An Interview with Massachusetts State Senator Joan Lovely 

One of the roles of the North Shore Alliance is to stay on top of what’s going on economically within our state and region. To do this, it is helpful for us to connect with state and local leaders to get a better sense of where we stand as a state and region, in regards to community and economic development. 

In a recent North Shore Conversation, a weekly radio show produced by the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development and hosted by Laura Swanson, we had the honor of speaking with State Senator Joan Lovely to explore where the North Shore stands two years into this pandemic and what the future can provide for our innovative region. 

Who Is Senator Joan Lovely? 

Senator Joan Lovely is a 5th term State Senator for the Second Essex County District, which includes Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Topsfield. Senator Lovely has been serving in the Massachusetts Senate since January 2013.

Senator Lovely serves in Leadership as Assistant Majority Leader and the Chair on the Senate Committee on Rules. In addition, Senator Lovely serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Rules and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. Senator Lovely also serves as a member on the Joint Committee on Housing, and Senate Committees on Steering and Policy, Global Warming and Climate Change, and Reimagining Massachusetts Post-Pandemic Resiliency.

On a personal note, the Senator was born and raised in Beverly, Massachusetts and went on to raise her own family in Salem, Massachusetts. She is currently the proud grandmother of a one year old granddaughter. 

After raising her children, she went back to school to obtain her law degree. It was then that she began her activism, first at the local level on the Salem City Council and then as City Council President, Acting Mayor, and the Council Liaison to the Council on Aging and Commission on Disabilities.

Reopening the State House 

During our conversation with the Senator, we discussed reopening plans not only within the state but specific to the State House in Boston, Massachusetts. 

While many businesses have been able to successfully open, and stay open safely, amid the latest surges of the coronavirus, the State House has not yet been able to open to the public. The Senator explained that while many staff and congressional workers are following a hybrid schedule, the State House is not yet open to the public or for visitors. 

As of this writing, both the senate and legislature have put forth their plans to return to in-person work, but for now the hybrid schedule will remain. She explains that the building itself is old and not conducive to wide open spaces needed for social distancing, especially with small elevators and hallways. 

Thankfully, Senator Lovely has been able to double the number of virtual meetings with her committees and constituents as they are easier for people to attend. Not only are virtual meetings easier as they don’t need to travel to attend, but attendees can access meetings from the comfort of their own home. In fact, she remarks that there has been much more constituent participation due to the remote aspects of meetings. 

Current Initiatives 

In the last legislative session, Senator Lovely explained that much of the initiatives were reactionary to the pandemic. This session, however, initiatives have been focused around a proactive response and rebuilding. 

For instance, the Senator was able to talk to us about the Votes Act that will be placing more emphasis on the accessibility of voting for Bay Staters. The legislature has examined same day voter registration, early voting in-person, “no excuse” mail in voting, and more accommodations for voters with disabilities. 

She also discussed the movement to redesign and build a new Soldier’s Home in Holyoke. The options for veterans to live in “small home” facilities is also being discussed. 

In terms of supporting businesses that have been hardest hit such as the restaurant industry and the healthcare industry, several legislative measures have been passed including the “Beer, Wine, and Cocktails to Go” option for restaurants, and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act for healthcare workers who have been diagnosed with covid and are required to isolate. 

To stay on top of the latest initiatives please visit Mass.gov for more information.