You can determine who your legislators by visiting the state’s voting information webpage.

If you already know your state legislators, you can visit the legislature’s information page or call the State House at:

• State Representatives: 617-722-2000
• State Senators: 617-722-1455

JALSA’s Blog: Updates and information on the issues we’re working on currently.

Issue Groups
Our groups are a great way to get involved in JALSA’s social justice work.

Committee on Law and Social Action (CLSA): is currently working on the erosion of civil liberties since the attack on 9/11 – maintaining the independence of the Massachusetts courts – supporting the U.S. Senate’s filibuster against right wing judicial nominations.

Justice: Economic, environmental, criminal, death penalty click here for our Justice Committee

Court Nominees: Judges wield enormous power and discretion; heir fair-mindedness is vital to the preservation of our freedom. Each year, judges decisions in thousands of cases that are never carried to a higher court, but are allowed to stand – which means the actions of these judges are crucial, especially on matters of reproductive freedom and civil rights. We urge our members to carefully review the records of court nominees and opposite those who do not support these rights.

Reproductive Rights: Women should make their own decisions regarding conception, pregnancy, and termination of pregnancy. We oppose all constitutional amendments that would abridge or circumscribe this right. We believe that reproductive rights are civil rights and that it is appropriate to review the commitment to such civil rights in the candidacy of persons who would serve on federal courts and have the responsibilities of interpreting the U.S. Constitution.

Education:

• Citizens for Public Schools (CPS) works to support public education and works against privatization of our schools including for-profit charter schools or vouchers.
• The Alliance for High Standards NOT High Stakes keeps the issue of MCAS before the public, encouraging efforts to end the current obsession with standardized testing as the only way to evaluate student performance.
• Massachusetts Coalition for Educational Equity (MCEE) works for fairness in school admission policies for all students, resource equity, and efforts to end the achievement gap.

Massachusetts Alliance Against Sweatshops (MAAS): encourages passage of sweatshop disclosure legislation.

Stem Cell Committee: is urging passage of legislation to support stem cell research in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts English Plus, Young Social Activists, and CLSA: are working on the Fiscal ‘04 Massachusetts budget, urging enhanced revenue rather than continuing devastating cuts in essential services.

State Budget Cuts: We are opposed to cuts in human services that victimize minorities, the homeless, and those least able to absorb potential cuts. We support raising revenue when appropriate. We support decreasing corporate tax cuts and tax breaks.

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)