MLRI Applauds Congress For Extending Replacement of Stolen SNAP Benefits
On Thursday, September 26, 2024, President Biden signed a continuing resolution to keep the government open until late December. We applaud the resolution’s continuation of federal replacement for SNAP benefits stolen through December 20, 2024. We are grateful to our Massachusetts delegation, particularly Congressman Jim McGovern, for their leadership in Congress and focus on this critical issue.
Statement from MLRI re Anti Immigrant Rhetoric
Statement of Georgia D. Katsoulomitis,
Executive Director of Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI)
In Response to Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Against Haitian Community
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit poverty law organization that does not endorse any political candidate. At the same time, as an organization grounded in social, racial and economic justice, we do not and cannot turn a blind eye to injustice.
We cannot remain silent in the face of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance’s relentless, baseless and racist attacks upon all immigrants – and currently against the Haitian people, so many of whom are our cherished friends, neighbors and co-workers in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts long-term care bill signed into law with provisions limiting MassHealth estate recovery
On September 6, 2024, Governor Healey signed into law an Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care — Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024. The 66-page Act includes many important provisions affecting long term care and related topics including significant changes to MassHealth policies regarding estate recovery.
A letter from MLRI’s Executive Director, Georgia Katsoulomitis: $20m in federal funds — a small, welcome contribution to a huge challenge
In this Boston Globe Letter to the Editor, MLRI Executive Director Georgia Katsoulomitis calls attention to the $20 million in federal funds secured by Governor Healey to help keep families in Massachusetts in emergency shelter, while still reminding us that this fight is not over.
Spring Advocacy Updates
Our advocates know that meaningful change takes time – a win today only leads to change tomorrow if advocacy is ongoing.
Whether it is the restoration of state-funded food benefits for immigrants or the creation of access to counsel in eviction cases, when we take on issues, we are making a long-term commitment.
The successes we’ve had in the past few months are the result of that committed advocacy – and will be the catalyst for more wins down the road. Thank you for joining us on this journey towards justice.
A Brief History of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Written by MLRI Board Member, John Carroll, for Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
In the heady days of the mid-1960s, President Lyndon Johnson initiated the “War on Poverty.” Unfortunately, he was also waging a war in Vietnam. The country could not effectively or affordably engage in both wars at the same time. As a result, both wars suffered.
The War on Poverty enjoyed more success, even though spotty. One of its crowning successes, and one of its most durable, was the creation of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute in the late 1960s.
MLRI to Honor Dr. Michael Curry, Esq. at 2023 Catalyst for Change Event on October 10
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Allie Girouard
agirouard@mlri.org | (617) 357-0700 x 305
BOSTON, July 27, 2023 – Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) will be honoring Dr. Michael Curry, Esq. with the 2023 Catalyst for Change award at a reception on October 10, 2023 at the UMass Club in Boston.
SCOTUS Decision Perpetuates Systemic Barriers to Opportunity
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is deeply disappointed in yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. Although the ruling was not unexpected, the upending of decades of precedent is once again shocking. This decision is a setback in the progress that has been made to increase educational and economic opportunity for communities of color who have been historically and presently excluded from so many opportunities, most notably opportunities of educational and economic advancement.