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Jo Comerford

@jocomerford.bsky.social
872 followers 150 following 254 posts

Massachusetts State Senator fighting for the people of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district. linktr.ee/jocomerfordma; senatorjocomerford.org

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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education has opened applications for Tomorrow's Teachers Scholarship program. Tomorrow’s Teachers supports students studying at Commonwealth public colleges and universities by providing scholarships of up to $25,000 per year toward their education.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Over $17 million in grant funding is on its way to 17 municipalities and 8 organizations across the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district through the Community One Stop grant program. Very grateful to a broad range of agencies and legislative colleagues who made this possible.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Check out our team's latest newsletter. It's packed with news, information, and ways to take action: conta.cc/4ADXXqV Sign up to get it directly: bit.ly/4pSCcgj
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Thank you to the Connecticut River Conservancy for another Source to Sea Clean Up. Hundreds of volunteers in the watershed turned out. Glad to be among them in Greenfield on the Green River.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
September 16 was an exciting day in Athol! I joined HHS Sec. Kiame Mahaniah, Ed Sec. Stephen Zrike, Rep. Whipps, and teams from Heywood Hospital at the Athol Community Elementary and Middle Schools to discuss school-based medical and behavioral health services and family-centered care.
State Senator Jo Comerford leaning in to speak with Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah in a dark jacket and light pants. She is next to Education Secretary Stephen Zrike, who has his back to the camera in a dark colored suit. There are other people in the background. Several officials are standing in front of the Athol Community Elementary School building for a photo. Education Secretary Stephen Zrike is speaking to a group of people in a room. He is wearing a dark navy suit, red tie, and a light blue shirt. He is gesturing to the group. On the left-hand side of him stand Senator Jo Comerford in a grey sweater and black pants.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Looking forward to a community conversation happening this week in Orange, hosted by Indivisible North Quabbin. Hope to see you there!
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Democracy works, when we work together. Join me at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity for an important conversation on September 16th at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, but registration is strongly encouraged: bombyx.live/events/democ... Hope you can join for the conversation!
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Let's hear it for affordable HOUSING — Housing that makes it possible for seniors to age in place with dignity, for young families to put down roots, and for students to live, learn, and build their futures without being priced out.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Sign up for remote office hours happening Thursday, September 10, via Zoom with Constituent Services Director Jessie Cooley. Register for a slot here: calendly.com/jessie-coole... If the available appointments don't work for you, please contact Jessie directly: jessie.cooley@masenate.gov
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
In this video, I ask a few of my most fervent commenters: * How did you know I was a lesbian? * Is it "loser" or "looser"? * And...how do you pronounce "twatwaffle"? And finally, how can we find a way forward, together?
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Important from Brooke Hauser @ @bostonglobe.com re the Quabbin: www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/31/s...
bostonglobe.com
The Quabbin has long quenched Boston’s thirst. Now its towns are struggling and asking anyone who drinks water to help. - The Boston Globe
The Quabbin Reservoir supplies drinking water to 2.5 million people who mostly live in Greater Boston, but not a drop to those who live beside it.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This about sums it up.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This summer, MA leapt forward for children and families across the Commonwealth with the most significant update to the child welfare system in decades.
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Reposted by Jo Comerford
Jarch @itsokihaveabook.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
"The uncomfortable truth for MWRA is that residents and businesses in the Quabbin towns have been subsidizing the true cost of Quabbin water for the past 88 years."
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Mic drop: www.masslive.com/opinion/2026...
masslive.com
Quabbin towns keep getting raw deal from MWRA | Matteo Pangallo
The uncomfortable truth for MWRA is that residents and businesses in the Quabbin towns have been subsidizing the true cost of Quabbin water for the past 88 years.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
In Massachusetts, we believe that medical decisions belong to patients and their doctors, not to politicians. That's why the Senate passed legislation to strengthen abortion protections (Senators and lead advocates are pictured below), which Governor Healey recently signed into law.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
On July 16, the MA Senate adjourned in memory of acclaimed author & Hatfield resident Jane Yolen. Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa and I read an adjournment during formal session, joined by Yolen’s daughter Heidi E. Y. Stemple and her partner Dennis Wehrly. May Jane's memory forever be a blessing.
senatorjocomerford.org
Honoring the life and work of Jane Yolen
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Conference committees are hard at work hashing out major bills. Take a look at my latest update on what’s moving and what’s next: senatorjocomerford.org/a-conference...
senatorjocomerford.org
A Conference Committee Update
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Check out our team's latest newsletter. It's packed with news, information, and ways to take action: conta.cc/4wgmFua Sign up to get it directly: bit.ly/4pSCcgj
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Powerful via @cwbeacon.bsky.social featuring a range of Quabbin Watershed community representatives. The MWRA wants readers to believe that the only tradeoff for Quabbin equity is to burden low income towns to the east. That's a real stretch of the facts. commonwealthbeacon.org/environment/...
commonwealthbeacon.org
‘It’s like the Hunger Games’: Quabbin Reservoir towns take funding fight to Beacon Hill amid extended drought
A perfect storm of long-held resentments, the well-known story of the financial crunch squeezing small towns across the state, and an act of blameless chance — weather — is raising the stakes and stok...
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
On 7/31, the MA State Senate became the 9th state leg. body in U.S. to pass a Res. to support the treaty on the prohibition of nuc. weapons, days before the 81st Annivs. of U.S. bombings of #Hiroshima + #Nagasaki. H/t @repmcgovern.bsky.social @markey.senate.gov.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Important via @bostonglobe.com re a call to action to ban Native athletic mascots issued by 8 MA Tribal Nations: www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/31/m...
bostonglobe.com
Governor Healey urged to push for ban of Native American sport mascots in Massachusetts schools - The Boston Globe
About 25 communities in Massachusetts still have Native American sports mascots at their public schools, according to a state steering committee.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
This summer, my team and I worked with a superstar team of interns and fellows. From left to right: Cat Hackett (Northeastern University School of Law), Rebecca Steere (UMass Amherst), Will Hood (UMass Amherst), Isabella Ervin (UMass Amherst), and Jonathan Parker-Yourga (Georgetown University).
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
A must-read from Dr. Matteo Pangallo on regional equity for Quabbin Watershed Stewards: commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/town... H/t @cwbeacon.bsky.social @massgovernor.bsky.social @kimdriscollma.bsky.social
commonwealthbeacon.org
Towns surrounding the Quabbin Reservoir protect the water for 2.7 million people in Eastern Mass. They're getting financially starved in the process.
The state’s payments in lieu of taxes system treats Quabbin land as nearly worthless. In reality, it's the most valuable land in Massachusetts: Without it, more than 2.7 million people across Eastern ...
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Fun fact making the rounds at the State House today: Massachusetts grows peaches, and watermelon can be yellow! Our district interns Will, Isabella & Jonathan joined State House interns Rebecca & Cat to share western Mass produce (Red Fire Farm, Clarkdale Fruit Farms) & UMass Amherst cookies. 🍑🍉
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Looking for more information on the Senate's economic development proposal that passed last week? Check out my most recent blog post: senatorjocomerford.org/not-a-laughi...
senatorjocomerford.org
Not a laughing matter
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
My response to Boston Public Radio hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan re: their coverage of my amendment to the Senate's economic development proposal to expand agritourism in MA. I hope they accept my invitation to spend a day on farms in our district! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch_Q...
youtube.com
Sen. Comerford responds to Boston Public Radio on agritourism
YouTube video by Jo Comerford
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Reposted by Jo Comerford
Environmental League of Massachusetts @enviroleaguema.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The ELM Action Fund endorses @jocomerford.bsky.social for State Senator! As Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means, she has been a leading advocate for investments in #CleanEnergy. She consistently champions #BuildingDecarbonization #LandProtection & #Solar senatorjocomerford.org
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
1/ What a day. Glad to join @massgovernor.bsky.social yesterday at the ceremonial signing of the Blue Envelopes Program into law. Years of advocacy behind this moment. 🧵👇
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
For too long, the communities that protect eastern Mass’ water have been asked to go without. When MWRA came to the Quabbin, they heard it clearly: a region sending 180M+ gallons daily cannot remain under-resourced. Quabbin communities are done being an afterthought. More: linktr.ee/jocomerfordma
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Check out our team's latest newsletter. It's packed with news, information, and ways to take action: conta.cc/3QYBVNH Sign up to get it directly: bit.ly/4pSCcgj
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
THRILLED to see Northampton Public Schools win the 2026 "Terrific Tray of the Year"!
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Check out our team's latest newsletter. It's packed with news, information, and ways to take action: conta.cc/43bRhRt Sign up to get it directly: bit.ly/4pSCcgj
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE. 🏳️‍🌈❤️🌈❤️ Yesterday, we raised a rainbow flag at the Massachusetts State House for LGBTQ #Pride Month — a powerful reminder that Massachusetts is united in protecting civil rights and liberties for all.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
❤️ 🍎 Big love to educators during #TeacherAppreciationWeek. The MA Senate's FY27 budget proposal prioritizes education, matching our values with proposed budget appropriations.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
What I ❤️ about organizing to bring back/expand Northern Tier Rail / the Fitchburg line are the skilled people raising their voices in unison to support. S/o to Alex Barber for this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyD6... @massgovernor.bsky.social @kimdriscollma.bsky.social @massdot.bsky.social
youtube.com
Boston & Western Mass – A Great Divide
YouTube video by Trolley Problems
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Love and cheers for our team's Chief of Staff, Jared Freedman, who ran an (astonishing) average 6.26 min. mile for 26.2 of them during today's Boston Marathon. We love you, Jared! TY Katelyn Billings for the great picture!
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Healey Driscoll Administration officials were out in force across the region on 413 Day. I joined 4 meaningful stops in Pelham, Erving, Northampton, and Gill to celebrate wins on housing, micro transit, and regional equity. TY @kimdriscollma.bsky.social @massdot.bsky.social and more
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Join Rep. @mindydomb.bsky.social + me for a community meeting on Eversource's WT-11 Transmission Right-of-Way Reliability Program Project at the Amherst Town Hall next on4/14 @ 6:00 p.m. Livestreamed: amherstma.zoom.us/j/82928590640 Questions may be submitted in advance: forms.gle/oLhtNo74WkiJ...
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
#Trump boasts about committing war crimes with comments so vile, the current public discourse begins with people acknowledging that they have fact checked the post: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/05/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Revels in Threats to Commit War Crimes in Iran
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Please share far and wide >>> www.ruralschoolsma.org Spend 3.5 minutes listening to students, faculty, staff, administrators, local officials, and community members talk about the need for education funding and policy reform. Momentum is building for real and lasting change.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Ag Day at the State House and the MA Farm Bureau's annual meeting. Let’s keep showing up for the people who keep us fed and keep natural lands open and working for us all.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
The human tragedy of the Iran war increases every single hour. So does the economic tragedy. Trump wants $1.5T for war. Here are 11 programs that cost $1.5T, courtesy of @nationalpriorities.bsky.social: www.nationalpriorities.org/blog/2026/01...
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
In Deerfield @ Frontier Regional, students + community members sent an SOS signal to the Legislature + @massgovernor.bsky.social + LG @kimdriscollma.bsky.social . MA communities are sounding the alarm about the fiscal crisis of RURAL + DECLINING ENROLLMENT schools. www.ruralschoolsma.org
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
🔊 Across MA, communities are sounding the alarm about the fiscal crisis of RURAL and DECLINING ENROLLMENT schools. In Shutesbury, much of the community turned out to circle the elementary school threatened with closure. They need our help. @massgovernor.bsky.social @kimdriscollma.bsky.social
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Check out our team's latest newsletter. It's packed with news, information, and ways to take action: conta.cc/4chP0Ki Sign up to get it directly: bit.ly/4pSCcgj
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Terrific piece about a tax credit for famers who donate fresh produce to help fight food insecurity: recorder.com/2026/02/20/f... It's a win for famers, a way to battle food insecurity and diet-related diseases, and a way to tackle food waste. H/t Paul Franz for the photo
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
@bostonglobe.com editorializes in favor of a statewide water plan: www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/19/o...
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
The Boston Globe editorialized in favor of righting blistering historic wrongs when it comes to PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) in the Commonwealth: lnkd.in/ep4EC-Gs.
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Jo Comerford @jocomerford.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Catch the latest episode of Cup o' Jo: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gHh... Grateful to be joined by Sasha Goodfriend @ Mass NOW for a convo about advancing menstrual equity Join Sasha on 2/26 @ the State House for the 2026 Menstrual Equity Advocacy Day. More: www.massnow.org/events/advoc...
youtube.com
Cup o' Jo with Sen. Jo Comerford and Sasha Goodfriend from Mass NOW on menstrual equity in MA
YouTube video by Jo Comerford
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