What Linda Stands For

All of us, youth and seniors, those of Caribbean or Irish heritage, Boston or Milton resident, African American or first, second or third generation American have one thing in common; we love our community and know that by working together we can make it even better. As your legislator, I work with residents every day to make our voices heard promoting the needs of our families. There are some very clear issues that I champion, to best serve the 12th Suffolk District.

They include:

Education. I am focused on ensuring that the state school building authority continues to fund new schools in our district so that all parents have equal choice in sending their children to a school that is close to home. And, I will work closely with officials and parents to make sure that the progress of recent years in our school systems continues without interruption.

Housing. My career in public service has been focused on housing and community development, and I will continue to support the state's Affordable Housing Trust. I am committed to finding new and innovative ways to allow the people who live in our community a chance to stay here as renters, or to one day own their own homes.

Transportation. I am working hard to ensure that the promised improvements to our Red Line stations and to the Fairmount commuter rail line are completed in a timely and efficient manner. I am also an advocate for full funding to expand commuter rail stops in Mattapan and Dorchester. These new station stops will help ease congestion on our roadways, give our residents more job opportunities, and provide a faster trip into and out of Boston. This investment makes sense and is long overdue. I will see that it happens. I will also continue to push for major improvements to our roadways in Milton, which need extra attention.

Jobs. I support efforts to make the Massachusetts minimum wage keep up with inflation. Residents working full-time, and sometimes two jobs, who contribute so much to our neighborhoods, working in day-care centers, nursing homes and hospitals deserve to earn enough to meet the basic needs of their own families and to stay above poverty.

Public Safety. I am constantly in touch with the men and women charged with policing our community. I have listened and learned about what they need to make improvements. Partnering with them, and citizen crime watches I will push for: more community policing funds to target trouble spots in and near my district; and prisoner release programs that help ex-offenders integrate back into society without disruption to our neighborhoods.

Health care: I am eager to support a plan to increase health care coverage for uninsured residents of Massachusetts. I will prioritize state assistance to help keep our community health centers vital and strong. I will work closely with Carney Hospital to make sure that Dorchester's largest employer and health provider is healthy and vibrant. I am the sponsor of a bill to improve and enforce healthy nutrition standards in our public schools. And I'm never going to waiver on helping in the fight to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for all citizens, especially for our senior citizens.

Parks. I am working diligently to complete the promise inherent in our most precious, shared natural resource in the 12th Suffolk: the Neponset River. For years it was neglected and abused. I have taken up my predecessor's good works to make the Neponset a river parkland that our families can enjoy as it flows along the border between Boston and Milton._This year saw the opening of the latest amenity on the waterfront: Neponset II Park, which features a beautiful boat ramp and walking trails.

These are a few of the priorities that I will carry with me every day to the State House. My success has always been built upon the active civic engagement of district residents; your participation is so important to the legislative process.

The work continues to create a new partnership between residents of Boston and Milton, between community leaders and business owners, between advocates and human service providers, between cultures and between neighborhoods of the district to achieve greater understanding of our common interests. We will be most successful accomplishing the important issues that we face when we come together with our many voices as one community.