Dear Friends and Neighbors:
I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.
Tuesday, September 1st, is primary election day here in Massachusetts. It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve you and represent our communities in South Boston and Dorchester in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the past two years.
This term, I have worked with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass emergency legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic while also supporting major legislative efforts to improve education, transportation, and economic development.
These legislative efforts include:
COVID-19 Response and Public Health
· Extended unemployment benefits and protected public health
· Increased access to healthcare services through the use of telemedicine
· Approved investments in technology for community health centers
· Authorized and food security grants
· Created opportunities for restaurants to serve alcohol, beer and wine for carry out service in response to challenges brought on by COVID-19
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Economic Development
· Kept Chapter 90 level-funded at $200 million for key repairs for the maintenance and upkeep of city and municipal roads and bridges in Massachusetts
· Authorized $18 billion in investments for the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure
· Approved a comprehensive economic development bill that legalizes sports betting, provides support to small businesses and at-risk populations and makes investments in affordable housing
Education and Safety
· Prohibited distracted driving from hands-held cell phone use
· Approved $1.5 billion statewide investment in public schools – known as the Student Opportunity Act
· Strengthened oversight policies and operations at the Department of Children and Families to protect our most vulnerable children and protect persons with intellectual or developmental disability from abuse
Since taking office, I have also been committed to providing top-notch constituent services. My office has been hard at work assisting residents in navigating government, ranging from unemployment benefits to motor vehicle registrations, working with colleagues in government to distribute PPE, and attending community meetings, both in person and virtually, on development, transportation, and public safety.
I have listened closely to the needs of our neighborhood and have been advocating on issues that matter to our community, including public safety, recovery programs, mental health initiatives, veterans services, support for seniors and youth programs.
We have accomplished a great deal in two-years, however, there remains more work to do. I am honored to represent this community in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday to continue the important work of improving the quality of life for all throughout this district and throughout the Commonwealth.
Sincerely,
–David