Mark your calendars and RSVP now to join with other grassroots activists from across the state on Saturday, March 13, as we gather to:
- hone our skills;
- deepen our knowledge;
- connect with fellow activists; and
- be rejuvenated by our own successes and those of others!
WHAT: Time to Spring Forward: Progressive Mass Annual Member Meeting
WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2pm to 5pm
WHERE: Zoom (info to come soon)
HOW: The meeting is free for all dues-paying members of Progressive Mass. Not yet a member? Become one today!
Let us know you’re coming. RSVP now.
What’s on the Agenda
We’ll be providing some updates about the organization, electing some new board members, and having breakout sessions on a wide range of key topics, such as:
- Beacon Hill 101
- What’s Wrong With the Massachusetts State House — and How Can We Fix It?
- The Massachusetts Budget Dilemma: Wealthy State, Inequitable Services
- Housing for All: Tackling the Affordable Housing and Evictions Crises
- What the COVID Pandemic Reveals about Our Government
- Police Reform: What Happened, and What’s Next?
- Biden is President Now, So Why Are Massachusetts Immigrants Still at Risk?
- Building a Green & Equitable 21st Century Infrastructure
- Redistricting 101
- Progressive Mass Q&A
There will be two periods of breakout sessions for the afternoon.
Breakouts 1
Beacon Hill 101
Facilitator: Jonathan Cohn
How does a bill become a law anyway? What is the timeline of the legislative process, and where are the best opportunities to engage? We’ll discuss the in’s & out’s of the legislative process and what that means for our work in the coming year.
**
What’s Wrong With the Massachusetts State House — and How Can We Fix It?
Speakers:
- Jonathan Hecht, former State Representative (2009-2020)
- Galen Hall and Trevor Culhane – Co-authors of “Who’s Delaying Climate Action in Massachusetts? Twelve Findings” (CSSN Research Report 2021), Institute for Environment and Society, Brown University
Facilitators: Margaret Heitz and Leslie Greffenius
Every system is perfectly designed for the results that it gets. And if we aren’t seeing the progressive policy we want to see in the MA State House, at least part of that is structural. What are the structural impediments to passing progressive policy in the MA State House? What role do a lack of transparency and an over-centralization play, and how can we change both the culture and the outcomes? What can we learn from other states?
**
The Massachusetts Budget Dilemma: Wealthy State, Inequitable Services
Speaker: Monique Ching, Policy Analyst at Mass Budget
Facilitator: Rachel Poliner
Massachusetts is one of the wealthiest states in the country. So why do we continually fail to invest in our education, transportation, and health care systems to the extent we need? How has the pandemic made existing budget inequities worse, and how can we fight for a budget that serves community needs and reflects our values?
**
What the COVID Pandemic Reveals about Our Government
Speakers:
- Mike Hugo, Director of Government Affairs of Mass Association of Health Boards
- Carlene Pavlos, Executive Director of the Mass Public Health Association
- Roberto Jiménez Rivera, Chelsea School Committeeman and political organizer at the Boston Teachers Union
Facilitator: John Kyriakis
The vaccine rollout in Massachusetts has been a disaster for everyone, but it has been particularly devastating to the communities of color who have already been disproportionately sickened and killed by the virus. Meanwhile, Gov. Baker continues to cater to the interests of the business community, opening the state prematurely, and calling for the opening of schools without adequately vaccinating teachers and staff. What pre-existing inequities has COVID brought to light, and how can we ensure an equitable response now and an equitable recovery and government beyond?
**
Police Reform: What Happened and What’s Next?
Speakers:
- Oami Amarasingham, Deputy Legislative Director at ACLU of Massachusetts
- Felicia Sullivan, Chair of Watertown’s Police Reform Coalition, Watertown Police Reform
Facilitator: Caroline Bays
The MA Legislature recently passed an omnibus police reform bill. What made it in, and what didn’t? How can we continue the fight for police accountability and a community-centered vision of public safety at both the state and local levels?
**
Breakouts 2
Housing for All: Tackling the Affordable Housing and Evictions Crises
Speakers:
- State Rep. Nika Elugardo
- Karen Chen, Executive Director of the Chinese Progressive Association
- Isaac Simon Hodes, Director of Lynn United for Change
Facilitator: Etel Haxhiaj
Massachusetts has one of the highest qualities of life in the US, but with some of the least affordable housing, it is out of reach for too many. Housing instability was already widespread pre-COVID, and the pandemic has brought it to dangerous levels. How can we deliver on the promise of housing for all?
**
Biden is President Now, So Why Are Massachusetts Immigrants Still at Risk?
Speakers:
- Laura Rotolo, Staff Counsel and Community Advocate, ACLU Massachusetts
- Dalida Rocha, Political Director, SEIU Local 615
- Brenda Quintana, Immigrant Worker Center Organizer, Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health
Facilitators: Leslie Greffenius and Zayda Ortiz
Relieved by the election of a new president in November, many assume that undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts are no longer at risk. But the previous administration was merely a wakeup call; undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts have, for decades, been particularly susceptible to wage theft and other crimes, domestic abuse, and family separation. And when immigrants are unsafe, it turns out, we are all less safe. This session will explore the reasons for the situation we are in and some of the bills that will help Massachusetts chart a safer course.
**
Building a Green & Equitable 21st Century Infrastructure
Speakers:
- Cabell Eames, Legislative Manager for 350 Mass/Better Future Project
- Jarred Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at Transit Matters
- Yanisa Techagumthorn, Electoral Team Lead at Sunrise Boston and Associate Transportation Planner at Nelson\Nygaard Consulting
Facilitator: Jonathan Cohn
Over the past year, we’ve seen both the beauty of car-free streets and the ugliness of disinvestment from public transit. And in the omnibus climate bill that the Legislature will finalize any day now, transportation is notably missing. What steps should we be taking to bring our infrastructure into the 21st century and to ensure that equity is at the forefront?
**
What to Expect (and Fight for) in Redistricting in MA
Speakers:
- Beth Huang, Executive Director of Mass Voter Table
- Avi Green, Senior Advisor at the New School
- Rahsaan Hall from the ACLU
Moderator: Ziba Cranmer
This year, Massachusetts will be redrawing the borders of state legislative and Congressional districts. What does the process look like? How can we ensure that underrepresented communities are able to make their voices heard, and what lessons can we learn from the last redistricting cycle?
**
Progressive Mass Q&A
Facilitator: Rachel Poliner
Curious about chapters, committees, finances, etc? Have ideas for events, fundraisers, building up for 2022? Come with your questions and ideas.
