State House News Service: "Rep Trying to Close Fire Safety Loophole in State Buildings"
JUNE 9, 2021 Chris Van Buskirk A Hyde Park lawmaker is trying to close a loophole that prevents fire departments across the state from...
GET IN TOUCH
We are here to help! Please reach out to our office for assistance with any issue. We will connect you with resources at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston and at the federal level. Please visit us at Room 21 in the State House, or meet us at our district office at 678 Truman Parkway, Hyde Park.
617-722-2140
WELCOME!
I am so grateful to serve as your State Representative on Beacon Hill and to work with all the residents in our neighborhoods across the 14th Suffolk District. I am humbled and honored by the overwhelming support I received from voters across the District in the primary and general elections, and I am excited to have begun serving all the residents as your State Representative for the 14th Suffolk District.
After being sworn into office on January 6, 2021, we have hit the ground running working on important issues all across the District. I’ve been fortunate to see many of you at virtual community meetings, virtual neighborhood events and at the many advocacy meetings I’ve already attended. My Legislative Aide Emily Carrara and I are working on dozens of constituent service cases as well as several neighborhood issues, providing direct assistance to those in need. And, in addition, I am honored to have been selected to serve on several important committees: the Joint Committee on Housing, the Joint Committee on Revenue, the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, and the New House Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management. I have sponsored and cosponsored a number of bills. In order to learn more about them all and track their progress, visit here.
But there is more hard work ahead. We need to make sure we are collaboratively dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, guaranteeing that equity is at the center not only of our ongoing public health response, but our economic reopening strategies. We need to fight for our older adults to make sure they have the resources they need and deserve. We must continue to advocate strongly for housing and homeownership opportunities for everyone. In addition, we will work together to enhance, preserve and protect open space in our community, now and for generations to come. And we will be a champion for education to make sure all our students are prepared for college, career and life. These are just some of the issues we will address as your State Representative in the next two years.
I believe strongly that government and public service is and always will be about helping people and making a difference in the lives of others. Our office is committed to work with you and all the residents of the 14th Suffolk District to make sure your problems get solved.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can be helpful in any way.
All the best,
Rob
RIVER STREET BRIDGE:
MASSDOT COMMUNITY MEETING OCTOBER 11TH
COVID-19
I know firsthand the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on the lives of so many of our neighbors. I know that our top priority must be helping those most impacted by the pandemic. Please see the links below to learn more information about staying safe and healthy, and what resources are available from the City and State.
Find COVID-19 Testing
CDC COVID-19 Self-Testing Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a webpage with updated information on when and why to use a COVID-19 self-test. They advise self-testing if you have symptoms or had an exposure to someone with COVID-19 and suggest self-testing immediately before gathering indoors. Click here to learn more.
Free COVID Rapid Tests at Pharmacies by Showing Insurance Card
Most Massachusetts residents can show their insurance card to get free rapid antigen tests at the pharmacy desk of stores like CVS and Walgreens. Each insured person is eligible to get up to eight free tests each month, so a parent could obtain eight free tests for themselves and another eight for their child, as long as they provide both insurance cards. According to the state's office of Health and Human Resources, the tests should be available for free at pharmacies for people with coverage through MassHealth, which covers both Medicare and Medicaid recipients in the state. The Massachusetts Association of Health plans says all of its member insurance companies allow consumers to get rapid tests for free by showing their insurance card.
Federal Government is Offers Third Round of Free COVID Tests
You can once again order free COVID-19 tests from the federal government by visiting https://www.covid.gov/tests. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver eight free rapid antigen tests to any household in the U.S.
If you do not have access to the internet and need to place an order by phone, you can call the covidtests.gov test kit order fulfillment helpline at:
1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)
Hours: 8 am - Midnight Eastern, 7 days per week.
VACCINE ACCESS
All individuals 6 months and older are eligible for a vaccine in Massachusetts.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has begun a homebound vaccination program for individuals who cannot leave their home for a vaccine appointment. If you believe you need an in-home vaccination, please contact the Homebound Vaccination Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Booster doses are also available. See more information here:
On May 19th, 2022, the CDC strengthened its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least 4 months after their first.
If you are eligible for a vaccine and are having trouble accessing one online, you are able to call the State's Hotline at 211
RESOURCES
For information on resources available from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston, reference the links below. Please reach out to our office with any questions.
MEET EMILY
My name is Emily Carrara and I am the Legislative Aide to State Representative Rob Consalvo. I graduated from Boston Latin School in 2015 and Boston University in 2019 as a recipient of the Thomas M. Menino Scholarship for Boston Public School graduates.
While attending BU, I interned for Congressman Capuano in his DC office on Capitol Hill and interned for Mayor Walsh, working in the City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission. I also have experience in a preschool classroom at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy in Dorchester working mainly with students aged 2 to 4 years old. I have volunteered with organizations that serve asylum seekers and immigrants, such as the Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights at Boston Medical Center and the Intergenerational Literacy Program in Chelsea. I am a board member of the Thomas M. Menino YMCA in Hyde Park. My experiences in government, not-for-profits, education, and public service have given me perspective on how these fields intersect to build a better future, as well as a passion for empowering communities and serving others. I grew up in and currently live in Hyde Park, part of the Fourteenth Suffolk District, and I am honored and excited to serve my community in this role. Please never hesitate to reach out with anything I can be helpful with.
617-722-2140
MEET ROB
Putting Experience
to Work
Rob grew up in Hyde Park and attended the Boston Public Schools before graduating from Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury. After earning his degree in Political Science from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rob eventually returned to Boston where he met his wife Michelle, a Roslindale native, while volunteering on the board of the Thomas M. Menino YMCA. Rob and Michelle are the proud parents of Amanda (18), Anthony (17), and Austin (11), all of whom are currently attending the Boston Public Schools.
Rob developed a love for public service at a young age as he grew up watching his parents Bob and Diane Consalvo become involved in the civic and social life of the community. He knocked on doors and campaigned for many local candidates and was involved as a youth in the community, coaching youth sports.
Nearly thirty years ago, Rob started his career in public service as an aide to Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy. He began as an intern in the Senator’s office and later held the positions of Staff Assistant and Press Assistant, working out of Senator Kennedy’s offices in Washington, DC and Boston. Rob was eager to come back to Boston and was honored to serve as a Legislative Aide to State Representative Angelo Scaccia. Encouraged by mentors like Sen. Kennedy and Rep. Scaccia, and with the strong support of Michelle and his family, Rob was inspired to put his name forward as a candidate for public office.
In 2002, Rob was elected to the Boston City Council. It was the beginning of a 12-year period of public service in a role representing a district that encompassed the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Mattapan, Readville, and Roslindale. During his time on the Boston City Council, Rob Chaired the committees on Public Safety, Housing, and Ways and Means. As a Boston City Councilor, Rob proposed new and innovative ideas that were passed and have an impact to this day. Rob spearheaded efforts to bring Boston its first ShotSpotter acoustic gunshot technology, which continues to enhance public safety. He authored a first-in-the-nation foreclosure ordinance, as well as a groundbreaking anti-drunk driving ordinance that has been recognized nationally.
A champion for public open space, Rob is most proud of his efforts to work with community members on the restoration and renovation of parks and playgrounds, such as Almont Park in Mattapan. Through Rob’s time on the Council, he became known first and foremost for his robust responsiveness to constituents and for his effective and strong voice working on constituent service issues. He has also served as a trustee on the City of Boston’s Neighborhood Housing Trust, working to provide affordable housing opportunities all across Boston.
After the City Council, Rob returned to his public service roots when he was appointed as the Deputy Director for the Boston Home Center, where he was instrumental in executing the new administration’s housing and homeownership policy. During this time, he also became a trustee on the SEIU 888 Housing Trust.
In 2017, Rob was appointed Chief of Staff of the Boston Public Schools, and he later served as the Senior Adviser to the Superintendent. In this work, he led intergovernmental affairs, interdepartmental relations, and constituent services, in addition to a host of other special projects. Rob’s perspective as a BPS parent and his lifelong dedication to public service fueled his daily efforts to help transform the lives of all BPS students.
Rob ran to be the State Representative for the 14th Suffolk District because he still believes that government is about helping people and making a difference in the lives of others. He brings his passion for public service, vast experience in government, and ability to build bridges and coalitions to the State House to fight every day for the people of Hyde Park, Roslindale, Readville, and West Roxbury.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
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