Patrick O'Connor

Yesterday, the Senate unanimously voted to pass S.3109, An Act relative to teacher retirement election. This could impact an estimated 6,500 to 8,500 current teachers who missed the chance to join the RetirementPlus pension program when it was rolled out in 2001.

Teachers who join RetirementPlus under this legislation would pay into the program as if they had joined at the outset, plus interest, in order to ensure both fiscal stability and fairness for teachers and retirees who have been participating throughout the past 25 years.

My staff and I have family and friends that are educators, and we know how rewarding and challenging of a profession it is. The wraparound services that educators provide now for students are the most comprehensive they’ve ever been. The journey for this bill has been quite long, with many ups and downs.

I’m thrilled that the Senate was able to get this bill across the finish line this session. Massachusetts educators do some of the most important work in our society, and they deserve the right to opt-in to RetirementPlus.

The Hull Firefighters Past and Present party was a great recognition of firefighters who have made great commitments and sacrifices for the Town of Hull over the years protecting and serving all who live there. The evening was full of catching up with old friends and hearing great stories.

Additionally, Bob Rozzi was recognized for his 28 years of service and dedication to Hull and the South Shore. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement.

Seniors at Marshfield High School recently had the opportunity to try on a career for size through their internship program.

This program is a collaboration between the Marshfield Public School Department, Marshfield High School and the Marshfield Chamber. Students in the senior class have the ability spend the final 6 weeks of their high school career within an organization that closely aligns with their career goals.

I was very impressed by the students' internship summary projects and it was great talking to them about their experiences this spring. Interns are such a valuable asset to our office and I'm sure that these students brought a lot to the table throughout the duration of their time spent at their respective organizations.

Last week I was happy to welcome students from the Nash School in Weymouth Weymouth Public Schools to the State House. During their field trip, they had the opportunity to go on a tour of the building and experience both the House and Senate chamber. The students were able to stop by the historic Senate Reading Room also, and they were great listeners and had very good questions for me.

This was another awesome school group and I'm always happy to speak with students who visit the State House. I hope everyone has a great rest of the school year, and come back to Beacon Hill anytime!

Here are the office hours for the month of June that my office will be holding.

As always, any resident who has a question or a concern is welcome to walk in or make an appointment at our office in Weymouth, located at 855 Washington Street between 9-5 Monday through Friday.

If none of the times below fit in with your schedule, please contact us at (617) 722-1646 and we will gladly assist you in setting up a meeting.

Last week the 2025 Cohasset Football State Champions came to the State House to be recognized for their victory season. Their win in December of the MIAA Division 7 State Championship, defeating Amesbury 22-14 at Gillette Stadium, marked the Skippers' third state title in program history.

In addition to a tour, the team and I were able to talk more in the Senate Chamber and enjoy the views from the Senate balcony. They all received official recognition commending their hard work on and off the field throughout their season.

Congratulations on this well-earned achievement and I'm looking forward to seeing Cohasset Football back at the State House after their next State Championship win.

Now that respective budgets have been approved by the Governor, House, and Senate, the next step we take as a state is to organize a committee charged with finding compromise between the budgets and drafting a final state budget that will guide Massachusetts into Fiscal Year 2027.

This process, known as Conference, consists of three members of the House and three members of the Senate. I am honored to announce my appointment to this year’s Conference Committee and appreciate my colleagues trust in me to help craft the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year starting in July.

I am hopeful that we will address policies and investments that will make our Commonwealth stronger and improve the quality of life for everyone that lives, works, and grows throughout Massachusetts.

Last week, the 4th graders from Sacred Heart School Weymouth came up to the State House for a field trip.

The students took a tour of the building and learned more about Massachusetts history, and I was able to speak to them in the House Chamber with Representative Murphy where we told them a little about what we do as elected officials who represent them, their families, friends, and neighbors.

I am always honored to speak with the students who come to the State House to visit, thank you to their teachers and chaperones for making the day possible. It was great to see you all again, and I hope you will make your way back to Beacon Hill soon!

I was proud to file Amendment 1070 to the FY27 budget, which in part has included $20,000 to the Town of Scituate to promote regional tourism through the upkeep of the the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail.

The trail runs from Weymouth to Plymouth and highlights each community’s unique contribution to our local history. The idea for the trail came organically through the Scituate and West Cork Sister City Committee to help celebrate and educate the populace about Irish-American contributions to life in Scituate and the South Shore.

We have such a rich Irish history full of traditions here within our communities that people from all over the Commonwealth and beyond visit to experience. I'm looking forward to the summer months enjoying the trail.