Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with legislative, Cambridge, and public health updates.
Table of Contents
Legislative Updates
Cambridge Updates
Public Health Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Recent Press
Mental Health Services and Resources
Legislative Updates
House passes bill to increase the Commonwealth’s competitiveness for federal funds
On Wednesday, I was proud to vote alongside my colleagues to unanimously pass a bill that will enable the Commonwealth to leverage the interest earned by the “rainy day” Stabilization Fund to bolster our ability to compete for federal funds and pay down debt obligations. Currently, the interest accrued remains in the Stabilization Fund, further growing the Commonwealth’s rainy day reserves. This bill will enable Massachusetts to more aggressively compete for federal funding made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, and will infuse much-needed funding to essential infrastructure projects.
House Conference Committee Appointed for Gun Omnibus Negotiations
On October 18th, the House passed a sweeping gun safety omnibus package. The Senate passed its own version of a gun safety omnibus on February 1st. The Senate’s version has some significant differences from the House regarding extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), ghost guns, and areas where firearms are prohibited, among others. The next step in the process of reconciling the differences between the two bills is for each chamber to appoint a Conference Committee. Each Conference Committee contains three members from the respective chambers, typically Chairs of Committees most closely involved in the drafting of the bills. These three members will be the respective chambers’ lead negotiators on the issue. The House appointed its Conference Committee on Monday, and the three members are:
Michael Day, House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary;
Carlos González, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security; and
Joseph McKenna, Ranking Minority on the Joint Committee on the Judiciary
I’m happy to report that the Senate appointed its Conference Committee on Thursday evening, and the three members are:
Cynthia Creem, Majority Leader
Joan Lovely, Assistant Majority Leader
Bruce Tarr, Minority Leader
I am hopeful negotiations to finalize a bill on this critical issue will begin shortly and we can get a bill back to the Legislature for a vote as soon as possible.
Cambridge Updates
Community Assistance and Response & Engagement (CARE) Team Event
The Cambridge Community Safety Department (CSD)’s CARE Team will be holding an information and Q&A session on March 19. The CSD’s mission is to provide residents with an alternative police response that prioritizes issues of mental and behavioral health in some of the city’s most vulnerable communities. Members of the CARE Team have expertise in social work, mental health counseling, developmental psychology, and emergency medical services. The event will be held at the Lecture Hall in the Main Library.
Cambridge Public Health Helpline Supports Residents with COVID-19
To speak with someone, call the confidential COVID-19 Hotline at 617-933-0797. Learn more here.
City Offering Free At-Home COVID Tests in Partnership with the Cambridge Health Alliance
The tests can be picked up Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM in the CHA lobby at 119 Windsor Street. Cambridge businesses or organizations that would like free rapid tests to provide to customers can call the COVID-19 hotline at 617-933-0797 to request them. The at-home COVID test expiration date can be checked here.
Public Health Updates
CDC Advisory Panel Recommends Additional COVID-19 Boosters for Adults 65 and Older
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel voted to recommend a second dose of the COVID-19 booster shot for Americans over 65. The decision is based on the likelihood of waning immunity and the unpredictable nature of COVID-19, which does not follow a seasonal pattern. The additional protection from previous boosters diminishes after about 180 days. The recommendation, approved by CDC Director Mandy K. Cohen, applies to all three authorized COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer BioNTech) and should be administered at least four months after the previous shot. This guidance aims to address the continued unpredictability of COVID-19, especially with new variants continuing to emerge, and highlights the importance of additional protection for those at higher risk. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination locations here.
FDA Advises Against Using Smart Devices to Measure Blood Sugar
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning regarding the risks of using smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood sugar levels without the need to pierce the skin. These devices, distinct from FDA-authorized ones, have not been approved for accurate blood sugar measurements. Inaccurate readings could lead to errors in diabetes management, risking incorrect medication doses and potentially life-threateningly low blood sugar levels. The FDA advises against purchasing or using such devices, emphasizing the importance of FDA-authorized alternatives. Healthcare providers are urged to inform patients about the risks and help them choose appropriate, authorized blood glucose measuring devices. The FDA is actively monitoring and addressing the illegal marketing of unauthorized products, encouraging users to report problems for improved patient safety.
CDC Data Shows Norovirus Cases Are on the Rise in the US
Cases of norovirus, often called the stomach bug, continue to rise in the US, especially in the Northeastern and Western regions of the country, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is transmitted through contaminated food, water, or surfaces and most commonly causes symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. The most recent reported data found that norovirus cases in the Northeast had a 13.4% positive test rate as of February 10. Positivity rates in this region have been over 13% since late January and have been at the highest rates over the last month since April of last year. Preventative measures include disinfecting surfaces with bleach, washing laundry in hot water, and washing fruits and vegetables well. The CDC also notes hand washing as the best option for hand hygiene, as hand sanitizer does not work well against the virus. Learn more about norovirus prevention and best practices to reduce spread here.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
It was an honor and a privilege to deliver a welcome and the call to action at the 38th Annual Cambridge NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch last Saturday. I have been attending this event since I was a student at CRLS. It brings me so much joy to gather with our community, friends, high school classmates, colleagues, and mentors each year with the opportunity to continue meeting new people each year.
The NAACP is a pillar of our community that embodies the legacy of Dr. King on where we should stand in times of challenge and controversy. I will always be grateful for having received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship as a CRLS student, which enabled me to help pay for college. I understand that this recognition was both an investment in me and a commitment on my part to continue Dr. King’s work on addressing white supremacy, systemic racism, and poverty.
Thank you to the NAACP Cambridge leadership team for another incredible event: President Ken Reeves, First Vice President Richard Harding, Second Vice President Steven Brown, Secretary Ayesha Wilson, and Dhonyale Jones. Congratulations and thank you to this year’s honorees: School Committee Member Caroline Hunter, Councilor Sumbul Siddiqui, Cambridge Black History Project, Black History in Action: Cambridge, Sami Herbawi of Andala Coffee House, and Emmanuel Mervil of Everybody Gotta Eat. Cambridge is stronger because you push us to strive towards the values that we aspire to in our actions, not just in our words. If we were all doing half of what you have been doing, the world would look very different and so would our community.
On Monday, I was grateful to participate in a Gun Violence Prevention event at Salem State University that was held in honor of Carl-Hens Beliard, a Salem State University student whose life was tragically cut short by gun violence last fall. It was powerful to hear Carl-Hens’s mother Altagrace speak about his passion for basketball, his smile, and his dedication to his family. I appreciated her survivor impact statement, and how she, in her pain, is now using her platform to call for systemic change so no one has to suffer the same loss that she and her family did.
I then sat on a panel with Ann Haaser from Moms Demand Action to talk about the gun safety omnibus that the House passed last fall, how it compares to the version the Senate passed this month, and, in general, what good advocacy looks like. I am grateful for Speaker Ron Mariano and Chair Michael Day’s leadership on this issue. Chair Day spent 5 months conducting 11 community-based hearings, and based on the input he received, crafted a bill that, among other things, expands the Commonwealth’s red flag law, regulates ghost guns, outlines areas where firearms are prohibited, and creates a statewide uniform training protocol. I look forward to seeing the appointed Conference Committee from the House — which is comprised of Chair Day, Chair Carlos Gonzalez, and Rep. Joseph McKenna — work with their Senate counterparts to pass an impactful gun reform bill this session.
I am grateful to work with such committed advocates as Moms Demand Action, Stop Handgun Violence, Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and March for Our Lives. I also want to thank my former colleague and current Salem State President John Keenan and Dr. Chris Collins for hosting this important event.
On Tuesday, I was visited by constituents and advocates from Cambridge-Somerville Elder Services. They provide invaluable services to elders in our community, including meal services, outreach, and caregiver support.
On Wednesday, I attended a legislative briefing about the Health Equity Compact (the Compact), a coalition of over 80 leaders of color across a diverse set of Massachusetts organizations that center on racial justice and health equity and aim to identify structural solutions to ensure equitable healthcare and better health outcomes for all residents of the Commonwealth, so that everyone can lead healthier lives.
I heard remarks from my colleagues and representatives from the Mass. League of Community Health Centers, the Health Foundation of Central Mass, and the Lynn Community Health Center to learn more about the Compact's initiative to advance health equity in Massachusetts through several measures, including the expansion of MassHealth coverage for eligible people regardless of immigration status, support of a diverse health workforce to better reflect communities served and additional funding to safety-net hospitals and community-based providers.
Technology has made us so much more accessible! Here I am sitting in my car late at night talking to Dr. Craig Andrade’s Strategies in Public Health Advocacy class at the Boston University School of Public Health.
Also on Thursday, I had the privilege of addressing the Cambridge small business community at the Harvard Square Business Association’s 114th Annual Meeting. Additionally, I had the honor of handing out the Foundation Awards to four incredible leaders in our community. For 114 years, the HSBA has been instrumental in supporting and advancing the small business ecosystem in and around Harvard Square. During the meeting, I emphasized the crucial role small businesses play as the beating heart of our community. They not only provide quality jobs but also offer mentorship and development opportunities for their employees. Small businesses are so integral to our economy and community identity, and I am deeply grateful for their contributions.
I commend the HSBA for their unwavering dedication to supporting small businesses. Last year, the HSBA organized well over 100 events to engage the community and drive foot traffic to our local businesses. I remain committed to advocating at the State House for resources to sustain our small business ecosystem. Lastly, I want to congratulate the new board members on their appointments, and I wish them success in leading the HSBA towards continued growth and prosperity.
Recent Press
MASSPIRG
“I am excited that H.3627, An Act to restrict the use of polystyrene, was reported favorably out of the Joint Committee on Public Health,” said State Representative Marjorie Decker. “I am thankful to my Senate co-Chair Julian Cyr, MASSPIRG, and other organizations for their collaboration and partnership. We know polystyrene serves no useful benefits and that there are plenty of Earth-friendly alternatives available. I look forward to advancing this bill through the Legislature.”
Caroline Enos, The Salem News
SALEM — Altagrace Beliard’s prayer is that no other mother has to lose a child to gun violence, like she did last year on Halloween night in Salem.
Her son, Salem State freshman Carl-Hens Beliard, was just 18 years old when he was shot and killed on Forest Avenue at 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 1, not far from the Salem State O’Keefe Sports Complex.
The only way to prevent a tragedy like this from hitting again: stricter gun laws that keep firearms away from those who aim to do harm, advocates said during the forum, sponsored by the university’s Civic Engagement Center and Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaboration.
The forum featured panelists State Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge) and Ann Haaser, a spokesperson for the gun-violence prevention group Moms Demand Action.
“We can end gun violence if we choose to, and we need to hold elected officials responsible at the local, the state and the national level,” Decker said. “When Massachusetts has one of the lowest gun homicide rates in the country, it’s not a coincidence.”
Mental Health Services and Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling, please know you are not alone. There are some great resources here: decker4rep.com/2021/mental-health-services-and-resources/
Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Helpline
This initiative is designed to prevent intimate partner violence by fostering accountability and change in people who harm or may harm their partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.
Overdose Prevention Helpline
The Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline is a virtual spotting/overdose detection service for people who use drugs. Learn more at massoverdosehelpline.org or access it by calling 800-972-0590.
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
De Novo is a Cambridge-based nonprofit that provides free civil legal assistance and affordable psychological counseling to people with low incomes. You can learn more about their services at denovo.org.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie
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