15th Middlesex Budget Priorities
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As the buds were blooming in the trees here on Beacon Hill, I joined a bipartisan coalition of my colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass our Fiscal Year 2020 budget.
The House budget significantly increases investments in public education, housing, substance use disorder services, health care and more. Excitingly, it also includes funding for two projects I initiated:
- $25,000 for a Hartwell Avenue/Hanscom Air Force Base access feasibility study to address the so-called Bedford Street “jug handle” and congestion around base access points.
- $25,000 for a transit feasibility study for first mile/last mile shuttle bus services from the Anderson Regional Transportation Center to locations throughout Woburn and Lexington
Also included in the budget is funding for two projects proposed by my Woburn colleague, Representative Rich Haggerty, which I cosponsored and actively supported. These include a transportation van for the Woburn Council on Aging and design work for a pedestrian bridge to cross over the rail tracks at Anderson.
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Like many throughout our community, Patriots Day is my favorite day of the year in Lexington! History is important to us in the 15th Middlesex District, and each year the holiday reminds us of the vital role Massachusetts played in helping to found and mold this great nation. And we also have some fun while celebrating!
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As a legislator, I make my voice heard in part through the committees and caucuses I join. While committee assignments are made by House leadership, caucuses are formed by and open to all representatives in the House.
My Committees
My Caucuses
(so far!)
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Supreme Judicial Court
As a legislator, I am part of one of the three branches of government. Last month, I joined my fellow first year legislators on a visit to our coequal branch, hearing from Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice (and Lexington constituent!) Ralph Gants in the SJC Chambers.
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A Glorious Morning
Patriot's Day is a celebrated tradition in Lexington dating back to the very founding of the United States. As a life-long resident of the town, I was honored to participate in the festivities in a new role, watching with pride as the community came together to commemorate such a momentous moment in our nation's history.
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Celebrating Lexington Seniors
At the opening night of Town Meeting, I was thrilled to continue the tradition started by my predecessor, Representative Jay Kaufman, recognizing exemplary high school seniors from Lexington High School and Minuteman High School.
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Conversion Therapy Ban
Taking a moment away during a break in budget deliberations last week, many of my colleagues gathered to celebrate the Conversion Therapy Ban becoming law. It was exciting to see several constituents in attendance as well!
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FY20 House Budget (expanded)
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As you know, a budget is a statement of values, and the budget I joined my colleagues in supporting last week is a solid piece of work that makes progress toward addressing our key priorities. Constrained by available revenue, the budget tends to be an incremental tool that takes measured steps towards our shared vision for the future of the Commonwealth.
Access to quality public education is a top priority for both me and my constituents throughout Woburn and Lexington, and while there is much work still to be done, I was pleased to see the House of Representatives take a modest first step to increase funding in this area. The budget
provides $5.1 billion in Chapter 70 education funding as part of a $236 million increase for investments in schools over FY19. In addition, the budget includes $23.6 million for METCO and a $16.5 million reserve for low-income students. It also addresses the need for integrated student health and wellness supports, providing $2 million to establish the Supporting Health Alliances Reinforcing Education (SHARE) grant program to address non-academic barriers to school success.
In addition to increased investments in public education, the House budget includes funding for two projects I championed:
- $25,000 for a transit feasibility study for first mile/last mile shuttle bus services from the Anderson Regional Transportation Center to locations throughout Woburn and Lexington
- $25,000 for a Hanscom Air Force Base access feasibility study to address the so-called Bedford Street “jug handle” and congestion around base access points.
Also included in the budget is funding for two projects proposed by my Woburn colleague, Representative Rich Haggerty, which I cosponsored and actively supported. These include design work for a pedestrian bridge to cross over the rail tracks at Anderson and a transportation van for the Woburn Council on Aging.
In the environmental arena, the House budget calls for over $282 million to keep up with the needs of Massachusetts’ parks and environmental protections programs, including:
- $46 million for State Parks and Recreation
- $61 million for the Department of Environmental Protection
- $1.5 million for Watershed Protection
Additionally, for the first time in nearly 20 years, the budget will be increasing the Commonwealth’s contribution into the Community Preservation Act, which will ensure that over $36 million more will be distributed to projects all across the Commonwealth, helping to raise the state’s match up to 30 percent for investments in open space, affordable housing, and historic preservation.
The budget will now go to the Senate for consideration.
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A key part of my work as a legislator is advocacy. On Beacon Hill, many caucuses form to advocate for a range and variety of issues. As such, I have had the opportunity to join several organizations related to my identity as well as my priorities. Some of the groups I am a member of are listed below.
- Progressive Caucus
- House members committed to the goal of promoting social, economic, and environmental justice for all citizens of the Commonwealth.
- Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL)
- Currently, 28.5% of the Massachusetts legislature is comprised of women. The MCWL was established in 1975 with the goal of enhancing the economic status and equality of women, and to encourage and support women at all levels of government.
- METCO Caucus
- Advocates for funding and support for METCO, a voluntary program intended to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation by permitting students in certain cities to attend public schools in other communities, such as Lexington, that have agreed to participate.
- Food System Caucus
- Founded with the mission of supporting and fostering the growth of the local food system in the Commonwealth, the caucus focuses on three areas that were identified as priorities in the Massachusetts’ Local Food Action adopted in 2015: Food access and insecurity, farmland, and economic development.
- RTA Caucus
- Supports the critical work of the Regional Transit Authorities.
- Italian Caucus
- Celebrates the Italian heritage shared by many in Massachusetts, myself included!
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