PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Legislators say they are advocating for programs and services that Berkshire County residents need the most, amidst federal funding cuts. 

 

State Sen. Paul Mark said state lawmakers are trying to ensure programs that are important to this region are funded well, have resources, and work in rural communities. 

 

When it comes to policy, he said, they are trying to make decisions that better reflect the things people need to get out of economically challenging times. For example, the Legislature recently provided $35 million for fuel assistance in the current fiscal year.

 

The senator said he understood how some are struggling, recalling how when he was young, his father lost his job and his family "fell on some really hard times that lasted for a really long time."

 

"Whenever I talk about going through those hard times, I always like to point out that most of the time, my father still worked, and it didn't matter. We still needed food stamps. We still lost our house repeatedly. We still had to move around. I went to four different elementary schools because we were challenged through no fault of our own," Mark said. 

 

"And so whenever I have a chance to talk, I tell that story, some version of it, because it's important to also remember there's a stigma, and that stigma doesn't need to be there. It shouldn't be there." 

 

His comments came during Berkshire Community Action Council's March 27 community conversation on poverty featuring professionals in mental health care, housing, food, transportation, child care, financial literacy, and education.