Friedman

Sen. Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) joined her colleagues in passing legislation to enhance road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, to establish a nonbinary option for gender on drivers’ licenses and birth certificates and lift the so-called “Cap on Kids,” overriding Governor Baker’s recent veto of the  bill.

All three bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support April 25, her office reported in an news release.

Friedman voted in favor of S.2204, An Act to reduce traffic fatalities, which includes several measures that together will greatly improve road safety, lessen the severity of crashes, and standardize the collection and analysis of crash data.

Cindy Friedman

UPDATED, Feb. 2: State Sen. Cindy F. Friedman recently joined her colleagues in passing two rules reports updating the Senate and joint rules related to harassment, diversity and transparency.

The state House has overwhelmingly declined to adopt a full ban on the use of nondisclosure agreements by its members in sexual-harassment cases. Read an opinion about that here >>

“Transparency and accountability are critical components of a well-functioning and effective government,” Friedman said in a news release. “We have set the tone for this legislative session with the passage of several key amendments aimed at addressing sexual harassment in the workplace and making sure that we conduct our business in a well-meaning, effective and honest manner.”

The temporary Senate Committee on Rules was chaired by Assistant Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett) and included Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton), Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), Senator William N. Brownsberger (D-Belmont), Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester) and Senator Ryan C. Fattman (R-Webster).

 Plan cuts ‘Cap on Kids,’ Friedman's office reports: House version OK'd

UPDATED, March 14: Sen. Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) joined her colleagues March 7 in passing a supplemental budget for fiscal 2019, which includes $143.9 million in spending to address deficiencies, as well as institute time-sensitive policy and spending items. The proposal is $21.4 million less than Gov. Baker's original proposal in January.

Furthering the Senate’s continued commitment to support working families and those in need, the Senate’s proposed supplemental budget eliminates the so-called “Cap on Kids” and includes $30 million for the Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program, among other considerations.

MassLive, March 14: House bill on kids passes

“This supplemental budget takes vital steps to provide important protections for our children and families, low-income residents, and sexual assault survivors,” Friedman, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said in a March 8 news release. “I want to thank Chairman Rodrigues for pushing this supplemental budget forward in a fiscally responsible manner while upholding our values in the Senate to ensure that every family has equitable access to critical benefits and resources.”

Invests in food security, education, body cameras

Friedman

Rogers

The state Legislature recently passed a bill authorizing as much as $1.8 billion in spending for the improvement of information-technology equipment and other capital projects in Massachusetts. The legislation also authorizes funding for food security, law enforcement body cameras and investments in educational technologies in Massachusetts schools. Gov. Baker has signed the measure into law.

“This IT bond bill will allow us to find new ways to invest in underserved communities across the Commonwealth, especially as we continue to confront the Covid-19 pandemic,” Sen. Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) said in an Aug. 21 news release.  “I’m particularly thrilled that this law authorizes funds I fought for to automate and expedite the sealing of criminal records, which is just one example of how our system can do a better job to remove the stigma of having a criminal record for individuals who are trying to move forward with their lives. Now more than ever, we should be investing in the things that strengthen our communities, support our most vulnerable residents and help people restart their lives rather than penalize them for life.”