to me. We were joined by Representatives Norm Orrall and Justin Thurber as well as aides from Senator Dooner's office.

I appreciate the Commissioners' full engagement and I appreciate the dedication of the staff at DYS and DMH. To assist with more transparency, we will be holding a neighborhood forum soon for neighbors to get answers to any questions and concerns. Stay tuned for details.