Beacon Hill: Legislation Without Representation

This week, I had the pleasure of marching in the Wakefield Fourth of July Parade. As I waved to the crowd of new and familiar faces, I felt immense pride and gratitude. I am so proud to live in Massachusetts. The home of the Boston Tea Party and the birthplace of American democracy. The place where folks changed the course of history because of one simple and revolutionary idea -- that government should represent the people it serves.

I became a candidate for State Senate because I’m tired of not seeing voices like mine represented at the State House. As a working mom, I’m frustrated that the issues that are important to me -- affordable child care, college debt, transportation, and reproductive rights to name a few -- are not being adequately addressed on Beacon Hill. Working families like mine are being crushed, and it feels as though our leaders don’t understand the urgency.

I’m not at all surprised. Women make up just 25% of Massachusetts legislators and their numbers have decreased over recent years. There is not a single black Senator sitting on Beacon Hill. Most folks at the State House have never had to ride the T to work every day or work three jobs to make rent, and our laws reflect it. When progressive policies like paid family leave and raising the minimum wage do get passed, it’s because citizens have taken up ballot initiatives to force lawmakers’ hands.

Incumbency is a powerful thing, especially in Massachusetts. Turnover rates are incredibly low, and Democratic politicians tend to only leave office under a cloud or a shroud. More than half of our lawmakers will waltz back into their offices in January 2019 without facing opposition in a primary or general election. It makes sense that our politicians are comfortable with the status quo -- they directly benefit from it.

I’m not comfortable with the status quo, and neither are the voters in our district. A new wave of political energy is sweeping America, and the seeds of change are being sown in town halls and state houses across the nation. We have the opportunity to make significant progress here in Massachusetts, but we have to bring new ideas and new voices to the table.

People warned me that challenging the establishment wouldn’t be easy, but even I -- an experienced public servant -- underestimated its power. I’ve ruffled quite a few feathers by challenging a fellow Democrat, but I’m not daunted. I’m going to keep pounding the pavement and wearing out my shoes because voters need better representation. If we don’t raise our voices now, we may never be heard.