Dear Neighbor,
It has been an honor to serve as your State Senator these last two years. Though we are amidst unprecedented and challenging times, the people of the 1st Suffolk District have shown unmatched strength and resiliency.
We have accomplished much together this legislative session, but there is work that still remains on issues of economic development, health care, education, transportation, and public health and safety.
It is for these reasons that I am seeking another term in the State Senate with renewed vigor and enthusiasm to ensure that the 1st Suffolk District gets the results they deserve from our state government.
Back in mid-March, my colleagues and I quickly responded to an emerging pandemic, securing $15 million to support the Commonwealth’s monitoring, treatment, containment, public awareness and prevention efforts. We extended the tax filing deadline, allowed cities and towns to delay collection of local taxes, and required special enrollment periods for MA Health to keep money in residents pockets, and maximize health insurance coverage during the pandemic. We passed legislation to waive the one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance, and the Commonwealth implemented an expansion of benefits to independent contractors and other workers.
Soon after, the Commonwealth announced an additional $800 million in stabilization funding to help health care providers impacted by and responding to COVID-19. This funding supported hospitals, nursing facilities, primary care providers, behavioral health providers, and critical long-term services. We also passed legislation to support frontline workers with PPE, offer hazard pay, and support these essential workers.
As we continue to grapple with the effects of COVID-19, we must also proactively plan for a brighter future for our families, residents, and businesses.
In October, we passed the Student Opportunity Act, an unprecedented $1.5 billion new investment in Massachusetts K-12 public education. This legislation ensures public schools have adequate resources to provide high-quality education to students across the state, regardless of zip code or income level. Assuming inflation, this bill could provide between $75-$115 million to the City of Boston.
Recently, I was proud to secure funding to help small businesses safely reopen, to close the gap on access to broadband internet for BPS families during remote learning, and to create summer learning opportunities for our youth. I also secured funding for the Boston Public Health Commission for violence prevention, intervention, recovery, and public health programming in Boston.
To protect everyone on our roads, I was proud to secure state funding for Boston’s Safe Streets Program, and joined my colleagues in banning handheld cell phone use while driving. To improve our public transportation networks I fought for millions for Red Line improvements, South Boston Bus Service, and major investments in our roadways, sidewalks, and street infrastructure.
I know there are challenges ahead in the next term, and I am prepared to work through them on your behalf. From building more affordable housing, to creating quality local jobs, to giving our young people a better chance to succeed and thrive, I am all in for the First Suffolk District.
I would be honored to serve you as your State Senator again for the 192nd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday September 1st.
Sincerely,
Nick Collins
State Senator
1st Suffolk District
