THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 22, 2024 Page 9 Senator DiDomenico and Colleagues Pass Bill to Transform Early Education and Care DiDomenico priority would expand accessible, affordable, and high-quality care across the state OSTON — Senator Sal DiDomenico joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to unanimously pass legislation to make early education and care more accessible and aff ordable for families across Massachusetts. DiDomenico has championed signifi cant investments in early education and childcare throughout his entire career, and he was proud to speak on the Senate fl oor about this transformational legislation. The EARLY ED Act—An Act B ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development—takes transformative steps to improve the aff ordability and sustainability of childcare programs by making the state’s Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operational grant program permanent, expanding eligibility for the state’s subsidy program and capping subsidy recipients’ childcare costs at 7 per cent of family income, and boosting compensation for educators by creating a career ladder and providing scholarships and loan forgiveness. “From my first day in the Senate I have been pushing for expanded access to early education and increasing staff salaries to ensure educators can earn a good living,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “This critical legislation will drastically expand access to aff ordable, high-quality, early education and childcare and deliver significantly better pay and benefi ts for early educators. I am proud to support this bill which helps move our state one step closer to guaranteeing every child will receive world-class education from childhood through adulthood. We must get this bill over the finish line and keep our state a livable and welcoming home for families of all incomes. I want to thank all of the advocates, Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Jason Lewis, Senator Susan Moran, Senator Robyn Kennedy, and all my colleagues for their tireless eff orts to prioritize this vital proposal.” “An equitable and competitive Commonwealth is one in which every child and family has access to aff ordable quality early education,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday Senator DiDomenico speaking at a rally on the State House steps Thursday morning before voting began. $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM 12-9 p.m. $9.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com Senator DiDomenico speaking on the Senate fl oor in favor of the bill and displaying the printed program from his own Head Start graduation almost 50 years ago. (D-Ashland). “At the same time, we must recognize the incredible work of the providers who are shaping the minds and hearts of our earliest learners. Today I’m proud that the Massachusetts Senate is once again taking action to lower costs for families, open up more opportunities for children, increase pay for our early educators, and make support for providers permanent so they can keep their doors open and thrive for years to come. I extend my thanks to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Lewis for their diligent work, all of my Senate colleagues for their support, and the many, many people who have advocated for earLEGISLATION | SEE PAGE 10 Advocate Online: www.advocatenews.net
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