Barrett named "Legislator of the Year" by Middlesex Bar Association

State Senator Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the Middlesex County Bar Association (MCBA). The MCBA -- which boasts a membership of several hundred and runs pro bono legal services -- selected Barrett because his support of job training for low-income people and advocacy for grant funding to prevent teen dating violence.

During the debate over the new fiscal year budget, Barrett put forth a successful amendment to fund a pilot program to help low-income people find employment. The statewide initiative, Barrett said, connects parents in homelessness prevention programs with job training services and suitable employers. “This is an approach that shows promise,” Barrett said. “So far, nearly 400 people have gotten jobs.”

Barrett also backed a proposal by state Senator Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, to allocate funds for a statewide grant program aimed at preventing teen dating violence. The funds will go to a competitive grant program for ten public schools to promote healthy relationships and address teen dating violence.

The MCBA also pointed to Senator Barrett’s work advocating for additional funds to hire more social workers at the troubled Department of Children and Families. Barrett -- who serves as Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities -- noted the new fiscal year budget adds $48 million dollars to the department’s budget -- a 6.2% boost from the previous year. New funds have been used to increase the number of front-line social workers.