Policy
Local Investments
Jack’s primary purpose is supporting local residents. In addition to providing comprehensive constituent services and successfully advocating for statewide policies to benefit local families, Jack has worked with colleagues on projects including expediting the flooding mitigation along Route 9 and the construction of a crosswalk across a dangerous part of Route 9, along with local earmarks including funds for the Framingham Public School Welcoming Center and playground accessibility, Framingham pedestrian and bike path improvements, restoration of the Warren Barn, clean-up of the former Cadillac Paint location, and funding for a new outdoor patio for the Ashland Senior Center.
House Progressive Caucus
Over the last three terms as co-chair of the 66-member Massachusetts House Progressive Caucus, Jack led the caucus in prioritizing and passing vital legislation, including expanding and protecting abortion access and reproductive justice, combating climate change, investing in green energy jobs, supporting and celebrating our local vibrant immigrant communities, and expanding public education funding.
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government is responsible for over 350 bills concerning a wide array of issues important to cities and towns across the Commonwealth, including municipal finance, local governance, transportation, zoning, personnel, the environment, and animal welfare. Jack is honored to serve as the Chair of the Committee for the 194th Legislative Session.
Human Rights
Throughout his career, Jack has focused on furthering and expanding the rights of immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and members of the foster and adoption community. During his three terms in the House, Jack has worked to secure landmark funding for individuals with Down Syndrome, and ensure that individuals under 18 years of age have access to HIV-preventative medication.
International Leadership
In our hyper-connected world, politics are international and intersectional. As a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Equality Caucus, Jack has shared success in Massachusetts in a global context, including speaking on HIV-prevention policy in Buenos Aires, participating in high-level human rights discussions in Sydney, leading a discussion on HIV discrimination, and speaking at a major European political party’s Pride event. During the pandemic, Jack’s global relationships helped him facilitate discussions between frontline doctors from Wuhan, China, and local physicians, along with discussions on emerging global best practices and economic strategies during the COVID-19 emergency.
Youth Engagement
Jack is committed to engaging and equipping young people with the tools to participate in the legislative process and our shared movement toward greater social justice. He loves speaking to area classrooms about voting and state symbols and welcomes a group of Ashland and Framingham high school students each year for a "Student Summer Seminar."
Recently, in collaboration with Rep. Mindy Domb, Senator Jo Comerford, the Museum of Science, and leading paleontologists from Mt. Holyoke College, Amherst College, and Tufts University, Jack helped lead the Massachusetts State Dinosaur project. Together, they involved over 35,000 Massachusetts students in voting to nominate the state dinosaur and engaged thousands of families in their first conversations with their state legislators. The project generated national and international attention and continues to be a catalyst for discussions around women in S.T.E.A.M. and the legislative process.
Protecting Animal Welfare (PAW) Caucus
The bipartisan Protecting Animal Welfare Caucus is dedicated to furthering animal welfare practices and protections across the Commonwealth. The caucus meets monthly and works to support priority legislation presented and voted on by its members. Jack is honored to Co-Chair this Caucus alongside Representative Natalie Higgins.