Michelle Ottaviano
@michelleottaviano.bsky.social
Working to expand access to scientific resources via SBGrid, Harvard Medical School, and build progressive power in state legislatures via SisterDistrict. Lover of jazz, dance, dogs, cats, social justice, democracy. She/her
Good news worth reading about the power of coordinated, collective action! @gabygoldstein.bsky.social
@state-futures.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/statepow...
@state-futures.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/statepow...
State Legislators Are Linking Arms to Fight ICE — and It's Working
The federal government is betting that a constant churn of new controversies will exhaust the public and keep states from responding. That bet is losing.
open.substack.com
July 31, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Good news worth reading about the power of coordinated, collective action! @gabygoldstein.bsky.social
@state-futures.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/statepow...
@state-futures.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/statepow...
Reposted by Michelle Ottaviano
The NPR Network has never backed down on its mission, because millions of people rely on this trusted journalism and programming, and because of supporters like you who stand with us.
Power the NPR Network. Make your first gift, or increase your support today.
Donate now: n.pr/3SzxYze
Power the NPR Network. Make your first gift, or increase your support today.
Donate now: n.pr/3SzxYze
July 17, 2026 at 4:46 PM
The NPR Network has never backed down on its mission, because millions of people rely on this trusted journalism and programming, and because of supporters like you who stand with us.
Power the NPR Network. Make your first gift, or increase your support today.
Donate now: n.pr/3SzxYze
Power the NPR Network. Make your first gift, or increase your support today.
Donate now: n.pr/3SzxYze
The comment period is over, but you can still make yourself heard! Call your Congressional members to make sure they Stand Up for Science!
Missed the OMB Comment Period? You can't still fight back! Contact your MoC's and donate to fuel our legal fight against the proposal by visiting this link: zurl.co/5snpG
#OMB #Vought #StandUpForScience #Science #SaveScience
#OMB #Vought #StandUpForScience #Science #SaveScience
July 18, 2026 at 10:48 AM
The comment period is over, but you can still make yourself heard! Call your Congressional members to make sure they Stand Up for Science!
Reposted by Michelle Ottaviano
We have a couple open spots for organizing interns for sessions starting end of June and August. College and high school students (or non-students) welcome. We are an all volunteer team, so the position is unpaid, but there are lots of learning opportunities. www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
2026 States Win MA-RI Organizing Intern (unpaid and remote) · States Win MA-RI
### Apply to States Win MA-RI and help us protect democracy, state by state!
Help us elect leaders who will protect democracy in state legislatures across the country! As an organizing intern, you'll...
www.mobilize.us
June 10, 2026 at 12:43 PM
We have a couple open spots for organizing interns for sessions starting end of June and August. College and high school students (or non-students) welcome. We are an all volunteer team, so the position is unpaid, but there are lots of learning opportunities. www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
Reposted by Michelle Ottaviano
"The Massachusetts Department of Correction... formally partners with ICE to transfer people who have finished their sentences."
Healey's office has also not responded to my calls about this (and why would they) BUT maybe if a lot more of us call and keep calling, they'll get the drift. 617-725-4005
Healey's office has also not responded to my calls about this (and why would they) BUT maybe if a lot more of us call and keep calling, they'll get the drift. 617-725-4005
NEW: Of all the states that voted for Harris over Trump in 2024, there's only one where a Dem governor is overseeing an ICE's 287(g) program:
Massachusetts.
Other blue states have quit, or even outright banned it. My colleague on what's happening: boltsmag.org/massachusett...
Massachusetts.
Other blue states have quit, or even outright banned it. My colleague on what's happening: boltsmag.org/massachusett...
Inside ICE’s Only Contract with a Blue State - Bolts
As part of a 287(g) contract between state officials and ICE, Massachusetts continues to release prisoners into deportation—even as state lawmakers look to ban other forms of ICE collaboration.
boltsmag.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:35 AM
"The Massachusetts Department of Correction... formally partners with ICE to transfer people who have finished their sentences."
Healey's office has also not responded to my calls about this (and why would they) BUT maybe if a lot more of us call and keep calling, they'll get the drift. 617-725-4005
Healey's office has also not responded to my calls about this (and why would they) BUT maybe if a lot more of us call and keep calling, they'll get the drift. 617-725-4005
For fans of innovative education and foes of the trickle down effects of national policies, here’s something worth doing:
Join me: hampshirenext.org
Join me: hampshirenext.org
Hampshire Next — Reimagining the Hampshire experiment
A coalition is raising $10M+ in pledges by May 16th — to buy time, gather the community, and reimagine what Hampshire can be next.
hampshirenext.org
May 15, 2026 at 10:15 AM
For fans of innovative education and foes of the trickle down effects of national policies, here’s something worth doing:
Join me: hampshirenext.org
Join me: hampshirenext.org
Session one starts May 5
5 hours/week | remote | no experience required
States Win MA-RI Organizing Interns will build civic engagement through conversations with voters, outreach to volunteers, research projects, & amplifying activities.
Application details: www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
5 hours/week | remote | no experience required
States Win MA-RI Organizing Interns will build civic engagement through conversations with voters, outreach to volunteers, research projects, & amplifying activities.
Application details: www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
2026 States Win MA-RI Organizing Intern (unpaid and remote) · States Win MA-RI
### Apply to States Win MA-RI and help us protect democracy, state by state!
Help us elect leaders who will protect democracy in state legislatures across the country! As an organizing intern, you'll...
www.mobilize.us
April 22, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Session one starts May 5
5 hours/week | remote | no experience required
States Win MA-RI Organizing Interns will build civic engagement through conversations with voters, outreach to volunteers, research projects, & amplifying activities.
Application details: www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
5 hours/week | remote | no experience required
States Win MA-RI Organizing Interns will build civic engagement through conversations with voters, outreach to volunteers, research projects, & amplifying activities.
Application details: www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
I'll be there! Join in to hear from these two inspiring candidates. Taking action is the antidote to despair!
TONIGHT (Apr 14) - 8-8:30 ET, virtual Town Hall with Jaime Churches (MI HD 27) and Lisa Grafstein (NC SD 13). We're keeping it short with a powerful punch, with two fantastic state leg candidates. Join us!
www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
Candidate Town Hall w/ Lisa Grafstein & Jaime Churches · States Win MA-RI
Meet our two fabulous candidates: NC State Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a leading voice on reproductive rights, civil rights, and disability justice, and our alum, former MI State Rep. Jaime Churches, a belov...
www.mobilize.us
April 14, 2026 at 11:27 PM
I'll be there! Join in to hear from these two inspiring candidates. Taking action is the antidote to despair!
Looking forward to working with a new cohort of interns in the 3rd year of this program.
Apply to become a States Win MA-RI Organizing Intern and help us connect with voters, build civic engagement, and elect state legislators who will work to protect democracy in state legislatures across the country!
www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
2026 States Win MA-RI Organizing Intern (unpaid and remote) · States Win MA-RI
### Apply to States Win MA-RI and help us protect democracy, state by state!
Help us elect leaders who will protect democracy in state legislatures across the country! As an organizing intern, you'll...
www.mobilize.us
April 8, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Looking forward to working with a new cohort of interns in the 3rd year of this program.
Happy Spring!
JUST IN: Democrats tonight have flipped a GOP-held state House seat in Florida.
And not just any seat: This is the district that contains Mar-a-Lago. (It voted for Trump by 11% in 2024).
That's right: Trump will now be represented by a Democrat, Emily Gregory, in Tallahassee.
And not just any seat: This is the district that contains Mar-a-Lago. (It voted for Trump by 11% in 2024).
That's right: Trump will now be represented by a Democrat, Emily Gregory, in Tallahassee.
March 25, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Happy Spring!
Reposted by Michelle Ottaviano
JUST IN: Democrats tonight have flipped a GOP-held state House seat in Florida.
And not just any seat: This is the district that contains Mar-a-Lago. (It voted for Trump by 11% in 2024).
That's right: Trump will now be represented by a Democrat, Emily Gregory, in Tallahassee.
And not just any seat: This is the district that contains Mar-a-Lago. (It voted for Trump by 11% in 2024).
That's right: Trump will now be represented by a Democrat, Emily Gregory, in Tallahassee.
March 24, 2026 at 11:42 PM
JUST IN: Democrats tonight have flipped a GOP-held state House seat in Florida.
And not just any seat: This is the district that contains Mar-a-Lago. (It voted for Trump by 11% in 2024).
That's right: Trump will now be represented by a Democrat, Emily Gregory, in Tallahassee.
And not just any seat: This is the district that contains Mar-a-Lago. (It voted for Trump by 11% in 2024).
That's right: Trump will now be represented by a Democrat, Emily Gregory, in Tallahassee.
@taniel.bsky.social is the person to watch do the deep dive, down ballot election news!
Happy election day to those who celebrate!
The guide you need: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
The thread you need:
The guide you need: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
The thread you need:
tomorrow is with one of the biggest election days of the year. there's so much to go over it's hard to know where to start.
so, let me help:
here are the *10* elections i'm watching the most closely, *at the state and local level* (=no federal elections included!)
🧵:
so, let me help:
here are the *10* elections i'm watching the most closely, *at the state and local level* (=no federal elections included!)
🧵:
March 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
@taniel.bsky.social is the person to watch do the deep dive, down ballot election news!
If you're looking for a glimmer of hope and some action to counter the chaos, here's one org that deserves your dollars: @state-futures.bsky.social led by the indefatigable @gabygoldstein.bsky.social is building state power through collective action. Learn more & donate: www.statefutures.org
STATE FUTURES
www.statefutures.org
March 3, 2026 at 7:43 PM
If you're looking for a glimmer of hope and some action to counter the chaos, here's one org that deserves your dollars: @state-futures.bsky.social led by the indefatigable @gabygoldstein.bsky.social is building state power through collective action. Learn more & donate: www.statefutures.org
This work is critical to empowering communities and increasing voter participation by connecting people to the issues they care about and showing how government and policy impact daily life.
These community-based orgs focus on nonpartisan civic education & leadership development in TN & NC. Join us to learn more from leaders of these programs on Feb 25th (RSVP here: www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...), or donate directly to support the work of these orgs: secure.actblue.com/donate/sd045...
I just gave to help build state power!
Help Build State Power! Support community-based organizations with States Win State Bridges!
secure.actblue.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:17 PM
This work is critical to empowering communities and increasing voter participation by connecting people to the issues they care about and showing how government and policy impact daily life.
February 17, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by Michelle Ottaviano
NEWS: CBS blocked Stephen Colbert from airing an interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico and ordered him not to mention the cancellation over fear of FCC chair Brendan Carr.
Colbert went on air and revealed it anyway.
“He was supposed to be here, but… 1/
Colbert went on air and revealed it anyway.
“He was supposed to be here, but… 1/
February 17, 2026 at 9:39 AM
NEWS: CBS blocked Stephen Colbert from airing an interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico and ordered him not to mention the cancellation over fear of FCC chair Brendan Carr.
Colbert went on air and revealed it anyway.
“He was supposed to be here, but… 1/
Colbert went on air and revealed it anyway.
“He was supposed to be here, but… 1/
Tonight www.mobilize.us/stateswin/ev...
Governing With Courage: State Leaders Standing Up to ICE · States Win
**Join us on Thursday, February 12th for Governing With Courage: State Leaders Standing Up to ICE**
State leaders across the country are using every lever they have to slow, block, and respond to IC...
www.mobilize.us
February 12, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Tonight www.mobilize.us/stateswin/ev...
Sharing this great resource that makes it easy to provide much needed help and show solidarity! www.standwithminnesota.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Sharing this great resource that makes it easy to provide much needed help and show solidarity! www.standwithminnesota.com
Inspiring leaders leading these fantastic organizations. I'll be there to learn more.
This!! Join us Feb 25 to support and learn about organizations in TN ( @tnimmigrant.bsky.social , The Equity Alliance) and NC (Carolina Federation Fund, We Are Down Home) engaged in nonpartisan year-round education and community-based organizing.
www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...
February 4, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Inspiring leaders leading these fantastic organizations. I'll be there to learn more.
Ordered - and now just obsessively reloading this page to see these kids reach their goal.
“We are a Minneapolis 2nd grade Brownie Troop of 12 including trans and neurodiverse youth and 75% BIPOC kids. We want to go to summer camp and try horseback riding! During the current ICE occupation we need your support more than ever...”
And that’s how I ordered 4 boxes of thin mints.
And that’s how I ordered 4 boxes of thin mints.
A friend shared with me a girl scout cookie link from a group that's having a hard time selling in Minneapolis right now.
digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/troop5...
digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/troop5...
January 29, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Ordered - and now just obsessively reloading this page to see these kids reach their goal.
Love this effort brought together by @state-futures.bsky.social and Sister District co-founder @gabygoldstein.bsky.social How many more state legislators can join this message of solidarity?
Today, a new video features 36 lawmakers from 11 states standing with Minnesota and calling for accountability.
State Futures is proud to help bring this coordinated effort to life, as state policymakers come together to defend democratic values.
State Futures is proud to help bring this coordinated effort to life, as state policymakers come together to defend democratic values.
January 26, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Love this effort brought together by @state-futures.bsky.social and Sister District co-founder @gabygoldstein.bsky.social How many more state legislators can join this message of solidarity?
Reposted by Michelle Ottaviano
Today, a new video features 36 lawmakers from 11 states standing with Minnesota and calling for accountability.
State Futures is proud to help bring this coordinated effort to life, as state policymakers come together to defend democratic values.
State Futures is proud to help bring this coordinated effort to life, as state policymakers come together to defend democratic values.
January 22, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Today, a new video features 36 lawmakers from 11 states standing with Minnesota and calling for accountability.
State Futures is proud to help bring this coordinated effort to life, as state policymakers come together to defend democratic values.
State Futures is proud to help bring this coordinated effort to life, as state policymakers come together to defend democratic values.