State Rep. Kathy LaNatra

This weekend, August 8 and 9, is the sales tax-free weekend here in the Commonwealth! During these two days, the state’s 6.25% sales tax is waived on individual retail items priced at $2,500 or less for personal use.

This is a great chance to shop small, buy local, and support the businesses that make the 12th Plymouth district and our state so special. For more info, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-sales-tax-holiday-frequently-asked-questions.

On Sunday, I joined the officials from the Town of Plymouth, MA along with my colleague State Rep. Michelle Badger to help dedicate the Peace Pole, along with the delegation from Plymouth's Sister City, Shichigahama, Japan. This was an amazing celebration of the friendship, collaboration and peace that stems from this exchange program. The Peace Pole stands at the Plymouth Town Hall and was donated by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Plymouth. Congratulations and thank you to all involved in this great endeavor.

During the busy end of session last week, the House voted to pass legislation expanding access to primary care. This bill sets primary care spending targets to ensure that more of our health care dollars are spent on high-value primary care, invests in the primary care workforce, enhances community-based care, protects access to pharmacies and lowers prescription costs and creates access to biomarker testing.

The legislation sets statewide primary care targets to increase the share of spending on primary care to 15% by the year 2036 and puts in safeguards to ensure that this happens without raising overall health care costs and that all health care entities are responsible. The bill creates a fund for scholarships, loan repayments, career pathways to push more health care professionals toward primary care, especially in rural and underserved areas. The legislation also strengthens the Health Safety Net, to help protect health care facilities serving vulnerable, uninsured and underinsured patients.

When primary care leads the way on patient care and wellness, our entire system benefits. It is time we invest more dollars into what we know works: primary care. From preventative medicine, like vaccines and screenings, to care coordination, and so much more, primary care is how we get better results out of our health care system. Thank you to Speaker Mariano and Chairman Lawn for their leadership on this critical legislation.

Team LaNatra has big news to share! 🎉

As of last week, we have knocked 753 doors and made 889 phone calls! Our grassroots, people-powered campaign continues to show up across the 12th Plymouth District and engage voters on what matters most: supporting our families, strengthening public safety, investing in education, protecting the environment, and standing up for seniors.

I am proud of the work we have accomplished together and every volunteer that has showed up - because my constituents deserve a State Representative that is present in our communities, listens to your concerns, and advocates for you. Thank you for doing this critical work with me! ❤🤍💙

Last month, I hosted my annual golf tournament at Squirrel Run Golf Course in Plymouth with family, friends, colleagues, supporters, and voters from across Massachusetts and the 12th Plymouth District! It was a strong showing of my people-powered reelection campaign and the heartwarming community that supports me as I continue to focus on affordability, seniors, and local investments in our communities.

Thank you to all who joined, grabbed their clubs, and had a great time on the course during the perfect weather! And thank you again to Squirrel Run Golf Course for the hospitality and opportunity to host this annual tournament at your facility. ⛳🏌️‍♂️

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of marching in the Kingston 300th Anniversary Parade! What a special way to be a part of this town's great history and participate in this tricentennial celebration with my family, friends, and supporters! 🇺🇸

It is always amazing to see the community come together at this scale and proudly share our love for this town and the people, organizations, small businesses, and volunteer groups that tirelessly dedicate themselves to making Kingston a phenomenal place to plant roots and raise a family!

I'm grateful for the event organizers, public safety officers, and smiling faces that made the parade such a success. Happy Birthday, Kingston, and here's to another 300 years! ❤️🤍💙

As more families across Massachusetts are impacted by Alzheimer's and dementia diagnoses, it is our responsibility that patients, family, friends and loves ones don't face these challenges alone, without the tools, supports and resources they need. That is why I was proud to support legislation this week that strengthens Alzheimer's and dementia care across the Commonwealth.

The legislation, titled An Act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer's and dementia, improves support for families and caregivers, expands workforce training, and enhances public health efforts to address Alzheimer's disease and other dementias across the Commonwealth.

As medical breajthroughs and advancements continue to revolutionize care, treatments and lead us closer to a cure, it is critical that we ensure these diagnoses come with the tools and supports patients and families need and that our laws reflect our commitment to ensuring the best quality of life for these patients as they navigate their diagnosis. Thank you to Speaker Mariano, Chair Stanley and Leader Gregoire for championing this important legislation.

Last week, it was an honor to welcome Lindsay Hoyle, MP, the Speaker of the House of Commons to Plymouth alongside my Plymouth Delegation colleagues. We had the opportunity to host them at Shelly’s Tea Rooms in Plymouth, talk about our shared history and partnership, and then head for a tour of the Mayflower II.

What a special day learning more about our friends across the Atlantic and welcoming Speaker Hoyle to downtown Plymouth and the South Shore! 🇺🇸🇬🇧

Next up for my office's summer interns this summer is Shane Crowley. Shane attends Union College, and is a resident of Pembroke. He has done some great work so far, helping my team dig into the budget and many other pieces of legislation as the session wraps up.

Thanks Shane for all of your work and your contributions in serving the residents of the 12th Plymouth District.