Page 12 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 17, 2026 Rep. McGonagle nominates Elvira Pinjic for 2026 Commonwealth Heroine Director of Joint Committee for Children’s Healthcare in Everett was among 147 honorees from across the Commonwealth Honorees from across the Commonwealth. (Courtesy photo) S tate Representative Joe McGonagle was pleased to announce that Elvira Pinjic of the Joint Committee for Children’s Healthcare in Everett (JCCHE) was honored as a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine. Each year the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. On June 24, 2026, MSCW was joined by Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll at the Massachusetts State House to celebrate the Class of 2026 Commonwealth Heroines. “Over the years, I have learned just how important the work is that Elvira and her team do in Everett,” said McGonagle. “They advocate for children and work with families to make sure they have adequate DIDOMENICO | FROM PAGE 8 ments a new funding formula to equitably distribute the increase throughout all of the state’s 351 communities. In another step toward addressing the housing crisis and building homes faster statewide, the budget builds on last session’s Affordable Homes Act by streamlining local permitting, healthcare options in our community. Elvira is a hard worker and I am thrilled she and all the other women were recognized for their efforts.” Officials are encouraged to submit one woman from their constituency — as a way of recognizing the woman’s invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service — who is making a big difference in their community but not necessarily making the news. This year the Class of 2026 Commonwealth Heroines is comprised of a historic 147 women from across the state, the largest class awarded to date by MCSW. These women are leaders in industry, business, nonprofit organizations, advocacy and more, and their work truly makes a difference in our local communities all across the state. “Women across Massachusupporting development on nonconforming properties, providing reasonable timelines for projects under existing zoning and modernizing the variance standard, all aimed at boosting housing production and driving down costs. • Health Care: extends the ConnectorCare expansion pilot program through 2027. Since 2024, the pilot has helped setts are making a difference for their communities day in and day out, and this year’s awardees are shining examples of the leadership we are proud of,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Their dedication, compassion and commitment to service are inspiring generations of leaders across our state, and we’re thankful for all they do for our state. Congratulations to this year’s award winners!” “Here in Massachusetts, we are no strangers to exceptional women leaders. From the State House to main streets to communities across the state, women are paving the way and showing up for their communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re thrilled to congratulate this year’s awardees for all that they do for Massachusetts and can’t wait to see what they do next.” more than 115,000 residents access more affordable insurance through lower premiums, no deductibles and reduced copays. The budget also codifies existing federal protections requiring comprehensive insurance coverage of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) without cost sharing or utilization management barriers and directs a new study to modernize and Rep. McGonagle with his nominee, Elvira Pinjic. (Courtesy photo) improve the long-term sustainability of emergency medical services in the Commonwealth. • Retiree COLA Reform: includes comprehensive, fiscally prudent reforms to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retired public employees, based on recommendations from the Special COLA Commission. It establishes a COLA Reserve Fund financed in part by pension investment returns above target, provides enhanced COLA benefits for certain current retirees based on years in retirement and allows the base amount used to calculate future COLAs to increase in $1,000 increments as funding allows. • Protecting Vulnerable Residents: includes provisions proDIDOMENICO | SEE PAGE 14
13 Publizr Home