November 8, 2024

Kiera McDonald, Boston Globe

At Acton Town Common, a Veterans Day ceremony will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. near the Isaac Davis Monument. The event will begin with moment of silence and an invocation followed by remarks from Senator Jamie Eldridge and Retired Colonel Robert Beaudoin. The ceremony will conclude with the laying of the wreaths.

November 8, 2024

Camryn Langille, John Guilfoil Public Relations 

The event will begin with a moment of silence and an invocation. 

Remarks will be delivered by Sen. Jamie Eldridge before the laying of the wreaths. Retired Colonel Robert Beaudoin will also give a speech. 

November 7, 2024

Community Advocate 

HUDSON—The day will begin with a light breakfast at AMVETS Post 208 at 9:30 a.m. After breakfast units will assemble, step off at 10 a.m. and march through downtown Hudson to celebrate veterans with the annual parade…

Also, Rep. Kate Hogan and Sen. Jamie Eldridge will be guest speakers. The ceremonies will include the Assabet Valley Marine Corps JROTC, as well as Hudson High School Band and the Police Department Honor Guard.

November 6, 2024

Maureen Sullivan, Community Advocate

Most local candidates ran unopposed, including Lori Trahan for U.S. Representative; Mara Dolan for Governor’s Council; Jamie Eldridge for state Senate; Kate Hogan for state Representative; and Michael Sullivan Clerk of Courts.

Question 6 – a nonbinding question to ask local representatives to vote for legislation to create a single-payer system of universal health care, sponsored by MassCare – voters supported the measure, 6,095 to 4,282

November 6, 2024

Boston.com

Sen. Jamie Eldridge tweeted: “We are entering a deeply troubling era with the election of Donald Trump. I am so grateful to all of the Democratic and progressive activists who worked so hard. It is long overdue to reform Democratic policies & practices. Thank you to the voters for returning me to the Senate!”

November 6, 2024

Maureen Sulivan, Community Advocate

According to unofficial results from the City Clerk’s office, Gentile collected 1,732 votes to Gardner’s 951. Overall, Gentile drew 18,099 votes to Gardner’s 6,568.

The other state representative, Danielle Gregoire, and state Sen. Jamie Eldridge ran unopposed, as did U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan; Governor’s Councilor Mara Dolan; and Middlesex County Clerk of Courts Michael A. Sullivan.

November 5, 2024

Chris Rhatigan, Patch 

Senator in General Court Middlesex & Worcester District:

James B. Eldridge, Democrat: 8,550

November 1, 2024

The Harvard Press

Harvard’s delegates to the Legislature, Rep. Dan Sena and Sen. Jamie Eldridge, are unopposed in this year’s state election. Nevertheless, the Press invited them to respond to seven questions on the minds of Harvard residents. Here are the questions asked and their responses. 

October 28, 2024

Matt Stout and Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe

Those types of contributions don’t go unnoticed. State Senator Jamie Eldridge, a Marlborough Democrat who has supported legislation banning lobbyist donations outright, said a lobbyist donation can spark “in most elected officials this internal, auto-response: ‘I need to get back to that person because that person supports my campaign.’”

Add to that a max donation from the lobbyist’s spouse, he said, and “that’s an even greater influence on legislators — and therefore the public policy.”

October 29, 2024

Emilia Wisniewski, Boston University Statehouse Program, Metro West Daily News

Eldridge, who has supported bills to promote clean energy and uplift environmental justice communities, said it's “extremely frustrating” that many people believe climate change is not happening but he believes the Democratic ticket and local leaders can steer the country in a climate-positive direction.

“The election will really decide which direction the country goes on climate action,” he said.

October 28, 2024

Andrew Quemere, The Mass Dump 

Sen. Jamie Eldridge, the Senate chair of the judiciary committee, said that he worked on the revised bill with the House chair, Rep. Michael Day. The result, Eldridge said, “was very much a compromise bill that reflects some of my priorities and some of the House priorities.” Eldridge said that he supports a complete elimination of the cap, but some committee colleagues opposed it. He declined to summarize their objections, saying he could not discuss the deliberations…

October 25, 2024

Hannah Taylor, Harvard Press 

Stephanie Opalka, one of the co-presidents of the LWV, began the event with enthusiasm, introducing special guests and reporting that 61 people had already voted early in Harvard as of Sunday afternoon. She then welcomed to the front of the crowd State Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Jake Mastrandrea, the outreach director for U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan.

October 23, 2024

Kinga Borondy, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, USA Today

In that spirit, Donaghue is quick to point out the legislators she collaborated with to get funding approved for local initiatives:

Sen. Robyn Kennedy, D-Worcester, took the lead on securing $50,000 for redesign of a road

Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, with helping secure grants for firefighting equipment and supplies in Southborough

October 18, 2024

Chris Rhatigan, Patch

SUDBURY, MA— On Nov. 5, Sudbury residents cast their votes for several key federal and state positions, including the office of president, U.S. senator, Congress, Governor's Council, and others.

For Senator in General Court, James B. Eldridge, Democrat, is running unopposed.

October 18, 2024

The Harvard Press

House bill 2989 would observe Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day, with activities acknowledging the history of genocide and discrimination against Indigenous peoples and highlighting their cultures. The bill was left in committee at the end of the last legislative session, but one of its co-sponsors, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, said he wants the bill to be refiled and voted on when the Legislature reconvenes in January. “The basis for Columbus Day is just not relevant anymore,” he added.

October 10, 2024

Liam Dunne, The Daily Free Press 

State Sen. James Eldridge of Middlesex and Worcester said because Uber and Lyft drivers “work alone,” their ability to unionize is limited, and this initiative allows them to organize and unionize. He said that Uber and Lyft drivers face “terrible conditions.”

October 7, 2024

M.E. Jones, Nashoba Valley Voice (also Lowell Sun)

Sen. Eldridge commended NCM Habitat for Humanity for building the duplex slated for the Newton Street site and congratulated the town of Ayer for having “the most Habitat homes in my district.” He also credited the town for “providing financial support through the Community Preservation Act to (help) build the house.”

September 30, 2024

Alexa Lewis, Amherst Bulletin

At the event, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge lauded the use of the so-called “millionaires’ tax,” or the Fair Share Amendment, to fund the MassEducate program that affords all Massachusetts residents without college degrees the chance to attend community college for free.

 Eldridge said that funding options in addition to the state’s Fair Share Amendment, which introduced a 4% surtax on all household income above $1 million annually, would have to be explored to fund a free public university system.

Eldridge explained that this would be a “first dollar” program, covering tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meal plans, transportation and books for Massachusetts residents enrolled in a public university in the state. The goal would be not only to increase access to higher education, but also to encourage residents to remain in the state, rather than moving away due to its rising cost of living.

September 26, 2024

John Osborn, The Harvard Press

In a phone conversation Thursday afternoon Harvard’s state Sen. Jamie Eldridge confirmed that he and state Rep. Dan Sena would participate in the working group, along with other area legislators.

Eldridge described the formation of a working group as a positive action by the governor.” But he noted that the purpose of the working group was to address the gaps in health care caused by the hospital closing and to rethink health care access in the Nashoba Valley region— not the reopening of the empty hospital. 

September 23, 2024

Amanda Keane, Spectrum News 1

Of course, sexual assault is against the law, but there was a legal loophole making it hard to prosecute and prove consent. Because victims have gone to those providers for care and consented to the care, it was argued that meant they consented to the assault. 

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge says that finally, that ends in Massachusetts. 

“It's important that this was put on the books and, and making sure that prosecutors, you know, district attorneys could properly prosecute this heinous crime,” said Eldridge. 

“Hopefully this will give, a little bit more, hope for victims,” said Eldridge. “And also, restore the trust between, medical professionals or religious officials and those that they're charged and, you know, are giving an oath to take good care of.”

September 23, 2024

Charlie McKenna, MassLive

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Middlesex/Worcester, pointed specifically to reforms surrounding what he dubbed solitary confinement, drawing a link between the supposed failure to follow the letter of the law and violence inside prisons.

To Eldridge, the spirit of the law has been lost in translation.

At the Souza-Baranowski prison in Lancaster, a maximum-security facility, Eldridge said men spend most of that time handcuffed to a table or in a “small outdoor cage.”

“Is that actually following the law, or is that just continued solitary confinement?” Eldridge posited.

September 19, 2024

Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette

“At the event, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge lauded the use of the so-called “millionaires’ tax,” or the Fair Share Amendment, to fund the MassEducate program that affords all Massachusetts residents without college degrees the chance to attend community college for free. Eldridge said that funding options in addition to the state’s Fair Share Amendment, which introduced a 4% surtax on all household income above $1 million annually, would have to be explored to fund a free public university system.”

“Eldridge explained that this would be a “first dollar” program, covering tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meal plans, transportation and books for Massachusetts residents enrolled in a public university in the state. The goal would be not only to increase access to higher education, but also to encourage residents to remain in the state, rather than moving away due to its rising cost of living.”

“While the proposed legislation is still a work in progress, Eldridge and Sena responded with some preliminary ideas for how it could address these concerns.”

September 18, 2024

Camryn Langille, John Guilfoil Public Relations

“State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, members of the Littleton School Committee, Littleton administrators, local partners, and representatives from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), the USDA, and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) gathered together to enjoy a meal prepared by the Littleton High School cafeteria team on Sept. 11.”

September 17, 2024

Jenifer B. McKim, WGBH

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat from Acton and co-author of the Senate bill, says he also hopes the legislation will pass by the end of the year. He too was surprised by new trial court data and wondered if even more changes are necessary.

Eldridge said he’s concerned that attorneys for debt collectors may appear to be court employees who can dole out assistance, as detailed in a GBH News investigation earlier this month.

September 13, 2024

Julie Gowel, The Harvard Press

“The Harvard Public Library and its board of trustees received an official citation from the Massachusetts State Senate, hand delivered by state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, to commemorate the grand opening of its pavilion on Saturday, Sept 7. The celebration took place on and around the pavilion and included live music, cake, and games.”

September 11, 2024

Marco Cartolano, USA Today (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)

“State Sen. Jamie Jamie Eldridge, of Marlborough, who was one of seven state senators to sign a letter in July calling for Biden to drop out of the race, praised Harris on X.”

"(Donald Trump) is using ridiculously inaccurate, divisive rhetoric in (the debate) on abortion, immigrants and crime," Eldridge said. "Bravo to (Kamala Harris) for not taking the bait, pointing out Trump’s lies & explaining how she’ll move America forward."

September 09, 2024

Marilyn Schairer, WGBH (State House News Service)

“I really think it’s a state of shock,” said state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat representing the Middlesex and Worcester District. “I know I continue to get emails from people really upset [about] the injustice of a community hospital closing in their area, especially when you see the other Steward hospitals that will remain open.”

"We’re listening to our fire chiefs, to our EMS professionals, many of whom testified at these public hearings and said 'This is this is going to cost lives,'” Sen. Eldridge said.

He said he holds Steward Health Care accountable for the closure, but he wishes the state had done more to prevent Nashoba Valley and Carney Hospital in Dorchester — both working class communities — from becoming health care deserts.

September 5, 2024

Maureen Sullivan, Community Advocate 

“State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, whose district includes several active dog parks, said he supported the earmark as a way to “better support recreational opportunities.” “

August 28, 2024

Robert Weisman, Boston Globe

“Whatever happens this weekend, we still think there’s an opportunity for these hospitals to receive bids from new operators,” said state Senator Jamie Eldridge, whose district includes the Nashoba hospital.”

August 28, 2024

Sera Congi, MSN & WCVB

"As we're saying to the Healey-Driscoll administration, which they have already done at St. Elizabeth's, provide the money, take every measure, eminent domain," said Sen. Jamie Eldridge who represents Middlesex and Worcester counties. "Meet potential hospital bidders halfway, same kind of funding that is clearly being offered to other hospitals."

August 28, 2024

Jonathan Hall, 7 News Boston (via State House News Service)

“And I have to say — it shouldn’t have to take elected officials like Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louijeune, Rep. Scarsdale, Rep. Sena, myself — it shouldn’t take us as elected officials, all this effort to get potential hospital operators and the administration to meet halfway and offer the money to keep these hospitals open, and keep them open for both regions. But that’s what it’s taking,” Eldridge said.

August 27, 2024

Daniel Leite, Colaboração para o UOL, em Saratoga Springs (EUA)

Democratic Senator for the state of Massachusetts (USA) Jamie Eldridge was in Governador Valadares in December. He attended a lecture by a Univale professor and met with local politicians. In a telephone conversation with UOL last Monday (26), he said he had seen in the state where he lives, which is one of the most sought after in the entire country by residents of Governador Valadares, that emigration is related to the financial difficulties in the city of Minas Gerais.

August 27, 2024

Peter Currier, Lowell Sun

“‘I can’t say 100%, but it is not looking good as far as what happens this weekend … but I still think there is truly an opening to save this hospital,’ said Eldridge. ‘The turnout, whether two weeks ago at the public hearing in Devens with over 500 people, and it looks to be about the same number tonight, that really has got the administration to respond, so people need to keep telling their stories about how much this hospital means to them.’”

August 27, 2024

Alex Brown, Nevada Current (also mentioned in Maine Morningstar, North Dakota Monitor, NC Newsline, Stateline)

“State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat who sponsored the Massachusetts bill, said Hochul’s potential veto is a ‘real concern.’

“‘Sometimes in Massachusetts we look to see if something passes in a couple other states before we pass it ourselves,’ he said.

August 23, 2024

John Osborn, Harvard Press

“State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Rep. Dan Sena, and five legislators who represent towns served by Nashoba Hospital urged Gov. Healey Wednesday afternoon to confirm to potential operators that state money will be available to assist a new owner.”

August 23, 2024

John Osborn, Harvard Press

“In a brief interview before the meeting, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who represents Ayer and a number of surrounding towns, said, ‘We are not giving up.’ Members of the local state delegation continue to search for someone to buy Nashoba, he said. And Salvatore Perla, Steward’s president of Nashoba, who was present for the hearing, later told the Press that he and his staff were continuing to search for a qualified buyer. ‘The bid process was done elsewhere, but we’re all still looking to get interest [in the hospital].’

August 22, 2024

Henry Schwan, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

“State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, whose district includes Nashoba, has been pushing the state to keep Nashoba open until a legitimate buyer steps forward. Eldridge isn’t aware of any specific talks between UMass and the state about Nashoba…

“‘It’s not a secret many of us as legislators in the region of Nashoba think that UMass Memorial is a natural fit for purchasing Nashoba Valley Medical Center,’ he said.”

August 20, 2024

Evrim Ağacı, The Pinnacle Gazette

“Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Harris, there remains a deep-rooted concern about the campaign's challenges. U.S. Senate Delegate Jamie Eldridge points out the need for vigilance as the Republicans rally behind Donald Trump, creating a competitive battleground.”

August 19, 2024

Sheena Goodyear, CBC Radio (Interview)

“Not that long ago, Jamie Eldridge was one of the Democrats loudly calling for the U.S. President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race. 

“...‘It's just been amazing to see the amount of unity that's happened in just a few weeks, with the transition from President Biden as the likely nominee, to Vice-President Kamala Harris.’

August 19, 2024

Adam Reilly, Craig LeMoult, & Kana Ruhalter, GBH

“One delegate who I spoke with yesterday — Jamie Eldridge, the state senator from Massachusetts, who’s in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party — told me that he’s actually a little worried that Democrats are so giddy and exuberant and optimistic. That’s my paraphrase, but I think it’s reasonably close to the way he framed it.

“[He said] that they are so excited about the Harris-Walz ticket that they may be getting a smidge overconfident — kind of getting to a point where they feel like, you know, we had this remarkable moment where Biden steps aside, and Harris-Walz became the ticket, and now we’re just headed toward victory.”

August 19, 2024

Kinga Borondy, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (also in MetroWest Daily News, AOL

“The move to use eminent domain has Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, hoping that a potential qualified bidder will step forward and make an offer for the two remaining hospitals, Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley, the latter within his district.

“‘She has indicated an openness to using state funding to get a deal done and keep Nashoba Valley and Carney open,’ said Eldridge…

August 16, 2024

Lisa Kashinksy, Brakkton Booker, Nick Reisman, Melanie Mason, Irie Sentner, & Isabella Ramírez, Politico

“‘There’s this sense that the Democrats still haven’t done enough or connected enough with voters in the middle. And I think that anger is still out there, and it can sort of easily be captured by Donald Trump’s ‘let’s break apart the whole system because it’s not working for you,’’” said Jamie Eldridge, a progressive Massachusetts state senator and delegate who had called in July for President Joe Biden to step aside from the top of the ticket. ‘I still have serious concerns that this is such a close election.’”

August 13, 2024

Kinga Borondy, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

“After Healey signed the measure, and as the legislators, supporters, advocates and families milled around, Jimenez rushed up to his mom to tell her he had just been offered an internship with Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough. He's on his way already.”

August 13, 2024

Alison Kuznitz, Gardner News, (via State House News Service) (also in Worcester Telegram & Gazette, AOL, Lowell Sun, and Dorchester Report)

“Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, who is pushing to save Nashoba Valley Medical Center from closing, told the News Service last week that he believes the Healey administration is "intricately involved" behind the scenes in the maneuvering regarding Steward hospitals.

“Eldridge has said that ‘credible sources’ in union, municipal and health care circles have told him ‘there are legitimate bidders for Nashoba Valley but the message they keep getting is the administration is not truly interested in having these hospitals remain open...’”

August 7, 2024

Henry Schawn, Worcestor Telegram & Gazette

“State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, attended Tuesday night's Ayer Select Board meeting, where he said the board unanimously supported a resolution that asked Gov. Maura T. Healey's administration to declare a state of emergency for Nashoba Valley due to the potential closure of the hospital by bankrupt Steward Health Care System.

August 7, 2024

Robert Weisman & Niki Griswold, Boston Globe

“‘We acknowledge these are pretty dire circumstances,’ said state Senator Jamie Eldridge, whose district covers many of the rural communities in north central Massachusetts served by the Nashoba Valley hospital, ‘which is why we need state government to step up.’”

August 7, 2024

Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald

“State Sen. Jamie Eldridge called on Gov. Maura Healey and her Department of Public Health this week to fight for Carney and Nashoba Valley Health and ‘declare a public health emergency.’ He sent a letter to Healey’s office asking her to just tap the brakes.

“‘We ask first and formally for the bankruptcy court to withdraw the expedited closure and for the Commissioner to withdraw DPH’s support for the expedited closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center and Carney Hospital in the bankruptcy proceeding, and have DPH hold Public hearings, as is required by law, in both hospitals’ services areas…’”

August 6, 2024

Bob Ward, Boston 25 News

“State Senator Jamie Eldridge says there was a strong turn out from the region.

“‘PASSED TONIGHT Town of Ayer Resolution calling on @MassGovernor to declare #publichealth emergency, enforce 120-day @MassDPH reg for hospital closure & commit state $ to keep #NashobaValley Medical Center open! Powerful turnout from region, urging stronger action by state govt’” - @JamieEldridgeMA

August 5, 2024

Henry Schwan, Worcestor Telegram & Gazette

“State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, whose district includes Nashoba Valley Medical Center, voted to support the amendment. "The sentiment in the Legislature, in general, is the fight to pressure to keep the Nashoba Valley and Carney hospitals open is a bit of a lost cause," said Eldridge.”

August 1, 2024

John L. Micek, MassLive

“Sens. Jamie Eldridge and Nick Collins − whose district includes Carney − joined by Boston City Councilors John FitzGerald and Ed Flynn, stood at the front of the crowd as they met with representatives from Healey’s office, State House News Service reported.”

August 1, 2024

Neal McNamara, Sudbury Patch

“‘This humane approach will prevent more families from sleeping on the streets, reduce costs for municipalities and human service professionals,’ state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Sudbury, said in a letter to Healey.”

August 1, 2024

Gintautus Dumcius, Commonwealth Beacon

“Around the corner and down the hall, senators sporadically wandered in and out of the chamber. Marlborough’s Jamie Eldridge tapped away on his Apple laptop, while Needham’s Becca Rausch briefly folded her arms and rested her chin on top of her chair as Belmont’s William Brownsberger gaveled through another small-ball bill.”

August 1, 2024

Kinga Borondy, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

“The funding for the study was added to the budget by Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, and Reps. Meghan Kilcoyne, D-Clinton, Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and Dan Sena, D-Acton.”

August 1, 2024

Boston Spirit

“‘Today, Massachusetts took a major step forward in ensuring that all families are treated equally under our laws,’ said Polly Crozier, Director of Family Advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. ‘We are grateful to the many people, families, and advocates who have fought for years to get to this point. We thank the Senate leadership, Senate Sponsors Senators Julian Cyr and Bruce Tarr, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Jamie Eldridge and the many Senators on both sides of the aisle who voted unanimously to pass the MPA today. With this vote the Massachusetts Senate demonstrated that fairness under the law is for everyone. We look forward to seeing the Massachusetts Parentage Act enacted and signed into law soon.’”

July 30, 2024

Editorial, Nashoba Valley Voice

“...In Steward’s case, current state law requires a provider to give 120 days’ notice before closing a hospital. But state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, whose district includes Ayer, said Steward told Ayer officials it plans to close the Nashoba Valley hospital sooner, on or around Aug. 31, Steward said in its statement.”

July 30, 2024

Jonathan Hall & Dakota Antelman, 7News Boston

“With the clock ticking on both facilities, State Sen. Jamie Eldridge called on Gov. Maura Healey to take additional action and said supporters of the hospital will continue to rally to save it. 

“‘We’re not going to give up,’ he said. ‘…We’re going to keep fighting not only to prevent the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center, but also to maintain the quality of health care in this region.’

July 27, 2024

Aaron Pressman, Sean Cotter, & Alexa Coultoff, Boston Globe (also quoted in Harvard Press)

“... some elected officials from the communities served by the two hospitals are not on board. State Senator Jamie Eldridge, who represents Ayer, said Nashoba Valley needs to remain open to ensure its patients are adequately cared for.

“‘The request is just outrageous and despicable,’ he said.

July 25, 2024

John Osborn, Harvard Press

“In a July 19 letter to senate conferees, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge has asked that representatives of both the Devens Committee and the Devens Enterprise Commission (DEC) be included in the working group tasked by Gov. Maura Healey’s economic development bill with planning for increased housing in Devens.

“‘The composition of the working group differs between the Senate and House versions of the bill,’ Eldridge noted in his letter...

June 22, 2024

Jon Chesto, Boston Globe

“The Senate, which often takes a tougher stance on business-related tax credits, could be a different story… Senator Jamie Eldridge, a longtime critic of industry-specific incentives, argues that the economic benefits for the film credits have been overstated, and aren’t worth the tens of millions that the state sacrifices each year; he worries a similar result could occur should the Legislature adopt the live production tax credits.”

June 21, 2024

Janet Domenitz, MASSPIRG

“The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed the most comprehensive plastics reduction bill  in its history. The legislation, championed by Sen. Becca Rausch and Sen. Jamie Eldridge, puts in place a statewide plastic bag ban; limits single-use food service ware such as straws, cups and cutlery; and codifies the prohibition on state purchases of single-use plastic beverage bottles, among other reforms.”

June 17, 2024

Rep. Seth Moulton Press Release

 “‘With the growing transportation crisis across Massachusetts, elected officials and transportation officials need to be bold and invest in regional solutions,’ said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). ‘I am deeply grateful to Congressman Seth Moulton for his continued leadership on connecting the North and South train networks, and this Harvard Kennedy School report underscores that Massachusetts’ best transportation investment is the North South Rail Link, with the highest return on the transit project, unlocking more economic development, housing and leisure time for residents, versus continued gridlock.”

May 25, 2024

Maureen Sullivan, Community Advocate

On May 19, a Friends Fridge was formally dedicated at Immaculate Conception Church.

The fridge runs on DC power from solar panels, with a battery backup. According to Katelyn Massey, who spearheaded this project for her Girl Scout Gold Award, this is likely the first such community fridge in the state.

“I’m so incredibly impressed with your project,” said state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who presented Massey with a citation from the state Senate.

May 24, 2024

Jamie Eldridge, The Harvard Press Letters to the Editor 

I was so happy that the Middlesex and Worcester Senior Conference returned on April 18 at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, with more than 300 seniors from across the district in attendance.

May 23, 2024

Beth Melo, mysouthborough.com

In April senior citizens were welcomed to the annual conference hosted by our district’s state senator. His office asked me to share a letter of thanks to the Assabet Valley Regional Technical high school community for helping to put it on, and the sponsors and participants.

May 20, 2024

Neal McNamara, The Patch

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough's first community refrigerator opened Sunday at Immaculate Conception Church, an effort by a local Girl Scout and other community boosters to help alleviate food insecurity.

L to R: Marlborough Mayor Christian Dumais, student and Girl Scout Kateylun Masser, Immaculate Conception Church Rev. Steven Clemence, Marlborough Rotary’s Mark Vital, and Sen. James Eldridge at the fridge opening on Sunday.

May 16, 2024

Jiashan Zheng, Greenfield Recorder

“We’re trying to improve the care for incarcerated people when they get released to make sure they’re directly connected,” said Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlboro, emphasizing the goal to bridge the gap between prison and society by enhancing Medicaid coverage and offering other forms of reentry support.

May 13, 2024

Summer Maxwell, CommonWealth Beacon

Though disturbing, I can assure you the report is no exaggeration. I spent a day inside Bridgewater in August 2022 while serving as an intern for state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who chairs the Massachusetts Legislature’s Criminal Justice Reform Caucus. I asked to accompany the senator on a tour of Bridgewater for lawmakers, and was tasked with observing what I could to gather information on conditions at the facility.

May 3, 2024

John Osborn, The Harvard Press

The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies of the Massachusetts Legislature announced this week it will host a hearing on Gov. Maura Healey’s “Mass Leads” economic development bill at the State House in Boston on Tuesday, May 7, at 10 a.m.

In a brief phone call, Harvard’s state senator, Jamie Eldridge, urged officials and residents of Harvard, Devens, Ayer, and Shirley to attend and make their views known to the committee.

April 27, 2024

Maureen Sullivan, Community Advocate

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), who hosted the event, said, “It was so great to have the full senior conference back.”

“We recognize that more and more seniors are active” and would like to see what the state has to offer, said Eldridge.

April 11, 2024

Andrew Brinker, The Boston Globe

State Senator Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat from Acton and one of the Senate’s most prominent advocates for housing reform, recalls how the MMA effectively killed a bill of his that would have required communities to chart out specific plans to increase production of affordable housing.

“I really felt like for a long time that the MMA was just saying no to any zoning or housing production reform that would allow for more diversity in our housing stock,” he said.

April 11, 2024

Beth Melo, mysouthborough.com

“I look forward to hearing the concerns of seniors, discussing state initiatives to better support older residents in Massachusetts, and highlighting the work of the Legislature so far this session,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge.

April 4, 2024

Lisa Kashinski, Kelly Garrity, and Mia McCarthy, Politico Massachusetts Playbook

The hiring pause is “very concerning because, to Governor Healey’s credit, she’s laid out a bold agenda on housing, on climate action, on economic development,” state Sen. Jamie Eldridge told Playbook. “The reality is: If you don’t have the employees, especially people that are really experts in these areas, you’re not going to be able to implement that vision.”

April 4, 2024

Waylandenews

The 43rd annual Senior Conference for the Middlesex and Worcester District, presented by State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, takes place on Thursday, April 18, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. It features speakers from the Massachusetts Legislature; workshops with expert guest speakers on topics like aging well, solo aging, and resources for caregivers and family members; live music from Marlboro’s Flashback Band; free meals from Assabet Valley’s Culinary students; and as always: Raffles! This year’s event will also offer an all-new watercolor painting demonstration from Maynard Artspace.

April 3, 2024

Dan Atkinson, Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism

“I don’t think the state police should have gone forward to purchase this simulator,” Eldridge said. “This is another front in the potential invasion of civil liberties. It is really critical for the Mass legislature to better protect people’s privacy, including from law enforcement.”

Citing industry input, Eldridge calls proposal a ‘consensus bill’

April 1, 2024

Sam Doran, Lowell Sun (State House News Service)

Sen. Jamie Eldridge offered “thanks for the debt collectors, their representatives that I often disagree with, but their willingness to come have a seat at the table and work out what is a consensus bill.”

The Marlboro Democrat said he hoped the measure would pass the House and make it to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk, “given that this is a full consensus bill.”

March 29, 2024

Christian Wade, Salem News

The bill’s primary sponsor, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, said the changes are aimed at preventing debt collectors from driving people into poverty.

“The problem is that if someone owes a debt, they either don’t know about the debt, or through interest rates or the charges that are being brought through a small claims court the debt quickly accrues to an even greater sum that is harder to pay off,” Eldridge said.

March 25, 2024

Ruihan Yang, Athol Daily News

But the reality is individuals are excluded from the “right-to-shelter” law; single homeless women will have “much more limited” options towards finding a shelter, Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlboro, said.

“Yet most areas of the state, outside of certain cities, there’s really not much of a shelter system and there’s no shelters for women, very few,” he said. “It doesn’t really meet the needs for my region, not to mention many other parts of the state.”

March 25, 2024

Rep. Joan Meschino and Sen.Jamie Eldridge, The Boston Globe Opinion

Massachusetts can do better. The bill we filed in the General Court, “An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management,” more commonly known as the Drought Bill, enhances drought management in two ways to tackle current climate change challenges. First, the bill codifies the existing Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force into statute, ensuring our state’s drought response is grounded in scientific data. Second, the bill authorizes the secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to require regional water conservation measures during a declared drought, replacing the town-by-town approach.

March 25, 2024

By Sam Drysdale, Worcester Business Journal (State House News Service)

The legislation, based on a bill filed by Sen. Jamie Eldridge, would increase the amount of wages protected from seizure from 50 percent of the state minimum wage ($750) or 85 percent of the workers' gross wages each week, to 65 times the minimum wage ($975) or 90 percent of what they take home each week, whichever is greater. It would also allow a worker to ask the court to exempt additional wages, according to the bill summary.

Eldridge's bill also seeks to reduce the statute of limitation for consumer debt from six years to five years, reduce interest rates charged to people after a court finds they owe debt from 12 to 3 percent and make clear the new rate is not retroactive.

March 22, 2024

Boston University Metropolitan College

As Matesanz and his colleagues described, the number of citizens sent to jail and prison in the US and in Massachusetts increased by about 400 percent from 1974 to 2010. Speaking at the Massachusetts State Legislature, at the invitation of Senator Jamie Eldridge, the group advocated that prerelease and reentry programs be expanded; that more prerelease centers be tailored to meet the needs of individuals who are incarcerated with behavioral health needs, disabilities, and elder care needs; and that funding be expanded to reduce waitlists.

March 22, 2024

By Sam Drysdale, New England Public Media

Both Turley and Park also support the Senate bill's inclusion of an advisory commission to take a look at restructuring the emergency assistance program, but support a Sen. Jamie Eldridge bill that would add families that have experienced homelessness and more providers and advocates to the commission.

March 21, 2024

By Deborah Becker, WBUR

We're concerned if parole officers are participating with other law enforcement on drug busts or other investigations that are not at all related to checking in on a parolee, what is the oversight of those officers?" said state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat representing Middlesex and Worcester counties, and co-chair of the Massachusetts Legislature's criminal justice reform caucus.

March 21, 2024

By Chris Van Buskirk, The Boston Herald

Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Marlborough Democrat, acknowledged how close legislators came last session.

“This is a tightly crafted bill because we are establishing a new crime in an era where we are repealing or often reforming our criminal statutes,” he said. “In addition, we are discussing social media and messaging activities where the First Amendment, the right of free speech, including protecting even offensive speech, is often a factor.”

March 20, 2024

By Jesse Collings, Metrowest Daily News

"The new bill would make it a mandate and I think that is something to take a look at," he said. "I've been to the Marlborough Reality of Life Fair and now this one in Sudbury. It's a great model and it's great to see students learning about this. I think there's a gap in terms of requiring more financial literacy, and understanding on what repaying debt really is like."

March 16, 2024

Colin A. Young, NewBostonPost (State House News Service)

Act on Mass and Progressive Massachusetts both support a bill (S.1963) filed by state Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), the so-called Sunlight Act. That bill would require that all recorded votes in legislative committees be posted on the Legislature’s web site, that committee hearings be scheduled at least a week in advance, and that written testimony submitted to committees be publicly available.

“I think we do need that,” Eldridge said in January of eliminating the governor’s exemption. “There’s so many policies — whether it’s the Steward health care crisis, to climate action policies, to budget crises — that the fact that we don’t know some of the communication or some of the discussions happening means that the public or other elected officials don’t know what’s going on.”

March 15, 2024

Neal McNamara, The Patch

Senator Jamie Eldridge was grateful for colleagues who have filed legislation supporting intellectual freedom and resisting book bans, sharing his direct experience with book challenges in his own town of Acton. He encouraged everyone to maintain the long-term investments in our libraries by supporting the legislative agenda:

March 14, 2024

Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon

When Sen. Jamie Eldridge of Marlborough, formerly the Senate appointee to the advisory group, began advocating for the grants on the Senate side with his colleagues, it was coming from “an equity lens,” he said. “The restorative justice groups that were essentially in well-off areas were able to raise money, but low-income or working class communities are where you really need restorative justice even more.”

March 13, 2024

Annette Pfannebecker, Greenfield Recorder (Letter to the Editor)

The Sunlight Act, sponsored by longtime transparency champion Sen. Jamie Eldridge, would implement a number of urgent transparency reforms, including requiring all recorded committee votes to be posted on the Legislature’s website, requiring that committee hearings be scheduled at least a week in advance, making written testimony submitted to committees publicly available, and making the governor’s office not exempt from the state’s public records law.

March 13, 2024

Sam Doran, The New Bedford Light (State House News Service)

Others present on the steps included DePalo, Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux, former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy; Sens. Jamie Eldridge, Adam Gomez, and Liz Miranda; and Reps. Mary Keefe, Sarah Peake, Russell Holmes, Christine Barber, Michelle Ciccolo, Bud Williams, Francisco Paulino, Vanna Howard, James Hawkins, Kate Donaghue, and Andres Vargas.

March 8, 2024

John Osborn, The Harvard Press

State Sen. Eldridge told the Press Friday he was feeling “blindsided.” Although he has had discussions and meetings recently with the governor’s housing and economic development secretaries, and with MassDevelopment CEO Rivera, he had no idea the governor was considering legislation to remove the cap, he said. Leaders of the three towns and the Devens framework committee had shown leadership by voting unanimously for housing at Vicksburg Square and asking MassDevelopment to collaborate in making it happen. “I would respectfully submit that this proposal by the administration is not a dialogue but a monologue.”

March 7, 2024

Jean Trounstine, CommonWealth Beacon (Opinion)

Last year, Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Mary Keefe urged Gov. Healey to add an impacted person with a letter stating, “An essential lived experience that has too often been excluded from the Parole Board is one that can only be derived from a period of incarceration.

March 6, 2024

Alison Kuznitz, 22 News WWLP

Sen. Jamie Eldridge, co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, said he wants to ensure Healey’s budget cuts do not continue in the House and Senate. Eldridge said he would consider the possibility of attempting to tap into the rainy day fund to cover budget gaps, though he said he would need to review Finfer’s pitch.

“We’ve done the hard work to make a difference, and therefore we’ve saved millions of dollars, of taxpayer dollars,” Eldridge said. “So we cannot accept a cut to these programs.”

March 5, 2024

Erin Leahy and Brenna Ransden, CommonWealth Beacon (Opinion)

This bill, sponsored by longtime transparency champion Sen. Jamie Eldridge, would implement a number of urgent transparency reforms including requiring all recorded committee votes to be posted on the Legislature’s website, requiring that committee hearings be scheduled at least a week in advance, making written testimony submitted to committees publicly available, and subjecting the governor’s office to the state’s public records law. 

March 4, 2024

Neal McNamara, Patch

This bill, sponsored by longtime transparency champion Sen. Jamie Eldridge, would implement a number of urgent transparency reforms including requiring all recorded committee votes to be posted.

February 27, 2024

Kerry Kavanaugh, Boston 25 News 

“This is so frustrating,” said Melissa Reilly, office aide and disability policy advisor for state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat. “I definitely need to get this work done this year.”

“I want to see for the people with disabilities like me, that we don’t have to hear this word ever again,” Reilly said.

“Change the law,” she said. “We need to get this word out of the system.”

February 23, 2024

John Osborn, The Harvard Press

Copies of Normand’s letter were sent to the chair of the MassDevelopment Board of Directors and Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao; state senators Jamie Eldridge and John Cronin; state representative Danillo Sena; and Interim Executive Vice President for Devens Operations Meg Delorier. The Press invited the three legislators and Delorier to comment, but none offered a response in time for this issue of the Press.

February 21, 2024

Montana Samuels, Patch

“The plugIN campaign is an example of what should be happening throughout our state and the country to work at the community level to address global warming,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “I’m continuing to work with colleagues to support efforts like that of MassEnergize to ensure we can meet our carbon reduction targets and have a resilient future.”

February 16, 2024

John Osborn, The Harvard Press

In his comments to the Press, Eldridge said, “I think the concern is that Nashoba Valley Medical Center is not a ‘profit-making hospital’ because it’s in a rural area,” making it likely to be one of the hospitals that is sold, he said. While it would be good to no longer have Steward overseeing Nashoba’s operation, Eldridge continued, questions would remain regarding who would own it and whether that owner would invest properly in the hospital. “It speaks to the continued problem with our for-profit health care system,” said Eldridge, a longtime advocate for state-managed Medicare for all.

February 13, 2024

Kinga Borondy, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

“In the last session, with the repeal of Roe, the Senate came to have a greater awareness of how best to support pregnant people and the need for maternal health care,” said Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, one of the co-sponsors of the bill. “It’s not just a question of reproductive rights, but a recognition that the health care system is private, for-profit. The costs for pregnancy is borne by families and is a burden on the state’s poorer residents and people of color.”

February 12, 2024

Neal McNamara, Patch

The screening of "Trigger" will also feature state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who has worked on legislation at the state level on gun control, including controlling the proliferation of 3D-printed "ghost" guns. Earlier in February, the state Senate the SAFER Act updating state gun laws. The House passed a different version in October, and the two bills have to be reconciled before heading to Gov. Maura Healey's desk.

February 6, 2024

Kinga Borondy, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Safe Communities Act: Sponsored by Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, the bill would set uniform standards for all Massachusetts police departments that would protect the immigration status and physical location of residents interacting with law enforcement officials until their cases have been concluded. Police would be barred from reaching out to contact federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to relay such information. Local law enforcement could answer questions about whether certain individuals are in custody. Once a criminal defendant has served their sentence, local officials could call ICE to remand them to federal custody.

February 5, 2024

Ellen Fleming, 22 News WWLP

Shining light on Beacon Hill and providing the public with a greater understanding of the workings of the State House is the objective of this bill. The Sunlight Act that is being spearheaded by Senator James Eldridge, would affect lawmakers from western Massachusetts all the way to the Cape and the Islands.

Senator Eldridge said in a statement, “We are responsible for the improvement of this system and should be held accountable for the things we say, the things we do, and especially how we vote.”

February 5, 2024

Carrie Healy, New England Public Media

Oh, yeah, it's I think it's even more than that! It might be more than 5,000 that are filed every two-year term. So the options are plentiful. We'll have our eyes peeled on some of the most high-profile bills. You think of things like the Safe Communities Act (H. 2288 filed by Rep. Ruth Balser and S. 1510 from Sen. James Eldridge). This will be a sign of if they're still in the mix for the next five-ish months of the terms, or if their fate is already sealed at this point.

February 3, 2024

Dana Drugman, Sierra Club

In Massachusetts, Democratic lawmakers Representative Steve Owens and Senator Jamie Eldridge are lead sponsors of the state’s climate superfund legislation (H.872/S.481). Like the New York bill, it seeks to recover $75 billion over 25 years from major fossil fuel companies, with at least 40 percent of the funds going towards adaptation projects that directly benefit environmental justice communities. Projects could range from urban greening investments to protecting sewage treatment plants to addressing climate-related public health challenges.

February 2, 2024

John Osborn, The Harvard Press

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who represents Ayer and Harvard, told the Press in a brief phone call Friday evening that he was relieved Nashoba Valley Medical Center would not be closing in the near future. However, he hoped Gov. Maura Healey and the Legislature “can take a harder look at our health care system and embrace reforms to ensure that these types of close calls never happen again.”

January 31, 2024

M.E. Jones, Sentinel & Enterprise

The announcement of Augustus’ visit drew quite a crowd, including multiple newspaper and TV outlets who waited outside the private meeting between the Augustus and the Devenscrest Association members. Also, taking part in the meeting was state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, state Rep. Dan Sena as well as other city and town officials such as Ayer Town Manager Robert Pontbriand.

January 31, 2024

Chris Lisinski, NBC 10 Boston

Sen. Jamie Eldridge of Marlborough, whose district includes the Steward-operated Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, said he has received "radio silence from Steward Health Care" about next steps.

"It's very frustrating. I understand there's discussions at the executive level with Steward, but unfortunately, they're not informing at least the Nashoba Valley legislative delegation," Eldridge said Wednesday.

January 30, 2024

Editorial, Sentinel & Enterprise

“I am a firm believer that the more information the public has about legislation on Beacon Hill, and the legislative process, the more responsive elected officials will be to their constituents,” said Eldridge.

And as Eldridge knows, it’s not just the public that’s been left in the dark. Many legislators themselves don’t know how the fate was assigned to many of the bills before them.

January 29, 2024

Amanda Keane, Spectrum News

The staggering number is why state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Middlesex and Worcester, and others are working to set the next generation up for success.

"That automatically is going to sort of continue that income inequality, and oftentimes racial inequality gap, that exists in Massachusetts,” Eldridge said. “So these are ways to sort of, you know, break through that."

January 25, 2024

Michael Norton, Sentinel & Enterprise

The Joint Committee on Rules, co-chaired by Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem and Rep. William Galvin of Canton, on Tuesday released the Sen. Jamie Eldridge bill (S 1963). While top Senate Democrats did not offer any indication Wednesday about plans to put the bill up for floor votes, the committee reported the legislation to the Senate where it is now pending in the clerk’s office.

In a statement released by Act on Mass, Eldridge said he was proud to file the bill.

January 24, 2024

Mike Toole, CBS Boston

"Given the declining number of incarcerated people in state prisons, the challenges of providing modern education, programming and re-entry support to incarcerated people in aging buildings, and the state's fiscal challenges, this is a common sense decision that strikes yet another blow in the criminal justice reform movement to end mass incarceration," Eldridge said in a statement.

January 19, 2024

Alexa Coultoff, Boston Globe

“When there’s a comprehensive ban, when it covers all retail stores, we know there’s a significant reduction in plastic bags. We’re talking billions of plastic bags across the country,” Eldridge said.

“Now is the time for statewide action to take a uniform standard which lots of retail stores and supermarkets support,” Eldridge said.

January 9, 2024

Editorial Board, Boston Globe

There will, of course, always be those who insist that the state is in this situation because Healey gave away too much to “the wealthy” in a tax reform bill approved last year. That group includes Senator Jamie Eldridge. “At the end of the day, earmarks are not going to cover this budget deficit,” he told the Globe. “I am very troubled that we just passed a tax reform package where over a third of the tax cuts went to the wealthy. I think that’s extremely concerning.”

January 8, 2024

Louisa Moller, CBS Boston

"The tax changes that we passed haven't even been implemented so this shortfall is from just mostly reduction in capital gains revenue which tends to be pretty volatile. So, this concern I have is that actually, this could be even worse. That once the tax reform changes go into effect, our revenue reductions could be even worse," Eldridge said. 

December 12, 2023

Mass.gov

"I'd like to thank Executive Office of Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and the Healey-Driscoll administration for providing a Downtown Initiative grant to the town of Hudson as part of the administration's Community One Stop for Growth program," said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). "For the last decade, I've been proud to partner with Representative Kate Hogan and the town of Hudson to secure millions of dollars in EOED funds for the town's revitalization. This effort played a key role in Hudson's recognition as America's Best Main Street in 2021." 

November 22, 2023, John Osborn

The Harvard Press

The $400,000 earmark was requested by Eldridge as the last session of the state Legislature drew to a close and is included in Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2022. Members of the Devens Jurisdiction Framework Committee say they need the money now to hire the consultants who will help the committee draft the recommendations on the future disposition of Devens due from the towns of Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley by 2033. The money, Eldridge said, is meant to help pay for that study, not for other initiatives like the rezoning of Vicksburg Square. Money in a bond bill is released at the discretion of the governor.

November 21, 2023, Sarah Robertson

The Shoestring / The Montague Reporter

“The frustration I hear from my progressive constituents is, what is the value of having a Democratic governor and an overwhelmingly Democratic legislature if we’re passing Republican policies?” state senator Jamie Eldridge of Acton told the Reporter. 

Eldridge, one of only two legislators to vote against the bill, pointed out that Governor Charlie Baker had proposed cutting the capital gains tax while he was in office, but the House and Senate rejected his proposal. 

November 16, 2023, Nuala Hafner

Off Plan Property Exchange

The proposed bills, filed by Rep. Mike Connolly, Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Sen. Pat Jehlen, Sen. Adam Gomez, Rep. Dave Rogers, and Rep. Sam Montaño, seek to give cities and towns the power to regulate local rents. However, opponents from the real estate industry argue that rent control would inhibit housing production, discourage landlords from maintaining high-quality apartments, and reduce property tax revenue.

November 15, 2023, Kerry Kavanaugh and Marina Villeneuve

Boston 25 News

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat and chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, thanked survivors for their harrowing testimony: “Thank you for your testimony, it was very powerful. And I assure you it has had an impact on the committee.”

Nearly two years later, survivors and advocates are still waiting for their lawmakers to act.

November 14, 2023, Sam Drysdale

NBC Boston

Rep. Mike Connolly and Sen. Jamie Eldridge's bill would, among other things, allow cities and towns to prohibit landlords from raising rent over a predetermined percentage each year. Some housing advocates Tuesday recalled instances where their rents rose as high as 60 percent in a single year.

Connolly and Eldridge's bill seeks to give the power to regulate local rents back to cities and towns.

November 7, 2023

The Falmouth Enterprise

The Falmouth Democratic Town Committee will feature Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) in-person on Thursday November 16, at 7 PM at the Gus Canty Community Center, Room 1. Zoom participation is also available.

Sen. Eldridge is the chairman of the Clean Energy, Criminal Justice Reform, Medicare For All and MBTA caucuses. He will speak on the status of progressive legislation in the current 2023/2024 session.

November 1, 2023, Willow Delp

Amherst Student

An endowment tax is a way for Amherst to give back on its questionably-gotten gains. The Endowment Tax Act (sponsored by Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Natalie Higgins) would finance public education for Massachusetts residents. In conjunction with the Debt Free Future Act, the Endowment Tax Act would provide the funding to ensure that all eligible Massachusetts students can graduate from public institutions of higher education without debt. The Endowment Tax Act would place a 2.5 percent excise tax on the Massachusetts colleges and universities that possess an endowment of over $1 billion — and that includes Amherst.

October 30, 2023, Bob Katzen

Lowell Sun

“I sponsored [the state-owned bank bill] to ensure that more working families, underserved communities including women and minority owned small businesses and farms, cities and towns interested in infrastructure and climate resiliency projects and housing and worker cooperatives have better access to capital,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton).

October 20, 2023, Ivy Scott

Boston Globe

State Senator Jamie Eldridge, whose district includes the prison, said that despite steps taken by legislators in the 2018 criminal justice reform law, he was “not convinced” that inmates in the Secure Adjustment Unit are being given access to their rights under state law.

October 16, 2023, Sarah L. Riley

Boston Globe

State Senator Jamie Eldridge is concerned about a loophole in state law that allows some gun dealers to skirt Massachusetts gun laws. LANE TURNER/GLOBE STAFF

“This is exactly the kind of loophole or gap that, absolutely, should be closed,” said one bill sponsor, Senator Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat whose district includes Littleton.

October 11, 2023, Deborah Becker

WBUR

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat who represents Worcester and Middlesex counties, says he has visited some of the hotels in his district where about 200 migrant families are staying.

Last month, he met with families at a Marlborough hotel shortly after a white supremacist demonstration there. He says he understands how a lack of communication [about the migrants' situations] could help incite extremism.

October 9, 2023, M.E. Jones

The Lowell Sun

“These towns tend to get overlooked” when budgets are being built at the state level, Eldridge said. And although there has been progress – from Ayer’s new parking garage and updated train station to infrastructure upgrades such as bridge and road repairs and marked bike lanes on local roads – the need for more public transportation remains at issue. “There’s work to be done…” the senator said.

October 4, 2023, Laura Hayes

Community Advocate

Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) said often when affordable housing is constructed — particularly in the MetroWest — it tends to be for seniors. While affordable housing is needed for seniors, Eldridge said low-income housing is just as critical for families.

August 11, Lisa Kashinsky

Politico

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Sen. Jamie Eldridge

August 8, Neal McNamara

Patch

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge,D-Marlborough, said Healey's declaration is a step in the right direction, but state officials have room to improve when it comes to coordinating the response with locals. "That communication does need to improve, and we need to better connect with municipal governments and local stakeholders to provide local support," he said.

August 2, Editorial

Lowell Sun

At the time, State Sen. Jamie Eldridge said he expected the DCR to send out a contractor to “assess the scope of necessary repairs” in the near future.

…Eldridge, a Marlboro Democrat, called it a “step in the right direction,” though he hoped to receive “more of a firm commitment” from the DCR soon.

August 1, Submitted Article

Lowell Sun

“I am grateful to DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo for visiting Pepperell to tour the Nashua River Rail Trail with state legislators, municipal officials, and rail trail enthusiasts,” Eldridge said. “The walk was an important opportunity to show Commissioner Arrigo the need to repave the twenty-year-old rail trail and thank him and the Healey-Driscoll administration for including $650,000 in the administration’s capital plan, to upgrade the rail trail…” 

July 26 by Eunki Seonwoo

The Martha’s Vineyard Times

When committee chair James Eldridge, D-Marlborough, asked whether the facility had seen a need for more cells, Ogden said the goal was to decrease the number of cells to 15. There are currently 20 cells with a capacity for 40 individuals awaiting trial or serving sentences up to two and a half years.

July 26 by Zeina Mohammed

Boston Globe

The bill was first introduced in the Massachusetts Legislature in 2021, but did not make it out of committee. State Senator Jamie Eldridge, an Acton Democrat who chairs the committee, said he expects the bill to get “a lot more attention this session,” in part because of continued police shootings, particularly of people with mental health conditions.

July 25 by Jesse Collings

MetroWest Daily News

"Marlborough has always been a city of immigrants, a very welcoming city for those that are less well off," he said. "This has happened before, it happened about eight years ago at a different hotel, and while many of the families are refugees, there are homeless families that have been living in Massachusetts for some time…."

July 13 by Neal McNamara

Wayland Patch

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, included a $100,000 earmark in the 2024 budget for MassEnergize, a Concord-based organization that helps local households take climate change action. A MassEnergize affiliate, Energize Wayland, would benefit from the funding boost.

July 9

Community Advocate

The town is grateful for the advocacy and support of its legislative delegation Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Kate Hogan.

July 8

Sentinel and Enterprise 

“I am proud to secure this earmark for AME, which has been providing Brazilian-American women with everything they need to start their own business and lead more independent lives – from technical assistance and networking opportunities, to emotional support and immigration help,” said Eldridge. “I am grateful to AME for their excellent work, and I thank my fellow colleagues for their support.”

June 29 by Erin Tiernan

MASSter List

“This is the first bill of its focus in the country – no other state legislature has proposed a commission to better support the rights of Muslim Americans,” he said.

“To be clear the purpose of this commission is merely to address Islamophobia,” he said. “To be representative, we need more Muslim Americans to run for office, to be in civic leadership.”

June 20 by Chris Burrell and Paul Singer

GBH News

“There’s just this cultural sort of opposition to more education,” he said. “When colleges have tried to expand in some of our prisons, they’re just either met with silence or opposition.”

Eldridge also said many programs are lacking in real-world needs.

June 14 by Alison Kuznitz

Daily News of Newburyport 

Sen. Jamie Eldridge, chair of the committee, said he met with Jo last year and thanked her for her “continued courage.”

“And Sen. O’Connor, thank you so much for filing so many bills around domestic violence,” said Eldridge, an Acton Democrat. “We really appreciate your leadership.

June 13 by Mike Silvia

The Fall River Reporter

“I fought for my safety. I begged for my protection knowing now my abuser had control of the system — a system that disregarded my life,” Jo testified. 

Sen. Jamie Eldridge, chair of the committee, said he met with Jo last year and thanked her for her “continued courage.” 

June 13 by Chris Van Buskirk

The Boston Herald

“I don’t think it really serves sound public policy,” Eldridge told the Herald. “I didn’t hear from anyone about ‘this made a big difference in my life to get this tax rebate.’ So I do think that it’s important to have this discussion to repeal it and make sure that we’re not worried about it being triggered in the future.”

May 26 by Marcela García

Boston Globe

Then there are small but important legislation fixes to empower workers, such as a Massachusetts bill filed in the House by state Representative Tram Nguyen and in the state Senate by Senator Jamie Eldridge to protect injured employees. The legislation would make it a presumed violation of current anti-retaliation law if a worker is discriminated against or fired within 90 days of filing a workers compensation claim.

May 10 by Jennifer B. McKim

The Bay State Banner

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat from Marlborough who leads the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus and sits as the Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee, said he was concerned about GBH News’ findings. He joined a group of state lawmakers last week to tour the Shattuck.

“I came away from the whole visit with a lot of unanswered questions,” he said. “We’re going to dig deeper.”

May 3

WBZ News

…Senator Jamie Eldridge is confident that the two bills will make it through this legislative session.

"We have underinvested for well over four decades in public higher education, this is unacceptable," Eldridge said. "This is the session we’re gonna begin to see major investments in public higher education."

March 31 by Sam Doran

WWLP

BOSTON (SHNS) – As tax reforms spring back into the conversation on Beacon Hill, a coalition of 30 organizations pitched its priorities that leaders said would buoy low- and moderate-income families.

Sen. Jamie Eldridge noted that lawmakers “came very close to expanding the EITC last year” in an economic development bill; the House tax package in 2022 would have upped EITC to 40 percent of the federal credit.

March 31 by Joan Eliyesil

The Harvard Press

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge told the Press that residents and town officials continue to tell him that they want remote or hybrid municipal meetings to continue. The Legislature is also considering a variety of bills that would make this option permanent.

March 31 by Jean Trounstine

DIG Boston 

An afternoon panel at the Education in Prison conference attempted to answer how scaling up could occur. Lee Pelton, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, state Rep. Mary S. Keefe, and former state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz discussed building a network and the need for more dedicated space for education in these institutions, and emphasized that students should be able to tap into college programs if they transfer from one prison to another.

March 24 by Executive Office of Public Safety and Security 

"Providing incarcerated persons with a state ID upon release is a critical step in their successful reintegration into society," says Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), who has been championing the cause for the past 10 years.

March 21 by Sabrina Shankman and Emma Platoff

The Boston Globe 

An alarming new report on climate change, which prompted the UN secretary general to urge developed nations to move up the target for largely ending the use of fossil fuels by a full decade, raises a difficult question for Massachusetts, already ahead of most states on climate policy.

March 15 by Tom Joyce 

New Boston Post 

Should Massachusetts communities allow non-citizens to vote in local elections?

A bill on Beacon Hill would allow it.

State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) filed “An Act Extending Voting Rights In Municipal Elections To Noncitizen Voters of the Commonwealth” (S.415) earlier this year.

March 9 by Todd Wallack

WBUR 

Several lawmakers, including state Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) have filed bills to extend the records law to the governor's office. While campaigning for governor, Healey said she would support such legislation though she has since said she wouldn't sponsor a bill of her own.

March 8 by Kinga Borondy

The Gardner News

It turns out “flushable” wipes, regardless of their intended use, are not so flushable. And members of the state Legislature want to address the misleading labeling.

The bills, filed by Garballey in the House and state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, in the Senate, would allow a lead time to re-label the merchandise and educate the public.

March 4 by Kinga Borondy 

Telegram and Gazette

In Central Massachusetts, Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, favors housing starts that would be truly affordable using local, state and federal funds, tax incentives and public/private partnerships.

There’s Community Preservation Act funds, a 3% surcharge on local property taxes that is earmarked for historic preservation, recreation and low-income housing starts. Eldridge pointed to the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds as well as state and federal grants that can be accessed for seed money.

March 2 by Colin Young 

MassLive

At least two sets of legislation have been filed this session to address ghost guns: HD 352 / SD 1469 from Rep. David Linsky and Sen. Jamie Eldridge and HD 2143 / SD 2031 from Rep. Marjorie Decker and Sen. Cynthia Creem.

The Linksy-Eldridge bill would prohibit possession of ghost guns and the manufacturing of a 3D-printed gun without a federal firearms license, and would ban distribution of digital instructions to program a 3D printer to manufacture or produce firearms and some

March 1 by Bob Katzen

Daily Hampshire Gazette

LAST MONTH’S RENT AND SECURITY DEPOSIT (SD 141) — Would amend a current law which allows landlords to charge both last month’s rent and a security deposit to new tenants.

“If this bill is enacted, landlords will only be permitted to charge last month’s rent or the security deposit,” said sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “In short, this bill significantly lowers the upfront cost of renting.”

April 26 by Maureen Sullivan

The Community Advocate

MARLBOROUGH – For the first time in three years, there was an in-person seniors conference.

Hosted by state Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) on April 20, the 42nd annual conference drew dozens of local seniors to Assabet Valley Vocational Technical High School.

April 25 

Spectrum News 1 

In an effort to help Massachusetts reach its goal to be net-zero emissions by 2050, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Middlesex & Worcester, is re-filling a bill for “solar ready roofs.”

April 24 by the Editorial Board 

The Boston Globe 

“If we’re serious about making sure we have available housing stock for all residents, we have to make sure every housing tax credit is working to build some affordable housing,” Eldridge said.

April 21 by Matt Stout and Emma Platoff

The Boston Globe 

“It just seems, right now, very uncertain if we’re going to take any major action,” said state Senator Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat and renter who last year moved from Acton to Marlborough in search of cheaper housing. “If we go through a session and there is no major action on housing at a time when a lot of elected officials are talking about it, that will be a major failure.”

Winter 2023 by David Reich 

Boston College Law School Magazine 

Jamie Eldridge (00) knew what he wanted—a career in politics and a law school known as a launching pad for high politicians. With those prerequisites in mind, he entered Boston College Law School and began an ascent that may well put him in line with the likes of Edward Markey ’72, Bobby Scott ’73, and John Kerry ’76. 

February 21 by Editorial Board 

Lowell Sun

With existing cap space dwindling, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, an Acton Democrat who represents the three Devens towns, pushed legislation that would raise the limit to 12 million square feet.

Select boards in Shirley and Ayer, two of the three Devens communities, favored eliminating the cap entirely, but Harvard’s board wanted a 12 million-square-foot limit, which Eldridge endorsed.

February 15 by Neal McNamara

The Patch 

Eldridge was first appointed to chair the joint committee on the state Senate side at the start of the 191st session in 2019.

Eldridge on Wednesday was also appointed as a member of the joint committees on cannabis policy, public service, public safety and homeland security and children, families and persons with disabilities. 

February 15 by Kinga Borondy 

Telegram and Gazette

“Public water supplies are regulated by the state Department of Environmental Protection, but there are no state regulations governing water quality in private wells,” said Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, one of the sponsors of the bill.

February 7 by Kathryn Carley 

Dig Boston

Democratic State Senator Jamie Eldridge said while food, energy and housing prices are up significantly, the bill is about more than just rebates.

“It’s also about their health care,” Eldridge said. “It’s about taking care of kids and making sure they have adequate nutrition, and it’s something that really has a tremendous impact on the entire Commonwealth.”

February 6 by Bob Katzen

The Lowell Sun

“This bill matters because state funding for public higher education in Massachusetts has been cut drastically in the past 20 years resulting in significant tuition and fee increases and one of the fastest-growing student debt burdens in the nation,” said sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough).

February 3 by John Osborn

The Harvard Press

Another company has joined the growing cluster of pharmaceutical and biotech enterprises at Devens.

The ribbon-cutting drew a crowd of several dozen dignitaries, Seqens officials, and scientists who packed a small conference room to hear comments from Luzeau, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, and French Consul General Mustafa Soykurt. 

February 5 by Samantha J. Gross and Matt Stout

The Boston Globe

“It’s important to give her credit where she did support some reforms leading up to the 2018 law. But I don’t think it’s clear yet what her vision is on” criminal justice, said state Senator Jamie Eldridge, an Acton Democrat who co-chaired the Legislature’s judiciary committee last session. “And I think it’s unclear what state government [as a whole] is going to tackle this session.”

February 2 by Spectrum News Staff 

Spectrum News

WORCESTER, Mass. - Several Massachusetts state lawmakers have filed a bill to bring back rent control in the state at the local level.

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Middlesex & Worcester) said the bill would allow cities and towns to put limits on how much rent would increase year to year. He said right now, there's a steep rise in housing costs, especially in the city of Worcester.

February 2 by Sarah L. Ryley

The Boston Globe 

Eldridge estimated that 50 Littleton residents have reached out to him with concerns about the large number of gun dealers at the mill. They “want to know what is being done . . . to keep Littleton residents safe, to close loopholes, and make sure that every gun dealer in Massachusetts is thoroughly inspected on a regular basis,” he said.

February 1 by Michael Jonas

Commonwealth Magazine

When Eldridge and Day invited Reidy to testify at a hearing in December on implementation of the reform law, he declined to appear and instead provided a 14-page letter detailing what he said was the Baker administration’s commitment to “faithfully execute the requirements” of the criminal justice act. 

Eldridge said Baker “took very personally” the Legislature’s failure to adopt his proposal. “I don’t know for certain, but I suspect that carried over into the decision by Secretary Reidy not to come before the Judiciary Committee,” he said of Reidy’s failure to testify at the December hearing. 

January 31 by Devin Bates

Spectrum News 

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Middlesex/Worcester) has introduced legislation that would allow the Department of Environmental Protection to set standards for private water quality and provide low-income homeowners with financial assistance for testing. 

"Right now, we're all paying state income tax, and yet a lot of rural communities that more often than not have private wells are not getting the same protection as more suburban or urban communities," Eldridge said. "So it's really about more equitable access and leveling the playing field."

January 31, 2023 by Christian Wade

Salem News 

Another proposal, filed by Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, would allow cities and towns to create local ordinances banning gas powered heating systems, water heaters, stoves, dryers and other appliances.

January 28, 2023 by Editor

Framingham Source

FRAMINGHAM – State Representative Kate Donaghue announcedshe has kicked off her first legislative session by filing and co-sponsoring a number of bills aimed at improving the quality of life for Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, and Framingham residents.

“Working with Senators Jamie Eldridge, Mike Moore and Becca Rausch who have filed bills in the Senate, I have filed corresponding bills in the House in a number of areas,” reported Representative Donaghue. 

January 24, 2023 by Chris Lisinksi

State House News Service

At least four bills are in the pipeline this session that would repeal the voter-approved Chapter 62F, filed by Democrat Sen. Jamie Eldridge of Acton (SD 791), Democrat Rep. Dylan Fernandes of Falmouth (HD 3038), Democrat Rep. Michelle DuBois of Brockton (HD 3599) and Democrat Rep. Mike Connolly of Cambridge (HD 1517).

January 24, 2023 by Christian Wade
The Eagle Tribune

BOSTON — State officials are touting a new law that strengthens protections for land conservation to prevent overdevelopment, saying the move will help preserve open space and blunt the impacts of climate change.

One of the bill’s primary sponsors, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, called it the “most significant land protection legislation in a generation” and said the hard-fought protections will help protect green space from development.

January 19, 2023 by Neal McNamara
Patch - Sudbury

SUDBURY, MA — State Sen. Jamie Eldridge has resubmitted a water conservation law that would change water use restrictions during times of drought. 

Eldridge and state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, are cosponsoring the bill, SD 142, that previously stalled in the state Legislature. The law would allow the Executive Office of Energy and Affairs to require regional water conservation efforts to protect water resources.

January 19, 2023 by CBS Staff
CBS Boston 

"To ban ghost guns, which are guns that are similar to banned guns, but just different enough that dealers think they can sell them," Sen. Eldridge said. "As well as banning the sale of parts of guns that are already banned in Massachusetts. We need to close these loopholes and I am concerned these loopholes are happening at the Littleton gun mill."

January 8, 2023
The Boston Globe

Late last month, the co chairs of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Michael Day, held a two-day oversight hearing on just how far off the mark the department has been on all of those issues — a hearing at which the Baker administration declined to have any officials testify. But the hearing can and should provide a road map for the new administration — or for anyone committed to social justice and the rule of law.

January 5, 2023
WBUR

"We're always going to be pushing for more change — and I expect that'll happen," said Jamie Eldridge, a state senator from Acton and a leading progressive in the Legislature.

He added that the most pressing issue before Healey is widespread income and racial inequality across Massachusetts. (One recent study found that almost a quarter of Latinos in the state suffer from food insecurity.)

"Despite all the progress we make in so many other areas, that gap is continuing to grow," Eldridge said.

January 4, 2023
WGBH

“Eliminating racial disparities and dismantling structural racism within our correctional facilities are forefront in not only creating a more just criminal justice system for people of color within the system but to establishing a more just society in Massachusetts for all,” Eldridge said in a statement.

January 3, 2023
The Lowell Sun

But in a sign of the difficulty involved with changing long-held habits, a bill that would achieve that end — filed by Acton Democrat state Sen. Jamie Eldridge on Galvin’s behalf — has languished in the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee since February.