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Hello Everyone!
As we move through April, I’m reminded that public service is a process, not a performance. Much of the work of being a State Representative happens behind the scenes—listening closely, showing up consistently, and doing the unglamorous, everyday work that holds a community together.
This month, I’ve met with neighbors, community organizations, and local leaders who are each carrying a piece of our shared future. What I see again and again is the strength that comes when we approach challenges with curiosity, not blame. Solutions come not from pointing fingers, but from sitting down together and asking, “What can we build—side by side?”
My job is to connect those voices to the larger systems that shape our lives. That means documenting concerns, navigating policy, and making sure that your experiences inform the decisions being made on Beacon Hill.
April is a time of planting and preparation—and that’s what this season of work feels like. We’re laying roots that will grow into something lasting.
Let's keep the work going!
Tara Hong
State Representative
18th Middlesex District
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On Tuesday, February 25, the House voted on Rules, and on Wednesday 2/26 House Members received their committee assignments. I was assigned to the following committees:
- Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses
- Joint Committee on Higher Education
- Joint Committee on Election Laws
- Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on these committees and look forward to forging deeper relationships with my colleagues so that we can work to improve the lives of those in our districts and across the Commonwealth as a whole.
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- H.3506 - An Act relative to digital inclusion for seniors
- H.771 - An Act relative to intergenerational community engagement
- H.3850 - An Act establishing the Massachusetts veterans service dog program
- H.603 - An Act relative to enhancing civic education in Massachusetts public schools
- H.1526 - An Act establishing a rent stabilization commission
- H.3851 - Resolutions condemning political oppression and encouraging free and fair elections in Cambodia
- H.733 - An Act relative to educator pay
- H.3129 - An Act aligning the long-term capital gains tax rate with the short-term capital gains tax rate
- H.2347 - An Act to promote Yes in God's Backyard, allowing religious institutions to build affordable housing on their property
- HD.4593 - An Act authorizing the city of Lowell to contract for the provision of transportation of homeless students
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If there are any other bills you'd like me to support, please contact my office.
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April 1 I attended my first hearing as a member of The Joint Committee on Election Laws. It is an honor to serve on this committee and hear testimony.
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April 8 I was honored to join UMass Lowell and Draper for the open house at Wannalancit Mill. Draper’s partnership with UMass Lowell and investment in our city will provide access to experiences, mentorship and career pathways that will set up our students, and our community, for success in the state’s most critical industries.
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April 8 I attended my first hearing as a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. It’s an honor to serve on this committee and to hear testimony from residents across the Commonwealth who care deeply about the future of our environment.
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April 10
We voted YES on a $1.3 billion supplemental budget bill and it passed the House 140-14.
This budget is powered by Fair Share revenue, a surtax on income over $1 million, that is constitutionally required to be spent on education and transportation.
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April 16 Check out the summary of the House Budget.
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April 19 សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី! Happy Khmer New Year! I had a fantastic time at the annual Khmer New Year Parade. I am happy to see Cambodian culture, food, music and dance being shared with the community. Thank you to CMAA, the Clemente Park Committee, the City of Lowell and so many others for making this event possible!
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Local Business Recognition |
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April 2 It was an honor to stop by Tasty Dumplings to present a citation recognizing their continued contributions to our local economy and community. Their delicious dumplings and incredible cuisine bring people together and make Lowell an even better place. Let’s continue to support our local businesses—stop by Tasty Dumpling at 351 Market St, Lowell, MA 01852, or check them out online at tasty-dumplings.com!
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April 13 It was an honor to present Kim’s Donuts with a citation for all their continued contributions to our local economy! Please stop by to enjoy their amazing donuts—they’re located at 56 Branch St.
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April 14 We celebrated one of the newest restaurants in Lowell — Mama Angie's Steam Buns +, located at 46 Wood St, Lowell, MA 01851.
Their menu features steamed buns filled with barbecued pork, spicy chicken with habanero mango sauce, and a Philly cheese steak-inspired option with shredded steak, peppers, onions, and cream cheese. These delicious fillings also come in crispy egg rolls.
They also serve phak lov (IT'S GOOD, I got it today with rice) — a Cambodian dish with marinated pork ear, tongue, stomach, and intestine, paired with soy sauce, chili, and pickled papaya and carrot. You can try it on a rice plate, in a taco, or on a baguette.
Grab a Thai iced tea, soda, or sweet snacks like Pringles, candy bars, and Bungo choco mochi while you're there.
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It will be an exciting week of STEM MashUp, Architecture, Gamemakers, Crime Science, Battlebots, and Harvard MedScience. Thank you to Project Learn and UMASS Lowell for sponsoring this year's Idea Camp.
Any questions, email padams@lowell.k12.ma.us.
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The Lowell High School Theater Department is proud to present: BACK TO THE 80's!It's the year 2000, Corey is looking back and ready to tell you all about his senior year. Welcome to William Ocean High School in 1985. The class of '85 is beginning their senior year and you're along for the ride. The ups, the downs, the heartaches, the house parties and the big event: prom night! And we could use your help to bring our production to life and keep the costs down. We are looking for 80's style clothing, specifically prom dresses and suits. Anything we can borrow, or have donated, can be dropped off in the LHS Freshman Academy on 40 Paige St. labeled "theater department."
If you decluttered and got rid of all of your 1980's treasures, you can also help the production out by purchasing items from their Amazon wishlist here:
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