Hinds Sets Community Outreach Events for DecemberThe senator's staff will be available to meet with constituents in the communities of West Stockbridge and Westhampton for this month's staff office hours on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hinds Seeks Designs for Annual Holiday Card ContestEach December, Hinds sends almost 1,000 greeting cards by mail to friends, family, colleagues and constituents. The winning design will be used as the cover art for his 2019 holiday greeting card. The student artist will be identified on the card, featured in the senator's media and social media outreach, and win a pizza party for their classroom with Hinds. Hinds Secures Funds For Flyer, School Aid, in Senate BudgetState Sen. Adam Hinds secured money for the Berkshire Flyer, his rural school aid, and for numerous local organization in the Senate budget. The Pittsfield Democrat said on Thursday his budget will help "get the fundamentals right" for Berkshire County. Those "fundamentals" this year, according to Hinds, is primarily education and transportation. Hinds Given Committee Assignments: Chairing Revenue, on Ways and MeansState Sen. Adam Hinds will serve as the first stop for many of the big initiatives coming from the State House this year. Hinds was given his committee assignments on Thursday in which he'll chair the Joint Committee on Revenue, vice chair Senate Committee on Redistricting, and will serve on the Senate Ways and Means, Joint Committee on Education, Joint Committee on Tourism Arts and Cultural Development, Senate Rules, and Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. Edgerton, Jackson Receive 'Black Excellence on the Hill' AwardTy Allan Jackson, local author, literacy advocate, publisher and motivational speaker, and Shirley Edgerton, founder and director of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment Program, director of Youth Alive and cultural proficiency coach for the Pittsfield Public Schools, were honored by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. Hinds Rolling Out 'Rural Agenda' In New Legislative SessionState Sen. Adam Hinds is pushing a "rural agenda" in the new legislative term. The Pittsfield Democrat is filing more than 60 bills this term, many of which are aimed at helping small rural areas. Hinds Chats Priorities With BRPCThe Berkshires don't have the traffic congestion or real estate prices that the Boston area does. And Jim Lovejoy, from Mount Washington, sees that as an opportunity. He envisions using the effort to expand broadband in Western Massachusetts as a chance to build a far superior internet connection that will incentivize companies to build and grow here instead. Hinds Named Co-Chair of Committion on Public School TransportationThe Special Commission, established by Section 77 of the FY19 state budget (Chapter 154 of the Acts of 2018), is charged with making recommendations to the General Court’s Joint Committee on Education on how school districts can improve and implement efficiencies in regards to various student transportation issues, Hinds Backs Efforts to Bolster Mountain Biking TrailsState Sen. Adam Hinds knows mountain biking is an emerging industry. But, he also knows people who drive through the Berkshires to get elsewhere for it. "Mountain biking has been identified as an industry that is growing and we are well positioned for it," Hinds said. Hinds Named 2018 Legislative Leader by Arts|LearningArts|Learning is the hub of arts education in Massachusetts and supports the inclusion of a complete arts education for every K-12 student in the commonwealth. The nonprofit believes that when the arts are at the center of the core curriculum, students develop the 21st-Century skills they need to lead fulfilled lives. The Choice for Western Mass: Lead or LoseBut there are other issues and priorities, unique to Western Mass, which we must stand up for as real and present needs in our communities. State Senate Passes Short-Term Rental BillThe legislation would generate an estimated $34.5 million and $25.5 million in state and local revenues, respectively, based on the most recent Senate Ways and Means Fiscal Impact Report. The expanded tax base will automatically apply to all 175-plus cities and towns that have already adopted the local room occupancy excise to date. Hinds Launches Re-election Bid for State SenateState Sen. Adam Hinds has set his sights on 2020. And that starts with his election bid in 2018. The Pittsfield Democrat won election in 2016 to fill the seat being vacated by Benjamin Downing and has now launched his first re-election bid just over a year of serving in office. Hinds Secures $29.7M for Local Projects in State Capital BillThe funds were secured in the $29.7 million in capital spending authorizations for local projects in S. 2279, "An Act providing for capital facility repair and improvements for the Commonwealth," a bond bill engrossed by the state Senate. Hinds Appointed to Senate Ways And MeansThe Pittsfield Democrat was appointed to the committee by acting Senate President Harriette Chandler on Wednesday, the same day Gov. Charlie Baker put forth his $40.9 billion spending plan for fiscal 2019. |
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