Berkshire Immigrant Center to help shape immigration policy

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A new power player is arriving on Capitol Hill as the Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) joins a coalition of 80 grassroots community groups from across the country to bring the voices of everyday people to the halls of Congress.

On February 17-19, BIC representative, Brooke Mead, will travel to the nation’s capital as part of the Campaign for Community Values first 100 days strategy to impact legislation on the economy, healthcare and immigration. Mead will receive training on effective lobbying skills from the Center for Community Change prior to meeting with Massachusetts Congressional delegates including Senators Kennedy and Kerry and Congressmen Lynch, Olver, and Frank.

“We have a unique opportunity to play a decisive role in national policy,” said Hilary Greene, BIC director. “As Congress considers an economic stimulus package and moves towards adopting a policy on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, we must aim to ensure that the voices and needs of our communities are included.”

Mead was selected by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) to represent the Commonwealth and join a delegation of eight individuals from New England. The appointment was based on Mead’s extensive experience working with the immigrant and refugee population of Western Massachusetts. In addition to direct client support, Mead has been actively involved in advocating for immigrants’ rights on both the state and federal levels for the past seven years.

“It is an honor and privilege to represent Massachusetts and New England and to have the opportunity to discuss issues of vital importance to our communities. The need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform is critical, and we look forward to working with groups across the country to get just and humane immigration legislation passed,” stated Mead.
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Pittsfield Council Passes $232.7M Budget

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council unanimously approved a $232.7 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. 

It is a modest, almost 2.9 percent increase from FY26. 

"I do want to give the community kind of a heads up as we move forward on budgets. What we see coming out of the federal government that's trickling down to the states, it's going to be harder and harder for us as a community to meet our needs under the Proposition 2 1/2," Councilor at Large Alisa Costa said. 

"We're going to have challenges, as we've seen communities across the state trying to override the Proposition 2 1/2, because we have dwindling amounts of money coming from the state and federal government." 

She pointed out that, at the same time, utility bills are going up for both residents and the city, as are the costs of pavement and other items. 

The amended budget of $232,777,720, down from the $232,782,090 originally proposed, includes cuts to the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the restoration of funds for councilors to attend the annual Massachusetts Municipal Association conference. 

The Pittsfield Public Schools' $86,855,061 budget includes $68,886,061 in state Chapter 70 funding and $18 million from the city. With $345,000 in school choice and Richmond tuition revenues, it totals $87,200,061 and is an approximately $300,000 increase from the Pittsfield Public Schools' FY26 budget of $86.9 million. 

The district's budget will fund 13 schools, as Morningside Community School will retire in the fall, and includes the middle school restructuring. 

Councilors also approved the use of $2 million in certified free cash to reduce the tax rate, and appropriated $450,551 for parking-related expenditures. 

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