State Senator Patricia Jehlen Running for Re-election in Second Middlesex District

State Senator Patricia Jehlen is running for re-election in the Second Middlesex district, which includes Medford.

If re-elected, Jehlen says, ”I plan to continue my work for seniors and to improve education, transportation, and the environment. I am always eager to hear the ideas and concerns of my constituents. When you share your opinions it helps me represent you. And I’m glad to help with problems you bring to my office. It helps me to understand the issues that people in our communities face and look for solutions.”

Jehlen previously served as state representative on the Somerville School Committee. While on the school committee she helped launch the Council for Fair School Finance.  The council brought the law suit which led to 1993 ed reform commitments and to more equalizing of state aid to all communities.

As Senator Chair of the Committee on Elder Affairs she is working to ensure that all seniors have a choice of settings that meet their needs so that they can age in their community. This year she co-chairs the commissions on Elder Economic Security, Protective Services, and LGBT Aging. She has worked for adequate funding for adult day health and home care services, and this year led the successful effort to give  home care workers who make an average of $10 an hour their first raise in six years.

Jehlen is Senate vice-chair of the Committee on Education and was appointed to the Foundation Budget Review Commission, where she continues to work on issues of fair and adequate school finance. She is also working to reduce the overreliance on standardized testing to judge schools, districts, and teachers.

As co-chair of the MBTA Caucus she works with other legislators for adequate funding for the T preventing fair increases and service cuts. Working with the Medford Legislative Delegation she secured funding for transit, pedestrian, and roadway improvement projects throughout the city and is currently coordinating with local stakeholders and the MBTA to upgrade the West Medford Commuter Rail Station.

She chairs the Mystic River Caucus, which this year secured funding for the next phase of the Mystic River Master Plan and the removal of invasive weeds in the river. Legislators in the caucus also successfully advocated for funds for many projects for flood control and water quality improvement.

Previously Jehlen worked as a VISTA volunteer and teacher. She lives in Somerville with her husband, daughter, and two granddaughters. Their two sons and their wives live in Somerville and NYC.

Jehlen was elected Senator for the Second Middlesex district in 2005. She represents all of Medford and Somerville, and parts of Cambridge and W