At 5 p.m. on Friday, 24 communities in western Massachusetts lost their representation in the Senate following the resignation of Sen. Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst.
With the passing of Rep. Peter Kocot, D-Northampton, earlier this year, that leaves Northampton and Hatfield entirely without an elected representative in the Statehouse.
Now, four western Massachusetts senators have banded together, announcing Friday afternoon that they will collectively advocate for the regional needs and policy priorities of the communities within the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District for the rest of the formal legislative session which ends on July 31.
Senators Adam Hinds, D- Pittsfield, Eric Lesser, D- Longmeadow, Anne Gobi, D- Spencer, and Donald Humason Jr., R-Westfield, issued a joint statement saying they want to assure residents of the district that they will work together to represent their needs and priorities on Beacon Hill.
“We will work collectively to advance your agenda and protect your interests for the remainder of this legislative session,” the statement read. “It is the right thing to do for western Massachusetts and to keep our region strong.”
Though not listed on the joint statement with his fellow senators, Sen. James Welch, D-Springfield, said he has spoken with his colleagues and publicly vows his support to the district as the legislature enters a critical period.
Many key bills are due to be debated during the next three months of the formal legislative session, including the fiscal 2019 state budget.
Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, said that as House Ways and Means vice chairman, he will be on the conference committee that works on a budget resolution with the Senate and will “make sure Stan’s district’s priorities are covered.”
Senate President Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, also pledged to help the senators protect the interests of the district so that Rosenberg’s former constituents continue to have a voice on Beacon Hill.
“Under the leadership of Senators Hinds, Lesser, Gobi and Humason, this body will continue to stand for the legislation important to residents,” Chandler’s statement read. “As Senate President, I add my voice to theirs, and pledge to work with my colleagues in local, state and federal government to advocate for the issues vital to this Western Massachusetts District.”
Rosenberg’s staff will continue to be available to handle constituent inquiries and provide guidance to the Senate on policy matters until January 2019 when the new legislative session begins, according to the press release.
However, any policy work such as sponsoring and filing bills, home rule petitions, amendments and participating in Senate debate and roll call votes cannot be done by staff.
Diana Szynal, a Democrat running for Kocot’s seat in the House, has been Kocot’s district director since he was elected in 2002 and said that since his death, she has continued her constituent work to make sure the needs of Hatfield, Northampton, Southampton, Westhampton, and M ontgomery are met.
Gaeztte reporter Scott Merzbach and Greenfield Recorder reporter Richie Davis contributed to this report. M.J. Tidwell can be reached at mjtidwell@ gazettenet.com.