MMA to honor legislators during Connect 351

During its Connect 351 conference this month, the MMA will be recognizing six legislators for their dedicated work to empower and support Massachusetts cities and towns.

At a Friday dinner reception on Jan. 24, the MMA will present Legislator of the Year Awards to Sen. Michael Rodrigues and Rep. Aaron Michlewitz.

As chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means, respectively, Rodrigues and Michlewitz crafted a fiscal 2025 state budget with important investments in cities and towns, including increases in Unrestricted General Government Aid, direct supplemental funding for local roads and bridges, and a minimum Chapter 70 aid increase of $104 per student — all top MMA priorities. Both legislators also finalized a sweeping economic development package, which included essential funding for municipal infrastructure as well as policy reforms in civil service, among other issues.

Rodrigues, of Westport, represents the First Bristol and Plymouth district in the Senate. Michlewitz, of Boston, represents the Third Suffolk district in the House.

Also at the Friday dinner, the MMA will be presenting Municipal Advocate Awards to Sen. Jo Comerford, Rep. Natalie Blais, Sen. Michael Brady, and Rep. Ken Gordon.

Comerford and Blais introduced a bill to establish a permanent disaster relief fund for the Commonwealth, an initiative that was included in the fiscal 2025 state budget. The result is that funding will be more readily available to assist municipalities and residents that are impacted by extreme weather events, which are becoming more severe due to climate change.

Comerford, of Northampton, represents the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District in the Senate. Blais, of Deerfield, represents the First Franklin district in the House.

Over the past several years, Brady and Gordon led a comprehensive effort to examine and reform the Civil Service system in Massachusetts. Partnering with a large group of stakeholders, including the MMA, they led the effort to identify potential reforms to modernize the Civil Service system, including reducing unnecessarily long onboarding timelines, providing needed flexibility for hiring, and using attributes outside of taking a test. Their recommendations made it into the economic development package that was signed into law in November.

Brady, of Brockton, represents the Second Plymouth and Norfolk district in the Senate. Gordon, of Bedford, represents the 21st Middlesex district in the House.

The Connect 351 Friday dinner will be held at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Connect 351 attendees may register for the Friday dinner when they register for the conference.

All conference details are available at Connect351.org, or email connect351@mma.org with questions or for registration assistance.