It is with pleasure that I offer some updates on the work I have been doing as a member of the Governor’s Council, representing the 102 cities and towns in District 8.
As of this writing, for the first time in a long time, I am very pleased to be able to share that we have filled all of the vacancies in the Western Mass Superior Court circuit. In March 2025 I pointed out that Western Mass Superior Court was facing a critical judicial shortage, with five open vacancies. I am proud of the unified advocacy effort that included legislative support, media attention and calls from western Massachusetts constituents. The Healey/Driscoll administration was receptive and responsive, and over the course of the last six months, five western Mass. nominations to Superior Court have been confirmed.
I have continued to hold local public confirmation hearings for our local nominees to judicial positions. These hearings have been well attended, including rich and informative testimony about each nominee. It has been a pleasure to be able to hold these hearings, and I plan to continue to offer them.
The work continues, with a similarly urgent need for nominations to help fill the vacancies in our Western Mass District Courts.
Executive clemency is another area that I have been focusing on this year. The governor has continued to send gubernatorial pardons to the council for our advice and consent, and I hope to see some commutation requests soon, as well. In an effort to increase awareness and understanding of the process, guidelines, and factors involved in application for executive clemency I hosted a two-part panel discussion on “The Pathway to Pardons” last autumn, available for viewing on YouTube. Additionally, I have been visiting state prisons to share similar information about commutations with incarcerated individuals interested in the process, and hope to hold some local discussions in the community on this topic.
Over the course of the last several months, I have been meeting with advocacy groups working for improvements in our justice system with various points of focus. The concerns and issues they raise help inform my vetting process for judicial nominees.
The work of the Governor’s Council continues to be incredibly meaningful and deeply satisfying. I will be running for re-election in 2026 and hope to have your support.
Tara Jacobs, Governor’s Councillor District 8
North Adams