Hinds Sets Community Outreach Events for March

The senator's staff will be available to meet with constituents in the communities of Plainfield and Alford for this month's staff office hours on Wednesday, March 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hinds, Pignatelli Field Questions at Kimball Farms Forum

Hinds Given Committee Assignments: Chairing Revenue, on Ways and Means

State 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' Award

Ty 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 Session

State 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 BRPC

The 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 Transportation

The 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 Trails

State 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|Learning

Arts|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 Lose

But 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 Bill

The 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 Senate

State 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 Bill

The 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 Means

The 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.

Hinds, MCLA Holding Workshop On Public Transit Options

State Sen. Adam Hinds is about to find out exactly how difficult it is to get around the county on public transportation. On Friday, Hinds is taking a Berkshire Regional Transit Authority bus from Pittsfield to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, a trip that will take more than an hour. Hinds is doing it as his commute to meet with MCLA's Dean Jake Eberwein as the two host a design thinking workshop on how to improve the county's public transportation system.

Guest Column: Time to Reassess growth Across the Commonwealth

The area we call home — Western Massachusetts — has world-class higher education institutions and arts and culture, as well as unequaled access to nature and competitive business sectors. A strategic regional approach to economic vitality will ensure equal opportunity for residents wherever they live, and help solve our structural deficit in revenue generation.

State Senate Accepts Amendment To Study Passenger Rail to New York

The state Senate adopted a budget amendment Thursday to develop a blueprint for more consistent passenger rail service to New York City. State Sen. Adam Hinds filed the amendment which would task the state Department of Transportation to create a working group to study what it will take to establish the service.

Hinds Gives BRPC Updates From the State House

Local organizations have great long-term plans for the future of Berkshire County. But, state Sen. Adam Hinds said the state needs to get the "fundamentals right" before that can take hold. Hinds spoke with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission on Thursday and reviewed the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. He said 1Berkshire also has a similar blueprint with how to revitalize the Berkshire economy. But, both plans are still two or more years away, he said.