Lunchtime with Lesser

If you live in Western Mass, you've seen the large grey planes in the sky – or if you haven't seen them you certainly have heard them. Westover Air Force base in Chicopee and the C-5 plane that calls the base home are intrical parts to the U.S. military's operations – but the base and the thousands of reservists that come to it every month are also major economic drivers for the Western Mass economy. In honor of Veteran's Day I sat down with Colonel Joseph D. Janik, Commander of the 439th Airlift Wing, and Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) Rosaline R. Ratliff, Command Chief at Westover to discuss how important Westover is to our region. This is that conversation.  

If you follow this podcast, you know that the constant theme is the inequality between Western Mass and Eastern Mass -- and now a new report from Massachusetts Auditor Suzanne Bump shows in dollars and cents how Western Mass continues to get left behind, especially when it comes to infrastructure spending. Eric spoke with Auditor Bump about the report and the changes we need to make to state law to ensure that all regions of our Commonwealth can grow together. This is that conversation.

If you are listening to this podcast, you've probably heard Eric talk once or twice -- or a million times about the need for East-West rail connecting Boston to Springfield. When Eric first ran for office many called this idea impossible, but we've come a long way since then. Last week he spoke with Kimberly Robinson of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission & Lyle Wray from the Capitol Region Council of Governments in Connecticut the new East-West Rail Ridership Forecast and what it means for the project going forward. This is that conversation

The Spirit of Springfield is an organization build around bringing people together in the spirit of community celebration, but like everything else that had to do with the convening of people, COVID-19 put the organizations very existence at risk. Eric spoke with Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt about how the organization survived the worst of the pandemic and how Bright Nights and the many other events they put on made a roaring comeback, with just a few precautions in place. This is that conversation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended everything we thought we knew about education. From quickly being thrust into remote learning in March of last year, to a return to the classroom in a new normal this fall, it's been a challenge for students, teachers, and parents alike. Now imagine you're in charge of figuring all of this out for one of the largest school districts in Western, Mass. Oh – and you're a new Superintendent whose only been on the job a month. That's what happened to Chicopee Superintendent Lyn Clark. We talked about that and what the road looks like ahead in a very different world than when she started in February of 2020. This is that conversation.

For the longest time, student loans and services perplexed borrowers with terms that constantly changed and practices designed to put borrowers at a disadvantage. That's why I'm 2017 I authored the Student Loan Bill of Rights, and after years of trying to pass it, this spring, Massachusetts was finally able to make the Student Loan Bill of Rights law. It regulates borrowing services and establishes a position designed to help students now and in the future. I spoke with Attorney General Maura Healey, whose office is hosting the position, about It and what we can expect of the bill of rights going forward and how borrowers can get help -- this is that conversation.

Juneteenth marks the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation, the last occurrence in the United States to mark the end of slavery within the country. As a holiday, it is a remembrance of historical inequalities and should officially acknowledge the continuing commitment being made towards achieving true equality. Eric spoke this week with Janine Fondon, chair of undergrad communications and President/CEO of unityfirst.com about her push to make Juneteenth an official state holiday -- this is that conversation.

In recent years, we've seen an alarming rise in hate crimes affecting people across all communities and regions. In Western Mass, there have been three separate large-scale attacks alone in the last year. Through their programs, advocacy, and community relations, organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League work to make sure no member of any community has to fear for their lives now or in the future. Eric spoke with Robert Trestan, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League of New England, about continuing to ensure the safety of our communities through initiatives and increased funding – this is that conversation.

In June 2015, America rejoiced as the Supreme Court ruled in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation. But such a history came with the knowledge of battles long fought and many lost without the opportunity to see such a victory. In reality, the issue of same-sex marriage has been debated for over 25 years, a cyclical argument of the legitimacy of its legalization. Eric spoke with political reporter and author Sasha Issenberg about the history he chronicles in his latest book The Engagement: America's Quarter-Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage and the role Massachusetts played in being the first state to legalize same-sex marriage – this is that conversation.

For so many other countries, rail travel is mainstream – you can get inexpensive train tickets in the blink of an eye, get to your destination at practically any time of day, and in some places, just going to the station itself is an experience. We’ve long talked about the benefits of East-West rail, but an equally important relationship for Western Mass is the Connecticut Valley. The Hartford line on CT rail has been a big success and if we do it infrastructure improvements right, we can build on its success and seize the economic opportunity improved rail service across New England could bring. This week, I sat down with my friend and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin to talk about what all that could mean for our region – this is that conversation.

In the past year, anti-Asian rhetoric and hate has skyrocketed in the wake of the pandemic. Declines in patronage for Asian American businesses and attacks such as the March shootings in Georgia are two examples of the devastating effect that’s been the scapegoating of Asian Americans for the pandemic. They, like others, demonstrate the need for urgent policy and efforts to address the rhetoric being against a brilliant, diverse part of our community. During AAPI Heritage Month, it is critical – this month and now more than ever – that we acknowledge the importance of AAPI stories and identities. Eric spoke with Rep. Maria Duaime Robinson this week about the importance of AAPI stories and what’s being done to support AAPI communities and address anti-Asian rhetoric – this is that conversation

In Massachusetts, tourism is the state’s third biggest industry. Behind all of the attractions and historical sights, there are people who support the tourists. The hotel workers, the restaurant staff, the attraction workers themselves – so many positions that took a hit at the onset of the pandemic. Now that we’re moving in the direction of a post-pandemic recovery, we have to think about the best ways to get tourism and those jobs back. And it’s going to be a statewide effort: this week, Eric spoke with Mary Kay Wydra and Martha Sheridan, Presidents of the Springfield and Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, about what summer tourism and continued growth will look like – this is that conversation.

Even as we go into a third semester of higher education during a pandemic, plans to reopen and operate are shifting constantly. How do you balance public health with the best student life has to offer? What about international students? Programs of study? There’s no denying the pandemic’s affected all of that, and different institutions have adapted in their own ways. This week, I spoke with Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper, President of Springfield College, one of the many fine institutions I’m proud to have part of my district. We talked about what fall semester might look like and what Springfield College has changed throughout the pandemic – this is that conversation.

The Boys and Girls Club Family Center in the Mason Square and Bay Street neighborhoods of Springfield have long been a hive of activity. After school programs, sports teams, weekend trips, pre-school and teen events, you name it. But when COVID-19 hit, like so many other community centers, they had to shut their doors. Keshawn Dodds soon reemerged as a key resource for parents and families as the pandemic wore on. Now they’re looking forward to summer camps and resuming normal operations. Eric spoke with Keshawn about the Boys and Girls Clubs, COVID-19, and how he’s talking with young people about the Derek Chauvin trial and the fights for social justice and civil rights. We also caught up about his best-selling book series for young adults. This is that conversation.

As we continue to tackle the civic issues of today, it’s important that they be done well and in a way that’s socially responsible. What does that mean, you might ask? It can mean any number of things – if there’s job growth, it needs to be done diversely, or that every option is considered when sourcing solutions to bettering transportation. But sometimes, keeping track of every meeting or development is tough for one person, and something like a pandemic can change civic priorities in the blink of an eye. Eric spoke with Jennifer Benson, the President of Alliance of Business Leaders, about what that means for them and how that’s changed with the pandemic – this is that conversation.  

To become vaccinated in Mass is no small feat – there’s lines to stand in, tricky rules to navigate, and a maze of websites that sometimes result in many people being unable to get the vaccination slots they deserve. But it shouldn’t be as hard as it is – countries like Israel have vaccinated most of their population. What are they doing, and what can we take from them to do better as a state? Eric spoke with Israeli Consul General for New England Meron Reuben about how Massachusetts has been outpaced and what it can do to catch up – this is that conversation.  

Senator Eric P. Lesser was joined by a panel of guests for a Lunchtime Livestream on arts and Massachusetts cultural economy. The panel featured Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council (MCC), Eileen McCaffery, Executive Director at the Community Music School of Springfield & Chair of the Springfield Cultural Council, Andrew Cade, Vice Chair of the Springfield Cultural Council, and Rosemary Tracy Woods, Owner of Art of the Soul Gallery & At-Large Member of the Springfield Cultural Council. This is that conversation. 

In the Spring of 2020, massive construction projects shuttered to halt the spread of Coronavirus. Many of their job sites quickly adapted to keep workers safe. But even as COVID-19 wanes, our Commonwealth's construction workforce faces another spreading menace; wage theft, tax fraud, and unfair labor practices by shadowy labor brokers that often prey on an immigrant work force without the resources to fight back. Eric spoke with Noel Xavier, representative and organizer of the North Atlantic State's Regional Council of Carpenters to learn more. This is that conversation.

An urgent topic that we’ve discussed on previous podcasts, is COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on women, especially women of color. Sectors like education, health services, childcare, and hospitality have been some of the most disrupted and as a result more than 2 million women nationwide have left the labor force entirely since the start of the pandemic. In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Eric spoke with Gabrielle Jackson, who chairs the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Along with Pattie Hallberg, the vice-chair, and Lizzy Ortiz, a member of the commission. We talked about policies to support women and girls through the pandemic and beyond. This is that conversation.

As limited in-person classes began in February, a spike in COVID cases forced UMASS Amherst into lockdown. Since then, cases have come under control, but, the campus is still operating at a fraction of its normal capacity. Eric spoke with Dr. Kumble Subbaswamy, the Chancellor of UMASS Amherst and one of the most respected leaders in public higher ed about the impact COVID-19 has had on our public universities and the future of higher education more broadly once COVID passes. This is that conversation.

Remote school, masks, layoffs, social distancing, business shutdowns, overwhelmed hospitals, limited vaccine supplies, and all the other challenges of COVID-19 have left people pretty stressed out. Now imagine managing all this while homeless or living in a shelter with your family. Eric spoke with Kristy Navarro a social worker with the Mental Health Association, a human service provider based in Springfield. Kristy specializes in therapy for adults and children experiencing homelessness. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been delivering counseling and mental health services to homeless families in Western Mass. This is that conversation.

Earlier this month, a community meeting in Longmeadow was zoom-bombed by someone shouting racial slurs and drawing a swastika across the screen. In December, the Martin King Junior Community Presbyterian Church, a historic church in the heart of Springfield's Black community, was set ablaze in an arson attack. Eric spoke with Bishop Talbert Swan, Senior Pastor at Spring of Hope Church of God and Christ and President of the Greater Springfield NAACP about these recent events, along with police reform efforts, vaccine equity, and the challenges of ministering during COVID-19. This is that conversation.

Massachusetts prides itself as being a health care and high-tech mecca, but our state recently found ourselves near the bottom of rankings for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The state's website and delivery process has been bumpy, to put it mildly, and frustration is mounting. To put all this in context and to get an update on how Western Mass has been fairing with COVID-19 more generally, Eric spoke with Dr. Kathleen Szegda, an epidemiologist and the Director of Community Research and Evaluation at The Public Health Institute of Western Mass. This is that conversation.

Before Covid-19, there were over 15,000 restaurants in Massachusetts. Employing nearly 350,000 people. About 10% of our commonwealth’s entire workforce. The stay at home orders, capacity limits, and social distancing measures have wreaked havoc on this industry; to the point where as many as 1 out of every 5 restaurants has now gone out of business entirely. Eric sat down with exclaimed Chef Jody Adams, owner of Rialto in Harvard Square along with trade TRADE, Porto, and Saloniki, to talk about the future of the restaurant industry and a new advocacy group she helped to start: Massachusetts Restaurants United. This is that conversation.

In the last days of the legislative session, the Massachusetts House and Senate came together to pass sweeping climate change legislation. At the heart of the bill was a commitment to make Massachusetts a net-zero emitter of greenhouse gas by 2050. Governor Baker vetoed the legislation but House and Senate leaders have already committed to passing it again. To help make sense of all this, Eric spoke with Elizabeth Turnbull Henry, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. This is that conversation.

Racial inequality is a long-standing system that we as a society should constantly be working together to overturn. It isn’t something that can be done in one fell swoop, and it certainly can’t be done alone -- it requires all voices, all members of our community to not only establish the best path forward, but also to amplify those ideas so that they get implemented into our futures. Eric spoke with Segun Idowu, the Executive Director of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, about the work BECMA is doing to override those systems and uplift the Black community, especially in the face of the pandemic. This is that conversation.

Systems of inequality have always been present in our society and they can prevent some of its best and brightest from taking on the opportunities they deserve. The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts chooses to change that, and raises funds not only to provide grants to organizations working to topple those systems of inequality, but also to offer programs that help women and young children become leaders in our future. Eric spoke with Donna Haghighat, the Fund’s CEO, about her experience working to lessen gender inequity and how that’s changed in the onset of the pandemic. This is that conversation. 

Regional transit systems are some of the most important systems residents can have access to in their communities, as it allows them to complete daily activities such as grocery shopping, getting to work, and being able to make it to medical appointments. The Pioneer Valley Transport Authority, better known as the PVTA to its riders, has been one of the regional transport systems working double-time throughout this pandemic to keep everyone safe and get them where they need to be. Eric spoke with Sandra Sheehan, PVTA Administrator, about working to keep both passengers and drivers safe as well as PVTA’s plans for future developments. This is that conversation. 

The pandemic has touched every part of our lives – for most of us it has meant staying home. But where do you stay when your ability to have a place to live is threatened? Eric hosted a forum on Hosing during the COVID-19 pandemic with leading advocates for tenants and home owners. We talk about what resources are available for people – and what the road ahead for relief looks like – this is that conversation.

The pandemic has hurt businesses of all kinds during these last few months, but it is small business who have had to deal with the brunt of the damage. They rely on support from their communities that has been absent for a number of COVID related reasons. Are we enter the holiday season, where small businesses do much of their sales, Eric sat down with small business owners from Western Mass to talk about how they have fared these last few months and how people can support them during the holiday shopping season. This is that conversation. 

In Massachusetts you become a Red Sox Fan as a right of birth. The Boston Red Sox are one of the most iconic sports franchises in all of the world, and while most of us are familiar with the players on the field leading us to our next title run, few know the people responsible for the day to day operations of what is also a business and major community force. Dave Friedman is Senior Vice President of Red Sox Legal & Government Affairs. 2020 has changed much about our lives but it changed how the Red Sox did business from top to bottom — Eric askes Dave about how the Sox have adapted to the pandemic on and off the field as well as what the road ahead looks like for them. He also gets a chance to talk about Dave’s past life in government — this is that conversation.

Congressman Jim McGovern is one of the most powerful people in Congress. As Chairman of the legendary Rules Committee, he is a close ally of Speaker Pelosi and has used that perch to promote an often overlooked issue - hunger. He and Eric chatted just before Monte’s March, a 43 mile, 2 day trek from Springfield to Greenfield that he leads alongside local radio host Monte Belmonte to raise funds for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Eric spoke with Chairman McGovern about food insecurity, COVID19, and what we can expect from the Biden Administration and the new Congress in January -- this is that conversation

As Mayor of Worcester and then as Lieutenant Governor, Tim Murray championed commuter rail access between Worcester and Boston. Those new trains, combined with investments at UMass Medical School and coordination with local schools, has led to a period of revitalization and growth for our Commonwealth’s second largest city. Tim now leads the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he has been a leader on workforce training and advanced manufacturing. Eric spoke with Tim about the path ahead for transportation and economic development as we pick up the pieces from COVID19 -- this is that conversation. 

In January we will swear in the 192nd session of the Massachusetts General Court - in all those years, there have been many men and women who have served their communities at the State House, but for the first time in our Commonwealth’s history -- we will have a State Senator of Puerto Rican heritage. Eric sat down with my new colleague from Western Mass, State Senator-Elect Adam Gomez, to talk about his journey in politics and the promise of our current political moment -- this is that conversation. 

Our healthcare heroes have been on the front lines of the pandemic, providing care to our loved ones and providing public health advice to keep all of us safe during these troubling times. Dr. Robert Roose is the Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. He and his colleagues have been fighting COVID-19 every day and he has been a public face for providing updates to the public in Western Mass. As we head into the late fall and winter months Eric wanted to talk with him about the current trends of the virus and what we can expect over the next few months -- this is that conversation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way a lot of things work – restaurants, social gatherings, even the way we go to school. The Children’s Study Home partners with families by providing innovative and educational programs for children. Eric sat down with their Director & CEO Dr. William Dávila, to talk about how they have navigated the challenges of the pandemic while still delivering services to kids – this is that conversation.

Climate change is the existential crisis of our time -- many people know this but have struggled about what they can do locally and in their everyday lives to fight for change. Michele Marantz is the leader of an organization called the Longmeadow Pipeline Awareness Group. They are proof that a dedicated group of people can come together and make a difference for their community. Eric sat down to talk with her about their efforts and the path ahead -- this is that conversion.

Since the pandemic started, we’ve seen organizations of all sizes step up to do what they can to help out. Ronn Johnson is the head of one of those organizations, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services. MLK is an important resource for an underserved part of our community, but like every part of our lives since March, much of how they deliver their services is different. Eric spoke with Ronn about what they are doing now and how things have changed – this is that conversation.

The first week of October Eric spoke with Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal about how the college has adjusted to educating in the middle of a pandemic and about higher ed more generally --- this is that conversation.

In September Eric spoke with Jenn Aldworth, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs to talk about how Boys and Girls Clubs across the state are dealing with COVID-19 and the essential role they play in providing childcare for families -- this is that conversation.

In September Eric spoke with Elms College President Harry Dumay about how Elms is educating students in a pandemic and important topics related to higher education -- this is that conversation.

In September Eric spoke with Phil Korman, the Executive Director of Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture -- more simply known as CISA. CISA is a non-profit organization that strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy. We learned at the height of the pandemic how important locally sourced food is and Phil explained all his organization is doing to help farms meet the challenges posed by the pandemic -- this is that conversation.

The Pioneer Valley is blessed with a broad array of nonprofit groups and causes, from our Boys and Girls Clubs to our museums, from music programs to conservation efforts. But as the pandemic hit, the needs quickly outstripped our region’s resources. In stepped Katie Allan Zobel, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Katie setup a COVID19 response fund that quickly raised and distributed millions of dollars in relief for our local nonprofits. Eric spoke with Katie about the devastation caused by COVID19 and what our nonprofit sector needs to continue their vital mission -- this is that conversation.

In July Eric spoke with Jean Albano Canosa, the Assistant Director for Public Services at Springfield City Library. She’s been a fierce advocate for public libraries in our state and is also on the Board of Library Commissioners. Jean and Eric discuss how libraries have had to adapt to continue to serve people in the pandemic -- and how libraries are also an important social justice tool in our communities -- this is that conversation.

Back in June Eric spoke with Joan Kagan, President and CEO of Square One, a childhood education provider in our region. Joan retired from Square One in August after 45 years in human services. She thought she had seen it all, until a global pandemic hit during her final months on the job. One of her last tasks was to help children and families manage during the height of the crisis and she tells us how -- this is that conversation.

Long before the murder of George Floyd catapulted racism into the national conversation, the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley was leading efforts locally to bring leaders and organizations together tackle structural racism and fight for a more inclusive, equitable region. Eric sat down with my friend Vanessa Otero, the Institute’s Interim Director, to talk about the importance of being actively anti-racist and what it means to do so in both the present and future – this is that conversation.

The COVID19 shutdowns and the social distancing measures our state took to stop the virus, while necessary to save lives, have wreaked havoc on our economy and by this summer, 1 million people in our state were out of work. The most affected have been low wage workers, especially in service industries like hotels, restaurants, and human services. Our food banks were quickly overwhelmed with urgent need. At the center of that response Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Andrew’s organization serves as a distribution and coordination network for dozens of food pantries in every community across the four counties of Western Mass. Eric spoke with Andrew about the COVID19 pandemic and the urgent need to ensure every person in our Commonwealth has enough healthy food to eat – this is that conversation.

In May Eric spoke with Michael Weekes, the President and CEO of the Providers' Council which represents community-based human services agencies across Massachusetts. We discussed what they were doing to continue to provide services to their clients and how the industry was adjusting on the fly during the height of the pandemic -- this is that conversation.

In May I spoke with Pia Kumar, the co-owner and Chief Strategy Officer of Universal Plastics in Holyoke. Pia has been a leader in the manufacturing industry here in Western Massachusetts and Universal has been very busy since the pandemic began. They make the diagnostic machines used to test for COVID-19 and have also transitioned to making PPE as well. We talk with Pia about how they jumped into action at the beginning of the pandemic and what the road ahead looks like for them -- this is that conversation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on American’s health, but an area that doesn’t get enough attention is its impact on our mental health. In May Eric spoke with Dr. Joan Lesser about how people can cope with the isolation caused by the pandemic and ways people can get help -- this is that conversation. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for all of us -- and in local communities it is each town's Health Department that is stepping up to the plate to provide guidance to its residents. In May Eric spoke with Springfield Health Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris about the ongoing pandemic -- this is that conversation.