Boston (August 26, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Mayor of Springfield Domenic J. Sarnotoday met at Springfield City Hall to discuss issues impacting the greater Springfield area. The two lawmakers discussed the opioid crisis and efforts in Springfield to expand treatment and provide resources to first responders. Senator Markey and Mayor Sarno also spoke about economic development projects in Springfield, including infrastructure improvement projects, and the importance of federal funding. Earlier in the day, Senator Markey held a roundtable and press conference in Holyoke on the prescription drug and heroin crisis in Hampden County.  
 
“Springfield is a city on the move, and we need to ensure that it keeps moving forward with critical federal funding, resources and support for economic growth,” said Senator Markey. “Mayor Sarno is a Massachusetts’s leader in tacking some of the most pressing problems facing our Commonwealth – the opioid crisis, crumbling infrastructure and income inequality. I applaud him for his leadership and his efforts to bring jobs and opportunity to the people of Springfield. I look forward to our continued partnership on the issues that matter most to Springfield and all of Western Massachusetts.”
 
 “Great to have Senator Markey back in Springfield – I appreciate his always touching base about our needs and concerns,” said Mayor Sarno. “Senator Markey offers a unique combination of an astute policy maker based on a blue collar foundation. We spoke on efforts for infrastructure jobs-creating project improvements, public safety needs, combating the opioid crisis and women’s health issues pertaining to breast cancer detection, to name a few.”

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