Ending abuse of captive performing wild animals
How long does it take to end animal cruelty in Massachusetts? The MA House Committee on Ways and Means is currently considering a bill that has been on the docket in various forms for 20 years:
An Act Relative To The Use Of Elephants, Big Cats, Primates, Giraffes, And Bears in Traveling Exhibits And Shows (H. 3245). This is the year that it should be passed into law.
Banning wild animal acts is popular statewide, particularly after the tragic deaths of two beloved elephants, Karen and Beulah, who for decades had performed and given rides at venues like The Big E Fair in West Springfield, MA. Both elephants died in 2019 after years of documented abuse and negligence—over 50 USDA violations of the Animal Welfare Act—by their owners at the R. W. Commerford Traveling Zoo in Connecticut.
Fifteen municipalities across the Commonwealth have proactively banned the use of exotic animals in traveling shows, most recently Brookline, as have eight other states. These actions have been taken to curtail animal abuse, a defining characteristic of the “animal entertainment industry.” It is time for Massachusetts to pass a statewide ban as well.
We ask that readers please contact their state legislators and respectfully ask them to support H.3245. This bill has bipartisan support and passage of this long-overdue animal rights protection will ensure that no performing wild animal will suffer or die here ever again.
— Sally Owen Massachusetts for Elephants easily. She persisted, and attended the DTC meeting anyway, and she secured enough votes to be sent to the Worcester Democratic State Convention this June. In the meantime (mean time), the Super Tuesday primaries democratic ballot missed her name, but she got enough write-ins. Perhaps the committee should be renamed Billerica Undemocratic Town Committee (BUTC).
I’m voting for Dina, looking forward to Favreau replacing Deslaurier, for a truly democratic Democrat on a Select Board that will not be easily swayed by a Town Counsel legal advice to go to court on a whim, only to burden taxpayers with avoidable legal bills. May the Selectmen and women find common ground and work together rather than against each other. Dina, please end the embarrassing see-saw power-game.
— Marlies Henderson
North Billerica
HUD program is ‘milestone’ for affordable housing
I was thrilled at last week’s release of the PRICE, Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) details. It’s a significant step toward addressing the manufactured housing needs nationally and here in Massachusetts, where there are 259 manufactured home communities (MHCS).
One of those is Meadowbrook HOA, Inc., where I’ve lived for 31 years. It’s a safe, thriving community to live in and since the homeowners here purchased the community in 2018, we’ve stabilized our rent and begun making improvements throughout the neighborhood.
This new HUD program is a crucial milestone in preserving the availability of affordable housing. I sincerely thank the members of our Congressional delegation who have demonstrated their commitment by signing on to legislation (S.3264 and H.R. 6321) that would permanently authorize the PRICE fund. Their dedication to finding lasting solutions in this severe housing crisis deserves recognition and gratitude.
But we need everyone in the Delegation to support us, and I call on Senators Markey and Warren and Representative Trahan to co-sponsor the legislation as well. Our region’s economic vitality depends on ensuring that everyone can secure a decent place to live.
The PRICE fund holds immense promise. But as of today, it’s a one-time appropriation. It’s crucial for every member of our Delegation to support and endorse the legislation that makes PRICE permanent.
— Ann Marie Lopez President, Meadowbrook HOA
Hudson, MA
Budget cuts to benefits for elderly, disabled children
I am a senior social work student at Bridgewater State University. As a social work student, I have learned about the social welfare programs that exist to help families in Massachusetts. Recently, Governor Maura Healy has made budget cuts to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget that will prevent an increase in benefits to low-income families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. When FY2024 began, the Massachusetts state budget would allow for a 10% increase in cash benefits to families in the Transitional Aid for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly and Disabled Children (EAEDC) programs.
This 10% increase in cash benefits was set to go into effect on April 1st, 2024. There are approximately 43,000 families and 29,000 older adults and people with disabilities receiving TAFDC and EAEDC benefits each month in Massachusetts. In a report released by the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, Governor Healy and her staff have cut approximately $17.5M from the TAFDC and the EAEDC FY2024 budget. The reasoning for these budget cuts given by Governor Healy and her staff was that there was not enough tax revenue made by the state to support the increase in cash benefits.
People who receive benefits from TAFDC and EAEDC can no longer anticipate an increase in their monthly benefits.
Although Massachusetts has not made enough money to support certain budgets set, critics and coalitions that support child and family welfare have spoken out against Governor Healy’s decision to cut funding to programs that will only improve the well-being of those who are struggling to survive in today’s economy.
People who receive benefits from TAFDC and EAEDC have set long-term financial goals through the program to lift themselves out of deep poverty.
An increase in their monthly benefits could help them achieve these goals at a quicker rate, which helps improve the quality of life for families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Poverty is something that can affect all families, and these social welfare programs can help when outside resources are needed to help an individual or family thrive.
Why should we be taking money away from programs that are helping people meet their basic needs?
— Genesis Guerrero
Bedford, MA