Because we are at the start of a new legislative session we are now in the midst of sorting and reviewing over 6,000 pieces of legislation that covers the entire spectrum of issues from health care, to transportation, elder affairs, public health, veteran’s affairs, economic development and many more.   In addition to your State Senators and Representative’s, Governor Deval L. Patrick has filed several different bills as well.   The most talked about at this point has certainly been the proposal to raise the gas tax by .19 cents.

Over the past several weeks, I have received countless emails and phone calls from constituents regarding the proposed gas tax increase.  The important thing to keep in mind right now is that these are proposals and are subject to the entirety of the legislative process.  Governor Patrick’s gas tax proposal is simply a piece of his Transportation Reform Package.

State Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan (D-Leominster) has received committee assignments for the 2009-2010 Legislative Session from Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth).

Senator Flanagan will serve as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Mental Health & Substance Abuse and will service as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transportation. Senator Flanagan will also serve on the following committees: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, Joint Committee on Public Health.

Investigation by the Department of Public Utilities on its Own Motion into the Preparation and Response of the Massachusetts Electric Distribution Companies to the December 12, 2008 Winter Storm.

Senator Flanagan testifies at the Dept. of Public Utilities Hearing, January 27th

State Senator-elect Jennifer L. Flanagan (D-Leominster) has named five staff members that will serve under her in the Worcester & Middlesex State Senate District.  Currently the State Representative for the 4th Worcester District, Flanagan will be sworn in at the State House of Wednesday January 7th, as the newly elected Senator of the Worcester & Middlesex State Senate District.

Thank you for your patience during this past week regarding the storm and the clean-up.  I know that it has been a difficult time and I appreciate your willingness to help out other people in the community.

Representative DiNatale, Mayor Wong and myself and other members of the delegation including Rep.-elect Jen Benson, Senator Antonioni, Rep. Rice, Rep. Evangelidis, Rep. Hargraves, Senator-elect Eldridge, Rep.-elect Rosa, Mayor Mazzarella, and Mayor Hawke have been working on this issue all week to ensure that this gets rectified in the fastest manner possible.

Please feel free to contact me in the District Office 978.534.3388 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  I will be having staff members check the voicemail throughout the weekend.

I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to the following candidates in the District for their successful races.

• Jamie Eldridge, Senator-Elect, Middlesex and Worcester District
• Jen Benson, State Representative-Elect, 37th Middlesex District
• Kate Hogan, State Representative-Elect, 3rd Middlesex District
• Bob Rice, State Representative-Elect, 2nd Worcester District
• Dennis Rosa, State Representative-Elect, 4th Worcester District

I would like to thank my opponent, Brian Knuuttila, for running a great campaign, where we were able to discuss the issues that are important for the people of North Worcester County.

I have worked hard as State Representative to be responsive to the concerns of my district, and I want to continue that work as a Senator.  Please feel free to contact me at any time at 978-534-3388 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

BREAKING NEWS: Jennifer Flanagan has won the Democratic Primary to fill the seat of retiring Senator Robert Antonioni (D-Leominster). Flanagan beat former Gardner State Representative Brian Knuuttila capturing approximately 60% of the vote.

With no Republican or third-third party opponent on the general election ballot, Flanagan is now Senator-elect and will take office on the First Wednesday of January.

Please check back soon for more detailed results, along with comments from our new Senator-elect Jen Flanagan.

Help Jen Flanagan Become Our Next State Senator

Team Flanagan is seeking to bolster our ranks of supporters and volunteers to help Jen during the final days leading into Tuesday’s Democratic Primary Election. Just an hour or so of your time will make a tremendous difference to the outcome of this important election.

If you can help make get out the vote phone calls, assist in our literature drops, hold signs, or volunteer your time to help Jen on Election Day, please contact our office at 978-343-2600. Again, Jen needs your help to get through these final days leading to victory on Tuesday, September 16.

Specifically, we are asking for the following help: