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\n The State Senate&rsquo\;s Special Senate Task Force on Massachusetts Local Retailers will be holding a public hearing in Northampton on Monday\, February 5\, 2018 from 10:30am to 12:45pm at the Union Station\, 125A Pleasant Street ~ Northampton\, Massachusetts 01060.
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\n The purpose of the hearing is to give Western Massachusetts retailers and interested members of the general public the opportunity to be heard locally by legislators and Task Force members.
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\n In 2017\, the Senate approved a measure to create a task force that will review and report on efforts to strengthen the local retail sector in the Commonwealth. Joining Senator Humason on the panel will be Senator Michael Rodrigues (D &ndash\; Westport)\, who will chair the task force\, and Senators Vinny deMacedo (R &ndash\; Plymouth)\, Kathleen O&rsquo\;Connor Ives
\n (D &ndash\; Newburyport)\, Michael Barrett (D &ndash\; Lexington)\, Jason Lewis (D &ndash\; Winchester)\, and Julian Cyr (D &ndash\; Truro). Retailers from across the Commonwealth have also been appointed to the task force\, including MRA member Judy Herrell\, owner of Herrell&rsquo\;s Ice Cream &\; Bakery.
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\n \;The Task Force has been established by the State Senate to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing local retailers and identify ways to help them become more competitive in the global innovation economy that exists today.
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\n &ldquo\;We invite retails from Western Massachusetts to come and speak with the Task Force members and tell their stories to us. Policy makers on Beacon Hill need to know that the decisions we make have a direct impact on retails across the Commonwealth.&rdquo\; Senator Donald Humason.
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\n We hope to see you on Monday\, February 5\, 2018 from
\n \;10:30am to 12:45pm at the Union Station\, 125A Pleasant Street\, Northampton\, Massachusetts 01060. | \n \n \n \n | \n
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