ON THE ISSUES
Lowering Costs for Families & Seniors
Rising costs are the number one issue I hear about at the doors, and I've delivered real relief. I fought for the $1.2 billion tax cut package, the largest in state history, that puts money back into the pockets of hardworking families and seniors:
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Child and Family Tax Credit permanently raised to $440 per dependent
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Earned Income Tax Credit increased from 30% to 40% of the federal credit
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Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit doubled to $2,400
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Estate Tax threshold doubled to $2 million
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Rental Deduction cap increased to $4,000
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Lead Paint Abatement Credit doubled to $3,000
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New tax deductions for public transit and bicycle commuting expenses
There's more to do, and I'll keep fighting for further relief on energy and utility rates, which continue to burden family budgets across Winthrop and Revere.
Investing in Excellent Schools
Education is the great equalizer. Regardless of your background, your socio-economic group, or your place of birth, education creates opportunity and hope. That belief drove me to help deliver free Community College for every Massachusetts resident and free school meals for every student, every day, no paperwork required. I'll keep working to ensure equal educational opportunities for all our children and greater accountability across our education system. As the husband of a former first-grade teacher, I know what a labor of love teaching is, and I'll keep fighting to give educators the tools they need to share that love with our kids.
I also believe the Commonwealth needs a renewed emphasis on vocational education. Attending college is admirable, and so is becoming a tradesman. Expanding vocational opportunities builds the next generation of plumbers, electricians, laborers, painters, and craftsmen, good-paying jobs that create stable families, neighborhoods, and homes.
Strengthening Public Safety
A safe community is a healthy community. I will keep working with the women and men of our public safety community to improve training and accountability, while giving them the tools they need to protect our neighborhoods. I am proud to have the endorsement of our first responders, the men and women keeping us safe each and every day.
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Reforming the Commonwealth's mental health and substance use disorder treatment system remains a top priority for me. This crisis has touched nearly every family in Winthrop and Revere, including my own, and the pandemic only made it worse. I was proud to help deliver historic mental health and addiction treatment reform on Beacon Hill, but the work isn't finished. My experience at the Sheriff's Office and in our courts reinforced my belief that we must keep addressing the root causes of this crisis, not just its symptoms.
Improving Infrastructure & Transportation
Investment in expanded public transportation strengthens our communities while reducing carbon emissions and traffic on our roads. I've delivered new tax deductions for transit and bicycle commuters, and I'll keep pushing for a robust public transportation plan as part of any climate strategy the Commonwealth pursues, along with the infrastructure investments Winthrop and Revere need and deserve.
Supporting Small Businesses & Local Jobs
Our small businesses are the backbone of Winthrop and Revere, and often the most vital source of charitable giving in our communities. As large employers like Amazon expand their footprint locally, I believe they must be held to standards that guarantee sustainable growth and fair, equitable treatment for their employees, without hollowing out the family-owned businesses that provide good jobs with benefits to our friends and neighbors. That's why I've proudly supported the efforts of Teamsters Local 25 to hold Amazon accountable.
Protecting Our Coastal Communities
Winthrop and Revere are coastal communities, and that identity comes with real responsibilities. I'll keep fighting for fairness in how we pay for regional water and sewer infrastructure. Ratepayers in MWRA communities like ours have shouldered an outsized burden for the long-ago cleanup of Boston Harbor, and I believe the entire Commonwealth should share that cost. As a longtime member of the Revere Beach Partnership Board of Directors, I'll continue working to protect and invest in our shoreline for the next generation.
