Representative LaNatra Supports Strong Investments into Local and State Transportation Infrastructure
BOSTON – Representative Kathleen LaNatra joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing a bill that authorizes $4.58 billion in bonding for an expanded Chapter 90 Program and transportation programs to address regional needs, as well as the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure. The Chapter 90 Program provides municipalities with a funding source for transportation-related improvements, including road and bridge repairs. Similar to last year, the bill includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program. Within the $4.58 billion is the reauthorization of $3.18 billion in funding for several popular and well utilized programs included in the 2022 transportation bond bill, including the Municipal Pavement Program and Shared Streets. The bill also includes $1.1 billion in funding for several important programs to better prepare the Commonwealth to achieve its long-term transportation goals.
“Ensuring our roadways, bridges and other transportation infrastructure is maintained and improved upon is critical to our growth and strength as a Commonwealth. This legislation makes strong investments in municipalities roadway maintenance, while also making long-term investments in roadway, highway and other transportation improvements,” said State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “Thank you to Speaker Mariano as well Chairs Michlewitz, Arciero and Finn for their leadership and forward-thinking approach to the Commonwealth’s transportation needs.”
The legislation authorizes $300 million in bonding for the Chapter 90 Program and additional programs.
The one-year authorization in Chapter 90 Program funding includes:
$200 million will be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula.
$100 million will be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.
These authorizations will be distributed to municipalities across the Commonwealth to help fund maintenance and upkeep of local roads and bridges. The 6 communities within the 12th Plymouth district are set to receive the following amounts, totaling over $6 million in funding for the 12th Plymouth district:
Plymouth: $2,385,497.07
Kingston: $641,287.36
Halifax: $433,645.48
Plympton: $281,033.32
Pembroke: $867,555.10
Middleborough: $1,409,920.92
Additional programs to support various transportation-related projects, totaling $1.1 billion include:
$500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program (LAMP) which aids non-federally funded roads and targets the pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition in the Commonwealth.
$200 million for capital projects to support housing development, including stormwater management, culverts, and bike and pedestrian improvements.
$200 million for a new accelerated deferred maintenance and modernization program for infrastructure under the care and control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
$200 million for the MBTA for the procurement of electrically powered locomotives.
The legislation also reauthorizes $3.18 billion in funding for several programs included in the 2022 Transportation Bond Bill such as:
$2.3 billion for projects on interstates and other federally aided highways.
$800 million for improvements to non-federally aided roadways and bridges.
$65 million for the Municipal Pavement Program for engineering, permitting, design, and climate change adaptation on municipal ways.
$12 million for grants for the Shared Streets Program for improvements and projects to municipal streets to create additional capacity for pedestrians and cyclists.
Having passed the House of Representatives 155-0, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Representative LaNatra secures over $200k in Local Funding in the Fair Share Supplemental Budget passed by the House of Representatives
BOSTON – Thursday, March 19, 2026 – Representative LaNatra today announced over $200,000 in local funding to support critical school and transportation needs within the six communities Representative LaNatra serves. The earmarks will go toward supporting road improvement projects, school improvement projects, school safety and offsetting rising special education costs.
The funding comes from a $1.8 billion supplemental budget that passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The bill leverages mostly Fair Share surtax surplus funds and invests $885 million in public transportation and $417 million in public education, and funds several Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) deficiencies. The bill passed today also includes the tax conformity legislation filed by Governor Healey that delays the state’s alignment with the corporate tax changes passed by Congress in the OB3 Act last year.
“Since its passage by voters in 2022, the Fair Share surtax has continued to fund critical education and transportation needs across our state and has delivered thousands in additional funding to the communities I am proud to serve,” said State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston). “The investments made by the House yesterday build on the progress we have made toward strengthening our education and transportation systems, both vital building blocks toward a stronger economy, stronger communities and a stronger Commonwealth. Thank you to Speaker Mariano and Chairman Michlewitz for their leadership on this bill, their forward-thinking and their investment into the 12th Plymouth district.”
The bill includes $215,000 in local funding to the 12th Plymouth district through 6 earmarks. These include:
$50,000 for final engineering and design costs for roadway improvement projects in Kingston at the intersection of Route 3 and Route 3A
$15,000 for roof repairs at Dennett Elementary School in the Town of Plympton
$50,000 for HVAC repairs and replacements at school buildings in the Town of Pembroke
$50,000 for the Town of Halifax to offset special education costs
$25,000 for Plymouth public schools to purchase and install security cameras and related equipment
$25,000 for the Plymouth public schools to purchase and install safety bollards
The bill delays conforming to the federal corporate tax changes that were passed by Congress in the OB3 Act last year, which will represent approximately a $400 million revenue loss for the Commonwealth when fully implemented. Under the bill, the Research and Experimental expense deduction will be delayed one year, the deductions for the Modification of Business Interest, Depreciable Asset Expensing, Qualified Production Properties will be delayed two years, and the Modification of Qualified Opportunity Zone Investments program will also be delayed two years. However, should the ballot question to lower the state income tax from 5 percent to 4 percent pass in November, which would result in a $5 billion revenue loss when fully implemented, the Commonwealth would permanently decouple from these tax credits, preventing them from going into effect.
The $1.8 billion bill is funded in part by $1.3 billion from excess Fair Share surtax funds to invest in public transportation and education. The bill invests $740 million in the MBTA, including in the Deficiency Reserve, workforce and safety, phsycial infrastructure, and low-income reduced fairs to increase access. The bill also invests funds into critical local transportation needs, including $50 million to help localities recover from the costs of snow and ice removal from the last storm, as well as $25 million into Regional Transit Authorities workforce, which are critical resources to those in the 12th Plymouth district.
In education, the supplemental budget invests over $400 million into areas such as special education circuit breaker costs, a vitally important resource to towns facing exponentially rising special education costs in their local budgets. The bill also provides over $180 million in investments into the Commonwealth’s early education and child care system, including workforce development and access for low-income families. In higher education, the bill provides $20 million endowment math for UMass and other state universities and colleges.
Other investments outside of the Fair Share surtax supplemental funds include $300 million for the GIC, to help insurance costs for the thousands of state workers, over $50 million to support the County Sheriff’s budget deficiencies and $41 million for DTA caseworkers to help more efficiently and acccurately process SNAP benefits.
The bill passed the House of Representatives 150-3 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Representative LaNatra supports Energy Affordability Legislation to Bring Relief to Ratepayers
BOSTON – Thursday, February 26, 2026 – The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed energy affordability legislation that would result in over $9 billion in savings for utility ratepayers over the next 10 years. The bill makes a one-time funding reduction to the Mass Save program, diverts environmental compliance payments from electricity suppliers back to residents, and positions Massachusetts to further diversify and modernize its energy grid.
“Throughout this bitterly cold winter, I’ve heard from so many families across our district who are feeling the real pressure of rising energy costs. No one should be left wondering how they’re going to cover yet another increase in their utility bill,” said State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “This legislation puts ratepayers first. It returns money to families, lowers costs by reexamining and improving programs that need greater accountability, and makes smart, long-term investments to diversify our energy supply with more affordable and efficient options. I’m grateful to Speaker Mariano for prioritizing our constituents and to Chairman Michlewitz, Chairman Cusack, and their teams for their hard work advancing this important legislation.”
In an effort to lower energy prices in the near term, despite volatile gas and electricity prices, the House bill:
Reduces the Mass Save budget by $1 billion for immediate ratepayer savings, prioritizing cuts to the plan’s marketing, advertising and administrative budgets. Mass Save is primarily funded by utility ratepayers through a mandatory charge on their gas and electric bills.
The bill also tasks the Office of the Inspector General with a review of Mass Save to ensure that the program and its administrators are efficiently and effectively using ratepayer dollars. The report is due by July 1, 2027.
Returns 70 percent of Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP), which are fees paid by energy suppliers for not meeting renewable energy standards, to customers until July 1, 2029.
After July 1, 2029, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), in consultation with MassCEC, mandates that 70 percent of ACP payments be returned to ratepayers in any year where money in the funds exceeds the predicted level by 2 percent and energy costs are a substantial burden to residents of the Commonwealth.
Reduces net metering credit amounts, which are a significant surcharge on electric bills
Requires distribution companies and gas companies to provide discounted rates for low-income customers and eligible moderate-income customers
Requires that any standard residential default service rates cannot be changed more frequently than once every six months
Establishes an electric rates task force to advise and make recommendations on the current and future cost of electricity in the Commonwealth with a report due by September 30, 2027
The House bill also brings more energy onto the grid and protects the workforce during the transition to clean energy. The bill:
Expands the Commonwealth’s energy procurement authority by authorizing DOER to competitively solicit environmental attributes or energy services and negotiate and enter into long term contracts
Requires DOER to establish a state-led offshore wind pre-development and project acceleration program to enable the Commonwealth to partner with offshore wind developers to further the Commonwealth’s goals. The bill also extends from June 30, 2027 to June 30, 2029 the deadline for cost-effective long-term contracts for offshore wind energy generation.
Allows DOER to develop a statewide energy storage incentive program to encourage the continued development of energy storage resources connected to the electric distribution system.
Allows for smart solar permitting to get more projects online faster
Removes barriers for nuclear energy by repealing chapter 503 of the acts of 1982, which established requirements for voter approval and legislative certification of any new nuclear power plant or any facility for the disposal or storage of low level radioactive waste in the Commonwealth.
Allows for high voltage transmission lines on state highways
Requires labor peace agreements for geothermal energy projects to help support and create jobs, adds prevailing wage requirements for work on thermal energy networks, and requires transition plans for gas workers during the transition to clean energy.
The House bill also addresses predatory practices by certain suppliers, which impact consumers while certain utilities benefit through business practices that result in higher utility costs. The bill:
Creates a real-time, online, retail residential customer bill assessment dashboard with: explanations of customer bill components; and an analysis of the benefits of certain programs, procurements and investments.
Adjusts the reporting requirements for electric and gas companies, transmission companies, distribution companies, suppliers and aggregators and suppliers of natural gas to require quarterly reporting.
Protects consumers by restricting predatory marketing practices by competitive electric suppliers by eliminating automatic renewals and variable rate contracts, by requiring more transparency for consumers, and by establishing new licensing requirements for door-to-door and telemarketing firms.
Allows municipalities to opt out of competitive electric supply
Requires utility audits and approvals for asset condition projects that are projected to cost more than $25 million
Requires gas companies to implement default budget billing for residential customers
The bill passed the House of Representatives 128-27 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Representative LaNatra Supports Legislation Protecting The Integrity of the Electoral Process
BOSTON – The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed bills regulating the use of artificial intelligence in political advertisements. The bills would require the disclosure of AI use in political advertisements and would ban deceptive communications about a candidate or about the electoral process within three months of an election.
“As artificial intelligence continues to seep into more and more aspects of our daily lives, it is critically important to put up safeguards against its misuse,” said State Representative Kathy LaNatra. “I was proud to vote in support of these common-sense safeguards against the misuse of AI in elections. These protections will only grow in importance as AI becomes harder and harder to distinguish from real content. Voters deserve to know that what they are seeing in political messaging is real and authentic. I am confident that these measures will strengthen our election infrastructure in this new technological era, and ensure voter confidence in the process.”
An Act to Protect against Election Misinformation prohibits the distribution of deceptive communications within 90 days of an election, which includes:
Audio or visual media which depicts a candidate with intent to injure their reputation or deceive a voter into voting for or against them.
Media that concerns the safety or regular operations of an election with intent to disrupt the integrity of the electoral process.
Content with the intent to mislead voters as to the date and time of an election; the requirements, methods, or deadlines to vote; the certification of an election; and the express endorsement of a candidate or ballot initiative by a political party, elected official, nonprofit organization, or another person. The bill authorizes a political candidate whose voice or likeness appears in a materially deceptive audio or visual media to seek injunctive or other equitable relief prohibiting the distribution of the media, or to bring an action for damages and attorney’s fees against the party that distributed the media. Exemptions for the 90-day prohibition include: media outlets who air the ads or report on the ads as part of a newscast as long as they clearly acknowledge that there are questions about its authenticity; websites, newspapers, magazines and periodicals; and satire and parody.
An Act enhancing disclosure requirements for synthetic media in political advertising requires that any synthetic media audio or video communication intended to influence voting for or against a candidate or ballot proposition must disclose at the beginning and end of the communication that it contains AI generated materials. Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.
An Act to Protect against Election Misinformation passed the House by a vote of 154-3. An Act enhancing disclosure requirements for synthetic media in political advertising passed the House by a vote of 157-0. Both bills now go to the Senate for consideration.
Representative LaNatra supports legislation to address workplace violence in health care settings
BOSTON – Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Representative LaNatra joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in unanimously supporting legislation that strengthens protections for health care workers, establishes preventive and protective standards to reduce the risk of violence, improves health care facility incident reporting, enhances interagency coordination to safeguard privacy, and creates legal protections for certain employees harmed in the line of duty.
“Our health care workforce is the backbone of Massachusetts nation-leading health care system. For too long, this workforce has endured violence in the workplace that has gone unaddressed on a state level.” said Representative Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “It is our job to ensure that health care workers do not have to worry for their own safety while trying to deliver the best care for their patients. This legislation affirms the Legislature’s commitment to protecting and strengthening the health care workforce and is a critical step in reducing workplace violence and giving workers the protections and benefits they deserve when it does happen. Thank you to Speaker Mariano, Chairman Lawn and Chairman Cahill for their leadership and thank you to Massachusetts Nurses Association, 1199SEIU and the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association for working collaboratively with the legislature to address the health care workplace violence crisis.”
Every 38 minutes in Massachusetts health care facilities someone, most often a clinician or an employee, is physically assaulted, endures verbal abuse, or is threatened, according to the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association. Violence against health care workers most often occurs in emergency rooms, inpatient units and psychiatric units. To support a culture of safety and respect in health care facilities, the bill passed takes the following approach:
Prevention Plans, Training and Reporting
Establishes a statewide requirement for health care employers to address workplace violence through a standardized framework, requiring annual and facility-specific risk assessments conducted with employees and labor representatives to identify factors that place staff at risk.
Mandates a written violence prevention plan that includes hazard mitigation strategies, employee training, post-incident debriefing and a crisis response program.
Requires annual reporting of workplace violence incidents to the Department of Public Health (DPH) and district attorneys, supporting statewide and county-level data tracking while maintaining data privacy. The de-identified data will be publicly published and categorized by occupation and incident type.
Imposes civil penalties against a health care employer for noncompliance (up to $2,000 per violation) and protects employees from retaliation.
Criminal Protections and Penalties for Assaults Against a Health Care Workers
The bill codifies graduated penalties for assaulting an employee or contracted employee in the line of duty. With 91 percent of violent incidents in hospitals committed by patients against workers, it focuses on health care settings where violence is most prevalent. Strengthening these protections ensures that direct health care providers, and the staff who support facility operations, on-site administrative work, security, or emergency medical transportation, have an opportunity to seek the justice that they are entitled to through the following penalties:
Assault causing bodily injury: Up to 5 years in state prison, up to 2.5 years in a jail or house of correction, a fine of $500 - $5,000, or combination of imprisonment and fines.
Assault causing serious bodily injury: Up to 10 years in state prison, up to 2.5 years in a jail or house of correction, a fine of $500 - $5,000 fine, or combination of imprisonment and fines.
Paid Leave for Employees
This bill establishes that employees directly employed by a health care employer in high-acuity settings, who suffer workplace violence resulting in bodily injury or serious bodily injury are entitled to paid leave without using any accrued time (vacation, sick or personal).
Privacy Protection for Employees and Union Members
Victims of workplace violence who are employed directly by a health care facility, or who are union members, may provide either the address of their health care facility or that of their labor organization instead of their personal home address for all court documents related to a workplace violence incident.
Alternative Pathways for Behavioral and Mental Health and Data Protection
Mandates a statewide report from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to improve care and alternative treatment options for those with mental or behavioral health diagnoses, and for criminal justice patients.
Requires identification of new, non-arrest pathways to reduce unnecessary criminal justice involvement for high-acuity behavioral health patients.
All recommendations must include strong safeguards, penalties for data misuse, and full compliance with federal confidentiality laws, including heightened protections for behavioral health and substance-use information.
Ensures that improving data sharing of workplace violence incidents to improve safety does not come at the expense of any patient or health care worker’s privacy.
The bill passed the House of Representatives 158-0. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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