Published in the January 9, 2017 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD – All three members of Wakefield’s state legislative delegation were re-elected last November, and this week Sen. Jason Lewis, Rep. Donald Wong and Rep. Paul Brodeur outlined their priorities for the 2017 Legislative Session.
All three legislators said that they would be working on Beacon Hill to strengthen efforts to battle the substance abuse epidemic in the state and to expand support for addiction recovery.
“I plan to continue in the fight against drugs and to help get as much assistance from the State and Federal government as we can to keep our communities safe,” Wong said. He also intends to be active in legislative efforts to implement regulations that will be placed on marijuana, after state voters in November made it legal for recreational use. Wong particularly wants to address the issue of edible marijuana products.
“One of my ideas is to place the marijuana leaf symbol on all edible packaging so that there is no confusion of it being mistaken for anything other than a marijuana product,” Wong said. “This will help to keep these products out of the hands of children.”
Brodeur said that he too intends plans on “working with local officials on the safe and sensible implementation of marijuana legalization,” and to “continue to support our progress in the fight against opioid abuse by improving access to mental health.”
Lewis said that he will continue to place a high priority on “increasing funding for mental health care and substance use treatment and recovery.”
The three also agree on the need to work on public education issues, in particular the inequities in Chapter 70 funding that have impacted towns like Wakefield.
Lewis said that he will work toward “implementing the recommendations of the Chapter 70 Foundation Budget Review Commission, which was created as a result of legislation that I filed, in order to update the Massachusetts school funding formula and ensure that all our public schools receive adequate and equitable state funding.”
Brodeur and Wong also stressed the need to address the Chapter 70 funding formula.
While the town learned late last week that Wakefield Memorial High School would not be invited into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s building assistance program this year, Wong and Brodeur pledged their continued support for efforts to secure MSBA funding to address deficiencies at the high school.
Brodeur and Lewis said that they will continue to seek ways to invest in local economic growth.
Brodeur talked specifically of ensuring that “funding our delegation secured for the Wakefield Albion Street Cultural Exchange is dispersed, contributing to the further revitalization of Main Street.”
Lewis pledged to continue working toward “maintaining strong investments in our communities’ economic development to keep our Main Streets vibrant and our local economies vigorous.”
Wong and Brodeur promised to continue working to support and honor veterans.
“Last session, included in the Home Act, we passed my legislation for the state-wide Veteran’s Relief Fund,” Wong said. “With the help of my colleagues this session, I would like to pass a bill to make a state-wide Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Celebration Fund bill for the creation and restoration of monuments and other activities across the state to honor the contributions and sacrifices of veterans living in the Commonwealth.”
Veterans are also a top priority for Rep. Brodeur.
“There are several veterans’ issues that the delegation will be working on,” Brodeur said, “including making it easier to fundraise for memorial improvements, increasing the amount of certain veterans’ benefits, establishing cost of living adjustments for those benefits and pursuing a local option for veterans’ preference in affordable housing.”
Reps. Brodeur and Wong also pledged their continued support for local public safety and law enforcement.
“As always, as I have done in the past, I will continue my strong support for our fire and police departments, local aid funding and the infrastructure of our communities,” Wong said.
Brodeur promised to continue monitoring revenue figures with an eye toward restoring 9C budget cuts which would equip Wakefield’s first responders with the overdose reversing and lifesaving medication Narcan.
“Additionally,” Brodeur said, “I hope to restore funding which would enable the town to make necessary renovations and upgrades to the Public Safety Building.”
Both Brodeur and Wong plan to file legislation in the current session that would benefit senior citizens.
“I will be filing legislation concerning a state public guardianship program which would help protect vulnerable seniors and other residents who may lack the capacity to manage their affairs,” Brodeur said.
Wong said that one of his goals for the new session is to file a bill that will improve the dental hygiene of seniors.
Among his other legislative priorities for 2017, Lewis listed improving health and containing healthcare costs by strengthening prevention and public health efforts; fixing the MBTA and ensuring reliable, affordable public transit options; and championing legislation to fight climate change and promote clean energy jobs and economic growth.
Brodeur said that he plans to file legislation this year to address consumer debt collection procedures.
“One in four Massachusetts residents has a consumer debt currently under collections,” Brodeur said. “I will introduce legislation which would reform the debt collection process in Massachusetts by leveling the playing field for consumers.”
Brodeur said that he anticipates a busy year ahead for state legislators.
“This session we will be focused on criminal justice reform, workforce development, further improvements to our stellar education system, expanding access to higher education opportunities and ensuring that our energy resources and environment are protected,” he said.
