Talking with Tarsky
- Administrator
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
April 2026
This past weekend, I attended “No Kings” rallies in Medfield and Needham. Between the communities I serve, around 2,000 people came together in a powerful show of solidarity, standing in opposition to the President’s rhetoric and actions. It was inspiring to speak at Needham's rally and to be among such an engaged and energized crowd: hearing voices raised, horns honking, and neighbors standing shoulder to shoulder.
We are fortunate to live in a place where we can speak out and stand up for one another. That responsibility is at the core of who we are, and I look forward to continuing that work alongside you.
You can watch the program below.
Read my speech by clicking the arrow to expand the text.
Welcome, everybody and thank you for inviting me to speak at this “No Kings” rally.
As I look out at this crowd, I see neighbors. I see families. I see people who care deeply about this country.
And I want to start with a simple question: Why are we here? We’re here because people are scared. Scared about what’s happening in our country: about immigration, about affordability, about the state of our democracy.
At one of my office hours, a couple came to speak with me.They were born here. This is their country.
But they told me they were afraid.
Afraid because their families came from other countries.Afraid because of how they look.
They told me they hesitate before posting something online.
They hesitate before showing up to events, events like this one.
And what struck me most was this: They weren’t sure their First Amendment rights would protect them.
Think about that.
People born in the United States, questioning whether they are truly free to speak.
Questioning whether they are truly safe to participate in their own democracy.
That should alarm every single one of us.
And I saw that same fear in a very different place, a local town meeting.
A woman stood up to speak, clearly shaken.
She was talking about the state of the country, about immigration, and as she spoke, her voice started to break.
She said she was worried about her son. Worried that he might not be safe.
And then she choked up.
In front of a room full of people, she struggled to finish her sentence, and all she could say was: “We have to do something.”
That moment has stayed with me.
Because that wasn’t politics.That was a parent, afraid for her child.
These are difficult times. And many people feel like those in power aren’t listening, that the rules don’t apply equally, and that too often, the system favors the wealthy over everyone else.
But here’s the truth:
We are not just here because we are afraid.We are here because we believe in something better.
We believe in a country where that couple never has to question whether they belong.
Where they can speak freely, show up proudly, and know their rights are real, and protected.
We believe in a country where that mother doesn’t have to stand in a meeting room, fighting back tears, afraid for her son’s safety.
We believe in a country where people are treated with dignity.Where families can afford to live.Where democracy works for all of us, not just a few.
And most importantly, we are here because we are willing to fight for it.
I stand with you. I share your concerns. And I share your belief that when we come together, when we raise our voices, when we refuse to stay silent, change is possible.
So let today be more than a gathering.Let it be a message.
A message that we will not back down. A message that we will not be ignored. A message that together, we will build the country we know is possible.
Let’s keep fighting the good fight. Thanks.
What We’ve Been Up To
Legislative Breakfast
We kicked off the month with the Tri-County Superintendents’ legislative breakfast at the War Memorial Auditorium in Newton City Hall, hosted in collaboration with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Mayor Marc Laredo, and Newton Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anna Nolin. I was glad to join Representatives Schwartz and Sangiolo for this important conversation.
As we begin discussions on the FY27 state budget, it was valuable to hear directly from education leaders about the fiscal pressures facing our districts, implementation challenges, and the investments needed to best serve students across Massachusetts.
I appreciate the thoughtful presentation and candid discussion. Engagement like this is essential to ensuring the FY27 budget reflects the real needs of our schools and delivers the resources students and educators deserve not only in the 13th Norfolk, but all across the Commonwealth.
Ramadan
On March 9, I had a wonderful evening celebrating community at an Iftar hosted by Needham Muslim Neighbors at the Congregational Church in Needham.
Sharing a meal at the end of the day’s fast during Ramadan was a meaningful reminder of how much we all gain when we come together in fellowship and understanding. I’m grateful to the organizers, volunteers, and everyone who helped create such a welcoming space for neighbors of all backgrounds to gather, learn, and connect.
Moments like this strengthen the bonds that make our community so special.
Plumbing Industry Advocacy Day
On March 12, I spent time with Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12 at the State House for Plumbing Industry Advocacy Day.
Tradespeople are essential to building and maintaining the infrastructure our communities depend on—from safe plumbing and clean water systems to energy-efficient heating and cooling. It was great to connect with the hardworking union members who keep Massachusetts running and to hear directly about the issues impacting their work and the future of the trades.
Thank you to Local 12 for your advocacy and for the skilled work you do every day across the Commonwealth!
Needham Observer: Tarsky seeks to train more teacher, by Kay Matipa
As a nationwide teacher shortage challenges schools’ abilities to staff classrooms, Needham — which has done well to-date — is beginning to feel the effects of fewer educators. State Representative Josh Tarsky (formerly a local high school principal) has long been concerned about the profession of teaching, and recently introduced new legislation designed to bolster Massachusetts’ teacher workforce.
If passed, the TEACH-MA Act would introduce a statewide program designed to recruit, certify and retain teachers committed to three years of service in Massachusetts public schools. Program fellows would be placed in high-need districts and hard-to-fill subject areas, and provided mentorship, a stipend and the promise of a reduced-cost master’s degree upon completion.
With high rates of teachers leaving the profession, and fewer entering it than in years past, recent research indicates the teaching profession is at or near its lowest levels in 50 years.
The Learning Policy Institute, a non-profit conducting research on educational policy and practice, analyzed state-level data from the most recent school years and found that, nationally, more than 410,000 teaching positions — one in eight — were left vacant or filled by under-certified teachers.
LPI also found that even as more educators are leaving (less than one-fifth because of retirement), interest in teaching has dropped.
TEACH-MA is born from Tarsky’s own frustrations as a former educator faced with staffing shortages.
“A school shouldn’t be put in a position where they have to compromise on core subjects or any subjects at all,” he said. “So this bill hopes to relieve some of that stress that schools, principals, administrators are feeling across the Commonwealth by providing an alternate pipeline for recruitment, certification, job placement, and then some additional goodies that we filtered into the bill.”
Tarsky hopes this piece of legislation, filed in his first term as a state representative, will become a prestigious program that sets a model for other states and, ultimately, for the nation.
Or download the PDF to read.
Needham Education Foundation Trivia Bee
I had a great time at the Needham Education Foundation's Trivia Bee—an annual, family-friendly fundraiser that brings together students, teachers, families, and community members to support innovative programs in Needham Public Schools.
Teams tested their knowledge across everything from pop culture and sports to science and Needham history. My team, #21, gave it our best shot… but let’s just say we’ll be studying before next year! Congratulations to the winning teams.
A big thank you to the Needham Education Foundation and to host Mike “Sarge” Riley for putting together such a fun evening for a great cause. Events like this show just how strong and supportive the Needham community is when it comes to investing in our students and teachers.
Needham Exchange Club
Enjoyed attending the Needham Exchange Club's Trivia Night, which brought our community together for a fun evening in support raising funds for scholarships that help local students pursue their educational goals. It was inspiring to see so many neighbors and friends turn out to make a difference.
Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and everyone who participated — your support is helping open doors for the next generation of leaders.
Needham SALSA Visits the State House
It was a privilege to welcome students from SALSA—Students Advocating for Life Without Substance Abuse (Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham - SPAN) on ENUFF Day (Ending Nicotine Use For the Future) at the State House on March 18.
These young leaders are part of The 84 Movement, a youth-led initiative working to prevent tobacco and nicotine use among teens across Massachusetts.
The 84 Movement represents the 84% of Massachusetts youth who choose to stay tobacco-free, and their advocacy plays an important role in shaping policies that protect public health and keep our schools and communities safer.
I’m always inspired by students who take the time to engage in the legislative process and speak up for the well-being of their peers. Their voices truly make a difference.
Greater Boston Project Visits the State House
On March 24, Senator Becca Rausch and I welcomed 40 seniors from Needham High School. Meeting with students who are eager to learn about government and their role in shaping it is always one of the most rewarding parts of this job.
We had a thoughtful discussion about the importance of voting, how federal decisions affect our state and local communities, and the many different paths that can lead to public service. I was especially encouraged by the students’ questions and their interest in issues like youth mental health and civic engagement.
After our conversation, the group toured the State House, including the House and Senate Chambers, getting a firsthand look at where the work of government happens every day.
Thank you to the students and educators for taking the time to visit—your curiosity and engagement give me a lot of hope for the future.
Meet Members of the Youth Council!
Click the photo to expand.
April Office Hours
If you need to get in touch with me before my scheduled office hours, please call 617-722-2582 or email me at Joshua.Tarsky@MaHouse.Gov
Legislative Happenings
An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.
On March 18th, the House passed H.5264, An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year
2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects. This $1.8 billion supplemental budget drew upon $1.3 billion in excess Fair Share surtax funds and invests $885 million into public transportation and $417 million in public education in addition to funding several Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) deficiencies. The bill also includes the tax conformity legislation filed by Governor Healey that delays the state’s alignment with the corporate tax changes passed by Congress in the OB3 Act last year.
Highlights:
$885 million towards transportation:
$740 million towards the MBTA
$525 million for the Deficiency Reserve
$125 million for the Workforce & Safety Reserve
$60 million for physical infrastructure with a focus on the core subway system
$20 million for low-income reduced fares
$10 million for water transportation infrastructure
Other transportation items include:
$50 million for snow and ice costs
$25 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) workforce development
$30 million to fund the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Credit
$30 million for MassDOT Service Investments
$417 million towards education:
$150 million towards Special Education Circuit Breaker costs
$150 million to fund Early Education Child Care costs
$38.7 million for the EEC income eligibility waitlist
Includes $8 million for child care for providers and $7.5 million for the loan forgiveness program for providers
$20 million for Green SchoolWorks program to help schools with clean energy upgrades
$18.3 million for Financial Aid Supplements
$20 million endowment Match for UMass and other state colleges and universities
$5.1 million for Tomorrow’s Teachers Loan Forgiveness program
$5 million for ESOL Services Waitlist
The bill passed the House now it goes to the Senate for consideration.
House Passes the PROTECT Act
This month, the Massachusetts House passed the “PROTECT Act,” an important piece of legislation aimed at strengthening protections for immigrant residents across the Commonwealth. I was proud to vote in favor of this bill after hearing directly from constituents, advocates, and community leaders whose outreach helped shape both my perspective and the legislation itself.
The PROTECT Act establishes clear, statewide standards for how state and local agencies interact with federal immigration enforcement. It limits the use of local law enforcement and public resources for civil immigration enforcement, helping ensure that our police can remain focused on public safety and that residents feel safe engaging with local institutions.
The bill also strengthens due process protections in several key ways. It limits civil immigration arrests in courthouses, requires judicial oversight in many cases, and ensures individuals in custody are informed of their rights in their primary language and have access to legal counsel. It also increases transparency and accountability in correctional facilities.
Importantly, the legislation expands protections for victims of crime and human trafficking by reforming the U and T visa certification process, making it easier for victims to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement without fear. It also requires employers to provide advance notice of federal immigration inspections, helping workers better understand and exercise their rights.
At its core, the PROTECT Act is about fairness, public safety, and upholding fundamental rights. By building trust between communities and public institutions, this legislation helps make Massachusetts safer and more just for everyone.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
What’s Next?
As we move into April, the Legislature will begin intensive budget deliberations. I’ve met with constituents across the district to better understand and refine our shared priorities, and I have additional meetings scheduled with advocates to hear more about statewide needs.
The FY2027 budget will require a careful balancing act, particularly as federal policies create new challenges for residents especially revolving around immigration, climate, and affordability. While we in the State House face difficult decisions, I remain committed to working tirelessly to maintain, and where possible, expand, the critical services our Commonwealth depends on.
As always, if you need anything from my office, please reach out to me at joshua.tarsky@mahouse.gov or Kyle kyle.mcgrath@mahouse.gov or by phone at (617) 722-2582
Yours in Community,
Josh
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