A STATE REPRESENTATIVE OUR COMMUNITY CAN COUNT ON ! !
Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods Are The Priority
A Message from Michelle:
Building safe and healthy neighborhoods are at the core of my priorities in public service.
Demanding that our State regulators protect our residents from nasty, un-needed, polluting-corporations (like the proposed natural gas power plant) just as they do for residents in wealthy communities has been a big part of my life's work.
Ensuring funding for out-of-school youth engagement, nice local parks, solid public schools, and infrastructure improvements (roads/bridges) is essential. As your State Representative I have delivered increased funding to Brockton, West Bridgewater and East Bridgewater in all these areas.
Responsiveness to the needs of working families, focusing on transparent government, economic development, and job-skills training have been at the center of my time as your State Representative.
Public Education
We must fix the education funding formula. There's a lot at stake! In 1991, when I graduated from Brockton High, urban education funding was similarly in crisis: the jam packed classrooms and the negative effects on students (and the broader community) from inadequate education funding were the same then as now but the buildings are also almost 30-years older now, there are more students now and gaining a living wage in our technology economy demands a strong education system now.
As your State Rep I have advocated for implementation of the Foundation Budget Review Commission's recommendations. Together I know we can (and we must) get this done.
Opioid Epidemic
Across Massachusetts and right here, opioid addiction is devastating families. This is why I filed and supported budget earmarks to provide direct State funds to EB Hope; the Champion Plan; and the Plymouth County Police Outreach groups. I will continue to fight for expanded funding of long-term and proven addiction treatment. Big pharmaceutical companies lobbied for government-deregulation of opioids, and expanded prescribing authority, which facilitated this crisis. We must take the fight to the top by holding big-pharma and over prescribing doctors accountable.
Veterans
My Uncle died in Korea. Growing up the pain of his loss, the pride for his service, and the respect that is owed to all those who serve our Nation was the standard example in my home. I take this patriotic belief with me each day as your State Representative and at each opportunity I work to make it real by supporting the needs of our Veterans.
Senior Citizens & Individuals with Disabilities
Our aging population is rapidly expanding. I have been advocating for additional long-term home care services for seniors and individuals with disabilities, ensuring that all residents have access to the services needed to remain living in the community with the least restrictive environment possible.
Environmental Protection
Each year, Brockton is in the top 5 municipalities in the State with the most asthma hospitalizations for children. This has driven my involvement in community efforts that stopped a proposed trash transfer station and the 14-year, on-going battle to Stop a massive fracked gas power plant that is proposed in Ward 4, on the West Bridgewater line.
Healthcare
Throughout my career in public service, I have worked towards a healthcare system that is accessible to all residents in our district and across Massachusetts. I know that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a luxury, and that we need to continue to work towards an affordable, universal healthcare system for all residents.
Economic Development
As your State Representative, I have worked to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in the Innovation Economy and will continue to ensure that working families have the tools and resources needed to climb the economic ladder and contribute to our local economy. I understand that when all families have access to our economy and the workforce, everyone benefits.