Representative Sweezey named to Fair Share supplemental budget conference committee

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Kenneth P. Sweezey (R-Duxbury) to serve on a six-member conference committee that will work to reconcile the differences between competing versions of a supplemental budget that allocates surplus Fair Share surtax revenues for a variety of education and transportation initiatives across the state.

The House passed its version of the supplemental budget on March 18 by a vote of 150-3, while the Senate approved its version on April 9 by a vote of 35-4. Both bills authorize $1.8 billion in total spending, mostly from surtax revenues, but differ on how this funding will be distributed. They also take different approaches on how Massachusetts should respond to recent federal tax law changes.

The House bill calls for $885 million to go towards public transportation and $417 million to be used for public education, while also addressing deficiencies in several state budget accounts for Fiscal Year 2026. The Senate bill sets aside $753 million for transportation and $591 million for education, including $25 million to encourage school consolidations in rural communities as a cost-saving measure.

“Ken has been a staunch advocate for making sure taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively and not being wasted,” said Representative Jones. “I am confident he will do a great job on the conference committee to ensure that the surplus surtax revenues will be put to good use to support the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure and education system.”

“I want to thank Leader Jones for entrusting me with this important responsibility,” said Representative Sweezey. “For the Fair Share surtax to have a positive impact, we must at least ensure that our schools are reaping the benefits, and the funds are distributed to all communities and do not leave anyone behind. I look forward to the negotiations and working with my colleagues for a balanced consensus.”

Joining Representative Sweezey on the conference committee are House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Representative Kip Diggs (D-Barnstable), Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), and Senators Joanne Comerford (D-Northampton) and Patrick O'Connor (R-Weymouth).

Representative Sweezey currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member on both the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. He is also a member of the House Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement, the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Elected to the House of Representatives in November of 2024, Representative Sweezey represents the 6th Plymouth District, which is comprised of the town Duxbury; Precinct 2 of the town of Halifax; Precincts 2 and 3 of the town of Hanson; Precincts 2A and 4 of the town of Marshfield; and Precincts 1, 2, 3A, 4, and 5 of the town of Pembroke.

Representative Xiarhos Appointed to Task Force on Hate Crimes

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. (R–North Reading) has appointed State Representative Steven G. Xiarhos (R–Barnstable) to serve on the Task Force on Hate Crimes, replacing State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R–Seekonk), who has served on the task force since 2022.

Members of the task force serve in an advisory capacity and assist the state in developing policies for preventing and responding to hate crimes. The task force works with law enforcement agencies, school districts, and state and municipal officials to identify ways to improve the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes, while ensuring that individuals and communities targeted by these crimes receive support. It also provides technical assistance to school districts interested in incorporating hate crime education into their curriculum.

“Steven has an extensive background of four decades of service working in law enforcement, so he understands the important role police officers play in investigating hate crimes and protecting the public,” said Representative Jones. “His expertise in this area will serve him well as he works with his fellow task force members to strengthen the state’s response to hate crimes and support for victims.”

“After four decades in law enforcement, I know how important it is that every person in every community feels safe and protected,” said Representative Xiarhos. “Hate crimes not only harm individuals, they strike at the very heart of our communities. I am honored to serve on this task force and look forward to working with law enforcement, educators, and community leaders to prevent these crimes, support victims, and ensure that hate has no place in Massachusetts. It is especially meaningful to serve alongside Gina Kwon, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and Josh Kraft, president of the New England Patriots Foundation, whose leadership and commitment to strengthening our communities will help guide this important work.”

According to a state report released in December 2025, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) received 467 reports of hate crime incidents in 2024 from 82 municipal police departments, 13 campus police organizations, and the State Police. Although the total number of reported incidents was down from the 557 hate crimes reported in 2023, the 147 reported instances of anti-Jewish hate crimes were the highest in at least two decades, representing an almost 24% increase over the previous year.

The task force was initially created under the administration of William Weld and Paul Cellucci in 1991 as the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes and was later formalized under Executive Order 401, issued by Governor Cellucci on December 5, 1997. Former Governor Charlie Baker reconstituted the task force through Executive Order 578 on November 6, 2017, and in 2021 it was formally established in statute by the Massachusetts Legislature as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget.

The task force, which is currently co-chaired by EOPSS Secretary Gina Kwon and Josh Kraft, president of the New England Patriots Foundation, includes representatives of victim assistance agencies, advocates for communities affected by hate crimes, district attorneys’ offices, and state, local, and university police departments, as well as legislators, including the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion. The task force is required to meet at least four times a year and is responsible for filing an annual report by December 31 containing its recommendations for legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to combat hate crimes.

Representative Xiarhos currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management and the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. He is also a member of the House and Joint Committees on Ways and Means, as well as the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.