Sen. Spilka New Senate Majority Whip

Spilka: “I look forward to taking on this new role as Majority Whip and remain steadfast in my commitment to being a responsible steward for the taxpayers and an advocate for working families across the Commonwealth."

Thursday, Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) advanced Sen. Karen Spilka who represents Framingham, to serve as Majority Whip of the Massachusetts Senate. Previously, Spilka served as Assistant Majority Whip. “It is an honor to once again be appointed by Senate President Murray to serve as a member of her leadership team,” Spilka said in a press release. “I look forward to taking on this new role as Majority Whip and remain steadfast in my commitment to being a responsible steward for the taxpayers and an advocate for working families across the Commonwealth. I am eager to work with my colleagues on continuing our efforts to bring about necessary reform, promote job growth and economic development, and support the important …

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Legislators Serve Soup, Dinner at Downtown Cafe

Sen. Karen Spilka, Sen. James Eldridge, Rep. Chris Walsh and Rep. Tom Sannicandro put on an apron and lent a hand serving hungry families and individuals at the Pearl Street Cupboard & Café Tuesday night.

MetroWest state senators and representatives spent an hour serving up chicken noodle soup and chicken parm Tuesday night.  Sen. Karen Spilka, Sen. James Eldridge, Rep. Chris Walsh and Rep. Tom Sannicandro put on an apron and lent a hand serving hungry families and individuals at the Pearl Street Cupboard & Café in downtown Framingham Tuesday night, Jan. 15. Spilka, Walsh and Sannicandro all represent Framingham. Besides serving food the legislative delegation spent time listening to the problems of those suffering from food insecurity and lending an ear to those in need. "We are delighted that our local elected officials are helping shine some light on our Pearl Street Cupboard & Café. The number of those in need of food has increased by …

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GALLERY: Turkey, Hydroponics on Farm Tour

Yesterday Rep. Dykema and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard K. Sullivan Jr. toured several of the areas farms.

The sun wasn't shining, but that didn't stop the 8th Middlesex District Farm Tour from happening. Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, was joined by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard K. Sullivan Jr. at several local farms including Out Post Farm in Holliston and Water Fresh Farm in Hopkinton. They were joined by selectmen in each town as well as Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and Rep. Chris Walsh, D-Framingham.

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Backpack Donations Help Local School Children

Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, stopped by Project Just Because today to help with local fundraising.

The school year may have already started, but at Project Just Because there is always a need for school donations. Today Sen. Spilka stopped in to drop off a donation of backpacks and school supplies from Office Depot.  "I know the work that Project Just Because does, and I know that many families and kids will benefit from this," Spilka said. According to Cherlyann Lambert Walsh, President and Founder of PJB, backpacks are given to nearly 2,000 MetroWest students annually. "The need for these is year round," she said. "In January we need a lot of binders for the high school students who are taking new classes."

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Sen. Spilka Named Legislator of Year by Biotech Organization

Spilka was recognized for her dedicated work to advance the biotechnology industry, her support of the issues important to the industry and her efforts to attract and retain life science companies in Massachusetts

Yesterday, June 18 State Sen. Karen Spilka was recognized by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) as one of its state legislators of the year at the 2012 BIO International Convention at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.  The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and local life science leaders nominated Spilka for the award and she was selected as a recipient by a vote of organization's state government relations committee. Spilka, who serves as the Senate Chair of the BioTech Legislative Caucus, was recognized for her dedicated work to advance the biotechnology industry, her support of the issues important to the industry and her efforts to attract and retain life science companies in Massachusetts. Spilka's district …

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Sen. Spilka Named Legislator of Year by Biotech industry Organization

Spilka was recognized for her dedicated work to advance the biotechnology industry, her support of the issues important to the industry and her efforts to attract and retain life science companies in Massachusetts

Yesterday, June 18 State Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) was recognized by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) as one of its state legislators of the year at the 2012 BIO International Convention at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and local life science leaders nominated Spilka for the award and she was selected as a recipient by a vote of organization's state government relations committee. Spilka, who serves as the Senate Chair of the BioTech Legislative Caucus, was recognized for her dedicated work to advance the biotechnology industry, her support of the issues important to the industry and her efforts to attract and retain life science companies in Massachusetts. Spilka's …

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Foreclosure Bill Passes Senate, Goal to Expand Loan Modifications

Sen. Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) recently announced he voted in favor on a Senate bill sponsored by Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), to expand loan modification requirements in foreclosures.

Editor's Note: the following is a press release from the office of state Sen. Richard T. Moore regarding Senate passage of a bill to prevent foreclosures. In their latest effort to establish greater protections for homeowners, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his Senate colleagues, passed legislation preventing unnecessary and unlawful foreclosures, reducing the number of abandoned properties across the Commonwealth and helping to remove one of the biggest remaining barriers to our ongoing economic recovery. “The foreclosure crisis is a component of our economic volatility,” said Moore. “While the issues spawning from this unfortunate period in our recent history must be addressed across all levels and branches of government, I am …

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Berry Bon Bon Offers DIY Frozen Yogurt

Opening its doors in recent weeks, Berry Bon Bon offers custom frozen yogurt creations.

You don't order your frozen yogurt from a counter at Berry Bon Bon, in fact you don't even need to talk to an employee until your custom frozen creation is ready to eat.   Customers serve themselves at the the Washington Street store, choosing from ten flavors of frozen yogurt, and combining them with a variety of candy and fruit toppings. "They get to mix the flavors and the toppings and they get to make exactly what they want," owner Daniel Weiner said.  The concept was inspired by a trip Weiner took to upstate New York where he saw self-serve frozen yogurt for the first time.  "My wife and I looked at each other and we said 'there is nothing like this back home,'" Weiner said.  At 71, Weiner and his wife are starting Berry Bon Bon at …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Feb. 27

Both Karen Spilka and Carolyn Dykema will be in town today. Find out where by reading our five things.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. If you want to talk to Rep. Carolyn Dykema about the potential for a casino in Milford or anything else, stop by the library tonight at 5:30 to visit during her office hours. 4. If you're worried about your child texting and driving make sure they're at school today. Juniors and Seniors will be seeing a presentation by Sen. Karen Spilka and an executive from AT&T about the dangers of texting and driving as well as information about the laws sorounding distracted driving. 3. Did you know that today we start our “Best of” series? Click here to have your voice heard in…

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