January Newsletter
- Feb 2
- 5 min read
State Senator John F. Keenan
Abington, Braintree, Hanover, Holbrook, Quincy, & Rockland
January Newsletter
The new year saw the start of the second half of the 2025-2026 legislative session, and featured several interesting and outstanding district events. Read the newsletter in its original form here.
In the Chamber
I look forward to another year of making meaningful progress in improving the quality of life
in the Commonwealth and appreciate the privilege of public service.
The Senate considered a handful of bills on January 15 related to property taxes, a vital issue given the affordability challenges that confront our Commonwealth and country. I supported bills that would improve the veteran property tax work off program, update the senior property tax deferral option, and create a local option means tested senior property tax exemption. I voted against two bills that were broader in scope S.2899 and S.2900 because I do believe enough study had been done to determine how the tax classification, exceptions, and credits in these bills interact with other proposals and existing laws.
The Senate also passed S.2898, An Act improving campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees, which would require ballot question campaigns to report to the public the sources of funding for and the expenditures on their campaigns just as candidates for elected office do. Voters have a right to know who is backing and supporting ballot questions, which could help voters make informed decisions when they vote. I had helped move this bill from the Joint Committee on Elections Laws, of which I serve as Senate Chair, to the full Senate.
On January 29, the Senate unanimously passed S.2924, An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy. This bill would ensure that every Massachusetts student from kindergarten to third grade learn to read using phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonemic awareness—practices that data show best promote lifetime learning. The legislation ensures parents and schools work together and requires twice-yearly assessments to gauge reading progress and to screen for dyslexia. Of the fifty amendments filed to this bill, the Senate adopted only six, including one I offered entitled Ensuring Districts Use DESE Guidelines for Screening for Neurological Learning Disabilities. I will urge the Senate conferees working with their House counterparts to reconcile the two different versions of this bill to include this provision in the final conference report.
That same day, the Senate passed S.2132 designating January 30 of each year as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution, reaffirming the Commonwealth’s commitment to protecting constitutional freedoms. The bill recognizes the life and legacy of civil rights leader Korematsu, a second-generation Japanese-American who courageously challenged the federal government’s decision to incarcerate Japanese Americans during World War II and who was wrongfully convicted by the United States Supreme Court.
Welcome, Ellie
In December, our office welcomed Elizabeth “Ellie” Duffin, the newest addition to the team.
A recent graduate of Saint Anselm College, Ellie brings a strong background in civic engagement and public service to the legislative aide position. As a lifelong resident of Braintree, she has appreciated the chance to learn more about and connect with neighboring communities. In her new role, she assists with scheduling, constituent services, and manages the intern program. So far, she has especially enjoyed connecting individuals and organizations with the office.
In the District
While holding public office is interesting and challenging, and helping others is satisfying, public service can at times be difficult. So, I congratulate the councilors sworn in at ceremonies in Quincy and Braintree, wish them well, and thank them for their willingness to serve.
I visited with the Cardinal Cushing Center’s staff in Hanover. The centers are a set of education and support facilities for developmentally and intellectually challenged adults and children. The compassion, dedication, and sense of community radiate throughout the campus. I am grateful for all that the employees do to empower and enrich lives every day.
I attended the grand opening of the Trinity Wellness facility in Braintree with other elected officials from Quincy, Braintree, and Weymouth. Trinity Wellness provides therapy services that focus on holistic mental health and healing rather than surface-level symptom management.
Visiting Granite Academy and meeting with student government members has always inspired me. On my recent visit I met with the student council and discussed my time in student government and my subsequent public service career. I look forward to seeing the next generation of leaders who will emerge from this passionate, engaged student body.
The 3M factory in Rockland is part of a national company that matches high tech with the
skills of local workers. I thoroughly enjoyed the facility tour, the chance to talk with employees, and the opportunity to learn about 3M production methods. 3M adhesives are truly everywhere: workers say one is never more than 10 feet away from a 3M product! I am grateful to have an industry leader like 3M in the district.
I visited Cape Cod Lumber Company, Inc. in Abington to present its team with an award for Outstanding Leadership in the Manufacturing Industry. As a 100% employee-owned company, Cape Cod Lumber focuses on customers, quality products, and worker satisfaction and development, qualities that have resulted in a track record of success for more than 65 years. It is great to see a local company competing with industry giants.
Braintree held a wonderful celebration recognizing the achievements of those honored at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony. I joined Town of Braintree Mayor Erin Joyce, State Senator Bill Driscoll Jr., State Representative Mark Cusack, Braintree Town Council members Boericke, Morin, Reynolds, Daiute, and Sterling, and Clerk of Courts Walter Timilty in recognizing this year’s honorees: Bruce & Ann Monaghan (Family of the Year), Patrick Leonard (Patriot of the Year), Kara Kelley (Person of the Year), and Barbara Sullivan (Person of the Year). Many thanks for all that they do every day to make Braintree fulfill MLK’s vision of a “beloved community.”
At its celebration of Dr. King, the City of Quincy hosted an inspiring and insightful breakfast with guest speaker Brig. Gen. Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse, who reminded us that doing right is always right. Gen. Woodhouse truly exemplifies the values of courage, bravery, and equality that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. championed.
My staff and I spent a morning at Interfaith Social Services in Quincy working in the foodbank. We helped provide 84 households with needed groceries. Everyone gets bags of fresh produce, meats and fish, milk, eggs, pasta, rice, snacks, and canned goods. We also helped sort food donated from local grocery store partners, which give Interfaith Social Services food that would have otherwise gone to waste. In addition to being surrounded and encouraged by such kind, generous volunteers, we had a blast! Anyone who would like to volunteer should visit interfaithsocialservices.org/volunteer.
I ended the month at the 15th Annual Chili Bowl, where I tried nine different chilies, which got me excited for the Super Bowl this weekend. Go Pats!
March Office Hours
I will host office hours across the district this March. Come by with questions, comments, or just to chat about state issues.
New Life
While my work in the State Senate has always been extremely important to me, nothing has been more important than my family. My wife Jeanne and I are thrilled that our family grew by one this January as we welcomed our first grandchild, a beautiful baby girl. Wishing you all joy and warmth.
