State Representative Ted Philips

Thank you to Senator Paul Feeney & State Representative Michael Chaisson for convening a meeting of the “FIFA Caucus” at Gillette (soon to be Boston) Stadium yesterday to meet with representatives from FIFA, the Boston Host Committee, & The Kraft Group to discuss the current state of planning, logistics, & needs of the upcoming World Cup matches in Foxborough and corresponding fan celebrations in Boston and other parts of the Commonwealth.

As someone who represents three neighboring communities to Foxborough, I’m committed to working with my colleagues in the legislature to make sure we have a secure, enjoyable set of matches that mitigates the strain on community resources but maximizes the economic opportunities for our small businesses to be a part of the biggest sporting event in world history.
🌎⚽️🏆🌍

If you are observing, I wish you a blessed month of renewed focus, devotion, & spiritual growth, combined with easy fasts. Ramadan Mubarak! 🌙

Happy Lunar New Year! Earlier this month, we kicked off our celebration with the Sharon Chinese Association’s Gala, where I had the privilege of wishing everyone a happy, healthy, & prosperous Year of the Fire Horse. Thank you to all of the performers who shared their talents with the community, & for the gift of beautiful paper art which now hangs at the entrance to my office in the State House. 🧧🔥🐴

There’s still time, fellas…

It was so cool to join the students of Blessed Sacrament School this morning for the unveiling of the Scrape Codder, one of the winning entries of this year’s Name-a-Plow contest by MassDOT!

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In a time when antisemitism is again on the rise, we must always remind ourselves of what happens if we don’t work together to bend that curve back down. I have not been to Auschwitz, whose liberation anchors today’s commemoration, but I have been to Majdanek and to Stutthof. I have seen the lasting remnants of evil, and had shivers down my spine listening to the guide describe all-too-familiar details of the conditions that eventually led to the construction of those locations. I’m proud that the legislature is taking steps to combat antisemitism- our Special Commission has issued its report and I look forward to making those recommendations reality, because Never Again is Now.

If you have a few minutes today, you might enjoy reading Dr. King’s speech to the Massachusetts Legislature, given April 22, 1965. As a member of the House, I’m appreciative of the sentiments of Speaker Davoren, whose introductory words still ring true to this day:

“May the day be not too distant when we may see the glorious results of your tireless efforts, and the efforts of all men of good will who share your concern for the country, when all men may stand equally erect as brothers in the bright sunlight of human freedom.”

https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/server/api/core/bitstreams/b9a31152-6cde-45c7-b698-b237f8c7573b/conten

Two Fallons, one Damon, one Affleck. Solid showing for the 8th Norfolk last night on The Tonight Show! 😁

You can watch the whole skit here: https://youtu.be/FhC76xAq7oE?si=MTUglJql20jaFkG6

State Senator Bill Driscoll Jr. & I had so much fun at the Stoughton300 kickoff yesterday that we forgot to grab a photo together! Fortunately, Deputy Chief Derby was rocking his Stoughton gear with a great contingent from SPD and lots of other community organizations on hand to make sure the year got started off right. For more info on the great lineup of events, head to www.stoughtonma300.org!

Yesterday we officially opened the second year of our legislative session in the 194th General Court. I was pleased to join my friends Steve Owens & Donald Wong on a ceremonial committee chaired by Jessica Giannino that formally notified the Massachusetts Senate that the House had reopened for business & are looking forward to a collaborative, productive 2026!

Though a formality, it’s pretty cool to help carry on traditions and protocols that have been in place since the late 1700’s. 🇺🇸

2025 was my first year as the Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee, and I am very lucky that Speaker Mariano tapped me to serve under my longtime friend Jim Arciero for State Representative as our Chair. Working really well with fellow former staffer and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton, the committee held hearings for all 300+ bills before us, initiated landmark investments in Chapter 90 programs, and got into the field to hear from experts across Massachusetts about how best to focus our efforts to improve transportation options for our residents. Special thanks to Anita & the team at the Transportation Committee for all their patience and help this year; stay tuned for an even more productive 2026!