Dear ,

It's a busy time at the State House, as bill language is finalized by house counsel and home rule petitions are filed. I'm working with colleagues and local organizations to optimize our chances of moving our proposed legislation through the consideration process. You can visit my page on the MA Legislature’s website to get updates on my filed bills and co-sponsorships.

Please note, I appreciate the many requests I receive from constituents to "co-sponsor" bills. Please know my staff and I track all constituent legislative requests and I can support the legislation by either voting at the time they are presented on the house floor or co-sponsoring in advance.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve enjoyed meeting with many of our district town staff and select boards, and It's been a pleasure to attend several of those meetings with Senator Cyr to share a broad update on local and statewide policy issues. We are currently working with towns to file home rule petitions and to discuss key regional challenges, such as concerns related to wastewater protection funds from the state.

Please continue to reach out to me at Hadley.Luddy@mahouse.gov or Gracyn at Gracyn.rountree@mahouse.gov or to call my office at 617-722-2800 x7313.

We appreciate hearing from you! 

Upcoming Community Office Hours

Please join us at the upcoming offerings below. We'll continue to set up these opportunities to connect with us throughout the district at various locations. 

Thursday 3/13, Harwich Community Center, 4:30-6 p.m.
Monday 3/31, Snow Library in Orleans, 3-5 p.m.

Constituent Spotlights

I recently had the opportunity to celebrate two outstanding public servants in the 4th Barnstable District.

It was a pleasure to deliver a citation to Officer TJ Griffiths, with the Harwich Police Department. Officer Griffiths was named the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s November Officer of the Year in recognition of his heroic response to a tragic accident in Harwich. Thank you Officer Griffith, for your heroic efforts!

I was also invited to celebrate the retirement of Joan Barrett from the Orleans District Court. Joan's 30 years of service to the Orleans Court System made her an instrumental District Court team member, and she will be dearly missed. Congratulations Joan, and thank you for your service to our community! 

Do you know someone who should be recognized for their service or special accomplishment? Please send your request to gracyn.rountree@mahouse.gov  

Community Tours & Visits

The Cape & Islands legislative delegation met with the following organizations in recent weeks:

• The Cape and Islands Police Chiefs

• The Cape and Islands Fire Chiefs

• Cape Cod Collaborative

• CLAMS Library Cooperative

• Cape and Islands Community Health Centers

• Children’s Cove

• The Cape Cod Disability Network.

We’ve also visited or attended meetings with the following:

• The Harwich Elementary School and YMCA childcare program

• Cape and Islands Municipal Leaders

• Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts New Legislators luncheon

• Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Monthly Meeting

• Lower Cape Outreach Council

• Barnstable County Commissioner Mark Forest and Dredge Department Director Ken Cirillo

• The Family Pantry of Cape Cod.

The turnout was excellent at a gathering hosted by the Eastham Democrats at the Eastham Public Library. This meeting provided the opportunity for our community to talk about both local and national issues around many areas of uncertainty that are facing the 4th Barnstable, Massachusetts and our country. I'm proud to live in a community that is so deeply engaged in state and national issues, and filled with such passionate and generous advocates.

As state legislators, please know how much national concerns weigh on us as we engage in statewide and local efforts to keep the Commonwealth the vibrant and high-quality place to live that it is today. We can get through these challenges if we work together, focus on finding common ground with others who may have differing ideologies, and strive to reinforce our commitment in Massachusetts to being a welcoming, accepting and diverse state. 

Seasonal Communities & Committee Assignments

House committee assignments were just announced last week! My committee assignments include: House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs; Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets; Joint Committee on Agriculture; Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. Many of my assignments will provide learning opportunities for me and I am eager to learn alongside my colleagues about these important areas of state activities and how our legislature can support them.

I am so pleased to be appointed to the Seasonal Communities Council. With all 7 towns of the 4th Barnstable designated as Seasonal Communities, this unique opportunity will allow us to address and improve various year-round needs, such as housing and employment, for our seasonally-driven economy. Please visit the official Seasonal Communities page to find out more and I look forward to keeping you up to date on committee efforts. 

Major relief for the Cape & Islands—

closing of Pocasset Mental Health Center is on hold!

Constituent Concerns

We hear many concerns from our constituents about how to support the various communities and organizations being impacted by national policies and funding cuts. I sincerely appreciate your strong advocacy and share your concerns. I am committed to working with my colleagues to advocate for our most vulnerable community members at this very challenging time. Many of you are asking “how can I help”?

Please continue to call our Washington delegation as well as leadership in both parties in Washington to express your concern and frustration as issues arise. I also urge you to inquire with local organizations taking deep federal cuts about how to volunteer or support a need they have. 

Below is a list of some local organizations with helpful information and/or advocacy opportunities:

PFLAG Cape Cod 

Sierra Club Cape Cod

https://apcc.org/ 

Amplify POC

Immigrant Resource Center

Indivisible Outer Cape

Lower Cape Indivisible

Utility Costs

We are all frustrated by rising costs of electricity and gas. The State Legislature, Governor Healey, and Attorney General Campbell have sent letters to the Department of Public Utilities to address the unprecedented price of energy bills. As a result of our joint efforts with the executive administration, the Department of Public Utilities issued orders to reduce company bills and approved a three-year energy efficiency plan with a $500 million budget reduction. 

Starting March 1^st, new lower rate mandates went into effect across the state and Eversource Gas was required to reduce their bills by 10.3%. An Energy Affordability Plan, direct energy bill relief to residential customers programs, and low-income discount rates are also coming down the pipeline. Please stay tuned for more news about these efforts over the next few months.

Here is some additional information I hope will be helpful in the meantime:

What is driving the cost increase?

• Our sole dependence on natural gas and the electrical grid for power generation and home heating during cold months causes prices to spike every winter for both gas and electric bills. 
• More demand during the winter months leads to more strain on the grid, resulting in increased need for maintenance, repair and expansion. 

What can I do to lower my costs?

• Sealing gaps or cracks can help maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature in your home. If you’re feeling drafts, you may need air sealing.
• Air filters in your furnace or heat pump should be checked once a month according to ENERGY STAR®. A dirty air filter can cause your system to work overtime, increasing your energy use.
• Make sure your attic is properly insulated to keep warmed air in your living space, allowing your heating system to turn on less frequently.
• Regularly cleaning your gutters can enhance your home's efficiency by preventing water damage, preserving insulation and reducing heat transfer.

There are resources like these listed below, and we can direct you to various non profits organizations in the 4th Barnstable and beyond who can help you with utility costs if you are eligible. Please email Gracyn at gracyn.rountree@mahouse.gov or call us at 617-722-2800 x 7313

Thank you for your ongoing support. We’ll be in regular touch and as always, reach out with questions.

Best,

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