Commonsense for the Commonwealth

Massachusetts wasn’t the last state to pass human trafficking laws, but we were close. The Commonwealth was the 48th state to enact laws allowing law enforcement to target those who profit from controlling and exploiting others in the sex trade; commonly young women, teenagers and children. Last week we learned that a Stoneham massage parlor was part of a sex trafficking operation run by a man from Quincy. His arrest and pending trial will undoubtedly bring many disturbing details of the ordeal these women endured, to light.

A key factor in stopping criminal enterprise is cooperation with federal law enforcement. With this in mind, I was shocked by some of the language included in our state budget bill currently working its way to the Governor’s desk. Our State Senate approved an amendment in May that would have prohibited cooperation between our Police and Federal Law Enforcement. This sets an enormously dangerous precedent that was overlooked amidst the glee in opposing the White House.

I understand the frustration and anger with the horror show going on at the US–Mexican border, as a parent and simply as a human being. Politics have become so caustic that I often have to force myself to open the paper in the morning. However, as law makers, voters and citizens of Massachusetts we have to stop, think and rise above the partisanship before we do something we might regret. If we need to change laws, then we change them: but we must never create an adversarial relationship between local and federal law enforcement. It puts our men and women in blue at risk, and makes it harder to save our young people from scourges such as drugs and human trafficking.

I know it’s ugly on the airwaves, but we are better than this. We do not have to succumb to the negativity and the animosity we see at the federal level. I am running to help restore statesmanship to Beacon Hill. I don’t agree with Democrats all the time, nor do I always agree with Republicans; but I think we can all agree that a return to professionalism would be a welcome change. I’m Erin Calvo-Bacci, and I am running for State Senate.