By Bob Katzen

“A goal of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is to help keep the state’s food supply safe and secure. By assisting farmers with grants and technical assistance, the Baker-Polito Administration is helping to modernize their operations, open new market channels and meet regulatory requirements that will directly benefit farmers and consumers of their products.”

—Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux announcing $1 million in grants to Massachusetts farms to implement practices that improve food safety within their operations.

“Keeping the commonwealth’s workforce safe is important to both employees and employers as well as the greater community. These Safety Grants will provide training and education that helps promote safe and healthy conditions in the workplace.”
—Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta announcing $800,000 in Workplace Safety Grants.

All women have a fundamental right to access safe and affordable abortion. But on the Cape and Islands, women have been forced for years to make expensive trips off-Cape or out of state to access abortion services. This funding to Health Imperatives, which has locations on Martha’s Vineyard and Barnstable, breaks down barriers to care and gives women across the Cape and Islands access to this fundamental healthcare right.”
—Rep. Dylan Fernandez (D-Falmouth) on $4.1 million in grants awarded to reproductive health organizations including some on the Cape and Islands.

“As the Lottery’s 50th anniversary celebration approaches the end, what better time to introduce the $50 ticket to begin our next 50 years? Our customers had been requesting this ticket for some time. After careful consideration, the Lottery has what we believe will provide them with the entirely new level of excitement they have been seeking.”
—State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, the chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, announcing the upcoming sale, beginning February 7th, of the Lottery’s first $50 instant scratch ticket which will offer over $1 billion in total winnings and feature a $25 million instant win prize, the largest in Mass Lottery history.