Joan in the News

Salem Patch,  “Salem Pantry, Patriot Seafoods Awarded $320K State Food Grants“
November 1, 2024
“…These grants will help make a more accessible and equitable food system in Salem and the surrounding communities,” Lovely said.…”
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The Berkshire Eagle,  “Questions linger about dropped Miss Hall’s School investigation and age of consent laws“
October 31, 2024
“…Lovely says the law that sets the legal age of consent at 16 for sex makes it possible for adults to use it as “a defense.”

“That’s how the law is written,” Lovely said, “and that’s why we’re trying to change it.”…”
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Open Investigation,  “Advocacy and Call to Action”
October 29, 2024
“…CSA Survivors, Attorney Kathryn Robb and Senator Joan Lovely talk about the importance of removing the statute of limitations (SOL) on child abuse cases, enabling survivors to seek justice on their terms…”
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State House News Service,  “Breast Cancer Screening Bill Closer To Healey’s Desk“
October 28, 2024
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, who said she has dense breast tissue and needs 3D mammography in order for radiologists to properly screen her, said the bill will save lives by catching breast cancer early.

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The Boston Globe,  “Berkshire DA will not prosecute former Miss Hall’s teacher accused of sexual abuse”
October 19, 2024
“…State Senator Joan Lovely has repeatedly proposed legislation that would close the consent loophole, raising the age from 16 to 18 when it involves sex with a person in a position of authority.

Lovely said in a statement this case is a “prime example” of why her legislation needs to be passed. She said her bill, S.1036, would remove the ability to consent in a school setting with adults in positions of authority or trust.

‘Defendants could not use age of consent as a defense. We need to protect young people from sexual abuse and assault, and this bill will chill this behavior. People will hopefully think twice facing prosecution,’ she said…”
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Salem News,  “Essex Tech celebrates opening new animal science building, breaking ground on geothermal”
October 18, 2024
“…‘This is exactly how we should be spending our money — to make facilities like this,’ said state Sen. Joan Lovely, who received her associate degree in large animal science from the school. ‘I will always be a supporter of this school, its students, and the educators and administration who are turning out these amazing educated students. The world is your oyster, whatever you want it to be, it starts right here.’…”
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Salem Patch,  “Salem, MassHire North Shore Awarded $500K State Grant”
October 10, 2024
“…A $500,000 state grant will provide training and placement services for 100 unemployed or underemployed Salem and regional residents for work at several North Shore companies…”
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Salem Patch,  “Salem Schools To Use $25K Grant On Middle School Career-Based Learning”
September 30, 2024
“…A $25,000 state grant will help the Salem Public Schools develop a middle school program that allows students to explore different possible career paths at an earlier age…”
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New England Public Media,  “Mass. senator has strategy to get a vote on bill eliminating time limits for child abuse lawsuits”
September 26, 2024
“…Current law bars victims of child sexual abuse who are older than 53 from suing in civil court or if it’s been more than seven years since the survivor realized the abuse harmed them.

‘It’s a life of trauma. And so why 53? Why isn’t it at 63? I mean, I don’t think there should be any age [limit],’ she said….“
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Salem Patch,  “More Than $100K In North Shore Cultural Council Grants Available“
September 18, 2024
“…These grant opportunities are essential for fostering creativity and cultural engagement in the district,” Lovely said. “I encourage local artists and organizations to apply for these grants and take advantage of the opportunity to share their projects with our communities…”
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Boston Public Radio,  “BPR Full Show 9/12: Handshakes Are Over“
September 12, 2024
(Segment starting at 1:07:00) Former Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety and Security
Andrea Cabral discusses a bill, S.2932 An Act eliminating the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases, sponsored by Senator Lovely, with Boston Public Radio hosts Jim Braude and Sue O’Connell.
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The Boston Globe,  “Law shouldn’t cut child molesters a break”
September 11, 2024
“…It’s usually much later in life that someone will get up the courage to face their abuse,” Lovely told the Globe editorial board. “Usually [survivors] bury this. I know I did. So there shouldn’t be any reason for anyone not to be able to bring a case then…”
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WWLP,  “Senate-approved sex abuse bill gets traction in House”
August 29, 2024
“…Back in 2014, we passed a statute of limitations for civil claims of child sexual abuse that would allow claims up to 35 years after the victim turned 18, or until 53 years old,” Lovely said. “I questioned then, and over the last decade, what was the magic number of 53, and I couldn’t find one — I couldn’t find that answer. So I decided to dig in, to talk to advocates, to talk to survivors, to talk to the public safety (officials)….”
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The New Bedford Light,  “Educator sex abuse bill: ‘I hope it makes it to the finish line this session’”
July 9, 2024
“…With three weeks left in the legislative session, a state senator and advocates on Tuesday made their case to a room of legislative staffers that their bosses — state senators and representatives — are far behind many other states in enacting child sexual abuse prevention bills to better protect students..”
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The Berkshire Eagle, “Why is legislation to prevent sexual abuse in Massachusetts schools moving so slowly? One bill’s sponsor says she knows why”
May 21, 2024
“Eight years ago, state Sen. Joan B. Lovely introduced legislation to prevent school employees from sexually abusing students.

Lovely’s bill has moved slowly through the Massachusetts Legislature, and the Democratic senator from Essex says there are reasons why. Discomfort, fear, denial or childhood trauma are among them.”

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The Boston Globe, “State House commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day as local survivor tells her story”
January 25, 2024
“…Hosted by Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem of Newton and Senator Joan Lovely, a Salem Democrat, the event marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is held every year on Jan. 27, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.”
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Salem Patch, “What North Shore Earmarks Are In $56.2B State Budget Compromise”
August 1, 2023
“…The $56.2 billion budget that the state House of Representatives and Senate sent to Gov. Maura Healey’s office for approval on Monday included historic levels of spending on education, housing, regional transportation, health care, and workforce development, as well as more than $2 million in earmarks for programs and projects in Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Salem.”
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ItemLive, “Sen. Lovely is Greater Boston Food Bank ‘Advocate of the Year'”
July 31, 2023
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, whose district includes Peabody, was recognized as the Greater Boston Food Bank’s public advocate of the year at the organization’s annual Partner Appreciation Awards. A ‘steadfast advocate for equitable access to food,’ Lovely is also a lead sponsor of the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, a bill that lays out a roadmap for the Department of Higher Education to support two- and four-year public colleges in implementing hunger-relief programs.”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers tour retirement home”
July 26, 2023
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely and state Rep. Jerry Parisella were given a tour of the non-profit Girdler House in Beverly by its director, Donna Sorrento.”
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The Salem News, “Negro Election Day celebrates status as new state holiday“
July 17, 2023
“…At the event, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll recognized state Sen. Joan Lovely, who wrote the bill establishing the holiday, with a governor’s citation in recognition of her efforts. ‘None of this would have been possible, frankly, without (Doreen’s) leadership, the board that she built, and the efforts of members of the Legislature last year. and I want to especially recognize both Representative Tucker, who is now our DA, and Senator Joan Lovely in particular, who has spearheaded this effort,’ said Driscoll, the former longtime mayor of Salem.”
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The Salem News, “Negro Election Day marks 1st year as official state holiday Saturday in Salem“
July 13, 2023
“…This will be the first year the July 16, 1741 gathering by Blacks is commemorated as an official state holiday. To help mark the day’s new status, Salem United has chosen Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, as grand marshal of the big Negro Election Day parade on Saturday. Doreen Wade, head of Salem United, and a driving force behind Negro Election Day activities, said Lovely’s place of honor in the parade was assured by her commitment to make the day — the first known balloting by Black in colonial America — a state holiday. Lovely sponsored the bill and tirelessly advocated for it, all the way to then-Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk.”
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ItemLive, “WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS CAUCUS OF WOMEN LEGISLATORS”
June 25, 2023
“…Today, women make up 31% of the Massachusetts Legislature. To support the 62 women currently serving in the Legislature and the women to come, and to advance policy issues that disproportionately impact women, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators has existed for almost 50 years…We are honored and thrilled to be co-chairing the Women’s Caucus for the 2023-24 legislative session. Supported by a 12-member Board of Directors and Executive Director Nora Bent, the caucus aims to harness the power of its members and advance issues that predominantly impact women.”
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GBH News, “Massachusetts bill would remove statute of limitations on civil child sex abuse cases”
June 21, 2023
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, the lawmaker behind that bill who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, spoke on Greater Boston about why removing the statute of limitations is so crucial. She said many survivors don’t come forward until they’re in their 40s or 50s. ‘We want to make sure people have the opportunity to bring action when they are ready to do so,’ she said.”
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The Patch, “Green Days: Salem Common Home to 3 Dozen New Trees”
June 15, 2023
“…Working with the state delegation and city officials, the Friends of Salem Common coordinated the effort to purchase and plant three dozen new trees of various species, canopies and sizes in what President Susan Moulton told Patch is believed to be the largest mass planting in the Common in more than 100 years…The Friends of the Salem Common worked with the city, the Salem Tree Commission, multiple municipal leaders and private donors to supplement a state earmark that Sen. Joan Lovely and former Rep. Paul Tucker worked into legislation.”
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The Salem News, “Letter: New Trees for the Common”
June 14, 2023
“…It takes a village to do important work and Salem is benefitting from a wonderful partnership between the nonprofit Friends of the Salem Common, the city of Salem, the Salem Tree Commission, multiple city leaders and several generous private donors. The Friends began our work in 2020 because of a generous donation by Michael Harrington. In 2021, the Friends asked Sen. Joan Lovely and then-state Rep. Paul Tucker for some state money earmarked for the Salem Common, and they enthusiastically said ‘yes’.”
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The Salem News, “Public hearing sees support, opposition for bill on airport noise”
June 13, 2023
“…The bill, filed as H.3358 and presented by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and Rep. Sally Kerans, D-Danvers, went before the Joint Committee on Transportation at the Statehouse Tuesday morning during a public hearing on proposed bills. It calls for the Massachusetts Aeronautics Division to collect and post all noise reports and complaints made to each municipal or regional airport in the state between April 1 and Oct. 1 regularly on its website, according to the bill.”
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The Patch, “Salem To Host Negro Election Day Parade, Willows Park Celebration”
June 8, 2023
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely and Salem United Inc. pushed for the official recognition of Negro Election Day for four years before former Gov. Charlie Baker signed it into state law last July. The day recognizes the creation of the first Black voting system in America, which originated in 1741 and has been celebrated in Salem since 1880.”
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The Salem News, “Senate budget includes ‘Hunger Free Campus’ funding”
June 6, 2023
“…The state Senate, in its recent passage of a $55.9 billion budget for fiscal 2024, included a proposed amendment championed by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, that would allocate $1 million toward a Hunger Free Campus Initiative…’As many of us know, hunger is debilitating and distressing without food and proper nutrition,’ Lovely told her colleagues at a Senate session May 24. ‘Our physical and mental health suffers, we experience pain, we easily lose concentration, we can have heightened anxiety and certainly heightened depression as well. This can be especially impactful for our students, and excelling at school is nearly impossible on an empty stomach.'”
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ItemLive, “LOVELY SECURES $60K FOR BREAKING GROUNDS”
June 1, 2023
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) helped secure $60,000 for the café through an amendment to the budget passed by the state Senate last month…In a statement, Lovely said she was ‘deeply proud’ the Senate enacted her amendment. ‘Operated by Northeast Arc, this important program gives members of the North Shore autism and disabled communities the opportunity to hone their professional-development skills, thereby empowering them to pursue future careers and contribute to our region’s workforce,’ she said. ‘With this funding, Breaking Grounds Café will be able to continue to provide these vital services for years to come. I would like to thank my Senate colleagues for their partnership and collaboration.'”
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The Patch, “Beverly’s The Herrick House Senior Living Residence Gets Modern Look”
June 1, 2023
“…The Beverly senior living facility The Herrick House is celebrating a recent renovation aimed at modernizing the living experience for its 85 residents and their families…In addition to assisted living, The Herrick House offers respite stay options and a specialized Spectrum Memory Care Program for residents with cognitive impairment.”
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The Eagle-Tribune, “Senators load up budget with local earmarks”
May 20, 2023
“…Lawmakers from the North Shore and Merrimack Valley have filed dozens of requests to buoy cash-strapped municipal governments, local projects and programs ahead of debate on the spending package next week. That includes nearly two dozen proposed amendments from Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, including another $50,000 for the Salem Pantry for its food insecurity programs and $60,000 for the Northeast Arc in Peabody, which works with disabled individuals and their families.”
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Fall River Reporter, “Sponsors see momentum behind postpartum-psychosis bill”
May 18, 2023
“…’Postpartum depression is the number-one complication in pregnancy, and we know it manifests as very mild symptoms to full psychosis, where the birthing individual will either take their own life or their life and the life of their child or children,’ Lovely said, calling the conditions fully treatable. ‘These birthing people deserve protection.’”
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The Boston Globe, “A rainbow of support for drag makeup class for teens at Danvers Library”
May 11, 2023
“…About a half-dozen people showed up to protest the event Wednesday, compared with the 200 or so who showed up out of solidarity with handheld signs that said ‘U Be U,’ ‘No Place for Hate,’ and ‘Drag Is Art.’ State Senator Joan B. Lovely said she was there to join in and ‘to make sure that when hatred shows up, that love shows up as well. As you can see from this crowd, there’s more love than hate here,’ said Lovely, a Salem Democrat who represents Danvers, Beverly, and Peabody.”
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The Salem News, “State gets ‘C-‘ for lead in school drinking water”
May 5, 2023
“…One proposal, filed by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and backed by nearly more than two dozen lawmakers, would require public schools to remove lead pipes, install lead-certified water filters or water-filling stations, and conduct regular and transparent testing of their water…’We’ve gone from D to a C-, which is unacceptable,’ Lovely said. ‘We need to do more to remove more lead from our schools’ drinking water to protect our young ones. We need to pass this bill.’”
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WBZ, “New Report: Lead Contamination in Massachusetts Schools Is Still A Problem”
May 4, 2023
“…Massachusetts currently has a voluntary lead testing program for its schools and child care centers. MASSPIRG and Environment Massachusetts are backing legislation (S526 & H851) filed by Senator Joan B. Lovely and Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian that would, among other things, mandate regular testing in those buildings and mandate schools to get rid of all lead plumbing. It would also require water filtration stations to be installed.”
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State House News Service, “Massachusetts Legislators Push Bills to Crack Down on Abuse in Schools”
April 20, 2023
“…Anti-child abuse advocates on Thursday lined up behind bills they said would crack down on sexual exploitation of kids in school settings, an area that a Boston lawyer said is the ‘clergy abuse crisis of this decade.’ Speaking on a webinar held by Mass. Citizens for Children and the Enough Abuse Campaign, Sen. Joan Lovely said one bill in particular, dubbed the SHIELD Act, would address ‘staggering but true’ statistics about the prevalence of abuse in the education system.”
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GBH News, “Advocates call for action on bills to prevent child sexual abuse in schools”
April 20, 2023
“…Bills highlighted at the event include measures that would require schools to adopt abuse-prevention policies and to screen prospective employees for past allegations or investigations of child abuse and sexual misconduct…Sen. Joan Lovely said the bills close a loophole in consent laws by establishing that people younger than 19 — or 22 for special education students — cannot legally consent to sexual relations with adults in a position of authority over them…Lovely is the Senate sponsor of the legislation discussed Thursday and of other bills that aim to prevent child sexual abuse and support its survivors.”
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Greenfield Recorder, “United Arc talks legislative advocacy at Coffee & Conversation”
April 17, 2023
“…Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who co-sponsored S.1037, said numerous constituents have reached out to her about intellectual disability discrimination in the court system and it’s time laws be corrected. ‘We need to make sure the laws on our books work for people, especially for families,’ she said. ‘All parents have the right to raise their children and should only be limited by courts when there is a real risk of harm for their child.'”
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WCVB, “Survivors launch effort to protect Massachusetts children from sexual predators”
April 11, 2023
“…Child sexual abuse survivors gathered at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday to show their support for a package of bills they say would protect others from future abuse…The proposed measures would include eliminating the civil and criminal statutes of limitations for child abuse; add mandatory training on preventing child sexual abuse in schools and other organizations; require schools to check teachers for past sexual misconduct; and raise the age of consent between students and adults in schools.”
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Everett Independent, “Student led lobby day at State House champions college hunger”
April 5, 2023
“…The program called for the passing of An Act Establishing the MA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative (S.835/H.1293), which would fund hunger relief solutions and resources across college campuses including food pantries, educational resources around SNAP and provide a single point of contact for hunger needs on campuses…The bill’s legislative sponsors; State Representative Andy Vargas of Haverhill, State Representative Mindy Domb of Amherst, and Senator Joan Lovely of Salem as well as co-sponsor Senator Sal DiDomenico of Everett joined to share sentiments and support of the pressing issue.”
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The Eagle-Tribune, “$1M state grant targeted at boosting off-season tourism”
April 5, 2023
“…The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism is dishing out a $1 million “Travel and Tourism Season Extension” grant to the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau (NBCVB) and Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau…The success of the tourism industry is ‘vital’ to the region and Massachusetts’ economy, said State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, in an prepared statement. She also praised the visitors bureaus and local chambers of commerce as crucial players in supporting this industry and promoting the North Shore as a year-round travel destination.”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers talk workforce challenges, solutions”
March 30, 2023
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, Rep. Tom Walsh, D-Peabody, Rep. Sally Kerans, D-Danvers, and Norman Abbott, regional director for U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton’s office, spoke about the issues that affect local businesses during the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce annual Legislative Forum and Breakfast at the Boston Marriott Hotel in Peabody Wednesday morning.”
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The Patch, “Anti-Hunger Leaders Celebrate National School Breakfast Week: 3/6-3/10”
March 13, 2023
“…On Friday, March 10, Project Bread, the state’s leading anti-hunger organization, Senator Joan Lovely, Mayor Robert K. McCarthy, and Salem superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike, joined school nutrition staff at Salem High School, to celebrate National School Breakfast Week (March 6-10), highlighting investments made possible by Project Bread’s $15,000 school breakfast grant this academic year.”
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The Daily Item, “Lawmakers to plug hole in food stamp benefits” 
March 8, 2023
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, is among those who support using state funding to keep the extra SNAP benefits flowing. She said many households in her district are still struggling to make ends meet in the wake of the pandemic and need the help. ‘The termination of federal emergency SNAP benefits comes at a time when many are still reeling from COVID era food insecurity, which has only been further compounded by inflation,’ Lovely said.”
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The Salem News, “Project at former Briscoe school breaks ground”
March 7, 2023
“…The event served as the official groundbreaking for Beverly Village for Living & the Arts, the project that will transform Briscoe into 85 apartments for low-income seniors and six live/work studios for artists…Speakers at the groundbreaking also included Mayor Mike Cahill, State Rep. Jerry Parisella, State Senator Joan Lovely, Harborlight Homes Executive Director Andrew DeFranza, Beacon Communities president of development Josh Cohen, and Mark Teden, vice president of multifamily housing for MassHousing.” 
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WBUR, “Mass. gets a ‘C-‘ in effort to address lead in school drinking water”
February 24, 2023
“…A bill in the State House would mandate annual lead testing at schools and require certain remedial steps, such as installing point-of-use filters at drinking water outlets…State. Sen. Joan Lovely, of Salem, introduced a bill called ‘The Safe Drinking Water at School Act,’ which would set the threshold for acceptable lead levels at the lowest enforceable level in the nation. It also includes language that would make schools eligible to receive grants for lead remediation. ‘It is unconscionable that in 2023, Massachusetts children continue to be exposed to this dangerous neurotoxin,’ Lovely said in a written statement.” 
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers want insurers to pay more for funeral expenses”
February 14, 2023
“…On Beacon Hill, lawmakers have filed a proposal that would increase the amount of reimbursement that companies and insurers would have to pay through worker’s compensation for funeral costs…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who is sponsoring the bill in the state Senate, said she agrees insurers should be required to pick up more of the costs when someone is killed on the job. ‘Right now they only cover basic expenses, which is tragic,’ Lovely said. ‘The argument for increasing funeral expenses is pretty compelling.’” 
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Ipswich Local News, “North of Boston annual tourism summit held in person”
February 3, 2023
“…The North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau held its 15th Annual Tourism Summit, the first in-person event after the pandemic…Attendees included tourism champions from across the region and the state, representatives from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Discover New England, Brand USA, Essex County legislators and town officials, and hospitality businesses.” 
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The Patch, “Danvers, Peabody Fire Departments to Share In $5 Million in MA Grants”
December 22, 2022
“…The Danvers and Peabody fire departments will split about $45,000 of the $5 million in state funding to secure and improve firefighter safety and gear. State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Rep. Thomas Walsh (Peabody) and Rep. Kerans announced the grants this week. ‘We have worked cooperatively with the (Gov. Charlie Baker) administration on these grants to benefit several fire departments,’ Walsh said.”
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The Patch, “Signs of Optimism in Beverly Airport Noise, Pollution Oversight”
December 20, 2022
“…The Danvers Select Board held a public hearing on the airport noise Tuesday in a follow-up to a discussion in October when residents pleaded for something to be done about what they call incessant noise, safety fears and the threat of pollution from leaded gasoline being used by planes…’How can the airport be a better neighbor?’ State Sen. Joan Lovely, who grew up in Beverly, asked. ‘Especially on the Danvers side, which seems to have had the most impact, even though the Beverly residents and Wenham residents are impacted as well. We have engaged with the Airport Commission and I do think that they want to be part of re-instilling the good neighbor policy to lessen the impact of the airport surrounded mostly by residential neighborhoods.'”
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The Salem News, “Broken elevator leaving residents stranded”
December 15, 2022
“…Apple Village is a subsidized housing complex on Manor Road off Route 128 in Beverly. The building with the broken elevator is for residents who are age 62 and older or have disabilities. It has 62 residents. State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said her office has been notified about the elevator problem. She said they have advised Apple Village residents to form a tenants association and put them in touch with Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants, a statewide coalition of tenant associations in subsidized housing.”
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The Salem News, “Businesses need to fight for Danvers bus stop, resident says”
December 15, 2022
“…The 465 bus made stops at Danvers Square, Salem Depot, Peabody Square, the Liberty Tree Mall and the Northshore Mall. It was removed from service last year. State Rep. Sally Kerans, D-Danvers, state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and town officials have pushed the state to bring back the stop.”
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The Salem News, “Locals call out Route 114 changes, urge state for median”
December 15, 2022
“…Massachusetts Department of Transportation shared updates on its Route 114 safety project last week and heard from locals on what changes they want to see along the road this spring…Lovely said she is grateful for the progress that has been made on Route 114 thanks to the project, but that more still needs to be done. ‘I would especially like to see the addition of a green median with dedicated turning lanes to help separate and regulate the flow of traffic in the corridor,’ Lovely said in a statement from her office. ‘I will continue to follow this project closely as we work to create safer conditions for commuters and pedestrians alike.’”
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The Patch, “Rep. Hannah Kane Named Co-Chair of Women Legislators Caucus”
November 22, 2022
“…Beginning in January, state Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and state Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) will be co-chairs of the bipartisan and bicameral Women’s Caucus. ‘I am thrilled to serve again as Senate Chair of the Women’s Caucus next session,’ Lovely said. ‘Under Rep. Haddad and I, the Caucus has grown and focused on the critical issues affecting women and girls in Massachusetts, including COVID’s impact on women, health access and racial disparities, and empowering women in government. I am excited to continue this work and look forward to serving again next session.'”
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The Salem News, “Montserrat College of Art opens ‘new front door'”
November 7, 2022
“…Montserrat held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 Dane St. for what it is calling The Center at Montserrat. The college bought the building, a former funeral home, last year and has transformed it into a welcome center, student center, wellness center and facilities headquarters…Cahill, state Sen. Joan Lovely and state Rep. Jerry Parisella joined Steinberg in cutting the ribbon.'”
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The Patch, “What’s In Store For North Shore In $3.8 Billion MA Economic Bill?”
November 4, 2022
“…The $3.76 billion state economic development bill that the Massachusetts legislature passed this week includes some big funding for the North Shore, including $45 million for offshore wind energy infrastructure in Salem and funding for projects and organizations in Beverly, Danvers and Peabody. Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said she was proud to work alongside Reps. Paul Tucker (D-Salem), Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly), Sally Kerans (D-Danvers) and Thomas Walsh (D-Peabody) to secure funding for the Second Essex District in the final economic development bill.”
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The Salem News, “Year-round Toys for Tots drop-off center opens in Beverly”
October 28, 2022
“…The North Shore’s first year-round Toys for Tots drop-off center has opened to help make the holidays brighter for kids in need…Lovely donated the first toy to the center at the unveiling — a game called ‘Gone Fishing.’ ‘It’s a heartwarming initiative and a great way to get toys to kids for Christmas,’ she said. ‘Beverly just has big open arms.'”
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The Patch, “North Shore Lawmakers Urge State to Reject Utility Price Spikes”
October 21, 2022
“…Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) were among 31 state senators who signed a letter to the state Department of Public Utilities requesting the rejection or mitigation of massive utility price hike requests this winter. ‘With inflation and the rising cost of living, many people across our Commonwealth face the daily struggle of choosing between paying for groceries or other bills,’ Lovely said. ‘The utility rate increases that are being proposed now will only make an already pressing situation more dire. We need to be doing all we can to help Massachusetts residents and families this winter. Increasing energy prices is not the answer. Protecting our communities is.'”
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The Patch, “Beverly Airport Noise, Pollution on Danvers Officials’ Radar”
October 13, 2022
“…Danvers residents concerned about increased noise and the potential harmful effects of pollution coming from planes utilizing Beverly Airport will get an audience in front of the Select Board at its next meeting on Tuesday…’We plan to continue to work with the airport and the neighbors and will continue to advocate on (residents’) behalf,’ Lovely said.'”
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The Patch, “Danvers, Peabody ‘Suicide’ Route 114 Stretch Safety Measures Planned”
October 7, 2022
“…A two-mile stretch of Route 114 in Danvers and Peabody that residents called ‘deadly’ and said included a ‘hazardous suicide lane’ at an emotional public meeting last December will receive a series of what the state Department of Transportation called ‘quick-bid safety counter measures’ aimed at reducing crashes this fall ahead of longer-term improvements. ‘Together, we have taken a successful stand to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians along Route 114,’ State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said. ‘I am proud to partner with Representatives Tom Walsh and Sally Kerans, and to work with MassDOT and Danvers and Peabody leadership, to make these much-needed safety improvements.'”
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The Patch, “‘CharlieCard Day’ Coming to Peabody for Seniors”
October 7, 2022
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and State Rep. Thomas Walsh (D-Peabody) and members of their staffs will assist North Shore residents 65 and older with applying for the Charlie Cards at the Peabody Council on Aging on Oct. 14.”
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The Salem News, “Denial vs duty: When faced with complaints of inappropriate behavior, many fail to heed warning signs”
September 28, 2022
“…Lovely said she plans to re-file a package of proposed legislation in January that would, among several other things, require school districts and youth programs to adopt specific standards and a code of conduct, as well as mandate reporting of suspected sexual abuse to the Department of Children and Families, and training. ‘We believe it’s been thoroughly vetted and is ready to go,’ said Lovely. A standardized policy would take out the personal feelings someone might have about a colleague, she said. It would spell out what acts are considered boundary violations and train educators and youth workers to spot the signs of someone potentially ‘grooming’ a victim.”
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The Patch, “Salem Offers Grants to Homeowners Renting Affordable ‘In-Law’ Units”
September 28, 2022
“…The state law, which State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and State Rep. Paul Tucker (D-Salem) advanced through the state legislature after Mayor Kim Driscoll proposed it, allows homeowners to exempt the property tax as long as they are renting the ADU, including utilities, at 70 percent or less than fair market rate…‘The passage of this special act ushers in a new age of stability and security for homeowners and renters throughout Salem,’ Lovely said. ‘Doubly effective, this landmark law supports property owners by creating additional revenue and tax incentives, while supporting renters through the addition of new, affordable units to Salem’s housing stock. With inflation on the rise and our affordable housing crisis worsening, the passage of this act could not have come at a more critical time.‘”
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The Patch, “AdviniaCare Salem Celebrates Upgrades to Rehabilitation Facility”
September 16, 2022
“…The 123-bed nursing and rehabilitation facility welcomed State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) to the event on Tuesday that highlighted new flooring, paint, lighting, furniture and technology upgrades, as well as new computer workstations and health documentation kiosks. There were also many upgrades to residents’ rooms, including new televisions, ma new call system and overhauled restrooms.”
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The Salem News, “Letter: We can protect our children from child sexual abuse”
September 8, 2022
“…Child sexual abuse affects 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys, leaving them with lifelong and, in many cases, debilitating trauma. This must end. All children deserve to feel safe. Just as importantly, they deserve to know that the individuals charged with their care and the people they are told they can trust, will not betray that confidence. I am proud to have filed legislation to protect our children, but also to hold perpetrators accountable for their heinous crimes.”
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PR Newswire, “Governor Baker Signs Bill to Create Women’s Rights History Trail”
August 19, 2022
“…The legislation directs the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), in conjunction with the Secretary of Transportation, to develop and implement a women’s rights history trail program that will include properties and sites that are associated with the fight for women’s rights and suffrage in the Commonwealth. ‘Our nation and our Commonwealth would not be what they are today, were it not for the contributions of women,’ said Senator Joan B. Lovely. ‘Though as important as men to our country’s history, women have seldom received the recognition they rightly deserve. With this law, we stand to remove women from the annals of history and finally place them at the forefront. I would like to thank Senate President Karen Spilka, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito, House Co-sponsors Representative Hannah Kane and former Representative Carolyn Dykema, Caucus Co-Chair Representative Pat Haddad and Executive Director Nora Bent, for ensuring that women’s history will continue to be preserved and advanced for generations to come.’”
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The Patch, “State Bill Includes Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem Project Funding”
August 1, 2022
“…The final version of the $11.3 billion state transportation and infrastructure bill includes $4 million for projects in Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Salem, as well as $28 million for an intracoastal ferry pilot connecting terminals, including Salem, along the North Shore. ‘This legislation will improve our Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure and roadway safety, helping enhance travel conditions for people living and working across Massachusetts,’ Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said.”
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Gloucester Daily Times, “Baker signs Negro Election Day Bill”
July 25, 2022
“…Baker signed nine bills Friday including S 2703, which requires the governor to issue a ceremonial proclamation each year declaring the third Saturday in July as Negro Election Day, which has its roots in Salem. Sen. Joan Lovely this year said that enslaved people from Salem and across the region would hold an annual election to choose their own king or governor starting in 1740. That eventually became the Black Picnic still held each summer in Salem.”
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MASSPIRG, “Senate Passes Right to Repair”
July 21, 2022
“…As part of an Economic Development bill the Senate approved a Right to Repair amendment that grants Massachusetts residents the right to repair  portable electronic devices. The proposal, sponsored by Senator Mike Brady (Brockton) was championed by Sen. Will Brownsberger, Sen. Paul Feeney, Senator Joan Lovely, and Senator Sue Moran. In the House of Representatives, Rep. Adrian Madaro is the chief sponsor.”
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Boston Globe, “‘African Americans have enriched Massachusetts for centuries’: Mass. lawmakers approve Negro Election Day holiday”
July 16, 2022
“…The bill, which still needs Governor Charlie Baker’s approval, would set aside the third Saturday in July as Negro Election Day, recognizing the adoption of the first Black voting system in Massachusetts in 1741 — when Black people could still be held in bondage by white slaveholders. The measure was sponsored by state Representative Paul F. Tucker and state Senator Joan B. Lovely, and was approved by lawmakers Thursday. Lovely pointed to the Salem celebration in a statement about the legislation’s passage. During World War II in Salem, the holiday was held on the third Saturday in July to ensure that Black people could attend while participating in the nation’s war effort, according to the statement. ‘This annual celebration demonstrates that our communities of color have always been engaged in our Commonwealth’s civic process,’ said Lovely in the statement.”
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The Patch, “Salem-Rooted Negro Election Day Act Passes State Senate”
July 15, 2022
“…The state Senate on Thursday enacted an act establishing the third Saturday in July as Negro Election Day. Negro Election Day began in 1741 when enslaved and free individuals from within Salem and across New England came together to hold an election of a king or governor as a show of self-governance. ‘I am deeply grateful to the Massachusetts Legislature for enacting my bill establishing Negro Election Day,’ Lovely said. ‘This annual celebration demonstrates that our communities of color have always been engaged in our Commonwealth’s civic process. We must continue to commemorate the meaningful milestones African Americans have contributed to Massachusetts and our nation today and in all the days going forward.'”
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The Eagle Tribune, “Profanity, sodomy still against the law in the Bay State”
July 10, 2022
“…Some of the state’s outdated laws strike right at the issue of privacy, including those that criminalize sodomy, sex between unmarried couples and so-called ‘unnatural acts’ between consenting adults. Now it’s time for similar laws to go, state Sen. Joan Lovely told Statehouse reporter Christian W. Wade. Lovely is a lead sponsor of a bill that would eliminate many of the outdated statutes. The bill has made it through the Senate and now awaits action in the House. ‘Relationships between consenting adults are some of the most private and intimate parts of our lives, and government does not and should not be able to criminalize those relationships,’ Lovely said.”
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The Salem News, “Salem’s Remond family honored with historic women’s suffrage marker”
July 9, 2022
“…Suffrage100MA and Hamilton Hall in Salem recently unveiled a historic women’s suffrage marker honoring the legacy of Salem activists, the Remond family. ‘It is important to recognize that some white women’s suffrage groups would not include Black members, and that after the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, discriminatory laws continued to restrict voting access for many Americans of color,’ said state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem. ‘The Remond Family had steadfast perseverance, pushing through layers of resistance so their message of social justice could be heard, and it’s our duty to honor that legacy.'”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers weigh repeal of archaic state laws”
July 9, 2022
“…Legislation unanimously approved by the state Senate last week would repeal dozens of outdated statutes, including those that criminalize sodomy and so-called “unnatural acts” between consenting adults. It would also create a permanent state commission to routinely review antiquated laws. Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, a primary sponsor of the proposal, said many of the laws pegged for repeal are no longer ‘acceptable or relevant’ and in some cases are ‘harmful’ by intruding on peoples’ personal and sexual lives. ‘Relationships between consenting adults are some of the most private and intimate parts of our lives, and government does not and should not be able to criminalize those relationships,’ Lovely said.”
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The Salem News, “State sets public meeting on Birth Center closing”
June 30, 2022
“…Beverly Hospital and parent company Beth Israel Lahey Health announced last month they plan to close the North Shore Birth Center on Sept. 8. The announcement has sparked a campaign to save the center, including a protest with more than 150 people outside the hospital and an online petition with more than 3,000 signatures. Lovely said hospital officials said they would support the creation of an independent, nonprofit birth center on the North Shore. She noted there’s an allocation for $100,000 in the state budget to take a look at opening an independent birth center in Dorchester.”
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EIN Presswire, “Baker-Polito Administration Announces $9.5 Million in Community Investment Tax Credits to Support Community Development Corporations in Massachusetts”
June 30, 2022
“…This year, 51 Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and Community Service Organizations (CSOs) will leverage $9.5 million in tax credits, enabling them to raise nearly $20 million from local donors. ‘Local engagement is at the core of our community development coalitions,’ said Senator Joan B. Lovely. ‘Grateful that the North Shore Community Development Coalition received $250,000 to continue their vital work to improve economic opportunities and enhance the quality of life of our residents. CEO Mickey Northcutt and his team understand that to address local issues and create long-lasting change you need to work within and among neighborhoods. Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration, the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations for your support and leadership.’”
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The Patch, “Peabody’s Brooksby Village Renewed as Voting Sub-Precinct”
June 28, 2022
“…Peabody’s Brooksby Village will remain a voting location accessible to more than 1,800 senior citizens in the city after the state renewed it as a voting sub-precinct on Monday. ‘Voting is fundamental to our democratic process and it’s imperative that residents have access to this constitutional right,’ Lovely said. ‘Proud to work alongside Representative Tom Walsh to make Brooksby Village a polling location for our seniors so they can easily access the polls and vote close to home.'”
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The Center Square, “Companion bills aimed at strengthening maternal mental health resources in Massachusetts”
June 27, 2022
“…A pair of Massachusetts bills pertaining to maternal mental and behavioral health care resources are under review in a legislative committee. State Rep. Jamie Zahlaway Belsito, D-Topsfield, is the lead sponsor of House Bill 4740, an act establishing maternal mental and behavioral health care work force grants, and House Bill 4741, creating a maternal mental health equity program. State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, has signed on as the lead sponsor of the bills in the other chamber of the Legislature.”
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The Salem News, “Local officials, activists say women’s rights, health threatened after SCOTUS decision”
June 24, 2022
“…Almost as quickly as the news arrived Friday morning on the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, so too did pledges from local political leaders on what they intend to do about it. ‘Abortion is safe and legal here in Massachusetts, thanks to the 2020 action by the Legislature to codify Roe in Massachusetts state law, which was done in anticipation of today’s decision,’ said a joint statement released by state Reps. Jamie Belsito, Sally Kerans, Paul Tucker, Tom Walsh, and state Sen. Joan Lovely. ‘We will continue to ensure the rights of women to access health care. Our House and Senate leadership are working together to make access available to everyone and to protect doctors.’”
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The Patch, “Salem’s Remond Family To Be Honored With Women’s Suffrage Marker”
June 22, 2022
“…The Remond Family of Salem will be honored for its activism and efforts toward women’s suffrage with a marker along the National Votes for Women Trail. ‘It is important to recognize that some white women’s suffrage groups would not include Black members, and that after the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, discriminatory laws continued to restrict voting access for many Americans of color,’ State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said. ‘The Remond Family had steadfast perseverance, pushing through layers of resistance so their message of social justice could be heard, and it’s our duty to honor that legacy.’”
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Itemlive, “Mass Mentorship Program Receives $1.5 Million in New Budget”
June 21, 2022
“…In the FY22 budget, MMP received $1.2 million, and the additional $300,000 in Crighton and Lovely’s amendment brings its current figure of $1.5 million, which is the most state funding that the program has received so far. ‘Fostering mentorship opportunities is one of the greatest initiatives we can do for our youth,’ said Lovely. ‘Mentors play a vital role encouraging and empowering our youngest residents, and the need for positive mentoring relationships is greater than ever. I am proud to have joined with Sen. Crighton to secure increased funding for the Mass Mentoring Partnership in the Senate’s FY23 budget. All Massachusetts youth deserve to have role models to help guide them to become the best versions of themselves.’”
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Boston Globe, “For some adults, it takes a team, not a guardian, to make life decisions”
June 15, 2022
“…State Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Paul Tucker have proposed a bill to provide a legal framework for supported decision-making in Massachusetts. I testified in favor of the bill at the State House. Passing this law would mean more people who want to could use supported decision-making. Fourteen other states and the District of Columbia already have laws like this one.”
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Salem News, “More than 150 Rally to keep North Shore Birth Center open”
June 13, 2022
“…More than 150 people, from pregnant women holding toddlers to children carrying signs, gathered outside Beverly Hospital on Monday afternoon for a rally to save the North Shore Birth Center. Lovely, who is the Senate chair of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and the Commission on Postpartum Depression, said the state is in a ‘maternal health crisis.’ She said access to birth centers results in lower C-section rates, fewer preterm births, and fewer emergency department visits. ‘These outcomes cannot be ignored,’ Lovely said. ‘We need this birth center.’”
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WBZ, “Residents Protest North Shore Birth Center Closure at Beverly Hospital”
June 13, 2022
“…Following an announcement from Beth Israel Lahey Health and Beverly Hospital last month, dozens of protestors gathered outside on Monday in opposition to the North Shore Birth Center’s closure after its 42 years in service. United States Representative Seth Moulton, State Senator Joan Lovely, and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll made appearances at the event in support of the protest.”
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VOA Learning English, “Woman Pardoned More than 300 Years After Witch Trial”
June 10, 2022
“…On May 26, Massachusetts state lawmakers officially cleared Elizabeth Johnson Jr. In 1693, Johnson was found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death. Her trial was part of the famous Salem Witch Trials which started in 1692 when Massachusetts was a colony of Britain. Massachusetts State Senator Joan Lovely said, ‘For 300 years, Elizabeth Johnson Jr. was without a voice, her story lost to the passages of time.’”
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The Salem News, “Change is Simple mobile STEM lab rolls up to Hannah School in Beverly” 
June 8, 2022
“…Founders Patrick Belmonte and his wife, Lauren, are flanked by State Senator Joan Lovely, and third-grade students during a visit of the Change is Simple mobile STEM lab, which is also known as the Sustainability and Climate Innovation Learning Lab or SCiLL, at the Hannah Elementary School in Beverly. Students learn about biodiversity, examining live specimens under microscopes, and calculating the percent of biodiversity in their ecosystem.”
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The Eagle Tribune, “Advocates renew push to tighten child sex abuse laws” 
June 7, 2022
“…One of the proposals, sponsored by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, would expand the list of those required to report suspected child sexual abuse to include youth sports organizations, volunteer coaches, tutors and school contractors. It also would require them to undergo annual training to detect and report abuse, and impose tougher criminal penalties for abusers. Schools and youth groups would also be required to adopt an abuse prevention policy prohibiting ‘boundary-violating behaviors’ by adults.”
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Wicked Local, “Women’s suffrage leaders to highlight proposed Massachusetts women’s right’s history trail” 
June 7, 2022
“…With the passage by both houses of the bill establishing a Women’s Rights History Trail in Massachusetts, finding out will be more fun than posing the question to Siri or Alexa and more interesting than resorting to Google. Passed in the House in March (to coincide with Women’s History Month), and shortly afterwards by the Senate, the bill sits on the governor’s desk, awaiting his signature. ‘It was made a priority of the Women’s Caucus,’ said Lovely, who jumped at the chance to co-sponsor the bill at Kane’s request. ‘We’re very pleased it is on the governor’s desk.’”
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PR Newswire, “Deadly Tulsa Hospital Shooting Renews Urgency for Stronger Violence Protection for Massachusetts Nurses and Healthcare Professionals as MNA Legislation Advances in House and Senate” 
June 6, 2022
“…Massachusetts representatives recommended on Thursday, June 2 that legislation filed on behalf of the MNA – An Act requiring health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence – be passed favorably out of committee and sent to House Ways and Means. The House bill is very similar to Senate legislation bearing the same name that lawmakers advanced to the Senate Ways and Means committee on March 31. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Denise Garlick, would: Require healthcare employers to perform an annual safety risk assessment and, based on those findings, develop, and implement programs to minimize the danger of workplace violence to employees and patients.”
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The Salem News, “Vigil shows support for victims of gun violence” 
June 2, 2022
“…More than 50 people attended the vigil, which was organized by the Beverly Multifaith Coalition as a way to stand with the victims of gun violence. State Senator Joan Lovely of Salem said Massachusetts has the second strongest gun laws in the country, behind California, and has fewer gun deaths than other parts of the country. But she noted that other countries, like the United Kingdom, have much lower rates. ‘That’s where we need to be,” Lovely said.’”
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The Eagle-Tribune, “Advocates seek to ease hunger among college students”
June 1, 2022
“…A pair of proposals pending before the House and Senate would provide grants to public colleges and other institutions of higher education that serve a significant proportion of low-income students to help them alleviate hunger on campus. ‘No student can learn when they’re hungry, we know that,’ Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, a primary sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, said during the briefing. ‘We must support students outside the classroom so they’re ready to tackle the challenges inside the classroom … so they can go on and have fulfilling lives.’”
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Everett Independent, “DiDomenico Secures Necessary Funding for Triangle, Inc’s School to Career Program” 
June 1, 2022
“…The State Senate reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the disability community by earmarking the expenses for Triangle, Inc.’s School to Career Program earmark in the FY 2023 budget. The two-hundred-thousand-dollar earmark that will allow for sustainable services to those most in need. Elected representatives including Senator Sal DiDomenico, Senator Brendan Crighton, Senator Walter Timilty, Senator Nick Collins, Senator Michaels Brady, Senator Joan Lovely, and Senator Jason Lewis worked tirelessly during this budget process to support the disability community.”
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The Salem News, “Last Salem ‘witch’ exonerated”
May 26, 2022
“…Elizabeth Johnson Jr. of North Andover is now the last of those convicted in the Salem Witch Trials to be exonerated. Her name was cleared Thursday thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, which had been filed on behalf of civics students at North Andover Middle School, whose research on Johnson led to her pardon. State Senator Joan Lovely, D-Salem, also thanked the students for advocating on Johnson’s behalf. ‘For 300 years, Elizabeth Johnson Jr. was without a voice, her story lost to the passages of time,’ Lovely said. ‘Thanks to the tireless efforts of civics students at North Andover Middle School, her life and wrongful conviction have been brought to light.’”
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The Patch, “Salem High CTE Students Provide Future Glimpse During Tour, Job Fair” 
April 25, 2022
“…Salem High Career and Technical Education students showed off their developed skills for local officials, as well as union and business leaders, before taking part in a recent “Hunting for Success” career fair at Salem High. State Rep. Paul Tucker, State Sen. Joan Lovely’s team, Laborers Local 22 Business Manager Louis A. Mandarini Jr., Salem Partnership Executive Director Beth Debski, and School Committee members Vice-Chair Manny Cruz, Jim Fleming, Mary Manning and Beth A. Cornell joined the students on April 14 to discuss programs and partnership opportunities.”
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Boston Real Estate Times, “MassBio leadership team visits Cummings’ life sciences clusters” 
April 20, 2022
“…Members of the leadership team of Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) recently visited Cummings Center and Dunham Ridge in Beverly and Cummings Properties’ flagship TradeCenter 128 campus in Woburn to tour several life sciences companies. The visits focused on MassBio’s vision for the future of the biotech industry and showcased innovations happening in the MetroNorth communities. The visiting contingent, which included Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Jerald Parisella, toured Cummings Center firms North Shore InnoVentures and LexaGene, as well as Dunham Ridge firms Adept Therapeutics, Resolute Bio, and Endolytix.”
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The Patch, “Gov. Baker Helps Salem State Celebrate $30 Million SSU BOLD Grant” 
April 13, 2022
“…Salem State’s Recital Hall more resembled a pep rally than a news conference on Tuesday as students, staff and administrators helped celebrate a $30 million state grant to offset smart building construction and renovation costs associated with the SSU BOLD campus consolidation initiative. Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, as well as State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and State Rep. Paul Tucker (D-Salem) — both SSU alums — were on hand for the announcement of the school’s share of $165 million in higher-education grants awarded to state community colleges and universities. Lovely and Tucker sponsored the bill authorizing the sale — which Baker signed in September.”
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The Salem News, “State Senate takes step on path to Women’s Rights Trail” 
April 8, 2022
“…An educational trail would be created connecting locations around Massachusetts related to the fight for women’s rights, under legislation that cleared the state Senate on Thursday. Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, an original co-sponsor of the legislation, said the proposal promotes education and awareness around the obstacles faced in achieving women’s rights in Massachusetts. ‘Each year thousands of tourists visit Boston to walk the Freedom Trail to learn about the founding of our nation, and walk in the history of our founding fathers and mothers,’ Lovely said. ‘But in the words of Abigail Adams, we must remember the ladies.’”
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The Patch, “Framingham Rep’s Bill On Adoption Passes Legislature”
April 6, 2022
“…Lewis and Sen. Joan Lovely cosponsored the legislation, which makes a technical change allowing kin to adopt their younger siblings, aunts or uncles. ‘The COVID-19 pandemic has left too many vulnerable youth without parents, making familial relationships and bonds more important than ever,’ said Lovely, the Salem Democrat. ‘I am proud to partner with Rep. Jack Lewis to ensure our children are cared for by the people who know and love them.’”
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The Salem News, “As hunger strike continues, leaders push for review” 
March 22, 2022
“…Opponents to the plant and environmental advocates held a protest in front of Peabody District Court Tuesday afternoon, the eighth day of the strike. The event included the support of state Rep. Sally Kerans, D-Danvers, and state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who represents several communities in the area. ‘I just want to send my best to the six individuals behind us who are putting themselves in harm’s way for a very important, critical issue,’ Lovely said, then leaning to a group of protestors wearing black hats emblazoned with ‘HUNGER STRIKER’ in big, white letters. ‘That’s why we’re here.’”
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Cape Cod Daily News, “State Senate Passes Bills Promoting Women’s Health Care” 
March 7, 2022
“…The Massachusetts State Senate recently passed a pair of bills increasing health care access for women and expecting and postpartum mothers across the state. The first bill, “An Act relative to expanding equitable access to maternal postpartum care” sponsored by Senator Joan B. Lovely of Salem, would require that MassHealth provides standard coverage for eligible pregnant and postpartum residents for 12 months after the end of the pregnancy. The bill comes following a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention citing an increase in deaths due to maternal causes in the United States, with maternal death rates highest among black women with 55.3 deaths per 100,000 live births.”
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The Salem News, “Leaders say incivility trickling down to local level” 
March 1, 2022
“…When Samuel Oliveri watches the political discourse in the country, he sees a rise in radicalization that has led to governmental gridlock on the national level. Oliveri put that question directly to local politicians on Tuesday morning at the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce’s legislative breakfast at Boston Marriott-Peabody, which he attended along with other Peabody High students as part of his U.S. government and politics class. State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and state Rep. Tom Walsh, D-Peabody, both said Democrat and Republican legislators work well together in Massachusetts. and Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt noted that city political offices like mayor, city councilor and School Committee member are nonpartisan.”
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Itemlive, “Breakfast Served By Peabody Chamber” 
March 1, 2022
“…The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual legislative breakfast on Tuesday morning for the first time in two years. One topic of conversation that was discussed at the breakfast was the need for improved transportation in the city. Lovely told the guests she was finding ways to improve public transit to help bring more businesses and customers to Peabody and said she is holding meetings with fellow State House members to discuss ongoing projects that would be beneficial for Peabody’s businesses. ‘I met with our North Shore delegation a couple of days ago and we discussed the need to electrify the Commuter Rail,’ Lovely said. ‘It’s the right move, it’s more reliable and it’s better for the environment.’”
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The Patch, “North Shore Fire Departments Share In $45K In Education Grants” 
February 24, 2022
“…Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said the Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield departments were four of the 227 communities across the state to receive both Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grants. ‘Education is key to fire prevention and knowing how to timely and safely react if you or your loved ones find themselves in a fire emergency is critical,’ Lovely said. ‘I am deeply grateful that our local fire departments received this funding and know that our communities are better because of it.’”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers say new bill boosts Salem United’s mission”
February 22, 2022
“…Senate Bill 2703, titled ‘an act establishing the third Saturday in July as Negro Election Day’ — which was co-sponsored by Salem Sen. Joan Lovely — cleared the Senate on Feb. 17 and is now moving to the House of Representatives, where fellow co-sponsor Salem Rep. Paul Tucker has pledged to fight for the bill and Gov. Charlie Baker has committed to signing it. The bill strives ‘to highlight and honor the last several hundred years of emancipation of slaves, and the history that has happened here in Massachusetts,’ Lovely said. Doreen Wade, president of Salem United, sees Lovely’s effort not so much as putting Negro Election Day on the calendar, but as giving a big boost to her organization’s work. ‘It isn’t just her supporting; it’s her building and helping us grow. She’s bringing in more people, more supporters, everything,’ Wade said. ‘It’ll legitimize the history, and without her, we wouldn’t have been able to legitimize the history.’”
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The Salem News, “State says Varian contamination cleanup in violation; orders new plan”
February 21, 2022
“…The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ruled that Varian Medical Systems’ 20-year-long cleanup plan is violating state regulations and ordered the company to come up with a new plan that will solve the problem within two years. VOC North Beverly, which is partnering with Shore Country Day School, called the DEP ruling a ‘hard-won result’ that shows what can happen when a community works together. The group thanked Mayor Mike Cahill, the Beverly City Council, state Sen. Joan Lovely, state Rep. Jerry Parisella, and Congressman Seth Moulton for their ‘unwavering support,’ as well as the ‘dedicated public servants at MassDEP.’”
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The Salem News, “Senate backs observation of Black history-related days”
February 17, 2022
“…The Senate approved two bills Thursday that would set aside on the calendar a pair of ceremonial days related to Black history in Massachusetts. Under a measure originally filed by Sen. Cindy Friedman (S 2704), July 8 would be observed as Massachusetts Emancipation Day. Under S 2703, the third Saturday in July would be observed by a ceremonial proclamation as Negro Election Day in recognition of ‘the adoption of the first black voting system.’ Lovely said that starting in 1740, enslaved people from Salem and across the region would hold an annual election to choose their own king or governor. That event eventually became the Black Picnic still held each summer in Salem.”
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WHAV, “State Senate Honors Haverhill High Graduate and Children’s Advocate James Lister who Died Last Fall” 
February 8, 2022
“…A longtime children’s advocate, born in Lawrence and raised in Haverhill, was memorialized by the state Senate yesterday. Monday’s Senate adjournment was in honor of James E. Lister, who died unexpectedly last Nov. 30 from an underlying medical condition complicated by COVID-19. Sen. Joan B. Lovely of Salem (Mass.) offered the motion, which was adopted by the full Senate Monday.”
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The Patch, “Logan Express Service From Peabody Returns From New Location” 
February 7, 2022
“…The new location at 91 Essex Center Drive will have an hourly bus service from Peabody each day from 3:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Service will leave from Logan Airport each day hourly beginning at 4:15 a.m. through 1:15 a.m. ‘A strong regional HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) connection to Logan Airport from the North Shore is important,’ State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said. ‘This is a great option for both travelers and employees that work at the airport. I am thankful for the hard work and partnership that made this possible, and that our constituents’ voices were heard.’”
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The Salem News, “House of Seven Gables director to step down” 
February 4, 2022
“…Kara McLaughlin, with nine years at the helm of the House of the Seven Gables, will step down from the leadership role in June. State Sen. Joan Lovely, a frequent sight at citizenship and naturalization ceremonies, said McLaughlin’s strongest impact on the community is seen in the priority she put on immigration programming. ‘Kara has been a tremendous leader for the House of the Seven Gables, in preserving its rich history and promoting the original mission of Caroline Emmerton to assist in welcoming immigrants to our country,’ Lovely said, ‘especially at the annual Naturalization Oath Ceremony.’”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers advance COVID-19 relief package” 
January 28, 2022
“…On Wednesday, the state Senate approved a bipartisan bill that called for spending $75 million on relief measures ranging from expanding vaccine sites and testing options, providing surgical-grade masks for schools and extending emergency laws allowing remote public meetings and notarizations. ‘We’re not out of this thing yet,’ said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem. ‘These dollars will go a long way to providing help where it’s desperately needed.’ The spending plan, if approved by Gov. Charlie Baker, will add to billions of dollars federal pandemic relief that has flowed into the state in the past two years.”
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Wicked Local, “Beacon Hill Roll Call”
January 18, 2022
“…Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would repeal a current law which prohibits adoption of children by family members including older siblings, aunts and uncles. ‘Our families are often our largest sources of support and what a family looks like can mean different things to different people,’ said Lovely. ‘I filed [the bill] to better reflect the realities of the lives of Massachusetts residents who love and care for one another … our most vulnerable youth deserve to be cared for by the people who know and love them, and who can best assess their needs.’”
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The Patch, “Sen. Lovely’s Relative Adoption Law Sails Through Legislature” 
January 14, 2022
“…Sen. Joan Lovely’s (D-Salem) bill to allow the adoption of close relatives sailed through the legislature in a unanimous vote on Thursday. ‘In recent years, the commonwealth has made great strides to expand the legal definition of ‘family,’ said Lovely, who sponsored the An Act relative to expanding access to adoption. ‘I am pleased to have sponsored S.2616 to better reflect and support residents across our commonwealth who love and care for another. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of our vulnerable youth without parents, making familial relationships and bonds more important than ever.'”
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The Salem News, “Driscoll listening as others pitch state bid” 
December 28, 2021
“…Kim Driscoll is taking a “serious look” at a bid for Massachusetts lieutenant governor, the Salem mayor said last week. Joan Lovely, now a state senator, served alongside Driscoll on the City Council a couple decades ago. “She was a Ward 5 councilor. I was a Ward 3 councilor. Then she was mayor, and I’m a councilor-at-large,” Lovely said. “When she took over as mayor, she was met with financial difficulties, not enough transparency in government. She really wanted to — and still speaks to it today — professionalize municipal government, which she has absolutely achieved.”
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Daily Hampshire Gazette, “Staffing shortages reach child care sector” 
December 21, 2021
“…Current numbers rank Massachusetts second in the country out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. for the most expensive annual infant child care at an average of $20,913. “We know that women have left the workforce at alarming rates and bear the brunt of child care responsibilities,” Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators Co-Chairs Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and Rep. Pat Haddad, D-Somerset, said in a statement. “This threatens the economic progress that women have made over the last several decades and must be at the center of all conversations about our economic recovery.”
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The Salem News, “A night of goodbyes at Beverly City Council” 
December 21, 2021
“…The City Council said goodbye to three councilors Monday night, including two who have pretty much defined the council in the 21st century. Paul Guanci, Tim Flaherty and Stacy Ames served at their final meeting at City Hall. Guanci and Flaherty have been on the council for a combined 36 years, including 20 for Guanci and 16 for Flaherty. Ames served just one two-year term but was praised for her passion and devotion to Ward 3 and the city. All three councilors were congratulated by state Sen. Joan Lovely and state Rep. Jerry Parisella. Cahill presented the councilors with gifts.”
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Boston Real Estate Times, “Urban Spaces, Diamond/Sinacori Complete Salem Mixed-Use Condo Development” 
December 20, 2021
“…The joint venture of Urban Spaces and Diamond/Sinacori last week celebrated the opening of BRIX, the 61-unit, mixed-use condominium development in the heart of historic downtown Salem, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included BRIX residents, Massachusetts State Senator Joan Lovely, State Representative Paul Tucker, City of Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll and other city officials, and various members of the development team.”
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The Greenfield Recorder, “State earmarking $4M to ease ag fairs’ losses due to COVID-19” 
December 17, 2021
“…State Rep. Natalie Blais announced the establishment of a $4 million program intended to cover some of the financial losses incurred by the state’s agricultural fairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, the result of amendments sponsored by Blais, D-Sunderland, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, was included in a $4 billion spending bill using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and fiscal year 2021 surplus funds — H.4269 An Act Relative to Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs. The bill was passed by the Legislature last week and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker on Dec. 13.”
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The Salem News, “Our view: Diaper pantries can help low-income parents” 
December 8, 2021
“…Lawmakers are working on a plan to establish a pilot program for 12 providers around the state to help purchase, store and distribute diapers. The news service said the bill – sponsored by Domb and Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, a Lenox Democrat, in the House, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, in the Senate – would also require those providers to track and report on the impact of the pilot. Families on limited incomes are facing more than enough economic challenges as the pandemic continues and winter rolls in. Lawmakers are right to do whatever they can to help ease the burden for people who need to buy essentials, including diapers.”
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The Salem News, “Advocates seek to tighten laws on sex offenders” 
December 8, 2021
“…Advocates for victims of sexual abuse are pushing to close loopholes in state law they say are allowing child predators to go undetected. A proposal filed by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, that went before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Tuesday would ban schools from signing non-disclosure agreements shielding allegations of sexual abuse against teachers and staff. Another Lovely proposal would expand the list of those required to report suspected abuse to include youth sports organizations, volunteer coaches, tutors and school contractors. It also would require them to undergo annual training to detect and report abuse, and impose tougher criminal penalties for abusers. “Teachers, coaches, tutors, mentors and anyone who has authority over a child should strive to protect them, not to exploit them,” Lovely told the panel.”
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NBC10 Boston News, “DA Rollins Backs Tougher Penalties in Abuse of Power Cases” 
December 7, 2021
“…Warning that existing Massachusetts law leaves a dangerous “loophole” in place, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins pushed Tuesday for the Legislature to create a new criminal charge for adults who exploit positions of authority to engage in sexual acts with minors. Lovely filed half a dozen bills before the Judiciary Committee at Tuesday’s hearing, including another bill (S 1091) that would require schools to implement new standardized screening mechanisms to examine if any new hires have been previously disciplined for abuse or sexual misconduct.”
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State House News Service, “State support pitched to meet families’ diaper needs” 
December 6, 2021
“…The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities heard testimony on bills Monday that propose a greater role for the state in helping ensure that diaper pantries and other community providers that distribute diapers to needy families have the resources they need to meet the demand. Sen. Joan Lovely filed a version (S 125) of the bill in the Senate.”
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The Patch, “North Shore Project Funding Touted in $4 Billion MA ARPA Bill” 
December 6, 2021
“…The $4 billion American Rescue Plan Act spending bill that the state legislature sent to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk includes $1 million toward projects specific to Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield. State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) touted how the North Shore delegation worked together to ensure funding for regional efforts as well as overall housing, health care, mental and behavioral health, climate preparedness, education and workforce development goals. “This landmark legislation supports our commonwealth’s COVID-19 recovery efforts and takes a direct approach to promote and enhance the lives of our residents by making critical investments in the public and mental health sectors,” Lovely said, “rewarding our essential and frontline workers for their contributions throughout the pandemic, and improving housing and workforce development opportunities.”
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State House News Service, “New framework proposed to aid in life decisions for individuals with disabilities and elders” 
November 22, 2021
“…The Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities heard testimony Monday on bills that would formally allow someone to enter into a supported decision-making agreement, where they can appoint another trusted adult to assist them in making and communicating decisions about their affairs, instead of having a guardian make choices for them. Rep. Paul Tucker and Sen. Joan Lovely, both Salem Democrats, filed the supported decision-making bills (H272, S124).”
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The Salem News, “Danvers ‘Vigil of Inclusion’ held after hate crime reports” 
November 20, 2021
“…About 100 people came together at the gazebo outside of the Danvers library acknowledging the heartache of the victims of such cruelty and slurs and to mark a new beginning for the town. Following a series of prayers at the vigil, state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, spoke to the group. “When it hits home, it hits the heart,” she said. Lovely said both she and state Rep. Sally Kerans, D-Danvers, “will do anything we can to help this community heal.”
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The Patch, “Peabody Generator Opponents Refuse to Give Up Fight: Patch PM” 
November 18, 2021
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and State Rep. Sally Kerans (D-Danvers) joined more than 30 advocates and community representatives in delivering a petition with more than 1,200 signatures to the office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Katherine Theoharides calling on the state to reopen the state Environmental Protection Agency process based on current regulations and the status of portions of Danvers, Peabody and Salem as state environmental justice communities.”
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The Gloucester Times, “State Senate extends emergency rules through winter” 
November 17, 2021
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, said the extension would give lawmakers flexibility to manage lingering COVID-19 risks. Senators can “reevaluate and make adjustments if necessary” as the new expiration date approaches, the Salem Democrat said. The Senate’s emergency rules package allows senators to cast votes without being present on the chamber floor, requires everyone present in the room to maintain social distancing, and imposes a mask requirement for Senate-controlled spaces in the State House.”
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The Patch, “Sen. Lovely Supports AG Probe Into Danvers Hockey Abuse Charges” 
November 16, 2021
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said she supports a proposed investigation from Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey into accusations of racist behavior and hazing within the Danvers High hockey program. “All students deserve to be protected and supported from this despicable behavior,” said Lovely, who represents Danvers, Beverly, Peabody and Salem, on Tuesday.”
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The Patch, “Sen. Lovely Touts District Spending In Senate Rescue Plan Bill” 
November 11, 2021
“…Specific North Shore projects could receive up to $1 million in funding from the state’s $3.82 billion American Rescue Plan Act allocation if a bill the state senate passed unanimously on Wednesday is adopted. Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) touted the 2nd Essex District projects that could benefit from the bill that targets communities disproportionately affected during the coronavirus health crisis. “I am proud to join my Senate colleagues in passing the $3.82 billion ARPA spending bill which makes critical investments in our commonwealth’s COVID-19 recovery,” Lovely said. “This funding provides a unique opportunity to improve the overall quality of life for all Massachusetts residents by investing heavily in workforce development, healthcare, and supporting our frontline workers who got us through the most challenging aspects of the pandemic.”
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The Boston Globe, “Racial inequities in health services will be focus of forum” 
November 9, 2021
“…Racial disparities in medical services in the North Shore region will be the subject of a virtual forum on Thursday, Nov. 18. Organized by the NAACP North Shore Branch, the event will focus in particular on racial inequities surrounding health services for prostate cancer and COVID-19. NAACP is partnering on the event with the AdMeTech Foundation, a nonprofit that works to advance early detection and treatment of life-threatening diseases. State Senators Joan Lovely of Salem and Brendan Creighton of Lynn and Dr. Phillip Rice, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital, will be among the speakers.“
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The Berkshire Eagle, “Legislature hears testimony on bills, including Pignatelli proposal, seeking to tackle opioid epidemic” 
November 2, 2021
“…On Oct. 25, the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery heard testimony for a bill sponsored by Pignatelli and state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem. Known as the Helping Overdosing Persons in Emergencies (HOPE) act, the legislation would require first responders to carry naloxone. Under the legislation, first responders must complete training on administering the treatment within one year of employment.”
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The Salem News, “The time is now to invest in recovery high schools” 
October 22, 2021
“…The schools — there are five statewide, including one in Beverly — specialize in helping teens continue their education while dealing with addiction. Too often, youth struggling with opioid or alcohol issues drift away from school, losing out on their education and losing contact with support systems they need to succeed. State Sen. Joan Lovely has sponsored legislation that would send more resources to Northshore and its fellow recovery high schools. Under the state education formula, school districts with high percentages of students who come from low-income families or are in special education get more money. Under Lovely’s plan, that money would be also be extended to recovery high schools.”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers seek more funding for recovery high schools” 
October 20, 2021
“…Our recovery high schools are essential to promoting and preserving the well-being and education of Massachusetts adolescents recovering from substance use and dependency,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, the bill’s primary sponsor. “Students in recovery face the dual challenge of succeeding in their courses, while maintaining recovery efforts.”
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The Daily News of Newburyport, “Lawmakers take stalk of plan for redistricting changes” 
October 18, 2021
“…On Tuesday, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Redistricting released a draft of redrawn Massachusetts House and Senate districts based on the 2020 Census count. The new maps include major changes to some districts aimed at ensuring more minority representation in certain regions. Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, says she will likely lose Topsfield as part of the redistricting, which will move into the reconfigured 1st Essex and Middlesex Senate district held by Tarr. “I have loved representing Topsfield,” Lovely said. “And I think the community will still be represented well by Senator Tarr.”
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The Daily Item, “World War II Veteran Turns 100 in Peabody” 
October 8, 2021
“…The Brooksby Village Veterans group held a surprise birthday celebration Friday in honor of resident and U.S. Navy veteran William E. Locke Sr., who turned 100 years old on Thursday. State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) was in attendance and presented a citation to Locke on behalf of the Senate, which honored him for his achievements.”
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Boston 25 News, “Salem teacher wins 2022 educator of the year” 
October 6, 2021
“…Marta García, second and third grade ESL teacher with Salem Witchcraft Heights Elementary school wins 2022 Teacher of the Year award. García is the first Salem teacher to win teacher of the year and the 60th recipient of the award. “Teachers are tremendous assets to our children,” said Senator Joan Lovely. “As an ESL teacher, Ms. García has helped Salem’s bilingual and bicultural students and families navigate the school system. She is setting our kids up for success, taking every effort to make sure they’re prepared to navigate the world before them. Great teachers change lives, and Ms. García has proven that she is a great teacher. Congratulations!”
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The Patch, “MilliporeSigma’s Danvers Facility Honored as a Manufacturer of the Year by Commonwealth’s Legislative Manufacturing Caucus” 
October 6, 2021
“…MilliporeSigma was nominated by Massachusetts State Senator Joan Lovely (D-Second Essex). “It is a true honor to nominate MilliporeSigma in Danvers for a Manufacturer of the Year Award,” said Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “This annual event celebrates businesses and organizations that have made a positive impact on their community through manufacturing. MilliporeSigma continues to make medical and research advances for the health and safety of all, which has been especially significant in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to thank Chairs Eric Lesser and Jeffrey Roy of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Caucus for their leadership.”
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The Salem News, “Welcome to the new Ivan G. Smith” 
September 27, 2021
“…The dedication of the new Ivan G. Smith Elementary School drew a sizable crowd to 15 Lobao Drive Saturday morning. Local and state officials offered remarks on the school project, which replaced the original Smith School that dated to the 1970s. The new building, according to officials, improves traffic bottlenecks and matches the character of the neighborhood, while the design allows for a seamless integration of learning and mobility. It still incorporates some flexible learning space features while other highlights include a climbing wall and rope net in the gym, recording studio, therapeutic learning centers, and a learning commons with reading nooks.”
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The Patch, “Sen. Joan Lovely Touts Sex Education, Gender Identity Bills” 
September 24, 2021
“…Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) touted bills that passed the state Senate on Thursday providing for age-appropriate inclusive sex education in schools, a non-binary option for birth certificates and driver’s licenses and access to nutritious school meals. “We took a stand for our commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations and advanced the Senate’s mission of promoting equity and inclusivity for all Massachusetts residents,” said Lovely said. “We made great strides towards addressing student hunger, ensuring our youth have access to comprehensive and medically accurate education in schools, and ensuring all constituents have the ability to express their gender identity on state identification forms.” All three bills now go to the House of Representatives for further action.”
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The Gloucester Daily Times, “‘Lunch shaming’ bill teed up for Senate vote” 
September 23, 2021
“…School districts would be banned from “lunch shaming” students whose parents don’t put enough money in their online meal accounts under a proposal teed up for a vote in the state Senate on Thursday. The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives in July, would require high-poverty school districts to enroll in a federal program that provides free breakfast and lunch to students. Supporters say the move will boost nutrition among students, close achievement gaps and help the state rope in more money from federal nutrition programs. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity across our commonwealth, and it’s affecting our children,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who backs the proposal. “Outside of the home, our kids spend most of their time at school, and they should have access to healthy and nutritious meals.”
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The Salem News, “Beverly cuts the ribbon on new police station”
September 18, 2021
“…City officials and current and former officers gathered to officially cut the ribbon on the $29 million station, which opened last month on Elliott Street in front of the Cummings Center. LeLacheur said officers are thrilled to be in the new building and are keeping it “spotless.” “They’re proud of the building,” he said. “And we’re going to keep it that way for the citizens.” Also speaking at the ceremony were Mayor Mike Cahill, state Rep. Jerry Parisella, state Sen. Joan Lovely, and members of the team that designed and built the station. Colin, the 7-year-old, was front and center to cut the ribbon with a pair of oversized scissors while dressed in his police uniform.”
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The Gloucester Daily Times, “Lawmaker seeks ‘Made in America’ building rules”
September 17, 2021
“…A state lawmaker wants schools and other public projects to be built with U.S. steel and domestic materials, arguing that foreign competitors are hurting this country’s manufacturers. The proposal, filed by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, would require cities and towns to give preference to U.S. manufacturers when buying steel, iron and other materials for new buildings and renovations.”
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The Eagle-Tribune, “Advocates renew plans to extend bottle bill”
September 14, 2021
“…A new proposal heard by the Legislature’s Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy on Monday would increase the deposit on cans and bottles from 5 to 10 cents and include other plastic and glass containers for wine, hard cider, water and sports drinks, as well as miniature liquor bottles called “nips.” The proposals are backed by more than 40 lawmakers including Reps. Paul Tucker, D-Salem, Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, Andy Vargas, D-Haverhill and Tram Nguyen, D-Andover. A similar, bipartisan proposal also heard by the committee on Monday, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, would extend the bottle deposit for wine and liquor bottles but would exclude dairy products and juice drinks.”
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The Salem News, “Salem remembers on 9/11”
September 11, 2021
“…In an hour-long ceremony outside Salem Fire Department Headquarters, speakers recalled their own experiences of that day, but also the sacrifices of first responders, servicemembers, and families and communities touched by the lost and damaged lives — and renewed calls for unity in a pandemic-weary and politically-divided nation. Lovely spoke of her pride in Salem’s first responders, some of whom traveled to Ground Zero to help. “I couldn’t be more proud of this community and what it represents,” said Lovely.”
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The Salem News, “Ceremony remembers 9/11, and local rescue team’s role”
September 11, 2021
“…Hundreds of people attended a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony hosted by Task Force 1, one of the country’s 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search & Rescue task forces. The Beverly-based team was the first FEMA team to make it to New York City that day, thanks to a quickly assembled convoy of vehicles that included two Beverly Public Schools buses. “Look around, especially at this task force,” Barberio said in remarks to the crowd. “Some people are simply born to serve. That’s what they embody. At every level — locally here in Beverly, regionally, at the state level and nationally. You’re forever etched in this historic time.” Other speakers included Foster, state Sen. Joan Lovely and Congressman Seth Moulton.”
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The Patch, “Sen. Joan Lovely Helps Celebrate Women’s Equality Day”
September 2, 2021
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) stressed the importance of electing more women to statewide office and the legislature as she helped celebrate the anniversary of women’s suffrage at a Women’s Equality Day event at the Boston Public Gardens alongside Massachusetts Women’s Legislative Caucus co-chair Rep. Pat Haddad and other community members. “We are up to 62 women in the legislature now — it is a record,” Lovely noted on this year’s anniversary. “But I will tell you, over the hundreds of years of the Massachusetts Legislature, there have been over 20,000 men and 219 women. We need to grow these ranks and that’s what we are focusing on, which is why it’s so appropriate to be here today to talk about votes for women.”
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The Salem News, “Peabody Youth Girls Lacrosse wins Founders state title”
August 26, 2021
“…Ed Lomasney’s last year coaching girls youth lacrosse was also the best, culminating with his 7-8 grade Select Team winning the Founders League state championship. The team was honored at City Hall by Mayor Ted Bettencourt, Senator Joan Lovely, and state representatives Tom Walsh, and Sally Kerans last week. “This group was the most talented I’ve coached,” said Lomasney. “I’ve been doing it for a long time and had some of these girls from the time they were very young. They worked so hard, and the effort they put in was remarkable.”
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The Salem News, “Peabody West state champs honored at state house”
August 26, 2021
“…The 2021 Massachusetts state champs were honored by the Governor as well as both houses of the state legislature at the state house on Wednesday afternoon. All 13 players received citations from both the state senate, presented by Senator Joan Lovely, and the house of representatives, presented by Reps. Sally Kerans and Tom Walsh. “What a great day,” said Peabody West manager Mark Bettencourt.”
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The Salem News, “‘Senior of the Year’ returned to the city she loves”
August 7, 2021
“…The Beverly Council on Aging named Bourque its 2021 Senior of the Year during Senior Day at Lynch Park. In a ceremony under a big tent next to the ocean she missed so much, Bourque sat in a folding chair by the stage as a long list of officials presented her with proclamations and praised her community spirit and dedication to serving others. Among the officials who recognized Bourque were Congressman Seth Moulton; Secretary of State William Galvin; representatives of state Sen. Joan Lovely; state Rep. Jerry Parisella; Mayor Mike Cahill; City Councilors Julie Flowers, Stacey Ames and Kathleen Feldman; Essex County Sheriff’s Department Assistant Superintendent Maurice Pratt; and Senior Care Executive Director Scott Trenti.”
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The Salem News, “Salem owners tell state economic chief business is improving”
August 6, 2021
“…Business owners in downtown Salem on Thursday told the state’s economic chief that customers are returning but help is hard to find as the recovery from the pandemic continues. Kennealy was in Salem as part of what Gov. Charlie Baker’s office is calling a “statewide small business and downtown conversation tour.” He was joined on the tour by Mayor Kim Driscoll and State Sen. Joan Lovely. The purpose of the tour, according to Baker’s office, is to highlight the state’s reopening and to discuss his $2.9 billion proposal to support recovery through federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.”
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The Salem News, “Beacon Hill weighs ban on childlike sex dolls”
August 5, 2021
“…A proposal on Beacon Hill would outlaw the sale or possession of anatomically correct childlike dolls, mannequins or robots “intended for use in sexual acts.” “It’s disgusting, it’s wrong, and should not be allowed anywhere,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, the bill’s sponsor in the Senate. “This is just another opportunity for pedophiles to sexually exploit children.” Violators caught with the dolls could get jail time and fines from $1,000 for a first offense to $30,000 for multiple offenses, under the proposal.”
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The Chelsea Record, “State Legislators Secure Necessary Funding for Triangle, Inc.’s School to Career Program”
July 22, 2021
“…The Commonwealth of Massachusetts reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the disability community by funding the expenses for Triangle, Inc.’s School to Career Program line item in the FY 2022 budget. The $200,000 line item allocation will allow for sustainable services to those most in need. Elected representatives including the Lead Sponsors Representative Dan Ryan and Senator Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Steven Ultrino; Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian; Rep. Sean Garballey, Rep;  Paul Tucker; Mark Cusack; Rep.Denise Garlick; Rep. Bill Driscoll; Rep. Daniel Hunt; Rep. Christine P. Barber; Rep. Jessica Giannino; Rep. Michael Day; Rep. Jerald A. Parisella. State Senator Rush; Senator Brendan Crighton, Senator Walter Timilty, Senator Michaels Brady, Senator Joan Lovely, and Senator Jason Lewis worked tirelessly during this budget process to support the disability community. Together with Governor Baker, in signing this budget, they are helping bring the dignity and respect of employment to all people of the Commonwealth.”
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The Salem News, “Being a firefighter is the coolest job in the city”
July 20, 2021
“…Dionne, who has been serving as acting chief since former Chief Gerry Giunta’s retirement in February, was sworn in by Mayor Kim Driscoll July 19 at the Hawthorne Hotel, surrounded by friends, family and public officials from across the state. State Sen. Joan Lovely, a longtime friend of Dionne’s, told the crowd she is excited to see the department continue to grow under Dionne’s leadership. “He is someone who has become the person who you can always rely on,” she said. “I can think of no one more deserving to lead our exceptional department — a brotherhood and a sisterhood like no other.”
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The Salem News, “State House plaque honors US Cadet Nurse Corp”
July 19, 2021
“…A bronze plaque honoring the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps was dedicated in Nurses Hall at the Statehouse on July 6.  The effort to install the plaque was led by Barbara Poremba and Leland Hussey, of Salem, representing the Friends of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps WWII, an advocacy group working to pass federal legislation to grant honorary veteran status to cadet nurses. Last year, Massachusetts became the first state to pass legislation designating July 1 as U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Day. The legislation was supported by state Sens. Joan Lovely, of Salem, and Bruce Tarr, of Gloucester, and by state Reps. Paul Tucker, of Salem, and Brad Hill, of Ipswich”
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The Salem News, “Battle to stop sex trafficking expanding”
July 15, 2021
“…A proposal filed by Reps. Tom Walsh, D-Peabody, Sally Kerans, D-Danvers, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, would require hotels to develop a “human trafficking recognition program.” Walsh said it would focus on educating hotel workers on often subtle signs of exploitation, such as multiple individuals coming and going from a single room. It would require hotels to post written notice in multiple languages urging victims of sexual exploitation to call a hotline providing access to law enforcement and supportive services.”
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The Salem News, “Lovely files bill to tighten up licensing for veterinary techs”
July 13, 2021
“…Bill sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely told her colleagues at a Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure hearing that while some technicians seek training and licensure on their own, the existing state regulatory structure leaves those steps as an option rather than a single, consistent set of requirements. That means that “any person with any level of experience can work in a veterinary practice and be called a veterinary technician,” Lovely, a Salem Democrat, said.”
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The Daily News of Newburyport, “Campus access bill opens doors to ‘what we all want’”
July 13, 2021
“…People with intellectual disabilities shared stories Tuesday about how participating in higher education changed their lives by connecting them to important career and life skills, making them more independent, and including them in the same social activities as their peers. Their testimony to the Joint Committee on Higher Education was in support of legislation (H 1331/H 1337/S 846) that would allow people with intellectual disabilities, autism or another disability to participate in courses and campus life as non-matriculating students at a state college or university if they have not passed MCAS. The bills, filed by Sen. Joan Lovely and Reps. Patricia Haddad and Sean Garballey, would also add people with intellectual disabilities to the state higher education system mission statement and codify a related grant program.”
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The Daily News of Newburyport, “Youth mental health crises raise concerns”
June 18, 2021
“…A proposal filed by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, would require schools to develop suicide prevention and intervention plans to respond to students in crisis. She cited federal data showing suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 24. “It is my hope that by having a schoolwide system of developed, thoughtful and comprehensive policies, we can reduce the number of young people who commit suicide,” Lovely told the panel.”
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WCVB, “Bills to protect kids from sexual abuse in schools, community up again on Beacon Hill”
June 8, 2021
“…’We will never be comfortable talking about this. That’s OK. Let’s be uncomfortable. But let’s talk about it,” she said. She knows the devastating impact it can have. She was sexually abused when she was six years old. “I’ve shared my story. It hurts every time I do,” she said. But Lovely, D-Salem, knows that talking is necessary as she begins another session on Beacon Hill, determined to pass legislation to protect children and prevent child sexual abuse. There are a series of bills focused on children’s organizations and schools.”
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The Salem News, “A class full of ‘grit’ Essex Tech celebrates 2021 grads”
June 5, 2021
“…Keynote speaker state Sen. Joan Lovely, an alumnus of Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute, offered the Class of 2021 three pieces of advice: Be a helper, take chances, and speak up. In the hardest days of the pandemic, bright spots were seen when volunteers stepped up to make masks for those in need or fill the shelves of the food pantry, Lovely said. “Give your time to others,” she said, adding that even a kind word and a smile can go a long way in helping another. “Take big chances,” she continued. Apply for a job that you think is out of reach, or go after a dream that someone tells you is unachievable. “The greatest risk lies in doing nothing,” Lovely said. “You will never know if you don’t try.”
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New England Real Estate Journal, “Harborlight Community Partner to break ground on Anchor Point”
June 4, 2021
“…Too many North Shore residents continue to struggle to find quality housing that they can afford. Anchor Point will serve as a tremendous resource for many families that need housing security and stability,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “I am proud to have collaborated with state and local leaders on this important project and laud Harborlight Community Partners’ commitment to our most vulnerable families.”
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The Daily Item, “A busy time for Peabody legislators”
May 28, 2021
“…It’s a very busy time in the legislature as the Senate undertakes its FY22 budget debate and the Commonwealth moves toward its new normal,” said state Sen. Joan Lovely. “As we progress forward, I will be working closely with my legislative colleagues, regional leaders and stakeholders to make sure there are safeguards in place to support families, businesses, employees and all residents.”
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The Boston Globe, “Child sexual abuse is preventable”
May 18, 2021
“…Safe Kids Thrive helps organizations create codes of conduct that outline appropriate adult-child interactions so that if an adult breaks those rules, action can be taken before the behavior escalates to abuse. For example, guidelines may stipulate that a youth cannot be alone with a teacher in certain parts of the building. The guidelines may also forbid social media interaction between teachers and individual students. Clear guidelines make it harder for pedophiles to operate without being noticed and will allow administrators to recognize when boundaries are violated.”
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WPPL 22 News, “Caucus of women legislators outlines priority bills”
May 5, 2021
“…’We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light many issues that have disproportionately impacted women for decades, and we are committed to working on these issues through legislation and a variety of other means,” Lovely said.”
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The Salem News, “Officials weighing post-virus policies”
April 7, 2021
“…Committee member Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said she views the committee’s role as one that will “take a hard look at the ways the pandemic has impacted our residents and highlighted inequities in our society so we can build back to a stronger, more resilient commonwealth that better serves all residents.”
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MassLive, “Massachusetts legislators want COVID vaccine eligibility criteria to include intellectual and developmental disabilities”
April 2, 2021
“…Rep. Christine Barber, a Somerville Democrat, and Sen. Joan Lovely, a Salem Democrat, circulated a letter urging Baker to add intellectual and developmental disabilities to the list of health conditions that make people eligible for a vaccine sooner. Eighty-four legislators signed onto a letter dated Wednesday. “Research shows that I/DD, autism, down syndrome, neurological conditions and acquired brain jury all increase an individual’s risk of serious complications and death from COVID-19,” the letter states. “In addition, many people with disabilities have experienced difficulty engaging in preventative health measures and disruptions to health services they normally rely on as a result of the pandemic.”
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Salem Patch, “Salem Common Set For $50K In Assessibility Upgrades, Repairs”
April 1, 2021
“…The newly formed Friends of Salem Common, along with State Sen. Joan Lovely, State Rep. Paul Tucker and Mayor Kim Driscoll, secured the grant to help make recommended accessibility improvements and repair park benches. “This urban oasis offers relaxing green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy, and I am confident that these state dollars will make the Common an even more wonderful resource for our city,” Lovely said.”
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The Salem News, “As needs shift amid pandemic, partnerships provide stability”
February 25, 2021
“…It’s heartwarming to be able to see people feed people,” Lovely said. “It shows the tremendous need, and we actually have a bill filed — a hunger pilot program on college campuses — that actually ties into what’s happening here already. When students migrate back to campuses, once we get the legislation through, we’ll be able to feed students as well,” Lovely said. “Together, we get it done.”
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Gloucester Daily Times, “Baker’s vaccine plans draw criticism”
February 17, 2021
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said her office has been bombarded with calls from constituents who can’t make new appointments at local hospitals and don’t want to go to a mega-site to get vaccinated. “It really doesn’t make sense to me,” she said. “We have all of these local vaccine clinics underway and they’re working. Why not support them?’”
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Worcester Telegram, “Beacon Hill Roll Call”
February 14, 2021
“…The Senate did important work by passing a rules package with changes that will promote the vital values of diversity, transparency, safety and training,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) who headed the task of drafting new rules for the 2021-2022 session. “A majority of senators rejected inserting a third check-in to continue doing business at 10 p.m. in addition to the ones at 8 p.m. and midnight; mandating immediate anti-harassment and bystander intervention training because development of online trainings, given COVID-19 are still underway; setting standards for hearings in the Senate and joint rules because they are more appropriately included in the emergency rules; and tripling the representation of the minority party on the Redistricting Committee because we [already] passed [an] amendment doubling this representation. I am proud of the amendments that did pass that made an already strong package of rules even stronger.”
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Gloucester Daily Times, “Legislature seeks COVID-19 oversight”
February 12, 2021
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said while Baker has far-reaching powers under the state’s public health crisis, the Legislature has a role to play in providing a check on the executive branch and overall pandemic-related spending. ‘There needs to be more oversight going forward,’ Lovely said. ‘We want to be strong partners with the administration, but we also need checks and balances.’”
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WPPL 22 News, “Senators get two days for budget amendments under rules agreements”
February 11, 2021
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, chair of the Temporary Rules Committee, said the three rules packages are focused on promoting “diversity, safety, and transparency.” As drafted by Lovely’s committee, the rules include measures like new mandatory trainings on implicit bias and bystander intervention, a few transparency moves like the preservation of amendment texts online even if they are withdrawn by the sponsor, and a requirement that committees seek diversity in any invited panels at hearings, a move Lovely said was based on a policy in the U.S. House.”
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The Salem News, “Salem’s possible role in building off-shore turbines explored”
February 5, 2021
“…A deepwater port, the area is also one of 10 remaining designated port areas in the state perfectly suited for something like wind turbine marshalling, Lovely said. But the fact that it’s a designated port area could also be a barrier to putting certain uses on the roughly 45 acres of undeveloped land Footprint currently owns. “As far as the future of wind, we don’t have many designated port areas in Massachusetts,” Lovely said. “Beverly gave up theirs a few years ago to go in another direction, and these are the types of industries we want to attract.”
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The Salem News, “Peabody Chamber holds ‘Lattes with Legislators’”
January 28, 2021
“…In addition to infrastructure projects and other ongoing goals, Bettencourt, state Sen. Joan Lovely, state Rep. Tom Walsh and Rep. Sally Kerans discussed the region’s COVID-19 response over the past year and the steps they will be taking to help Peabody and the surrounding area emerge from the pandemic.”
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The Salem News, “Danvers reflects on Martin Luther King’s legacy”
January 19, 2021
“…For state Sen. Joan Lovely, King’s words about a “Beloved Community” in which all races could live together without fear, hunger or prejudice seemed a difficult goal to seek. But in the pandemic, she said, there’s been a glimpse of the Beloved Community as people and groups across the area, state and the nation have stepped up to help one another.”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers prepare for strong year: Mental health, transportation, sex offense laws among top priorities of North Shore legislators”
January 4, 2021
“…Lovely said, “2020 has been very hard on everybody. We’re hearing from the restaurant community, tourism community. People are hanging on just by their fingers. We’re trying to make grant dollars available, but some aren’t going to survive this. “I believe by summertime we’re going to be vaccinated, and we’ll have a lot of this behind us,” she said. “The sleeves are rolled up, so let’s continue to work.”
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City of Salem, “Salem to Offer New, Expanded Property Tax Exemption for Qualifying Seniors”
December 29, 2020
“…I am so pleased that Governor Baker signed into law the bill that Representative Tucker and I filed to improve the financial situation of Salem seniors who own property in the city,” said State Senator Joan B. Lovely. “I laud the efforts of Mayor Driscoll and the City Council to improve Salem’s standing as an age-friendly community and am confident that this law will help Salem’s senior citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes.”
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The Daily Item, “Salem senator’s sights set on helping kids”
November 27, 2020
“…The Salem Democrat who represents Salem, Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Topsfield in the state Senate, Lovely has championed child welfare advocacy since her election to the Senate in 2012. She branded child sexual exploitation “a pandemic in its own right,” and said she is working through the legislative process with Children’s Trust Massachusetts, an organization focused on stopping child abuse, to ensure parents, coaches and other people supervising children recognize abuse warning signs.”
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Gloucester Daily Times, “Budget plan seeks expanded dental coverage”
November 11, 2020
“…Democrats in the House and Senate have filed similar bills expanding the dental coverage, with both plans picking up a lot of support. “We’re obviously faced with a very difficult budget process right now,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who supports the changes to MassHealth’s dental coverage. “But there are some things we can’t say no to, and this is one of them.”
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Salem Patch, “Salem State A Step Closer to Shedding South Campus”
September 23, 2020
“…I am so pleased that the legislature passed and the governor signed into law the bill that Rep. Tucker and I filed on behalf of Salem State University that will support its campus unification project,” Lovely said. “I know that the next generation of Vikings will benefit from this initiative by taking advantage of the latest tech and lab offerings that will help these students and the Commonwealth as they go on to careers in health care and life sciences.”
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Salem Patch, “North Shore Legislators Seek Help For Phase 4 Businesses”
September 15, 2020
“…Local companies and hard-working employees from the backbone of every Massachusetts municipality,” Lovely said in a statement. “I know every establishment wants to open again. But until we can safely do so, I want to help businesses and their workers by giving them badly needed relief on the tax side so that they can hang on until phase 4 begins.”
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The Salem News, “Unplugged: Entertainment-based businesses struggle to survive in COVID economy”
August 21, 2020
“…We did have a meeting with the Executive Office of Economic Development, with BitBar and other arcade owners,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, of Salem, “and it was explained that they would take these conditions under consideration — but currently, the governor is watching the science and the data on how businesses continue to reopen.”
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The Salem News, “Peabody trolley pilot study included in relief bill”
August 1, 2020
“…Lovely said she was able to secure several amendments in the bill, including $500,0000 “for a downtown trolley, implementation pilot linking Peabody and Salem.” The goal is to set up a test run for some sort of trolley or bus service along a 2-mile freight line that runs from Peabody Square to the Salem depot. “We are not investing a ton of money into this,” Lovely said in an interview about the potential trolley service. “This can be done without making a major railway, it’s already there.”
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Wicked Local Danvers, “Danvers resident receives Civic Engagement Scholarship”
July 30, 2020
“…Having had the honor of succeeding majority leader Fred Berry in the Senate, I took particular pride in securing funding establishing the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics and Civic Engagement at Salem State University as a lasting and living tribute to his legacy,” said Lovely. “I know that Fred would be as thrilled as I am to know that these funds will help a baker’s dozen worth of Vikings continue to make the world around them a better and more inclusive place.”
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MassLive, “Massachusetts lawmakers take step toward installing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in State House”
July 23, 2020
“…Dr. King’s 1965 speech reminds all legislators of our heavy responsibilities to create a Commonwealth where Black people receive equal and just treatment,” said Lovely, a Salem Democrat. “The placement of this plaque in the House chamber will make the State House a more inclusive and inspirational place for those of us who work here as well as for those who come to see our work.”
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The Eagle Tribune, “Lawmakers, union want to pause MCAS tests”
July 1, 2020
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who co-chairs the Legislature’s Education Committee, hasn’t signed onto the proposal but thinks easing some of the state’s testing requirements is worth considering. She gets regular complaints from educators, administrators and parents about the impact on students from over-testing. ‘They’re concerned that’s there too much testing, not just MCAS, and that students are only being taught to test,’ she said. ‘It’s creating a lot of anxiety.’ Still, Lovely said eliminating the MCAS without a plan ‘wouldn’t be responsible,’ and the state would need another way to measure student and school performance.”
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The Daily Item, “Peabody’s Cheryl Holbert Millard Names a Class of 2020 Commonwealth Heroine”
June 29, 2020
“…’I proudly nominated Cheryl Holbert Millard for the 2020 Commonwealth Heroine award for her many outstanding contributions to the Peabody community for more than four decades,’ said Lovely. ‘Cheryl personifies heroism through her selfless passion for helping others and her photography that preserves wonderful images of Peabody for countless others to enjoy.”
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The Salem News, “Senate set to expand on voting by mail”
June 16, 2020
“…We want people to feel safe and conformable going to the polls,’ said state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who supports the changes. ‘This will give them options.’ Lovely has filed an amendment requiring the state to provide masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment for poll workers at local election offices. ‘A lot of our poll workers are seniors, who are the most at risk population,’ she said. ‘We need to make sure they’re safe.”
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The Salem News, “If small businesses can’t pay rent, landlords will also suffer”
April 13, 2020
“…If the landlord doesn’t have a tenant and they don’t have rent coming in, everyone is in the same boat,” said state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem. The bill does not absolve anyone from paying rent, Lovely said; rather, it’s meant to give renters and landlords a pause during the pandemic.”
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The Salem News, “Mass. Senate bill halves signature thresholds for major offices”
April 11, 2020
“…We must prioritize the protection of public health during this pandemic,” Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, said in a statement. “This bill appropriately halves the requirements for candidates who need one thousand or more signatures to get on the ballot, thereby protecting both civic-minded citizens and potential officeholders.”
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The Boston Globe, “Lawmakers press State Police leaders about plan to address culture of corruption”
February 26, 2020
“…Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Paul Tucker, both Salem Democrats, questioned why the bill doesn’t mandate that troopers lose their pensions after committing serious offenses. “Why wouldn’t we want to put more teeth in this bill and say, ‘You’re also going to have your pension stripped?’ ” Lovely said. “I would think that would really deter any kind of activity.”
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The Salem News, “Cameras would watch for traffic scofflaws”
February 25, 2020
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said she backs the measure and has heard from constituents who say red-light runners and other traffic violations are endemic. “It’s a public safety issue,” she said. “Drivers aren’t paying attention to the rules of the road. They’re running red lights, crosswalks and stop signs, and people are afraid.”
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The Salem News, “Tourism a leading industry for region, state”
January 31, 2020
“…While Salem is a major tourism destination today, state Sen. Joan Lovely noted that, back when she and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll were on the City Council together 20 years ago, that wasn’t the case. “Nelson Benton, who was the former editor of The Salem News used to say: ‘You could shoot a cannon ball right down the middle of Salem on Essex Street and not hit anything.’ Well, you can certainly hit a lot of things, today,” Lovely joked, to laughs from the 230 local, regional and state tourism leaders and local officials gathered at the DoubleTree hotel in Danvers Friday morning for the 14th annual North of Boston Tourism Summit.”
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The Daily News of Newburyport, “Hunger adds to challenges faced by college students”
January 30, 2020
“…The briefing’s cosponsors included Sens. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and Joanne Comerford (D-Northampton), and Rep. Mindy Domb (D-Amherst). Lovely filed a bill (S 757) in January 2019 that would create a fund known as the Massachusetts Community College Campus Hunger Program to address food insecurity on community college campuses. The bill remains before the Joint Committee on Higher Education. Lovely filed the bill after hearing stories of North Shore Community College President Patricia Gentile walking through campus halls talking to students who didn’t have enough money to eat at the cafeteria or purchase food at a vending machine. Gentile created a program where students could receive vouchers to eat, Lovely said. “It’s really a Commonwealth issue,” Lovely said.”
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MassLive, “‘He has left his mark forever’: Mass. Senate honors memory of Pete Frates, who inspired Ice Bucket Challenge while battling ALS”
January 30, 2020
“…’Pete decided right upon his diagnosis he was going to do something to eradicate this disease, to try to find a cure,” Lovely said, holding up a figurine of Frates in a Boston College eagles uniform. “What was born from that is the ICE bucket challenge.”
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The Salem News, “Student’s bill to feed low-income applauded by officials”
January 28, 2020
“…’There are many schools that are doing it,” said Lovely, referring to a breakfast program at the Welch Elementary School in Peabody. Salem’s elementary schools are also involved in a similar program. “Children coming into school, if your belly’s empty, you can’t concentrate, you are not ready to learn,” said Lovely, who got to see the Salem meals program firsthand.”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers weigh mandate for menstrual products”
January 26, 2020
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, a vice-chairwoman of the education committee, said schools should be required to stock the products as a matter of basic hygiene. “Schools should treat these items no differently than they do other bathroom basics such as soap, water and toilet paper, all of which students can already get for free,” she said.”
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The Salem News, “Carrying on Dr. King’s Legacy”
January 20, 2020
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D- Salem, reminded the audience that “everybody can be great because everybody can serve. We can all give of our time and efforts — We can carry on Dr. King’s legacy by reminding ourselves what we can do, every day.”
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WWLP, “Lawmakers fight against insurance discrimination for Naloxone”
January 17, 2020
“…When the bill’s sponsor, Senator Joan Lovely witnessed an overdose while grocery shopping she felt compelled to carry Narcan, but she never anticipated running into issues with her insurance company. “And then this Doctor told me about this situation where the insurance policy was canceled as a result of him filling a script for Narcan,” Sen. Lovely said.”
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The Boston Globe, “Mass. lawmaker targets child predators with two bills”
December 16, 2019
“…I have filed two vital bills. One focuses on education by protecting children and youth through changes aimed at training, education, and reporting procedures that will increase awareness and prevent more children from becoming victims. Another would make key changes to criminal statutes.”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers want rules for electric scooters”
December 1, 2019
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said she supports giving people more micro-mobility options but wants statewide regulations to ensure the safety of riders and the general public. “While the health of our economy and our environment depends on increasing the number of carbon-free transit options, I believe that we need to put in place smart regulations for electronic scooters that protect the safety of users and pedestrians alike,” she said. “Ultimately, we need to promote new technologies in a thoughtful and balanced way.”
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The Salem News, “Slime, small pieces and noisy toys wreck ‘Trouble in Toyland’”
November 21, 2019
“…In an email, state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said she appreciates the work MASSPIRG does to identify dangerous and recalled toys. “As a parent of three children, I understand first-hand the importance of the work that MASSPIRG does to protect our youngest consumers from the hazards of unsafe toys,” she said.”
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The Salem News, “Salem State announces creation of The Berry Institute”
November 13, 2019
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and state Rep. Paul Tucker, D-Salem, helped secure state money for the institute. Lovely said Berry helped those in need and promoted civility in political discourse. “The Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics and Civic Engagement will highlight those values that Fred held most dear and pass them on to future generations of Salem State students,” she said.”
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The Salem News, “Narcan carries heavy costs”
November 11, 2019
“…A new proposal by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, would prohibit insurers from cancelling or rejecting applicants, or charging them higher premiums, “based solely on a prescription to carry or possess the drug naloxone.” Companies that violate the rules could be fined by state regulators for “unfair or deceptive acts” under the proposal.”
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Telegram & Gazette, “Property insurance protections sought for domestic victims”
November 5, 2019
“…Victims of domestic violence are sometimes faced with situations where their abuser intentionally destroys or damages the home of the victim and the abuser,” Lovely said at a Joint Committee on Financial Services hearing. “The destruction of property may be part of a larger pattern to intimidate or control the victim.”
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The Salem News, “State targets flavored e-cigs”
October 30, 2019
“…These vaping companies are deliberately targeting the youth to get a whole new generation addicted,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who helped craft the Senate’s version of the bill. “We’ve been pretty good at keeping cigarettes out of kids’ hands, but these companies have found another way to get them hooked on nicotine products.”
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Riveting Broads, “The Politics of Power Dynamics: Shining the Light on Access & Advocacy”
October 15, 2019
“…The broads are joined by Senator Joan Lovely to explore the importance of feeling ‘heard’ as a constituent and the ‘politics’ (pun-intended) of power dynamics in leadership, political representation, legislative influence, social media and advocacy in maintaining a healthy relationship with government.”
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The Salem News, “New school to reflect ‘new Danvers’”
October 16, 2019
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, greeted the hundreds of students sitting on the school’s basketball court, next to the construction zone, and each offered brief remarks.”
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Wicked Local Topsfield, “Community celebrates Lisa Teichner’s work at helm of Tri-Town Council”
October 14, 2019
“…Tributes also came from the State House in the form of citations presented by Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Brad Hill and Boxford Selectman Mary Anne Nay, representing Sen. Bruce Tarr, who sent a citation from the state of Massachusetts.”
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The Salem News, “Bountiful harvest’”
October 8, 2019
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely said the food donated to Haven from Hunger also benefits those living in Salem and Lynnfield, the other communities the food program serves. “This is just really terrific,” she said, “just to have the community come in and feed each other, frankly.”
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The Salem News, “Our view: Action needed on drug ‘diversions’”
August 28, 2019
“…Clearly we need to tighten up the system,” state Sen. Joan Lovely said. “The technology exists to track medicine from the manufacturer to the point-of-sale, so why are people still able to divert these heavily addictive drugs to the street?”
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The Salem News, “Our view: ‘We have to get smart about this’”
August 20, 2019
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely has filed legislation that would address many of these problems. The Salem Democrat’s bill would expand the list of those required to report suspected abuse to include youth sports organizations, volunteer coaches, tutors and contractors, while making sure all involved get the type of training provided by MassKids and the MIIA last week. It would also increase criminal penalties for accusers and raise the age of sexual consent for students from 16 to 19, and up to 22 for developmentally disabled students.”
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The Salem News, “‘We have to get smart about this’”
August 15, 2019
“…Salem Sen. Joan Lovely, who spoke briefly at Thursday’s session, has filed legislation that would close loopholes in the law, including a measure that would eliminate consent as a defense when adults in a position of responsibility over children are found to have engaged in sexual activity with teenagers who have reached the age of 16 (the age of consent for sex in Massachusetts).”
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Wicked Local, “Rep. Brad Hill and Sen. Joan Lovely host tour of Topsfield’s economic hub”
August 8, 2019
“…Hill and Lovely were pleased to host Secretary Mike Kennealy of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, along with Topsfield Board of Selectmen members John Spencer, Dick Gandt, Lynne Bermudez and Boyd Jackson and Metropolitan Planning Commission Liaison Jenn Kaplan.”
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The Salem News, “Senate poised to vote to ban child marriages”
July 24, 2019
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said the practice of allowing adults to wed children has far-reaching mental and physical implications. “Girls suffer negative economic, education and health consequences from child marriage, which also has heightened divorce and domestic violence outcomes,” Lovely said.”
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The Salem News, “Bill protects parents with disabilities in custody cases”
July 24, 2019
“…Lovely told the Judiciary Committee Tuesday that despite programs that exist to support them and other advances, parents with disabilities still face biases and misconceptions, including in the court system. The Salem Democrat said her bill would ensure that a disability is not the sole factor in a custody decision. “I strongly believe that capable parents with disabilities should not be denied the opportunity to parent their children, and that children should not be denied the opportunity to grow up with their parents,” she said.”
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Wicked Local, “Beverly receives Massachusetts Dredging Program grant”
July 23, 2019
“…Having secured $100,000 for the dredging of the Bass River in the Senate budget, Sen. Joan Lovely said she is grateful to the Baker Administration for providing additional funding for the project. “A reinvigorated Bass River will provide increased economic, environmental, and recreational benefits for residents and businesses both in Beverly and throughout the North Shore,” she said.”
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Gloucester Daily Times, “Expanded welfare benefits pushed”
July 16, 2019
“…Lovely said parents who can’t afford diapers may decide to stay home with their children and not work, contributing to the “cycle of poverty. A parent who stays home with a child because the child lacks diapers forfeits the opportunity to hold a job, go to school or pursue job training,” she told the panel on Tuesday.”
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Wicked Local, “Topsfield Post 255 celebrates American Legion’s 100th anniversary”
June 26, 2019
“…The American Legion just turned 100, and Topsfield Post 255 celebrated with a BBQ at Town Hall. Sen. Joan Lovely and Rep. Brad Hill presented Commander Dave Comeau with citations from the Senate and the House of Representatives.”
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Peabody Patch, “Peabody Sells Tannery I Complex to Private Developer”
June 24, 2019
“…’The need to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing exists both in my district and throughout the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “I am pleased to have been part of the team that helped to preserve much needed affordable housing in Peabody so that more people can continue to enjoy living in this terrific city.”
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Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, “MA Down Syndrome Community Awards Legislative Champions of the Year at 6th Annual Advocacy Day”
June 17, 2019
“…Senator Joan B. Lovely and State Representative Pat Haddad were honored as Legislative Champions of the Year by the Down syndrome community in Massachusetts. At a ceremony at the State House in Boston, the two legislative leaders were presented with original works of art from acclaimed painter Michael Avakian, who happens to have Down syndrome.”
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The Salem News, “Lovely’s duck drives attention to diaper drive”
June 12, 2019
“…’I thought it would be kind of unique to have a diapered duck come in and try to promote people to donate diapers to the diaper drive for our families that need them,” Lovely said after dressing Drake in the diaper — a piece of elasticized, red flowered fabric with a bow on top.”
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Boston 25 News, “Mass. Legislator files bill aimed at helping families affected by SIDS”
June 6, 2019
“…’These families need the help immediately,” said Lovely. “They are struggling with the death of their baby so they absolutely need to know what these resources are right away.”
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The Rainbow Times, “Op-Ed: Senator Joan B. Lovely– Pride Is Not Enough”
June 6, 2019
“…’Anniversaries offer appropriate opportunities for reflections about accomplishments and recommitments to progress. We think that we live in tumultuous times today, but the Stonewall Riots (June 28) and the first lunar landing (July 20) took place less than one month apart during the meaningful summer of 1969. The latter event marked a technological marvel; the former represented a civil-rights milestone by demonstrating a growing group of people would no longer passively accept discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.”
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The Salem News, “Recovery School graduates beat the odds”
June 5, 2019
“…’The ceremony included a video from Attorney General Maura Healey congratulating the graduates, and remarks from State Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem, whom Principal Michelle Lipinski said has been a strong supporter of the school.”
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Wicked Local, “Sen. Lovely, Rep. O’Day host Perinatal Mental Health Awareness Day”
May 22, 2019
“…’It is an honor to co-chair the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression and work with an amazing network of support for mothers and families in need,” said Lovely. “It is the tireless work of all stakeholders that has transformed Massachusetts into a national leader in addressing perinatal mental health.”
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Wicked Local, “Tri-Town Council Corner: Keep the conversation on mental illness going”
May 15, 2019
“…The Tri-Town Council, in collaboration with Sen. Joan Lovely and the Congregational Church of Topsfield, recently sponsored a program on mental health conversations, featuring keynote speaker Judge John Broderick, former chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the parent of a mentally-ill son. More than 80 people attended this event on a dreary Saturday morning, and the floodgates were open to discuss mental illness.”
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Boston Herald, “Treehouse kids put the spolight on foster care at the State House”
May 14, 2019
“…The performance conducted by youth leaders was accompanied by words from Beth Spong of the Treehouse Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Judy Cockerton of Sharon in 2002. Tuesday’s performance was directed by the non-profit educational theater company Enchanted Circle Theater and was hosted by state Sens. Joan Lovely and Carmine Gentile, and state Rep. Kay Khan.”
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Cape Cod Times, “End abuse, support child advocacy legislation”
May 1, 2019
“…State Sens. Joan Lovely, Julian Cyr, and about a dozen others co-sponsored a bill known as the Shield Act in January. This bill would require applicants for jobs where they would have direct contact with children to provide a written statement as to whether they have ever been subject of a sexual misconduct or abuse investigation by any agency or employer. Another bill filed by Senator Lovely would make it legally impossible for a person under 19 (or 22 for a person with special needs) to consent to sexual relations with a school employee or contractor over 21 years of age.”
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The Salem News, “Our view: Learning to talk about mental illness”
May 1, 2019
“…’Research suggests that the majority of people hold negative attitudes and stereotypes toward people with mental illness,” clinical psychologist Michael Friedman wrote in Psychology Today. “From a young age, children will refer to others as ‘crazy’ or ‘weird.’ These terms are used commonly throughout adulthood as well. … This bias is not limited to people who are either uninformed or disconnected from people with mental illness; in fact, health care providers and even some mental health professionals hold these very same stereotypes.”
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The Salem News, “DAY OF REMEMBRANCE”
May 1, 2019
“…More than 200 people gathered at Salem State’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah, an annual observance commemorating six million Jewish Holocaust victims Wednesday night. To honor survivors and their families, the university’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies hosted a community commemoration at Higgins Middle School.”
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The Daily Free Press, “Mass. Senate to debate allowing nonbinary gender designations on state IDs”
April 24, 2019
“…’The time has more than come to be able to support all of our residents in Massachusetts, no matter how they identify themselves,” Lovely said. “So yes, I believe this is the beginning of a more positive to come to support everyone who lives here.”
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The Salem News, “Health advocates want tax on sugary drinks”
April 14, 2019
“…’We want to encourage people to make healthier choices,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, one of the bill’s sponsors. “If people want to continue to drink these kinds of beverages, that’s fine, but we’re going to put a tax on it so that when you get sick from it at some point in your life, we’ll be able to take care of you.”
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Peabody Patch, “Peabody Students Participate In State House Rally”
April 1, 2019
“…’Students sharing the impact that school based health centers have on their lives is powerful, for both the students and our legislators”, said Allison Kilcoyne Family Nurse Practitioner and President of the Massachusetts School-Based Health Alliance. “We are so thankful to our host Legislators, Senator Joan Lovely, Representative Tom Walsh and Representative Ted Speliotis for their tremendous support in making this day possible.”
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The Framingham Source, “Senate Passes Legislation Supporting Children, Families, and LGBTQ+ Community”
March 28, 2019
“…I am grateful to the courage and wisdom of President Spilka, Senator Montigny, Speaker DeLeo, and Representative Khan for the overwhelming passage by both the House and the Senate of the bill banning the archaic and pseudo-scientific practice of conversion therapy,” said Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “I appreciated the chance to work on this bill as Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules and look forward to Governor Baker swiftly signing this important measure to protect the Commonwealth’s children.”
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The Eagle Tribune, “Our View: Speed up response to lead in school water”
March 26, 2019
“…In an age where it’s fair to be suspicious of the supposed boogeymen that lurk all around us, lead in the water supply remains a serious threat. As Ehrlich and Lovely say, and as Baker has signaled in his budget, we need to speed up the day when all fountains and taps in our schools are regularly tested and fall within safe ranges.”
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The Salem News, “Schools get ‘D’ for lead in drinking water”
March 21, 2019
“…The proposal, filed by state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and backed by nearly 80 lawmakers would require public schools to remove lead pipes, install lead certified water filters or water filling stations, and conduct regular and transparent testing of their water.”
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The Salem News, “Lovely named assistant majority leader in Senate”
February 14, 2019
“…I appreciate the confidence and trust President Spilka has placed in me by appointing me to these leadership positions, and I look forward to the new challenges and responsibilities that come with these roles,” said Lovely in a statement.”
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Wicked Local, “Lovely named ADDP Senator of the Year”
February 5, 2019
“…Since joining the Massachusetts Senate in January 2013, Senator Lovely has been a dedicated advocate for advancing the cause of disability rights in the Commonwealth,” said Ellen Attaliades, president and CEO of ADDP. “ADDP is especially grateful for her recent support of Senate Bill 2606, which aims to create a registry of caretakers who have been found to have substantiated abuse against individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.”
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Gloucester Daily Times, “Senators try again for Essex Sports Center audit”
January 23, 2019
“…In an email, Lovely said the audit is needed because local officials and media reports have raised “compelling questions about the center’s financial position, and the Inspector General has the necessary expertise to ensure that this business operating on state land has its fiscal house in proper order.”
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Gloucester Daily Times, “Nurses tell lawmakers of work with new parents”
January 20, 2019
“…The North Shore Mother Visiting Partnership (NSMVP), a coalition of area public health nurses, presented information about their innovative, pilot program for new mothers and their babies at the Statehouse recently. The nurses were invited to share their work last month with by the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression’s co-chairmen, state Sen. Joan B. Lovely, D-Salem, and state Rep. James O’Day, D-Worcester.  The two lawmakers commended the group on its recently published op-ed in the Gloucester Daily Times on domestic violence and maternal child health.”
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The Salem News, “State budget forecasters point to modest growth”
December 31, 2018
“…Given the Consensus Revenue testimony that forecast more moderate growth for the next fiscal year, I believe that this number will give us a firm foundation on which to craft a budget that makes necessary prudent investments in both the needs of the people of the Commonwealth and the Rainy Day Fund,” she said in a statement.”
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The Salem News, “Warming up to ice rink fixes”
December 17, 2018
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, did not tour the rink last week, but she has been inside and describes the girls’ lockers as “completely inadequate.” They need to be brought up to date, she said.”
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The Salem News, “Lovely, Goodman reflect on larger work, debt trends”
December 12, 2018
“…The back-and-forth between Lovely, a Salem Democrat, and Goodman highlights how the people tasked with developing the state’s $40 billion annual budget and analyzing the broader fiscal environment also contend with the same pressures faced by the economy as a whole.”
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The Salem News, “Our view: Saving for a rainy day”
December 6, 2018
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely set the proper tone at the Legislature’s yearly revenue hearing earlier this week. Whether her counterparts on Beacon Hill were paying attention remains an open question.”
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The Salem News, “Senate president is optimistic about political climate”
November 16, 2018
“…She was introduced by state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, vice chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, who worked closely with Spilka when she chaired the committee before becoming Senate president this summer. ‘We worked so closely together on the budget, I would say we were Velcro-ed together probably many, many weeks back in the spring,’ Lovely said.”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers hold oversight hearings on gas explosions”
November 14, 2018
“…I look forward to the upcoming oversight hearings on the gas industry and the Merrimack Valley,” said state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, a member of the committee. “A reliable gas infrastructure is critical to the safety of all Commonwealth residents and businesses. I hope and anticipate that these hearings will help us gain a better understanding of what happened to cause the tragic events in Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence and how we can ensure that events like these do not happen again.”
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Boston Herald, “Fred Berry overcame much to become key Senate Leader”
November 14, 2018
“…Berry’s memory inspired Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) to “redouble,” her efforts for people of the North Shore, she said, adding that Berry “leaves a lasting legacy of effective advocacy for disadvantaged populations.”
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State House News Service, “Former Colleagues Remember Sen. Fred Berry, 68″
November 14, 2018
“…Sorry to learn former Majority Leader Fred Berry passed away. A #Peabody resident, Fred served our district w/class & distinction for 30 yrs. He leaves a great legacy & will be missed by all fortunate enough to have known him. My thoughts are w/him, his family & friends.” — Sen. Joan Lovely on Twitter.”
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Wicked Local Saugus, “New RMV location opens off Route 1 in Danvers”
October 31, 2018
“…Sen. Joan Lovely also took a moment to thank everyone who was instrumental in making the Danvers service center a reality. “We have heard a lot from our constituents about the inconvenience of having to travel to other RMVs to have their service done, especially with the Real ID,” she said. “But, here it is, it’s open, it’s beautiful, it’s accessible, it’s right here on a major route, and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
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Taunton Daily Gazette, “Opinion: It’s time to take action regarding lead poisoning in drinking water”
October 21, 2018
“…Last legislative session, Senator Joan Lovely (Salem) and Representative Lori Ehrlich (Marblehead) demonstrated leadership on the issue by introducing a bill laying out these critical steps to protect our children from lead-laced water at school.”
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Boston 25, “Dangerous lead levels still found in Mass. schools’ drinking water”
September 20, 2018
“…Ehrlich and State Sen. Joan Lovely introduced the “Safe Drinking Water at Schools Act” in Jan. 2017. The proposal would require schools to replace lead service lines, conduct mandatory tests and be transparent when it comes to letting parents know the results.”
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The Salem News, “Our View: Bringing sunshine to Beacon Hill”
September 16, 2018
“…Massachusetts and Michigan are the only states where the governor can claim a full exemption from state public records laws. That means the budget of the governor’s office, emails and other correspondence, financial records and a whole host of documents don’t have to be disclosed to the public.”
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Wicked Local, “Rep. Hill and Sen. Lovely bring good financial news to Topsfield”
August 27, 2018
“…Sen. Joan Lovely and Rep. Brad Hill were present at last week’s Topsfield Board of Selectmen meeting to provide legislative updates. There were a number of Topsfield projects that Lovely and Hill spoke to, including the $100,000 price tag of an elevator for the newly renovated Town Hall.”
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The Salem News, “Women in Politics: Overcoming barriers”
August 12, 2018
“…Because my husband had been a councilor, I wasn’t taken seriously,” she said, adding that some thought that though it was Joan Lovely running, her husband would be telling her what to do. “I was able to show people that, no, it wasn’t because my husband was telling me to run, and he was in the background.”
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The Salem News, “Bill could fund major projects on North Shore”
August 6, 2018
“…I am pleased that House and Senate negotiators struck deals so that the Legislature could pass bills that will improve the lives of Massachusetts residents,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who is vice chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These critical pieces of legislation will support our workers, provide treatment for those in need, and ensure that Massachusetts continues to lead the way in supporting clean energy.”
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The Salem News, “Lawmakers override Baker on budget vetoes”
July 31, 2018
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, informed her constituents Monday afternoon that the Senate had restored funding for a variety of local projects, including $200,000 for design work on a new Beverly police station; $150,000 for inside repairs to the Salem Public Library; $100,000 for a new handicapped fishing platform at Endicott Park in Danvers; $75,000 for construction of an elevator at Topsfield Town Hall; and $50,000 for repairs to the historic Carriage House at Lynch Park in Beverly.”
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MassLive, “Massachusetts Senate joins House in rejecting Gov. Charlie Baker’s welfare changes”
July 31, 2018
“…Instead of penalizing children for when they were born, we would be penalizing them for having a parent on SSI,” Lovely said, according to a State House News Service transcript. “We would move from one cruel policy to another.”
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The Salem News, “Baker signs bill transfer courthouse to SRA”
July 30, 2018
“…The old Salem Superior Court on Federal Street, as well as the county commissioners building next door, will be turned over to the Salem Redevelopment Authority for $1. Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill to make it happen, sponsored by Rep. Paul Tucker and Sen. Joan Lovely, late Friday afternoon.”
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Wicked Local Marlborough, “POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Lindstrom gets taste of MetroWest gridlock”
July 21, 2018
“…Ways and Means Vice Chairwoman Joan Lovely is expected to play a more active role in the committee – especially with Gov. Charlie Baker expected to hand down budget spending vetoes by the end of this coming week.”
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The Salem News, “Sports center audit dropped from budget bill”
July 19, 2018
“…We’re not going to let this go,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, a Democrat from Salem. “We’re not going to let up.” Lovely and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, were among the sponsors of the amendment calling for the state Inspector General to conduct a financial audit of the Essex Sports Center.”
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The Salem News, “Lovely stood up against Citizens United”
July 9, 2018
“…Many thanks to Senator Joan Lovely for supporting and working to pass S.2243, a bill using all means possible to propose a U.S. Constitutional Amendment to overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision and get money out and people in to our government.”
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Wicked Local, “Sen. Lovely addresses Chamber on ongoing opioid epidemic”
June 27, 2018
“…Lovely spoke to about 30 chamber representatives at an event hosted by Recovery Centers of America, the substance use recovery center on Lindall Street in Danvers. She addressed the ongoing opioid epidemic, as well as what is being done at the state and local levels to address it.”
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Wicked Local, “State sings praises of two Danvers women”
June 25, 2018
“…The Unsung Heroine is a wonderful way to recognize women who tirelessly volunteer and have great impacts on communities throughout the commonwealth,” Lovely said in a statement. “Julie Curtis is an admirable woman who deserves this recognition for her many contributions to the community.”
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Beverly Patch, “Bill for Beverly Whole Foods Plaza liquor license filed”
June 20, 2018
“…Rep. Jerald A. Parisella (D-Beverly) and Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem) filed joint legislation Monday to grant Beverly an additional liquor license. The license is for a Lighthouse Liquors at the under-construction Whole Foods plaza at 140-150 Brimbal Avenue.”
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The Salem News, “Lovely bill seeks tougher rules on reporting abuse”
June 19, 2018
“…Advocates want lawmakers to take up a bill filed by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, that seeks to expand the list of those required to report suspected abuse to include youth sports organizations, volunteer coaches, tutors and school contractors. It also would require them to undergo annual training to detect and report abuse, and impose tougher criminal penalties for abusers.”
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The Ukrainian Weekly, “Salem State University honors professor for efforts to promote genocide education”
June 8, 2018
“…State Sen. Joan B. Lovely presented Mr. Rabchenuk with a House and Senate Joint Resolution recognizing him for his advocacy for inclusion of genocide study in the state curriculum and the need for genocide education at Salem State University.”
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Lowell Sun, “Facing July 1 deadline, negotiators embark on state budget talks”
June 8, 2018
“…The two different versions of $41 billion spending plans for fiscal 2019 are now officially in the hands of six lawmakers, who voted Thursday morning to take their negotiations behind closed doors.”
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Wicked Local, “State Senate committee issues report of sexual harassment policies”
May 22, 2018
“…Harassment of any kind has no place in the Massachusetts Senate and will not be tolerated,” stated Sen. Joan B. Lovely, Chairperson of the Committee. “The committee’s thorough and thoughtful review of sexual harassment policies and procedures will undoubtedly make improvements to the work environment.”
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Wicked Local, “Sen. Lovely, Rep. O’Day host Perinatal Mental Health Awareness Day”
May 22, 2018
“…It is an honor to co-chair the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression and work with an amazing network of support for mothers and families in need,” said Lovely. “It is the tireless work of all stakeholders that has transformed Massachusetts into a national leader in addressing perinatal mental health.”
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MassLive, “After Stan Rosenberg scandal, Senate committee recommends updating sexual harassment policy”
May 15, 2018
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, chairwoman of a special Senate committee to review Senate sexual harassment policies, said the recommendations “will take positive steps in advancing a workplace culture that supports victims of harassment and seeks to prevent harassment from ever taking place.”
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The Salem News, “Senate considers toughening harassment rules”
May 15, 2018
“…We want people to know they are protected when they’re in this building, whether they’re a state employee, a lobbyist or volunteer, or just visiting,” said state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who led the committee’s four-month review of Senate policy.”
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The Salem News, “May 2018”
May 10, 2018
“…Govenor Charlie Baker is greeted by Senator Joan Lovely, left, as the governor arrives at the Special Forum North Shore Chamber of Commerce of Commerce Leadership Breakfast Meeting held at the Boston Peabody Marriott.”
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Framingham Source, “Massachusetts Senate Announces $41.41 Billion Budget”
May 10, 2018
“…I am proud of the dedicated work of the committee to recommend a sound and fiscally responsible FY19 budget while also strategically investing in the key areas of education, health and human services, and housing. This budget supports our local communities and reflects the shared priorities of the Senate.”
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Wicked Local, “Salem Chamber of Commerce celebrates business community”
April 30, 2018
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, echoed many of Driscoll’s sentiments and mentioned the importance of addressing the opiate crisis in order to make the city “an even better place to live.” She concluded by telling the gathering of business owners and operators that “you really do help make this community what it is.”
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Wicked Local, “Salem Attorney makes case for genocide education”
April 25, 2018
“…Attorney Paul Rabchenuk concluded his Salem State University lecture Monday afternoon, drawing a seated audience’s attention to an erosion of public knowledge about 20th century genocides.”
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The Salem News, “Taking a look at the Trolley Service”
April 23, 2018
“…The state is writing a $50,000 check for the city to study a trolley that would take commuters from Peabody Square to downtown Salem.”
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WWLP-22 News, “Groff Park in Amherst receives money to renovate”
April 11, 2018
“…Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration and Secretary Beaton for prioritizing access to the outdoors, parks, playgrounds and open spaces,” stated State Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem).”
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The Salem News, “April 2018”
April 7, 2018
“…State Rep. Speliotis and State Senator Joan Lovely deliver a state-wide proclamation for Meghan Duggan Day in Massachusetts.”
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Wicked Local, “Sen. Lovely receives Frederick E. Berry Early Intervention Champion Award”
March 26, 2018
“…It is an honor to receive the Frederick Berry Early Intervention Champion Award. Former Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry was a tireless and effective advocate for so many during his tenure in the State Senate,” stated Sen. Lovely. “I am truly humbled by this award, not only because of who it’s named after but because of what it represents.”
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Salem News, “Salem Rotary celebrates 100 years of Service”
March 22, 2018
“…Salem Sen. Joan B. Lovely, a former Rotarian, encourages students to apply for this scholarship.  “The fact that the Rotary has this opportunity for students is tremendous, she said.”
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Gloucester Times, “Local employers are taking note of #MeToo”
March 11, 2018
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said in the state Senate there is a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment and annual employee training. But because they are not considered state employees, legislative interns are not covered by sexual harassment policies, don’t receive any training on sexual harassment, and have no way to file a complaint. Lovely said the body is taking steps to fix that gap.”
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Wicked Local, “Sen. Joan Lovely elevated in Senate reshuffle”
March 6, 2018
“…I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to Senate President Chandler for her confidence and trust in me,” said Lovely in a press release.”
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Salem News, “Lovely promoted to Ways and Means vice chair”
March 6, 2018
“…I’m just honored to be in this position, to be growing in this position, and to be part of this Senate president’s team,” Lovely said Tuesday.”
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Salem News, “Senate task force hears North Shore retailers’ concerns”
March 5, 2018
“…Monday’s public hearing was hosted by state Sen. Joan Lovely, a Salem Democrat, at Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall.”
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Wicked Local, “Lovely named vice chair of Ways and Means”
February 28, 2018
“…I look forward to the many important issues we will consider this session and playing an even larger role in the budget process,” Lovely said.”
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Salem News, “Newton’s Creem named Senate majority leader”
February 28, 2018
“…I am particularly encouraged by Senator Chandler’s decision to elevate talented women to positions of power in the Senate and am thrilled to have smart, hard-working, respected leaders like Senators Lovely and Chang-Diaz joining our Ways and Means leadership team as we approach the budget release and debate.”
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Wicked Local, “Bill targets lead in school drinking water”
February 27, 2018
“…Schools must be safe places for children to learn and students must never be exposed to harmful toxins like lead,” said Lovely.”
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Salem News, “Lovely: Moving Senate policies forward”
February 26, 2018
“…I am proud to serve as the chair of a new Special Senate Committee to Review Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures, which I also filed the order to create.”
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Salem News, “Ehrlich, Lovely tout commission to address lead in school water ”
February 23, 2018
“…Schools must be safe places for children to learn and students must never be exposed to harmful toxins like lead,” said Lovely.”
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Salem Gazette, “Lovely, Tucker: Criminal justice reform, opiate crisis among legislative priorities”
February 21, 2018
“…Lovely touted her 2016 public records law, an omnibus piece of legislation that brought updates and reforms to a law not touched “in 20 years.”
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Danvers Herald, “Sen. Joan Lovely files amendments to Capital Facilities Bond Bill”
February 6, 2018
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, filed five amendments to the Capital Facilities Bond Bill to support local priorities in the 2nd Essex District.”
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Salem News, “City looks forward to fiber-optic network, trolley study”
January 30, 2018
“…Over at the Statehouse, Lovely said lawmakers are working on 6,000 bills, of which only about 10 percent will actually pass. She has been working on equal pay for equal work legislation, she said, including reasonable accommodations between pregnant workers and their employers.”
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Salem News, “Danvers to receive $150k total to improve tech, further regional IT efforts”
January 16, 2018
“…Sen. Joan Lovely filed the amendments to the fiscal year 2018 budget, totaling to $450,000 in allocations municipalities are now ensured to receive, according to a press release from the senator’s office.”
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Salem News, “Projects to get funding boost Cash coming to North Shore for trolley study, repairs and more”
January 12, 2018
“…Revenues are exceeding benchmarks, and (Baker) is feeling comfortable enough to release those funds so the communities benefit,” state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said. Lovely said she is getting all of the funding she had requested in earmarks, or amendments, to the budget.”
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Salem News, “Gov. Baker to release $100M in earmarked funding”
January 12, 2018
“…As assistant vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Sen. Joan Lovely focused her efforts during the Fiscal Year 2018 budget on supporting community projects and district priorities in the 2nd Essex.”
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Salem News, “Report finds widespread bullying in public housing”
January 8, 2018
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said the report highlights the need to toughen laws on bullying to include people living in state-subsidized housing.”
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Gloucester Times, “Our view: Momentum lost on records reform”
January 1, 2018
“…We do, however, credit Salem state Sen. Joan Lovely, a task force member a driving force behind the 2016 public records update, for pushing to require State Police keep arrest logs. Lovely also was among those on the task force working to make actual recommendations to the Legislature, as required by law, and not simply kick the can down the road. The task force needed more members like her.”
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Salem News, “Group pitches in to plan hay barn rebirth “
December 21, 2017
“…The $1 million grant came from the Baker-Polito administration and the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. Massachusetts Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash, who lives in town, presented the grant award at a ceremony at the hay barn on Oct. 31. State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and state Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, were also in attendance, along with selectmen and park and Danvers Recreation staff.”
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Rare Disease Report, “ALS Takes Inspiration Behind the Ice Bucket Challenge”
November 29, 2017
“…This past August marked the third anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge, and to commemorate the birth of the campaign, Massachusetts state representative Jerald A. Parisella introduced a bill with state Senator Joan B. Lovely to dedicate an annual week in the month as “Ice Bucket Challenge Week.”
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Gloucester Times, “Family seeks screenings for young athletes”
November 28, 2017
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said requiring insurers to cover the tests would assuredly result in more kids being evaluated. “Currently these tests are typically not covered by health insurance,” she said. “This bill would improve access to these critical tests.”
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Salem Patch, “Lawmakers Get Firsthand Look At School Breakfast Program”
November 28, 2017
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely (D–Salem), along with State Rep. Paul Tucker (D–Salem) and Rep. Thomas Walsh (D–Peabody) were at the Carlton Innovation School in Salem Monday to better understand school breakfast programs as they prepare to vote on a bill that would change how those programs work.”
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Salem News, “Dangerous toys detailed at presentation”
November 21, 2017
“…Tucker and Lovely both advised parents to be careful when choosing toys. “When we look at things like this, these fidgets, very, very popular items, but who knows what the hidden dangers are?” Tucker said. “These toys should be fun … but it’s important that we’re aware.” Lovely commented on how when her children were young, they may have gravitated to the talking doll. She said as a parent, she used PIRG’s studies from the last 32 years.”
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Salem Gazette, “In Salem, Service emerges as Veterans Day Theme”
November 15, 2017
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, also speaking on state Rep. Paul Tucker’s behalf, expressed gratitude in veterans’ service. She added lawmakers show that gratitude by cosponsoring and sponsoring legislation that funds and supports veterans’ benefits, issues and services.”
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Sun Chronicle, “State lawmakers working toward bill to ensure job accommodations for pregnant employees”
May 5, 2017
“…The bill, which would prevent discrimination and require employers to provide arrangements such as more frequent or longer breaks, modified work schedules and temporary transfers to a job with less strenuous work, is aimed at protecting pregnant and nursing mothers in the workforce. Sponsored by Rep. David Rogers, D-Cambridge, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, it has 167 co-sponsors in both the House and Senate.”
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Salem News, “Pregnant workers bill unanimously clears committee”
May 1, 2017
“…The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, legislation Speaker Robert DeLeo has identified as a priority, has won the approval of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, moving it closer to a floor vote.”
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Salem News, “No rash decision: Lawmakers seek cash for diapers”
April 24, 2017
“…There’s no question that diapers are an absolute health necessity for babies, and some parents can’t afford it,” Lovely said. “This is a huge issue that needs to be addressed.”
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Salem News, “Salem receives $800K for road repairs”
April 18, 2017
“…I believe the two-year financing plan of road infrastructure improvements contained in the Senate bill will allow for communities to have more time to better plan projects,” Lovely said. “I hope conference committee deliberations result in maintaining the two-year financing plan and deliberations conclude as swiftly as possible in order to release this important money to cities and towns.”
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Salem News, “Lovely, Parisella discuss Beverly’s share of state budget”
April 18, 2017
“…Rep. Jerry Parisella and Sen. Joan Lovely visited with the Beverly School Committee last week to discuss the forthcoming state budget.”
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Boston Globe, “No space, no place for female inmates in Essex County”
April 13, 2017
“…The Senate has a strong desire to reduce the incarceration and recidivism rate for women, ensure proper access to treatment and services, and to keep citizens of the Commonwealth safe,” said state Senator Joan Lovely of Salem. “I recently met with the sheriff and Essex County district attorney [Jonathan W. Blodgett] and look forward to working with them and my colleagues in the Legislature collaboratively on these issues and on the issue of funding.”
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Peabody Patch, “Learn to Cope’s Salem Chapter Celebrates 10th Anniversary at NSMC”
April 12, 2017
“…Learn to Cope has become a nationally recognized model for peer support and prevention programming, and Gov. Charlie Baker recently recognized Peterson as a hero in the opioid battle. Meanwhile, state Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem, a member of the Special Senate Committee on Opioid Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Options, attended Learn to Cope’s anniversary celebration at NSMC and expressed her support for the group’s mission.”
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Lynn Item, “Peabody has say in statewide conversation”
April 11, 2017
“…It was the North Shore’s turn to host a Commonwealth Conversation in the form of a Town Hall Forum at the Higgins Middle School on Tuesday night. Commonwealth Conversations began as a way for members of the Senate and local government to hear citizen concerns in nine areas of the state…State Sen. Joan Lovely of the Second Essex District was one of nine senators present for the forum, along with State Rep. Thomas Walsh (D-Peabody).”
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Salem News, “Immigration, fair wages, climate change dominate town hall”
April 11, 2017
“…The town hall style forum was part of the annual Commonwealth Conversations tour hosted by Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and her Senate colleagues. Tuesday’s North Shore tour made stops in Chelsea, Malden, Lynn and Peabody.”
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Tri-Town Transcript, “FY2018 Chapter 90 funding authorized by Senate”
April 10, 2017
“…I’m sure every North Shore driver can point to a few roads on their commute or in their neighborhood that need improvement,” said Sen. Joan Lovely. “This funding will enable cities and towns to make those necessary repairs sooner rather than later.”
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Salem News, “MBTA repair project will hurt tourism, residents”
April 10, 2017
“…We can’t have service just completely shut down and interrupt weekends all summer long,” Lovely said. “We need to come up with a way to provide consistent transportation.”
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Salem News, “Town hall forum with senators Tuesday in Peabody”
April 10, 2017
“…Opportunities like this allow residents to advocate for the interests of the North Shore directly to senators who may otherwise seldom get the chance to visit,” said Lovely. “Commonwealth Conversations also will play a crucial role in helping to shape the Senate agenda for this and future legislative sessions.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Commonwealth Conversations tour coming to North Shore”
April 2, 2017
“…It is crucial that the Senate hear from different constituencies across the state on issues they feel strongly about,” stated Sen. Joan Lovely. “This tour welcomes all members of the North Shore to have a conversation with the Senate and provide feedback on a wide range of issues and concerns, so we can work to continue improving the communities we represent.”
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Gloucester Times, “Our view: Reporting on non-opioid treatments shouldn’t pain insurers”
March 29, 2017
“…This opioid crisis is getting worse, and we need to do everything we can to cut down on addiction,” says Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who is part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers sponsoring the plan.”
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Danvers Herald, “Danvers female leaders call Women’s Day ’empowering'”
March 20, 2017
“…The State House is a busy place, but we celebrated in other ways. There was a gathering of women senators and representatives and a gathering of women staff members. “I also saw various events in the district and was pleased by the solidarity women supporting each other,” Lovely added.”
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Salem News, “A budget hearing with a view”
March 16, 2017
“…The hearing was part of the Ways and Means Committee’s annual practice of bringing its budget hearings to various parts of the state. Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem, who serves on the committee, said she was asked if she would host one of the meetings in her area.”
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Salem News, “Protections for pregnant workers win business support”
March 12, 2017
“…There are many women who have to choose between staying employed and carrying a pregnancy,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, the bill’s primary sponsor. “We’re seeing discrimination and situations where pregnant women are being forced to leave a job.”
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Lynn Item, “Pregnancy rights bill filed by Lovely”
March 11, 2017
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely of the Second Essex District is at work on a bill to support pregnant workers across the state. Lovely recently refiled the bill, called the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, after it carried over from a previous legislative session.”
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Salem News, “Endicott College to host state budget hearing”
March 3, 2017
“…On Thursday, March 16, lawmakers plan to travel to Endicott for a public hearing on energy, environment and transportation line items and policies in Baker’s budget. The hearing, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in the Beverly Auditorium at the Wylie Conference Center, will be chaired by state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and state Rep. Tom Walsh, D-Peabody.”
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Marblehead Reporter, “Ehrlich seeks to get the lead out of school water”
February 27, 2017
“…No parent should have to worry about their child drinking water with lead,” said Lovely (D-Salem). “We have got to do better than that. We owe it to our kids.”
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WBUR, “Advocates, Lawmakers Urge Mass. To Get Lead Out Of School Water Supplies”
February 16, 2017
“…Two state legislators, Rep. Lori Ehrlich and Sen. Joan B. Lovely, both of Essex County, are filing bills that would require regular water testing in schools and daycare centers, the removal of lead supply lines and the installation of filters on faucets and fountains. Testing is currently voluntary — one reason the report’s authors gave Massachusetts a D on lead safety in schools.”
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Salem Gazette, “Salem state senator talks 2017 legislative priorities”
February 16, 2017
“…In the 190th Session, Lovely has filed 30 bills – all aimed at tackling issues related to children’s healthy and safety, housing and homelessness and human services and economic development. In the batch are two bills proposing reforms and new laws to combat, punish and prevent childhood sexual abuse.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Lovely named to leadership position in Mass. Senate”
February 16, 2017
“…It is an honor to be named Assistant Majority Whip,” stated Lovely. “I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to Senate President Rosenberg for his confidence and trust in me. I am looking forward to being part of the President’s leadership team.”
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Worcester Telegram, “Mass. gets D in report on lead in school drinking water”
February 15, 2017
“…Our current laws just aren’t protecting us from these kinds of exposures,” Toxics Action Center Executive Director Sylvia Broude said after a press conference outside the House chamber with lead testing bill sponsors Rep. Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead and Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem.”
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WGBH, “Real Reform For Reducing Sexual Abuse In Schools”
February 3, 2017
“…state Sen. Joan Lovely has filed two bills that would make it easier to punish high school teachers who sexually abuse students. The first would extend the statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions for the assault and rape of a child. The second offers a mix of reform measures, including requiring schools that fire a teacher due to allegations of sexual abuse to inform potential school employers of the reason for dismissal. Lovely’s bills are excellent first steps.”
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Eagle Tribune, “Finally, use of motels for homeless comes to an end”
January 31, 2017
“…We also like Sen. Lovely’s idea, which she has refiled as a bill for this legislative session, to allow kids in emergency housing to attend after-school and summer programs at organizations such as the YMCA. The bill would create a Home Works program, with state funding, to pay for slots at local programs, as well as transportation to and from the programs, for a certain number of children living in emergency shelters.”
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Salem News, “Lawmakers call for tourism cuts to be restored at summit”
January 27, 2017
“…Lovely said that tourism is important to the state’s economy, generating approximately $1.2 billion in tax revenues for state and local governments. She said half of the local hotel tax in Salem supports the nonprofit, public-private partnership of Destination Salem, the city’s office of tourism and cultural affairs. A former 15-year Salem city councilor, Lovely noted that the city’s tourism scene changed over the years, with the city becoming a busy tourist destination, especially during Haunted Happenings in October.”
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Salem News, “Homeless families in motel shelters all but over in Danvers”
January 25, 2017
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, announced that two families remained in Danvers motels at the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast Tuesday.  ‘These families don’t want to live in motels,’ she said. ‘It was so bad for the kids.’  Lovely said she was grateful to the Baker administration for making it a priority to do away with this program, and for the work Speliotis did on the issue.”
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Salem News, “Our view: Lawmakers, governor must work together to close DA funding gap”
January 17, 2017
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, for example, has filed legislation that would add youth coaches and animal control officers to the list. And changes in state law aimed at preventing human trafficking, which went into effect last March, require prosecutors to investigate any allegations of child sexual exploitation.”
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Gloucester Times, “Prosecutors overwhelmed by child abuse reports”
January 16, 2017
“…’We need to give them the resources they need to investigate every claim,” she said. “We’re talking about children’s lives.'”
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Beverly Citizen, “E-ZPass giveaway to be held at Beverly City Hall”
January 13, 2017
“…The office of State Rep. Jerry Parisella is hosting an E-ZPass transponder giveaway on Thursday, Jan. 26, in conjunction with Sen. Joan Lovely’s office and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.”
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Salem News, “Our view: Registry of Deeds belongs downtown”
January 12, 2017
“…Lovely, in a telephone interview, said she hopes having the Registry as an anchor tenant might convince a private developer to take on the task of renovating the remainder of the empty courthouses which, in our view, would make great offices for a law firm or architectural consultancy.”
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Salem Gazette, “Lovely’s bill proposing Salem acquire old Superior Court passes Legislature”
January 8, 2017
“…’I am thrilled for the city of Salem and the registry of deeds that we were finally able to pass this important piece of legislation,’ said Lovely in a press release Wednesday. ‘I look forward to this bill resulting in the preservation and restoration of an important historic landmark, catalyzing further investment in the city’s downtown and keeping the registry, its important services and jobs in the city’.”
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MassLive, “Postpartum depression commission named after Amherst Rep. Ellen Story”
December 28, 2016
“…Lovely said Story has been instrumental in the commission’s accomplishments: pulling together a team of professionals, securing funding, organizing advocacy days, educating women and doctors, developing a pilot program to teach pediatricians how to screen mothers for postpartum depression, and getting funding for screenings at community health centers. .”
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Boston Globe, “Lawmakers want to make it easier to punish educators who sexually abuse students”
December 23, 2016
“…Lovely said she’s optimistic the Massachusetts Legislature will change the law in the next session to help deter teachers from abusing students and to make it harder for schools to hide the incidents.”
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Salem Gazette, “Sen. Joan Lovely recognized for public records reform”
December 21, 2016
“…Lovely said. ‘Our Commonwealth works best when constituents, legislators and government employees work together, and that can only happen when we have transparent, open government’.”
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Salem Gazette, “Sen. Joan Lovely recognized by Tufts Dental Facilities”
November 21, 2016
“…It is an honor to be recognized by Tufts Dental Facilities,” Lovely said. “To receive the Partner in Service award is especially meaningful, given the critical dental services that Tufts Dental Facilities provides to adults and children with developmental disabilities.”
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Marblehead Reporter, “Hard cider tax called unfair, nonsensical”
November 4, 2016
“…Under Senator Lovely’s leadership we included this language in the economic development bill that we passed (earlier this) session,” Rodrigues said. “Certainly I, and I’m assuming most members of this committee, will be supporting this bill.”
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Tri-Town Transcript, “An Evening in Spain”
November 29, 2016
“…’An Evening in Spain,’ held Nov. 18 at Gould Barn in Topsfield, was a benefit for programs serving women with postpartum depression. The event featured Spanish foods, dancing and music. Sen. Joan Lovely, co-chair of the state’s Legislative Commission on Postpartum Depression, was the keynote speaker.”
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Salem News, “Crystal Lake dredging to begin”
November 28, 2016
“…The state granted another $400,000 toward the project more recently thanks to the efforts of state Sen. Joan Lovely and Reps. Tom Walsh and Ted Speliotis.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Addiction, homelessness on the agenda at legislative breakfast”
September 20, 2016
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely echoed these concerns in her speech, saying that the opioid crisis continues to be one of the two biggest issues of concern that she receives phone calls about.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Beverly, Salem cut ribbons at boardwalks, park”
June 21, 2016
“…Community members of Beverly and Salem were invited to attend the joint ribbon-cutting ceremony for two projects that have helped to revitalize the waterfront of the Bass River.”
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Salem News, “Salem lawmaker’s bill recognizes rep’s work on postpartum depression”
June 20, 2016
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem last week filed a bill (SD 2588) to rename the Special Legislative Commission on Postpartum Depression the “Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression” in honor of the retiring Amherst lawmaker.”
Read More

Salem News, “Number of Homeless Families in Danvers Motels Drops”
May 31, 2016
“…Last week, the Senate passed an amendment filed by Lovely to establish a Home Works Program. With funding of $400,000, the program will provide children living in motels and shelters with out-of-school and summer programming at places like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs.”
Read More

Salem News, “Senate budget boosts funding for opioid crisis, education “
May 17, 2016
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who also sits on the Ways and Means Committee, said she plans to request money for a new program that would fund after-school and summer programs for youth living in hotels and homeless shelters.”
Read More

Danvers Herald, “Anti-discrimination advocates push back on ‘bathroom bill’ labeling”
May 5, 2016
“…I feel comfortable this law will intend to do what it’s supposed to do – to protect against discrimination for all individuals who want to use a public accommodation,” said Joan Lovely, the Salem Democrat, whose district covers Danvers, and is one of the 17 state senators to co-sponsor the bill.”
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Salem News, “Transgender Protections Divide Area Lawmakers”
May 4, 2016
“…Like Ehrlich, state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, also views the bill as a civil rights matter. In terms of men using women’s bathrooms for possible criminal activity, Lovely said, none of this has occurred since the state allowed high school students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity, starting in 2012. “Very strong” criminal laws will be used “if someone is acting inappropriately,” she said.”
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Beverly Citizen, “State legislature shows support for all-inclusive senior care”
April 20, 2016
“The lunch discussion focused around a visit from State Sen. Joan Lovely, who represents Danvers, Beverly, Salem, Peabody and Topsfield. Three frequent visitors of the Beverly facility joined Lovely in discussing the benefits that the PACE programs give to them.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Beverly to get $1M for road repairs”
April 14, 2016
“Beverly will receive over $1 million in financing for local road repairs through a bill signed by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. Sen. Joan Lovely announced that the $200 million bill financing local road repairs through the Chapter 90 program provides over $4.35 million to communities in the Second Essex district.”
Read More

Salem Gazette, “Sen. Lovely honored for work on behalf of people with disabilities”
March 31, 2016
“State Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem) was honored as Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) at its 38th Annual Legislative Breakfast.”
Read More

Beverly Citizen, “Free Full-Day Kindergarten Remains ‘Questionable’ in Beverly”
March 27, 2016
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely put her support behind a bill sponsored by Sal N. DiDomenico that would seek to mandate access to free, all-day kindergarten in Massachusetts.”
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Tri-Town Transcript, “Lovely, Public Records Bill Negotiator, Wants Understandable Final Product”
March 25, 2016
“As a House-Senate conference committee works through an overhaul of the state’s public records law in an attempt to increase transparency, its chair is paying close attention to make sure the bill itself is accessible to the public.”
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Salem News, “Our view: A rare bit of openness on Beacon Hill”
March 25, 2016
“Joan Lovely of Salem, the Senate chair of the committee, had pushed to have the panel’s meetings open to the public. On Wednesday, she also made it clear any new public records regulations should be easily understandable by everyone, not just municipal lawyers.”
Read More

Beverly Citizen, “Beacon Hill Visits Beverly”
March 19, 2016
“Rep. Jerald Parisella and Sen. Joan Lovely recently visited the Beverly School Committee to discuss several important issues relating to schools.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Amid funding battles, disability activists honor Lovely, Mariano”
March 9, 2016
“…The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and The Arc of Massachusetts honored Sen. Joan Lovely and Rep. Ronald Mariano with their “legislator of the year” awards. MDDC presented its award to Mariano and Arc presented its to Lovely.”
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Newburyport Current, “Public records bill negotiators, including Lovely, make rare choice to keep talks open”
March 2, 2016
“Adopting a spirit perhaps befitting the first major overhaul of a public records law, six lawmakers reconciling House and Senate versions of the legislation plan to keep their meetings accessible to the public as they solicit commentary from interested parties.”
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Salem News, “Lovely named Senate leader of conference committee on public records law”
February 11, 2016
“…Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem and Rep. Peter Kocot of Northampton will lead the conference on legislation (S 2127/H 3858) aimed at making public records more easily available.”
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Salem News, “Our view: Senate public records proposal an improvement on the House”
February 8, 2016
“Critics of the state’s antiquated public records law were no doubt cheered by the state Senate’s unanimous passage of legislation aimed at making more public information available to the public in a timely, affordable manner.”
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Salem News, “Senate unanimous in support of public records law update”
February 4, 2016
“Acknowledging that the current decades old law has been rendered ineffective by advances in technology, the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a public records reform bill updating the law governing access to public documents for the first time in roughly 40 years.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Sen. Lovely appointed to Ways and Means Committee”
January 30, 2016
“Senate President Stanley Rosenberg announced that Sen. Joan Lovely has been appointed to serve on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.”
Read More

Salem Gazette, “Riders knock MBTA fare hikes, service levels at hearing in Lynn”
January 28, 2016
“…Sen. Thomas McGee and Rep. Brendan Crighton, both Lynn Democrats, called for lower fare hikes, while Sen. Joan Lovely, a Salem Democrat, asked officials to look into what she said is deficient fare collection on the commuter rail.”
Read More

Salem News, “A growing concern: Group says ‘agricultural’ should be part of Essex Tech name”
January 22, 2016
“…In a letter to Essex Tech Superintendent Bill Lupini, Speliotis, along with state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and Rep. Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, said the Legislature has “consistently recognized the name of the school as the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District.”
Read More

Salem Patch, “Pollution and Roadway Runoff Grant Comes Salem’s Way”
December 3, 2015
“Salem is one of six communities in the state that recently received a state grant to help assess pollution associated from roadway runoff and boat waste.”
Read More

Salem Gazette, “Sen. Joan Lovely Honors Grosvenor Park Health Care Center Nurse”
September 20, 2015
“State Sen. Joan Lovely, of Salem, presented the Employee of the Month award to nurse Marie Dorceus on Oct. 13 at Grosvenor Park Health Care Center.”
Read More

Danvers Herald, “Senior CharlieCard Day planned in Peabody”
September 20, 2015
“State Sen. Joan Lovely’s office will assist adults age 65 and older with applying for discount rate CharlieCards.”
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Salem News, “Bill would force review of state projects”
September 14, 2015
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely and State Rep. Paul Tucker of Salem have filed a bill that would require state construction projects to come before the local zoning board for a public hearing.”
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Danvers Herald, “New athletic fields a community project”
August 6, 2015
“The new athletic fields at Danvers High School will be used by a wide variety of community members, from 8-year-old peewee football players to senior citizens out for a jog around the track.”
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Salem Gazette, “Salem Harbor boat ramp completed with state funding”
August 6, 2015
“…One of those projects is at Salem Harbor, where $89,000 has been expended for the installation of new boarding floats at the boat ramp.”
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Danvers Herald, “Solar panel array creates symbiotic energy for town”
July, 30 2015
“A small crowd – including state Sen. Joan Lovely, state Rep. Ted Speliotis, and Town Manager Steve Bartha – gathered behind the Danvers Indoor Sports facility on Andover Street Tuesday morning to watch as one of the largest solar arrays in New England was switched on for the first time.”
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Masslive.com, “Key Massachusetts legislative committee recommends passing pay equity, pregnant workers’ rights bills”
July 30, 2015
“Two bills aimed at helping women in the workplace emerged from a key legislative committee on Thursday.”
Read More

Salem News, “Salem teen’s donation aids homeless families program”
July 27, 2015
“…State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, was on hand for the donation on Monday. She has been an advocate for legislation to rein in the use of motels by the state Department of Housing and Community Development as emergency transition shelters, given Danvers, which is part of her district, has received a disproportionate share of families who are housed by the state in this way. ”
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Masslive.com, “Bill would require Massachusetts employers to accommodate needs of pregnant women”
July 24, 2015
“A group of moms, lawmakers and advocates are pushing for more legal protections on the job for pregnant women in Massachusetts.”
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Salem News, “Our view: Solid changes coming to state’s public records law”
July 19, 2015
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, the co-chair of the committee, said in a statement, ‘The proposed reforms make accessing public records easier by connecting people with designated records officers, encouraging the use of electronic records, lowering fees associated with obtaining public records, and allowing individuals a chance to recoup attorneys’ fees if their request is wrongfully denied.”
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WBUR, “Public Records Bill Clears Committee”
July 17, 2015
“A bill reforming the state’s public records laws cleared a joint House and Senate committee on Thursday with all but two of the 16 members voting in support of the legislation that aims to reduce costs for obtaining records and provide recourse for wrongful denials.”
Read More

Salem News, “Senior citizens push back against bullies”
July 14, 2015
“…Halberstadt, 79, is now leading a campaign to protect senior citizens living in subsidized housing. His efforts have caught the attention of several lawmakers, including Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, and Reps. Leah Cole, R-Peabody, and Brad Hill, R-Ipswich.”
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Salem News, “Gov. announces $1 million grant for Route 97 repairs”
July 9, 2015
“Gov. Charlie Baker came to Topsfield yesterday afternoon to preach the importance of infrastructure and, not coincidentally, to announce a nearly $1 million project designed to resurface Route 97.”
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NECN, “A $1B “Transformation” for Salem, Mass.”
June 2, 2015
“For 60 years, one of the defining features of Salem Harbor in the world-famous Witch City was the Salem Harbor Power Plant – a hulking, coal-burning behemoth. It’s now undergoing a rapid $1 billion transformation into a smaller, cleaner, natural-gas-powered plant that will also open up 40 acres of prime coastal land for redevelopment, homes, and maritime industry.”
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Salem News, “Joan Lovely: Senate tax plan would benefit all residents”
June 1, 2015
“Last week, the Senate debated and passed its version of the fiscal year 2016 state budget. Proposed with the title and theme of “Lifting All Families,” the Senate budget achieves its goal.”
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Salem News, “North Shore lawmakers request budget amendments for local projects”
May 29, 2015
“…Lawmakers from the North Shore filed a variety of requests for money for local projects and programs.”
Read More

Danvers Herald, “Women volunteer to help build home in Danvers”
May 11, 2015
“Women Build, a program run by Habitat for Humanity, encourages women in communities to help build homes to make a difference.”
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Salem News, “Hotel/motel taxes focus of Speloitis’ budget amendment”
April 26, 2015
“…On Wednesday, state Auditor Suzanne Bump released a report detailing how two state homeless assistance programs are costing local governments more than $13 million in transportation, education and lost hotel/motel tax revenue.”
Read More

Lowell Sun, “Baker’s MBTA Task Force Could Face Pointed Questioning on Findings”
April 15, 2015
“…Sen. Joan Lovely, a Salem Democrat, said her constituents on the North Shore pay $500 to $800 a year in tolls to commute to jobs in Boston…”
Read More

Salem News, “Gov. Charlie Baker addresses North Shore business leaders”
April 9, 2015
“Gov. Charlie Baker was on the North Shore to speak to local business leaders yesterday…speakers included State Rep. Jerry Parisella, State Sens. Joan Lovely and Bruce Tarr, and Baker.”
Read More

Salem News, “Salem’s court buildings on the block”
March 31, 2015
“The empty district courthouse on Washington Street is now out for bid.”
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Danvers Herald, “Legislators Take T to Work”
March 30, 2015
“State Rep. Ted Speliotis, a Danvers Democrat, joined Sens. Bruce Tarr of Gloucester and Joan Lovely  of Salem on the 8:01 a.m. inbound train from Beverly to Boston on March 19.”
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Salem Patch, “Looking For Feedback: Local Legislators Ride Commuter Train to Boston”
March 19, 2015
“State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, joined many of her North Shore collegaues and participated in ‘Gov-On-The-T’ Day.”
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Salem News, “Listening Tour Senators Like What They Hear at Essex Tech”
February 24, 2015
“About a third of the state Senate, plus a good number of local state representatives, got schooled at the new Essex Technical High School Monday afternoon.”
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Salem News, “Sen. Lovely Cosponsors GMO Labeling Bill”
February 12, 2015
“…More than 150 lawmakers have signed on as cosponsors of a bill to make Massachusetts the latest state to require food processors to label products with genetically modified ingredients, or food grown from engineered seeds.”
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Commonwealth Magazine, “Pregnant Workers Seek Fair Job Treatment”
February 11, 2015
“Should a pregnant worker expect her employer to offer ‘reasonable’ relief from her workload or from certain tasks?”
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Danvers Herald, “Sen. Lovely Named Senate Chairman of Administration Committee”
February 7, 2015
“State Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem was appointed as Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.”
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Salem News, “Bills aim to cushion hit from hotel homeless program in Danvers”
January 23, 2015
“State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, has filed bills that would help cities and towns recoup room tax revenues lost when the state houses homeless families in local motels, and create a new program so cooped-up children can attend after-school and summer programs at the Y. ”
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Huffington Post, “The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Because Getting Pregnant in MA Shouldn’t Mean Losing Your Job”
January 14, 2015
“The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), will be introduced into the House and the Senate on Wednesday, by Senator Lovely, Rep. Story and Rep. Rogers, to combat discrimination by ensuring that pregnant workers are not forced out of their jobs unnecessarily, or denied reasonable job modifications that would allow them to continue working and supporting their families. ”
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Salem News, “Salem’s Footprint Power Plant Secures Financing”
January 9, 2015
“Footprint Power has cleared the last major hurdle on its way to building a $1 billion natural gas-fired plant on Salem Harbor. ”
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Salem News, “$500K to fix Essex Tech funding shortfall”
January 4, 2015
“The city will be made whole … or at least close to it.”
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Salem News, “The Way Forward in 2015”
January 4, 2015
“Some people’s New Years plans have more impact than others. That goes especially for elected officials who can make a difference in all our lives.”
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Salem News, “South Peabody Trail Project Awarded Nearly $1 Million”
December 23, 2014
“The Patrick administration has granted Peabody a last-minute award of nearly $1 million to construct recreational pathways as part of the South Peabody Trail Project.”
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Boston Globe, “Commission Hears Concerns Over Release of Sex Offenders”
December 3, 2014
“Many sex offenders who are civilly committed end up getting released without supervision, officials at a state treatment center said Wednesday, calling it a ‘red flag’  during a presentation to a special commission studying recidivism.”
Read more

Salem News, “Officials gather for ribbon-cutting at Salem’s MBTA garage”
November 17, 2014
“Consider the new MBTA garage and overhauled train station officially inaugurated.”
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Salem Gazette, “Veterans Day: ‘Heroes we know and don’t know’”
November 13, 2014
“Local veterans and veterans organizations, along with the Salem High School band, Marine Corps Junior ROTC, elected officials and local citizens gathered at Salem High School on Veteran’s Day to “honor heroes we know and those we don’t know,” as expressed by Father Kiley, the new Pastor at St. Anne’s Church.”
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Wicked Local North of Boston, “Salem, Peabody Receive State Grant Funds for Public Infrastructure”
October 24, 2014
“Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki Tuesday announced $4 million in MassWorks grants for public infrastructure improvements in Peabody and Salem, including the development of housing units, hotels and commercial space.”
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Salem News, “No Quick Solutions to Homeless Families Living in Danvers Motels”
September 23, 2014
“Residents packed the Toomey Hearing Room Tuesday night looking for answers as to why the state program to house overflow emergency assistance families in motels has dragged on for years while the program takes a toll on families and the town.”
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Salem News, “Grant Will Aid Motel Families”
August 15, 2014
“The state has granted the Danvers Community Council $20,000 to bolster its People to People Food Pantry, an all-volunteer organization whose resources have been strained in recent years by an influx of homeless families sheltered by the state in the town’s budget motels”
Read More

Salem News, “Our View: Lawmakers Fall Short on Juvenile Parole Bill”
July 11, 2014
“…Four senators from this region of the state — Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem; Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester; Sen. Kathleen O’Connor Ives, D-Newburyport; and Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover — deserve special recognition for showing their leadership and sensitivity to the families of murder victims.”
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NoBo Magazine, “Salem Pride Month Flag Raising & Kickoff Celebration”
June 2, 2014
“SALEM – Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Go Out Loud, and North Shore Pride kicked off Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month in Salem this weekend with their 3rd Annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on Riley Plaza.”
Read more

Salem News, “Pols Load Budget with Pet Projects, Policy Changes”
May 22, 2014
“BOSTON — Putting police officers on the streets of Lawrence, boosting funds for community preservation and helping a Beverly homeless shelter are among a slew of amendments to the $36.3 billion state budget offered by local lawmakers.”
Read more

Beverly Citizen, “Beverly Airport gets funds for new building”
May 16, 2014
“BEVERLY— Beverly Airport will be among four municipal airports statewide to receive funds for renovation and new construction by next year.”
Read more

Salem News, “New liquor licenses get committee OK”
April 14, 2014
“Three North Shore communities are one step closer to getting a crop of new liquor licenses.”
Read more

Danvers Herald, “Letter: DanversCARES Welcomes Everyone”
March 23, 2014
“DANVERS— To the editor: On Monday, March 3, the Tri-Town Council and DanversCARES held a joint meeting at the Topsfield Library with special guest, state Sen. Joan Lovely.”
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Salem News, “Local lawmakers favor lower minimum-wage hike”
March 21, 2014
“North Shore legislators say a House plan for increasing the state’s minimum wage takes a more moderate approach than a similar bill that passed the state Senate last fall.”
Read more

Worcester Telegram, “Legislators are Told Addiction Services are Fragmented…”
March 18, 2014
“GARDNER — State Sen. Jennifer L. Flanagan, D-Leominster, said a parent of a teenager told her he had been watching his liquor cabinet to make sure nothing was missing.”
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Salem News, “Hometown Salutes Olympian”
March 17, 2014
“DANVERS — With two Olympic silver medals around her neck, U.S. women’s hockey star Meghan Duggan arrived at Danvers High Saturday on the back of a firetruck with its sirens blaring for a rally in her honor.”
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Salem News, “Teamwork Made a New Danvers High a Reality”
March 17, 2014
“DANVERS — The town dedicated its newly renovated $70 million high school Saturday with speeches and tours, with the theme of the day being the school could not have been rebuilt without teamwork.”
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Salem Patch, “Mayor Kim Driscoll Signs Salem’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance”
March 4, 2014
“Surrounded by members of the Salem City Council, the Salem No Place for Hate Committee, and dozens of Salem residents and representatives of supportive organizations, Mayor Kim Driscoll signed Salem’s non-discrimination ordinance into law following last week’s unanimous vote of the City Council.”
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Salem News, “No End Yet for Motel Housing in Danvers”
March 1, 2014
“State and local officials are doubtful Massachusetts will stop placing homeless families in budget motels by the end of June as promised.”
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Beverly Citizen, “I Have No Regrets“
February 23, 2013
“BOSTON— It’s a good day in Joan Lovely’s office.”
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Salem News, “Lower and Slower”
February 5, 2014
“Local business leaders are speaking out against a proposed hike in the state minimum wage, calling for a smaller, more gradual increase than the one proposed in the Senate bill passed in November.”
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Salem News, “State Provides Danvers Food Pantry with $20K”
January 21, 2014
“DANVERS— The state has granted the Danvers Community Council $20,000 to bolster its People to People Food Pantry, an all-volunteer organization whose resources have been strained in recent years by an influx of homeless families sheltered by the state in the town’s budget motels.”
Read More

Gloucester Times, “Senate Sets Panel to Study Mass. Opiate Addiction”
January 20, 2014
“BOSTON — The state Senate has formed its own special committee to study drug addiction and treatment options in Massachusetts, with a focus on the civil commitment process, to address what Senate President Therese Murray described as an epidemic of opiate addiction in Massachusetts.”
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Tri-Town Transcript, “Sen. Lovely Conducts Site Visits at Hotels Housing the Homeless”
January 18, 2014
“DANVERS— (Boston) on Monday morning Senator Joan Lovely conducted site visits to two hotels in Danvers with employees from state and local agencies to further examine Massachusetts’s practice of placing homeless families in hotels and motels.”
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Salem News, “Industrial Park Area to Receive Makeover”
January 16, 2014
“PEABODY — How do you get more businesses to Centennial Park? You might try flowers.”
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Peabody Patch, “North Shore Antipoverty Agency Settles Into New Home”
January 8, 2014
“North Shore Community Action Programs has now consolidated nearly all of its offices under one roof and set up shop in a new location in downtown Peabody.”
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Salem News, “Politicians aim to curb motel program”
January 6, 2014
“Two North Shore legislators, worried that the state will not end a program that houses the homeless in local motels, are trying to do something about it.”
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Salem News, “A Lovely year on Beacon Hill”
December 28, 2013
“SALEM— You might think the Salem City Council is a place where issues are hard-fought and things get personal.”
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Danvers Herald, “Lovely appointed to Postpartum Depression commission”
December 20, 2013
“DANVERS— State Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, was appointed to the Massachusetts Special Legislative Commission on Postpartum Depression last week.”
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Salem News, “Beaver Forum Scheduled for Tomorrow”
December 10, 2013
“DANVERS— The town has scheduled an informational meeting for Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss problems related to beaver dams.”
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Salem News, “Salem Closer to Acquiring Court Buildings”
November 28, 2013
“SALEM— The Salem Redevelopment Authority has approved a tentative agreement with the state to acquire two court buildings.”
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Tri-Town Transcript, “House and Senate pass Alfalfa Farm home rule petition…”
November 21, 2013
“TOPSFIELD — Senator Joan Lovely has announced that legislation providing for an additional liquor license for the Town of Topsfield has been enacted into law.”
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Salem News, “City Gets $1.2M for Redevelopment”
November 14, 2013
“SALEM — The city was awarded a $1.2 million state grant yesterday for traffic and roadway improvements in North Salem, in the area known as Blubber Hollow.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Seaport Advisory Council Awards Funding for North Shore Projects”
November 7, 2013
“NORTH BOSTON — The state’s Seaport Advisory Council grant program has awarded more than $18 million in funding to support infrastructure improvements and job creation in Gloucester, Beverly and Salem, along with several other coastal communities, the council announced on Thursday.”
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Danvers Herald, “90 Affordable Units Set To Open in Danvers”
October 18, 2013
“DANVERS — Ninety units of affordable housing were unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Conifer Hill Commons on Thursday, Oct. 10.”
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Danvers Herald, “Sen. Lovely to Host Senior CharlieCard Day in Peabody”
September 12, 2013
“DANVERS — State Sen. Joan Lovely will hold a workshop in Peabody for any North Shore seniors who would like to apply for reduced rate CharlieCards on Monday, Sept. 16.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Tierney Visits Small Businesses in Beverly”
September 7, 2013
“BEVERLY — Congressman John Tierney toured businesses in Beverly last week to talk to owners about his Increasing Small Business Lending bill, legislation aimed at making credit available to small business owners in Massachusetts and across the country.”
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Danvers Herald, “Senator Lovely Tours Mental Health Facilities”
August 22, 2013
“DANVERS — State Sen. Joan Lovely, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, toured two mental health facilities across the state on Monday, Aug. 19.”
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Salem News, “Salem Probate Court Project to Start Next Year”
August 22, 2013
“SALEM — The $60 million renovation of the Salem Family and Probate Court building is set to begin next year.”
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Boston Globe, “Salem to Hold Workshop on Preventing Child Sexual Abuse”
August 16, 2013
“SALEM — The City of Salem will hold training on how to protect children from sexual abuse.”
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Salem News, “Program Aimed At Preventing Child Abuse”
August 16, 2013
“SALEM — The Children’s Trust Fund, a state organization aimed at preventing child abuse, went to Wakefield this summer in the aftermath of a scandal involving a former day-care provider.”
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Salem News, “Groundbreaking Held for Salem Depot, Garage”
August 14, 2013
“SALEM – State Rep. John Keenan was interrupted by a passing train as he spoke at yesterday’s groundbreaking for the new MBTA station and parking garage.”
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Salem News, “E-ZPass Van to Stop in Salem Tomorrow”
August 7, 2013
“SALEM — The Department of Transportation has been using the van to sign up motorists for the state’s E-ZPass toll transponder program.”
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Salem News, “Lawmakers Pass State Sales Tax Holiday”
August 1, 2013
“BOSTON — The move is designed to increase sales for local businesses and stretch consumer dollars as kids get ready to head back to school.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Beverly’s River House to Receive Additional Funds”
August 1, 2013
“BEVERLY — Sen. Joan Lovely and Rep. Jerald Parisella have announced that the River House homeless shelter in the city of Beverly would receive an additional $95,397 in funding through a federal Emergency Solutions Grant.”
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Salem News, “Summer Jobs Program To Make a Difference Downtown”
July 31, 2013
“PEABODY — During a walking tour of downtown Peabody with city and state officials, a dozen young people looked to make an impact here, in Salem’s Point neighborhood and in Beverly’s Gloucester Crossing area by addressing some issues.”
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Salem News, “Locals at Forefront of Metal Theft Law”
July 19, 2013
“SALEM — A bill to more closely regulate the sale of scrap metal was scrapped itself at the end of last year’s session on Beacon Hill.”
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Salem News, “Transportation Investment to Play Crucial Role on Local Level”
July 18, 2013
“SALEM — Given the difficult budgetary challenges facing the state, we take pride in these investments being made in our region and the consideration that transportation deserves to foster the economic well-being of our commonwealth as a whole.”
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Salem News, “Chiefs Removed From Civil Service”
July 17, 2013
“PEABODY — Mayor Ted Bettencourt can bypass civil service when hiring a new police chief or fire chief.”
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Peabody Patch, “Peabody’s Next Police, Fire Chiefs Won’t Be under Civil Service”
July 17, 2013
“PEABODY — The legislature has approved the petition and now Gov. Deval Patrick has signed off on the request as well – it’s official, Peabody’s police and fire chiefs will no longer be part of Civil Service.”
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Salem News, “Bills to Stop Metal Thefts Deserve Support”
July 15, 2013
“SALEM — In their frenzy for metal, thieves will steal the gutters and downspouts from your house, plaques from the cemetery, even guardrails from the side of the road.”
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Tri-Town Transcript, “Civil War Monument Preservation Grant”
July 3, 2013
“TOPSFIELD — State Senator Joan Lovely called on June 19th to announce that the Topsfield Historical Society’s Civil War Monument Grant Proposal had been approved by the Massachusetts Sesquicentennial Commission.”
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Peabody Patch, “State Senate Also OKs Petition to Remove Chiefs from Civil Service”
July 1, 2013
“PEABODY — The state Senate has now likewise passed through a measure to remove both the Peabody police and fire chief jobs from Civil Service and all that remains is a couple more votes before Gov. Deval Patrick signs off on the request as well.”
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Salem News, “My Vote for Welfare Reform Vote”
June 29, 2013
“BOSTON — Last week I voted in favor of comprehensive welfare reform in the Massachusetts Senate.”
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Salem News, “Free Chief Champagne”
June 27, 2013
“PEABODY — The day police Chief Robert Champagne can begin his retirement comes nigh, according to Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem.”
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Salem News, “Waging Debate”
June 26, 2013
“SWAMPSCOTT — The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marc Pacheco of Taunton, would increase the state minimum wage from $8 to $11 at a time when President Barack Obama is proposing to raise the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour.”
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Boston Globe, “Ice Cream Social for Seniors”
June 23, 2013
“SALEM — The Council on Aging is hosting its first ice cream social of the summer on Wednesday at the Senior Center, 5 Broad St. The event, which starts at 11:30 a.m., will officially kick off the summer season at the Senior Center.”
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Danvers Herald, “Danvers Senior Center Celebrates Accreditation Success”
June 13, 2013
“DANVERS — Although the event said “Danvers Council on Aging Accreditation Reception,” most everyone in town knew that really meant the Danvers Senior Center was celebrating its third accreditation, making it one of the rare senior facilities nationwide to capture that prestigious designation.”
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Boston Globe, “Local and State Officials Pledge to Advocate…”
June 11, 2013
“PEABODY — Local and state officials conveyed their support for issues regarding immigration, employee wages and the criminal justice system at a meeting in Peabody that garnered a diverse group of over two hundred attendees from over 25 religious congregations on the North Shore.”
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Danvers Herald, “A Memorable Day in Danvers”
June 3, 2013
“DANVERS — It had all the right components, this Danvers Memorial Day Parade 2013 — veterans of several wars, including the Grand Marshal Steve Godzik of the Vietnam War, police officers, firefighters, the school band, a few antique cars, and children of all sizes and ages dressed as Daisies, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Webelos and Cub Scouts.”
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Boston Globe, “State Officials to Discuss Veterans Services”
June 2, 2013
“PEABODY — Coleman Nee, the state’s secretary of veterans’ services, will visit Peabody on Monday for a discussion with state lawmakers and veterans services officers from the Second Essex state Senate district.”
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Salem News, “Peabody High Graduates Spirited Class”
June 1, 2013
“PEABODY — This city’s namesake never graduated from the local high school.”
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Salem News, “Danvers Senior Center Celebrates Third Accreditation”
May 31, 2013
“DANVERS — The third time is a charm for the Danvers Senior Center as more than 50 people and officials yesterday afternoon celebrated the third time the center on Stone Street has been accredited, a recognition which means the center is following standards of excellence for its operations.”
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Salem News, “North Shore Tech Graduates Are Works in Progress”
May 31, 2013
“MIDDLETON — North Shore Technical High School Class of 2013 President Seferine Baez of Salem assured graduates last night in a sweltering gymnasium that they will be remembered.”
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Danvers Herald, “Pride Month Kicks Off With Flag Raising Ceremony in Danvers”
May 25, 2013
“DANVERS — A flag raising ceremony to kick off LGBT Pride Month will be held at Danvers Town Hall on Tuesday, May 28, at 2:30 p.m.”
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Salem News, “Salem Gets $3M Grant for Canal Street”
May 15, 2013
“SALEM — The city will receive $3 million in federal funds for the upcoming rebuild of Canal Street.”
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Beverly Citizen, “Legislators Outline Plans for Beverly at Chamber Breakfast”
May 2, 2013
“BEVERLY — Local and state lawmakers provided insight on Beverly and their plans for its future at the Beverly Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Legislative Breakfast event, held last Friday morning at the Larcom Theatre on Wallis Street.”
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Salem News, “Senator’s Visit Focuses On Point Neighborhood”
April 13, 2013
“SALEM — The first thing U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren did on arriving at a morning meet-and-greet yesterday was walk directly up to Mayor Kim Driscoll and give her a big hug.”
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Boston Globe, “Salem to Recognize Residents and Businesses at 91^st Awards Dinner”
April 11, 2013
“SALEM — The Salem Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 91st annual Celebrate Salem Awards Dinner in order to recognize individuals and businesses in the city that have made noteworthy accomplishments.”
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Salem News, “Beverly’s Oldest Graduate Ceremony”
March 5, 2013
“BEVERLY — As one official after another stood up to praise him, Fred Butler was ready with the occasional comment.”
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Salem News, “Lovely to Chair Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse”
February 6, 2013
“SALEM — State Sen. Joan Lovely has been appointed chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.”
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Salem News, “Salem Mayor Names Power Plant Advisers”
February 5, 2013
“SALEM — Mayor Kim Driscoll has named local environmentalists, community representatives and elected officials to an advisory board on the redevelopment of the Salem Harbor Station power plant.”
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Salem News, “Lovely Getting Started”
January 12, 2013
“BOSTON — On Jan. 2, in a moment of great humility, I took the oath of office to serve as state senator for Danvers, Beverly, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield.”
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Peabody Patch, “PACC Celebrates 81 Years at Annual Dinner”
November 29, 2012
“PEABODY — The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce held its 81st Annual Dinner Wednesday night at Spinelli’s.”
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Joan in the News