LOWELL – With the end of formal session at the Massachusetts State House, 18th Middlesex State Representative Tara Hong shared a recap about the work completed over the last 20 months in the community and on Beacon Hill.
The first-term State Representative listed metrics from his office regarding phone calls and emails received relating to policy issues and legislative advocacy.
In total, his office logged 828 communications from within the district, which encompassed a wide array of issues including: public health and healthcare, education and school funding, and environmental issues and animal rights.
“When I ran for State Rep, one of my promises was to improve constituent services for the district,” Rep. Hong said. “My legislative aide and I have worked hard to ensure that people in our community feel comfortable reaching out, and that we respond to their concerns in a timely manner.”
From January 2025 through August this year, Hong’s office says it handled 171 individual constituent cases, with over 100 cases involving unemployment claims. Other prevalent case types included housing and legal issues.
Through the state budget, Rep. Hong was able to secure $185,000 in earmarks for the 18th Middlesex District to benefit community organizations and the City of Lowell, including: Coalition for a Better Acre, Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Latinx Community Center for Empowerment, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and the Bailey School Play Ground.
Hong was also able to secure $10,000 in FY26 Supplemental Budget funding to replace the Stoklosa Middle School fence, and $25,000 for Mill City Grows’ community garden program.
In addition to budget earmarks, Rep. Hong successfully advocated for capital bond authorizations with investments in the City of Lowell totalling over $2.5 million. Through the Mass Ready Act, Hong helped secure $1.5 to million to the City of Lowell for the restoration and repair of culverts, along with infrastructure upgrades to better manage stormwater and mitigate flooding issues.
Other bond authorizations included $250,000 for the building of bus shelters and signage upgrades at public transit stops, $500,000 for the renovation and expansion of Lowell’s emergency homeless shelter facilities, and $300,000 toward the study, design and construction of a sidewalk to make the attractions at Western Avenue more accessible to pedestrians.
In all, Hong filed thirteen bills during his first term.
“The legislation I filed and advocated for is a reflection on conversations I had in the community,” Hong said.
Rep. Hong also co-sponsored many bills filed by his colleagues, supporting the PROTECT Act and An Act Regarding Free Expression, which were both recently signed into law by Governor Healey.
He also supported the micromobility language added to the Economic Development Bond Bill, which creates regulations around e-bikes and e-scooters to make roads and sidewalks safer for all. The Economic Bond Bill is currently in conference committee.
“I am proud of the work my colleagues and I have done for our communities, and I’m especially proud of being in a position to bring back resources to our community here in Lowell,” Hong said. “The end of formal session does not mean the end of my work as your State Rep. My office remains open and accessible to everyone. People can reach out at any time. I look forward to continuing this work together with the people I serve.”
Rep. Hong’s office posted a video recap that can be found here: https://youtube.com/shorts/CgrBqhSvJMo?si=vCYWmTCqXeF0mr-1
