Sen. DiDomenico cohosts State House policy dialogue on poverty

Special to The Advocate

State Senator Sal N. DiDomenico cohosted a policy dialogue with Representative Marjorie C. Decker (D-Cambridge) at the Massachusetts State House this past week, convening policy experts, state officials and nonprofit leaders to discuss the Massachusetts Poverty Commission Report. DiDomenico and Decker Co-Chaired the Massachusetts Poverty Commission, which released findings concerning the state of poverty in the Commonwealth and recommendations outlining how the state can address poverty over the next 10 years.

Panelists representing state agencies and nonprofit organizations shared insights into the barriers individuals and families face living in poverty, and how difficult it can be to move out of poverty. The speakers highlighted current efforts across our state to address economic insecurity and discussed how the Commission’s recommendations can shape new policies and programs to support people trying to make ends meet.

“As the federal government abandons its role to provide a safety net for our poorest residents, I was inspired by this policy dialogue centered around our clear-eyed report and how we can make transformative change on the state level,” said Senator DiDomenico. “I am proud of this Poverty Commission report because it dissects the state of poverty in our state and takes a long-term view on what Massachusetts can do across all sectors and government bodies to methodically address the fundamental causes of poverty. Amid rising costs, widening inequality, and federal cuts to social services, it is absolutely essential that we follow through on the report’s recommendations to ensure all our neighbors can access nutritious foods, live in a safe home, earn a stable income, get the medical care they need, and build wealth for themselves and their families.”

“This Commission is an important tool that affirms that poverty is not a state of permanence, but a condition that we can meaningfully alleviate through evidence-based budget and policy choices,” said Rep. Decker. “In tough fiscal times it may be counterintuitive, but we need to invest more now in order to avoid even greater costs in the long term.”

The Special Legislative Commission to Study Poverty was established by statute in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget and carried out its comprehensive study between April 2024 and June 2025. The 34-member Commission, which is chaired by Senator DiDomenico and Representative Decker, was tasked with studying poverty in the Commonwealth and developing recommendations to significantly reduce poverty over the next 10 years. The Poverty Commission’s final report, which was issued in August 2025, provides a comprehensive assessment of poverty in Massachusetts and outlines forward-looking policy recommendations.