Reform Public Education Funding The Ch. 70 education funding formula is broken
My primary reason for running for State Senate is to reform how public education is funded in the Commonwealth because I believe that a zip code should not dictate the quality of education. I approach education funding from two perspectives. First, as a municipal official (Malden City Councillor 2016 to present), I have seen the impact of dwindling state aid on our communities. The lack of adequate state funding forces cities and towns to ask residents for property tax overrides which are divisive even when they are necessary. Overrides pit retirees and limited income families against families with children. This is not how you strengthen the fabric of a community. Second, I approach education funding reform as a former Title I early reading intervention student. Thanks to dedicated elementary school teachers, I was able to get it back on track with the resources that I needed. This help allowed me to attend the College of the Holy Cross for undergrad and I recently graduated from Boston College Law School becoming an affordable housing attorney. I am honored to have the endorsement of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) who understand first hand the need to reform education funding, so that state aid matches student need.
Government Accountability Audit, Public Records, and Open Meeting Laws
Massachusetts is the only state in the nation which exempts the legislature, governor, and judiciary from public records laws. We are the least transparent which is why I support the upcoming ballot question to extend the Public Records Law to the legislature. I also support the Audit Law championed by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, and when I am elected, I will comply with the will of 72% of the voters and stand up to state house leadership on this important good governance issue. Additionally, I propose we extend the Open Meeting Law to the legislature, so that all formal, informal, and committee meetings and hearings are open and accessible to the public. It's just common sense!
Protect Public Assets Our Environment, Parks, Schools, Libraries, Finances
As a former Park Ranger in the Middlesex Fells and Breakheart Reservations, I have been protecting public assets for decades. In partnership with local advocacy groups, I led Malden's first public shade tree inventory and kick-started a tree planting campaign which has planted thousands of new trees. I also helped organize stewardship for the Malden River with the Friends of the Malden River, the Mystic River Watershed Association, and the Malden River Works Project which has brought new access and life to the Malden River. Whether it is our environment, our parks, our school, our libraries, or our public finances, it is essential that we protect and conserve them, so that we have the resources to educate our students and maintain our public assets.
Affordability and Safe Utilities Housing, Utilities, and Protecting MassSave
The costs of housing and utilities are through the roof and putting families in financial jeopardy. The Commonwealth can and must encourage more affordable homeownership opportunities to give residents more control and stability around most people's largest monthly expense - housing. Affordable homeownership allows seniors to age in place, young adults to start their lives, and for families to grow. When it comes to utilities, it is a privilege to operate a public utility in Massachusetts. As such, the Commonwealth through the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has the ability to control skyrocketing utility rates through its regulatory powers. At a time when utility companies are making record profits, the DPU should prohibit utility companies from passing lobbying expenses, excessive executive compensation, and deferred maintenance costs onto ratepayers. I will also defend MassSave which helps with weatherization and energy efficiency for residents.
Economic Development Public Art, Shared Use Trails, and Improved Transit
As the president of Malden Arts, Inc., a local arts non-profit, I have worked with fellow Malden Arts boardmembers, past and present, to bring high quality public art to the Malden community. These efforts have helped bring economic growth and development to Malden Center that has been missing for a half-century. I will help foster public art throughout the Fifth Middlesex to help stir economic activity throughout our interconnected communities. Additionally, I am the lead sponsor of the Spot Pond Brook Greenway, which is a part of the Mystic Highlands Greenway vision. I will support the inter-connection of a regional shared use path network including the Northern Strand, the Tri-Community Greenway, and the Wakefield-Lynnfield Greenway. As a daily commuter on the MBTA, I will also fight for improvements to the T, Commuter Rail, and bus network, so that residents have various options to get to work!