BOSTON – Senator DiDomenico joined the Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition for a legislative briefing in support of his bill to provide basic needs assistance for Massachusetts immigrant residents (S.76/H.135). The event highlighted the need for DiDomenico’s legislation and funding in the budget to restore basic food and cash assistance benefits for legally present immigrants and included remarks from Senator DiDomenico, Representatives Judith Garcia and Tony Cabral, medical professionals, and community leaders, such as Gladys Vega of La Colaborativa, that work with immigrant families.

Thousands of immigrants remain ineligible for federal SNAP and cash assistance benefits due to harsh eligibility restrictions put in effect since 1996. Massachusetts has provided state-funded nutrition and cash assistance benefits in the past, from 1997 to 2002 when the Legislature unanimously voted to provide key benefits.

“While the prices of food and housing are rising, thousands of Massachusetts residents are being denied vital food and cash assistance benefits because of unreasonable and cruel eligibility restrictions,” said State Senator Sal DiDomenico.  “Government can and should do everything it can to ensure its residents have basic living standards, and this is an easy step to take to protect countless people who are suffering in my district and across our state. I want to thank the Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition for their work on this issue and I will continue to partner with these organizations and my colleagues to get this unjust policy fixed.”  

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Senator Sal DiDomenico’s Chief of Staff, Christie Getto Young, was awarded Legislative Staffer of the Year by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Christie has worked with DiDomenico and led his team for over 13 years. She has mentored many staffers in the State House and dedicated her legislative efforts to helping children and families throughout the Senate district and the Commonwealth. People from inside and outside the State House have benefited from her leadership on so many issues that have positively impacted countless lives.

“I have relied on Christie throughout our time in the Senate and she is a trusted friend and confidante,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award, and I want to thank MAPC for honoring Christie. She is respected and looked up to by so many people in the State House and in our communities.  We are fortunate to have her on our team, and our district is lucky to have her working on their behalf. Her work has made life better for people across Massachusetts and we are so proud of her. Congratulations again, Christie!”

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Senator Sal DiDomenico recently hosted the World Championship Finalists Everett High School Percussion Ensemble for a special performance at the State House. They played in front of Legislators and staff and everyone throughout the building heard their wonderful program. The Ensemble was a finalist at the World Championships in Dayton, OH last month and they came in first place at the New England Championships in Dartmouth, MA, and the East Coast Regional Championships in Monroe Township, NJ. They performed the same program they played at all the Championships, and they represented their community well to the thousands of people who have seen their amazing skills.

“I am proud of the Percussion Ensemble for the countless hours of work they put into perfecting their performance and representing Everett across the state and the country,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. "They are an outstanding group of student musicians and teachers who always make our city shine. I am so proud that my son Sal is a part of this great group. I also want to thank Mr. O'Brien and his team for making these opportunities possible for our students."

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