Two years after Michael Brown died from anaphylactic shock on the Vineyard, his wife Megan Shai Brown testified at the State House in favor of increasing access to lifesaving allergy medication across Massachusetts.

Thanks to the work of Megan Shai Brown, three bills have been introduced at the State House that could increase access to lifesaving allergy medication.

In a trio of bills filed earlier this year, State Rep. Thomas Moakley requested more staff for the Edgartown District Court, a year-long study into the staffing levels and the condition of the 1858 courthouse, and better access to the state’s housing court for the Vineyard and Nantucket. 

Democrats on the Vineyard, Nantucket and parts of Falmouth will head to the polls on Sept. 3 to cast their primary ballots for the region’s new state representative, choosing between Arielle Faria and Thomas Moakley.

Titled the Municipal Empowerment Act, the governor’s bill would allow towns to enact a new motor vehicle excise surcharge, raise the local hotel and home rental tax from its current limit of 6 per cent to 7 per cent, as well as increase the local option meals tax. 

At a hearing this week, Vineyarders threw their weight behind a local option transfer fee, the new seasonal community designation and other measures intended to alleviate the state’s housing affordability crisis.