By Bob Katzen

“It is always a joy to celebrate National Women Veterans Appreciation Day at the Statehouse to honor the remarkable women who have served in our armed forces. We recognize the immense contributions and sacrifices they have made, and their ongoing service to our community, state and country.”
— Gov. Maura Healey.

“It is such an exciting time of the year for everyone to get outdoors and head out to waterways to have fun and cool off. The last thing anyone wants to have to think about, is if it’s safe to go in the water.”
—EPA Regional Administrator David Cash awarding a $254,000 federal grant to Massachusetts to help coastal communities protect the health of beachgoers.

“Maximizing the use of this technology to bolster the Department of Correction’s range of rehabilitative programming will further help to prepare individuals for their next step toward successful reentry. I commend the [department] for their continued efforts to identify innovative ways to offer continuous programming that improves lives and meaningfully impacts recidivism.”
—Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy announcing the successful implementation of an innovative tablet program that equips incarcerated individuals with personalized electronic devices for access to a wide range of online courses to accelerate education, job skill training and self-improvement programs.

“Massachusetts is one of the only states that disenfranchises voters in an effort to compel residents to fill out the annual municipal census. There are more efficient ways to keep our voter rolls up to date which many other states use without issues. If the Legislature wants to make our democracy more accessible in Massachusetts, they must send this reform to the governor’s desk.”
—The group Common Cause urging repeal of a current law that if a voter does not respond to the annual municipal census, they are penalized by being placed on the inactive voter list. Inactive voters must provide proof of residency and fill out an affidavit form to restore their standing and to cast a ballot that counts.