Legislative Priorities
My entire career has been spent advocating on behalf of others with a focus on ensuring that everyone's basic needs are met and everyone has a say in their government. As your Representative, I channel this lifetime of knowledge into being a tireless advocate for our communities. Provided are just a few of the issues that I care about deeply.
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Environment and Climate Change
Climate change is the existential crisis of our time. It is clear that we must make the necessary investments that will lead us to net-zero carbon emissions. James advocates for a holistic approach to tackling climate change that includes conservation and preservation, emission reductions, advancing renewable energy and green infrastructure, and promoting a green labor force.
Our most vulnerable communities have faced the worst effects of pollution and environmental degradation. Every environmental policy must keep environmental justice at the forefront to ensure that every citizen has their right to clean air, water, and land protected.
James views the climate crisis as an opportunity for jobs. That's why he always fights for environmental manufacturing to take place right here in Massachusetts, so we can bring the jobs of the growing green industries right to the Commonwealth.
Reproductive Rights
Massachusetts must protect the right to a safe and legal abortion by supporting mothers and healthcare professionals through both legal safeguards and increased health resources.
Everyone deserves the right to reproductive healthcare, but securing the health of those giving birth does not stop there. We must combat the disturbing trend of increased maternal mortality in the United States by increasing support for healthcare providers and midwife professionals.
Education
Our incredible public schools are often what drive many families to move to the wonderful communities in our District. The provision of high-quality public education starts with making the commensurate investments in our students, teachers, and buildings so that every student is given a proper 21st-century education with opportunities to thrive.
James knows that students can only thrive when given the proper support in and outside the classroom. That's why he has fought for universal school meals, so that no child ever goes hungry while in school and their minds are fueled for success. He also advocates for the management of special education services at the state level rather than the municipal, which often overwhelms local budgets.
Labor and Workforce
James first began fighting for workers’ rights out of college, when he was trained in community organizing by the farm workers. He also organized and led contract negotiations as a member of SEIU.
With young people’s economic security threatened by student debt, rising housing costs, significant shifts in the job market, and the staggering toll of the pandemic on low-income workers of color, James is happy to see a resurgence of unions and does all he can to support them from Beacon Hill including his strong support for an anti-wage-theft bill.
Housing
A troubling pattern is emerging. Seniors can’t afford to stay in the towns where they've spent their whole lives, young people cannot afford to buy houses in the towns where they grew up, and many of the people working in small towns, especially young employees, cannot afford to live in the towns they serve. The entire Commonwealth has a severe shortage of affordable housing and we need multiple approaches that include investing in more affordable units, rethinking zoning, and incentivizing affordable construction.
Small towns want to contribute to the solution, but they need a voice at the table on Beacon Hill to ensure that new regulations take into account town size, infrastructure, and availability and access to town water and sewer systems.
Supporting Veterans
We must always honor those who served in the military and provide them with the support and care they need when they return home. James is always looking for opportunities to support veterans including the bill he filed that would expand the use of municipal veterans assistance funds.
Common Sense Firearm Safety
Massachusetts has some of the strongest gun laws in the nation, but we must keep our laws updated to meet 21st-century demands. James strongly advocates for banning 3D printed weapons, 'ghost guns', and assault weapons while also supporting strong background checks.
Healthcare
Covid-19 drew stark attention to the urgent need to address staffing shortages in health care. The burnout rate for nurses and healthcare workers is worse than ever, depleting one of the most important assets we have in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth needs to establish safe and appropriate staffing levels, and any review needs to include all parties, including front-line nurses. We also need to improve workplace violence prevention to protect nurses and healthcare staff.
In general, James believes in a healthcare system that focuses on wellness and prevention. Systemic inequities lead to differential health outcomes and cost society billions of dollars in long-term healthcare costs related to obesity, diabetes, and heart issues.
Supporting Seniors
The 8th Middlesex has some of the highest percentages of senior citizens in the state and the demographic is growing, but the tax burden is making it difficult for many to stay in their homes. As inflationary pressures continue to mount, the state needs to adjust the per capita formula for state assistance to seniors, double the circuit breaker refundable tax credit for fixed income seniors, and consider funding new construction for affordable housing earmarked for seniors and senior centers/multi-purpose centers.
PFAS
PFAS (or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pose a real threat to public health. To the state’s credit, we now have some of the strictest PFAS regulations in the nation. However, the new regulation and enforcement have been enacted with too little regard for their impact on communities and on a very tight timeline. We must fund the PFAS Remediation Fund recommended by the PFAS Task Force to help impacted municipalities and homeowners.