Talking with Tarsky, October 2026
Table of Contents
A Message From Rep. Tarsky
As we head into the fall, I’m excited to increase my office hours to once a week at the French Press in Needham, beginning at 10:00 AM. If you’re in the area, please stop by to grab a coffee, say hello, or share whatever is on your mind.
These conversations are about much more than simply checking in. They are an important part of how I do my work on Beacon Hill. Some of the best ideas for legislation come directly from the people I represent. The expertise and lived experiences across our communities are wide-ranging, and hearing about the challenges people are facing helps me better understand where good legislation is needed most.
Over the past several weeks, we’ve been developing ideas and having conversations around housing, environmental concerns, early education, campaign finance reform, and more. We’ve also continued meeting with veterans’ organizations and advocates as we push forward on the Veterans Suicide Commission bill we filed at the end of the last session.
Education remains a major focus. Conference committees continue to meet and work through priority legislation, including the cell phone bill I filed, which I will continue to push forward. I’ll have more updates to share as this important legislation makes its way through the legislative process.
We are also continuing our work on the Mass Teach Act, legislation aimed at helping attract, certify, train, and retain teachers in Massachusetts. Supporting educators and strengthening our schools is more important than ever, and I’m grateful for the teachers, administrators, students, and families who continue to share their experiences and ideas.
I never turn down an opportunity to meet with a constituent. Whether it’s helping someone navigate state government, connecting them with available resources, or simply listening to what’s happening in their community, these conversations matter. They allow me to provide assistance where I can while also giving me the information I need to become a more informed and effective advocate for the people I represent.
I hope to see many of you soon, whether at office hours, a community event, or somewhere around the district. Please stop by, grab a coffee, and let me know what’s on your mind.
As always, if you need anything from my office, please reach out to me or Kyle by email (joshua.tarsky@mahouse.gov | kyle.mcgrath@mahouse.gov) or by phone at (617) 722-2582
Yours in Community,
Josh
Medfield Office Hours
From the Commonwealth Beacon
" Rep. Joshua Tarsky, a first-term Democrat who co-sponsored the legislation to establish a special commission on unemployment insurance, said in an interview that the auditor’s report further validates the push to scrutinize the system – even though his bill likely won’t advance this year, he conceded.
“These unemployment benefits aren’t abstract,” said Tarsky, who plans to re-file the bill alongside Rep. Hadley Luddy next session. “They are monies for people who are wanting to buy food, diapers, pay for their heat. It’s something that you can’t just, if it’s working inefficiently, let it go. We need to actually fix this so that our constituents can get the money they need and get the benefits that they’re entitled to.”
Read the full article below.
September Photo Highlights
Needham Circle 
Needham Circle Dover Day 5k with Annie Medfield Court of Honor 
Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day Jessica Tang, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts Retired Lt. Col. Dave Remsen is the Post Commander for the Lt. Manson H. Carter VFW Post 2498 in Nee Reception for former Rep. of the 13th Norfolk Denise Garlick at the Needham Housing Authority At the reception for Denise Garlick 
MOAR event at the end of August with Deb Schmill 
MOAR event with Scott Francis Metrowest MA Regional Coordinator
Community Events
Are you a nonprofit or work for the towns in Needham, Medfield, or Dover? Do you have a community event that you would like us to share? Please email kyle.mcgrath@mahouse.gov with a brief description about your event and a jpeg or png file attached. If space allows, we will be happy to share it in the newsletter.
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