The Massachusetts House of Representatives comprises 160 members, each representing a district of approximately 40,000 people and elected to a two-year term with no term limits. As required by the Massachusetts Constitution, the House meets year-round in either formal or informal sessions to consider statewide legislation. The Massachusetts House is led by the Speaker of the House, who is elected by the members of the body at the beginning of each two-year legislative session.
I voted to create incentives to reduce the cost of housing through building affordable homes and decreasing construction costs. I also supported investing $1.86 billion in early education that included free school lunches and assistance to low-income families. Furthermore, I voted to invest nearly $1 billion in Fair Share transportation funding for reliable, affordable public transit systems.
I will continue supporting legislation that expands housing supply, lowers childcare costs, strengthens public transportation, and lowers the cost of living. Affordability challenges affect families in every community, and I will continue working to ensure that Massachusetts remains a place where families can afford to live, work, and thrive.
I support reforming energy permitting to reduce delays in deploying EV charging infrastructure, modernizing our electric grid, and accelerating the development of solar, wind, and emerging clean energy technologies such as geothermal. Increasing the supply of renewable energy will strengthen our energy independence, reduce our reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, and help stabilize energy costs over the long term.
As we transition to net-zero, we must ensure our energy infrastructure keeps pace with demand so consumers are not burdened by higher costs or supply constraints. By investing in clean energy today, Massachusetts can protect both our environment and household budgets while building a better economy for future generations.
This past term, I voted to invest $22 billion in MassHealth and behavioral health services, substance use treatment, preventive care, and community health centers.
I have also co-sponsored legislation to transition Massachusetts to a single-payer health care system that would provide comprehensive coverage, including preventive care, mental health services, dental and vision care, prescription drugs, and long-term care.
I will continue to support policies that reduce costs, expand access to preventive care, and strengthen health centers and services. As your representative, I will continue working to build a health care system that is affordable, accessible, and reliable for every resident of the Commonwealth.
Proposition 2½ has played an important role in protecting taxpayers, but more than four decades after its adoption, we must examine whether the current system adequately reflects the cost of providing the services residents expect from their communities.
Municipalities today face growing demands, and too many communities are forced to turn to overrides simply to maintain basic services, creating disparities between municipalities with different tax bases.
I believe we should have a thoughtful conversation about ways to modernize municipal finance while protecting taxpayers. This could include examining adjustments to the Proposition 2½ framework, expanding state aid, and increasing targeted reimbursements for mandated services.
Protecting our elections requires ensuring that every poll worker and eligible voter can exercise voting without fear of intimidation.
In the General Court, we are currently considering the PROTECT Act, which strengthens protections for residents in sensitive locations such as courthouses, schools, and other community spaces. I believe those protections should extend to polling locations so that voters are not deterred from voting. We must also ensure that poll workers have the legal protections and resources necessary to perform their duties safely.
The right to vote is the foundation of our Constitution. I swore an oath as a JAG officer, and Massachusetts must continue to protect it.
I voted for the PROTECT Act, which establishes a consistent statewide framework governing how state and local systems interact with federal civil immigration enforcement. Clear standards allow Massachusetts to protect due process, promote public safety, and ensure clarity. By protecting immigrants in community spaces, limiting inquiries into immigration status, and establishing standards in correctional facilities, the act allows residents to not be deterred from reporting crimes or testifying in court. As a public servant, I understand the need for clarity in our laws, and this act takes a significant step in the right direction in protecting immigrants and their confidence in their interactions with the Commonwealth.
