PLUS: NEWS FROM THE STATE HOUSE
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
Dear Cambridge and Somerville Constituents:
As State Representative, my focus is on addressing the affordability emergency, protecting Massachusetts residents from Trump’s fascist agenda, and making state government work for Cambridge and Somerville constituents.
And yet, as a longtime peace activist, I feel compelled to speak out against Trump’s war-of-choice on Iran. And as State Rep., I’ve sworn an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, including Art. I, Sec. 8, which requires Congressional approval to start a war.
Iranians, like all people, deserve freedom, safety, and self-determination. The Islamic Republic of Iran has a brutal record of repressing its own people. I hear the voices of the Iranian diaspora in our community who are rooting for the demise of the ruling regime while mourning the killing of their friends and loved ones who have dared to take to the streets of Iran in protest.
But that doesn’t mean this war is the answer.
Last week, I worked to help evacuate a constituent stranded in Dubai — and this week, I responded to a constituent request to support a loved one trying to get back to the U.S. from Israel with her two children.
Today, my thoughts are with the 7 U.S. service members killed so far in this unconstitutional war.
I’m thinking of the 165+ victims of the U.S. missile strike on an Iranian girls’ elementary school.
I’m holding space for all the innocent people impacted in the region, including those who can’t get to the grocery store because they are stuck in bomb shelters.
I’m also holding space for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein who continue to be denied justice and accountability while Trump creates another major distraction.
And finally, I’m thinking of all the Americans who are living without an adequate social safety net while Trump spends up to $2 billion/day on this unconstitutional war.
My statement on the war with Iran is available on my Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok.
News from the State House
This week, I was on Beacon Hill to advocate for H.3594, An Act Regarding Free Expression, legislation I've co-sponsored to resist the regressive “book ban” movement now sweeping across the nation’s public schools.
While we in Massachusetts pride ourselves on our support of the First Amendment and academic freedom, the unfortunate truth is we are not immune to these efforts. According to the Boston Globe, nearly 70 titles have been threatened for removalfrom shelves in dozens of our public schools, and these books tend to highlight stories of race, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities.
That's why I was proud to join with my legislative colleagues, Reps. Adam Scanlon, John Moran, Amy Mah Sangiolo, Sam Montaño and Senator Julian Cyr for a press conference and lobby day in support of this bill. I also had a great conversation with my Cambridge constituent Liz Phipps-Soeiro, who serves as the Director of Library Services for the Boston Public Schools. In speaking with her and other librarians, authors, educators, students, and advocates, I learned that in several school districts across our state, this has become a growing concern.
The state Senate recently passed this bill, so I'm hopeful with our advocacy push this week, we can get it over the finish line in the House, too. I recorded a short video to highlight this legislation, available here on Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok.
Next up on Beacon Hill, the House is expected to soon take up legislation to address the fascist ICE crackdown. I continue to push House Leaders to do everything we possibly can to protect our immigrant neighbors and defend everyone's constitutional rights. The House held a committee hearing on the PROTECT Act last week, and it is expected to make it to the floor in the coming weeks.
DUA Debacle: Next week, myself and other legislators will once again meet Lauren Jones, the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, and Kim Dishnica, the Director of the Department of Unemployment Assistance, to continue pressing the Healey-Driscoll Administration on the need to make improvements to the state's unemployment system. I worked with the Chair of the House Committee on Labor and Workforce Development to organize this meeting in response to the continued meltdown of the system. Of course, my staff and I are always happy to assist constituents with DUA — but we continue to demand dramatic improvements because it shouldn't take a State Representative for people to get the benefits they are entitled to.
Save the date: On the evening Tuesday, March 24, I will be hosting joint office hours at the Central Square Public Library with Cambridge City Councilor Ayah Al-Zubiand the staff of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. This event will feature introductory remarks from myself and Councilor Al-Zubi, and then all of our staffs will be on hand to assist constituents with any needs they have on the federal, state, or municipal levels. Exact time TBA.
Finally, stay tuned for my next newsletter where I will outline the results of the House debate on energy affordability legislation. To offer a quick preview: the final House bill represents a vast improvement over the T.U.E. committee bill from back in the fall, but in the end, I still voted "No" because the legislation included a devastating cut to the Mass Save program without doing all that much to lower our out-of-control utility bills. We need real affordability and climate justice, and the only way to get both is to hold the investor-owned, corporate utilities accountable. My video recap of this recent House session is available on Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok.
In closing, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback on any of these items. And thank you, as always, for being an informed and engaged constituent.
Yours in service,
Rep. Mike Connolly
