Christine P. Barber is State Representative for the 34th Middlesex District, which includes neighborhoods in Medford & Somerville. Christine was first sworn in after winning a 2015 election and is the first woman to represent the 34th Middlesex District, continuing her career of fighting for justice and equity.
Christine’s approach to policymaking is to listen first to affected communities. She partners with advocacy groups to amplify their needs and has been a leader on issues like drivers licenses for people regardless of immigration status, abortion access, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and more.
The Work & Family Mobility Act
Issue
In our current political climate, immigrant families risk deportation and detention every time they drive. During the Trump administration, arrests of people with no criminal convictions more than tripled, and most common charges were minor traffic offenses. By making drivers licenses available to all qualified drivers regardless of immigration status, we will increase safety for everyone on our roads and reduce the impact the administration's policies have on immigrant families in our communities.
Christine’s Plan
I filed legislation, H.4470, to enable all qualified state residents to apply for a standard state drivers license, regardless of their federal immigration status. Now that we have transitioned to a two-tiered drivers license process, Massachusetts residents can apply for either a REAL ID or a standard Massachusetts license, which cannot be used for flying or federal buildings. This bill allows any resident, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a standard MA license. Sixteen other states, D.C., and Puerto Rico have implemented similar programs. Evidence shows that providing drivers licenses makes our roads safer-- more drivers will be insured, will have passed road and vision tests, and are less likely to flee to scene of a minor accident for fear of deportation.
Supported By
The Driving Families Forward Coalition, a growing and diverse coalition, includes the Brazilian Workers Center, SEIU 32Bj, JALSA, ACLU, MIRA, The Welcome Project, many labor unions, businesses and law enforcement groups.
Update: We voted to pass H.4470 in the House by a veto-proof margin in February 2022!
Black Lives Matter
Issue
We continue to work together to dismantle systems of racism through action, not just words. This means fixing a criminal justice system that often fails to provide justice, and redoubling our focus on eliminating the root causes of injustice and poverty to ensure our state and country values black lives.
Christine’s Plan
I cosponsored a bill that passed to address racial inequities in maternal health and I also voted to make Juneteenth a state holiday. I collaborate with the Black and Latino Caucus on key wins like the omnibus police reform bill that included an independent certification system to investigate police misconduct and excessive use of force, banned chokeholds, and assesses the role of race in policing. This bill is just the beginning to dismantle structural racism and reimagine public safety, and I will continue to listen to and work with Black and brown activists, community members, and legislators while fighting for racial justice.
The Roe Act
Issue
With many states and the Supreme Court rolling back reproductive rights and working to dismantle legal abortion, Massachusetts strengthened our state protections to prohibit restrictions on access to abortion.
Christine’s Plan
I co-sponsored, advocated for and was proud to vote for The Roe Act, which was supported by a coalition of Reproductive Justice organizations like NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts and the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. The ROE Act, which the legislature passed over Governor Baker’s veto, removed medically-unnecessary barriers to abortion in Massachusetts to ensure families can get the care they need. The Roe Act is a huge win for reproductive freedom, and an example of how Massachusetts shows other states what is possible.
Menstrual Equity
Issue
Menstrual products are essential. Yet a 2019 “State of Menstrual Access Survey” conducted by MassNOW and the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition showed deep period poverty and inequity in Massachusetts. 56% of school nurses reported observing students missing class to obtain products and 25% of shelters reported that they did not provide menstrual products, often due to lack of supply.
Christine’s Plan
I filed H.690, An Act to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Prisons, Homeless Shelters and Public Schools, which would ensure access to free menstrual products to address period poverty.
Especially now, as women’s health and the health of transgender and nonbinary individuals is being threatened nationwide, passing comprehensive menstrual equity legislation is a strong way to support vulnerable menstruating individuals in Massachusetts, who are most impacted by lack of access to products.
Banning Conversion Therapy for Minors
Issue
Conversion therapy practices harm our LGTBQ+ community — research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people such as depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicidal behavior.
Christine’s Plan
I voted to make Massachusetts the 16th State to ban this practice.
Protections for the Transgender Community
Issue
Regardless of strides that we have made in expanding civil rights protections, too often, our transgender community members are at risk. I will continue to work to make Massachusetts a safe place for everyone, regardless of gender identity.
Christine’s Plan
I was so proud to vote for the Transgender Public Accommodations bill. I gave my very first speech on the House floor to build support and speak to why it is so important. I also supported the efforts to defeat the trans-phobic ballot measure in 2018 that would have overturned these important protections.
Christine was a health care policy analyst before she became a State Representative. She has built upon her expertise to fix our broken health care system by taking on issues like reducing prescription drug costs and ensuring equal access to care. When Governor Baker tried to roll back Medicaid Expansion, Christine organized her colleagues to defeat the effort. There is no stronger advocate for meaningful Health Care reform and expansion.
Medicare for All
Issue
Our health care system as it exists today, specifically in Massachusetts, requires the expansion and improvement on the success that we have had in creating MassHealth. Moving toward a public option is always something that I will support no matter what. It’s the ultimate goal of my health care advocacy work - more care for more people that need it.
Christine’s Plan
I am a co-sponsor on H.1194 to establish medicare for all in Massachusetts. I am also a member of the Medicare for All Caucus in the State House and continue to be a part of the effort to get our State in shape to get to this place.
Prescription Drug Costs & Affordability
Issue
Prescription drug costs continue to rise, placing a significant burden on families and the state’s budget. The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission found that in 2018, MA drug spending increased by over 4% from the previous year, more than twice as much as overall health care spending.
This means higher out-of-pocket costs for patients, who may be less able to afford and take medications that their doctors prescribe. Massachusetts has a process where most in the health care system have come to the table to work to lower health care costs - including hospitals, insurers, businesses, providers, and consumers.
The pharmaceutical industry, however, has not yet been held accountable to participate in addressing health care costs.
Christine’s Plan
The goals of a bill that I have filed, H.1133, are to make drugs affordable to consumers, make pharmaceutical costs more transparent and affordable, contain MassHealth costs, and require the pharmaceutical industry to be part of health care cost containment. This comprehensive bill uses a variety of strategies to lower cost, including:
Providing transparency on the underlying costs to produce prescription drugs, in comparison to marketing and administrative expenses
Authorizing the state’s independent Health Policy Commission to set upper payment limits for unreasonably high-priced drugs
Regulating and providing transparency for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)
Requiring pharmacists to inform consumers if purchasing a drug at the retail price would be cheaper than using their insurance
Providing tools to strengthen MassHealth’s ability to negotiate lower drug prices for its patients
Creating “academic detailing”, an evidence-based education program for prescribers
Supported by
The Massachusetts Prescription Drug Affordability Coalition, a growing and diverse coalition including advocacy organizations, unions, medical societies and health plans.
Provider Network Transparency
Issue
Many insurance plans require people to use providers in the plan’s network, yet the insurer provider directories are often outdated and hold incorrect information. Providers may have moved, are no longer accepting new patients, and directories may not include language or specialty information. Outdated directories can be a huge impediment to those seeking care, especially for children in need of behavioral health care.
Christine’s Plan
This bill would require health plans to regularly update their provider directories to ensure accuracy and comprehensive information. It would also create a task force to understand how to improve the ability for patients to find the right providers
Supported by
This legislation is broadly supported by advocacy groups and health insurance plans. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign, Mass Collaborative, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts support this legislation, and have worked collaboratively with Christine on this bill.
Emergency Room Access & Safety
Issue
Senator Jehlen and I are working on this bill with Peter DeMarco, who tragically lost his wife Laura when she died of an asthma attack directly outside of the Somerville Hospital Emergency Room. While Somerville Hospital has made important changes, we want to ensure that this never happens again at another site. People in my community and throughout the Commonwealth should feel safe when they are seeking care, and understand how to access emergency care easily. Particularly in an emergency, patients need clear and obvious information about how to get care quickly.
Christine’s Plan
H.1850 would require the Department of Public Health to write and enforce regulations to require all hospitals in the Commonwealth to meet criteria to ensure safe patient care at all times in hospital emergency rooms. This includes signage, lighting, way-finding, and security monitoring of all entrance points, including adding panic buttons and doorbells.
Christine is one of the lead sponsors on the State Level Green New Deal package that was adopted into the Democratic Party Platform in 2019. She has also been a vocal advocate for environmental justice and the intersection of issues like housing and transportation with our warming planet. Christine has secured funds to clean up local parkland along the Mystic River and filed legislation to improve access to public transportation, reduce gas leaks, and transition to zero-emission vehicles.
100% Renewable Energy
Issue
Despite the progress that we have made on clean energy in Massachusetts (today, we’re generating more than 240 times as much solar energy in Massachusetts as we did just 10 years ago), Massachusetts is still using too much dirty energy that is harming our residents health and our climate. We must do more to ensure that we are transitioning to renewable energy and we know that we have the resources available to do just that.
Christine’s Plan
I am a co-sponsor and active supporter of H.2836, An Act Repowering Massachusetts with 100% Renewable Energy, which is an ambitious and comprehensive plan to set a goal of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035, and 100 percent renewable energy economy-wide (including heating and transportation) by 2045. I have continued to advocate for this bill and I have worked with advocacy groups to move this bill along.
Carbon Tax
Issue
As our climate worsens, CO2 emissions continue to be generated by our people. We need to disincentivize drastic use of CO2 and encourage the use of sustainable options. Putting a tax on carbon would generate revenue while we slow down our emissions.
Christine’s Plan
I am a co-sponsor on legislation that would create a carbon fee that starts at $20/ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (co2e) burned and rises to $40/ton over five years. Seventy percent of revenues generated by the fee would be returned to consumers and 30% would be invested in a Green Infrastructure Fund. The fund supports renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, and resilience projects sponsored by municipalities and the state.
Fixing Gas Leaks
Issue
Gas leaks are far too common-- our state saw this first hand during the tragic explosions in the Merrimack Valley. Gas leaks have the potential to be quite dangerous, and ratepayers are charged for the lost gas. In addition, leaks contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, kill trees, and are dangerous to residents, utility workers, and first responders.
Christine’s Plan
This bill would require immediate repair of not only leaks that present an immediate public safety danger, but also those that are environmentally dangerous. It would also improve the data we have on where leaks are, and prohibits utility companies from charging ratepayers for lost gas.
Supported by
Mothers Out Front, Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), and the Conservation Law Foundation
As a renter herself, Christine understands firsthand how expensive it can be to live in our district. She has helped to increase funding for subsidies and for affordable housing projects in Medford & Somerville. As a member of the Housing Committee, Christine has moved forward legislation to incentivize building affordable and multifamily housing, as well as to improve availability of accessible housing for seniors and people with disabilities.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Issue
Affordable and accessible housing for the elderly or those with a disability continues to be a significant challenge. Accessory units allow individuals to stay in their community and with friends and family nearby, who can offer physical and emotional support.
Christine’s Plan
H.1250 would allow for the creation of an accessory apartment (similar to an in-law apartment) that could be added to a single family home to benefit a person with disability or an elderly person. This will help individuals continue to live independently and have the support of their loved ones, all while reducing the waiting lists for existing accessible and affordable units.
Supported by
The ARC of Massachusetts, Autism Housing Pathways.
Multifamily Housing Production
Issue: We need a regional approach to ensuring enough housing is available for all types of families. Towns and cities that are well-served by public transit have an opportunity to be build affordable and multi-family housing through smart growth principles.
Christine’s Plan
H.1251 will help produce more housing by requiring multi-family zoning in cities and towns served by public transit. This is especially important in creating housing for families with children, seniors, and people with lower incomes. This is a common-sense approach to help ease the affordability crisis. By building smart, in places with transit access, we will be able to house more people and families.
Supported by
CHAPA (Citizen's Housing and Planning Association), and other housing advocacy groups.
Preventing Discrimination Against Affordability
Issue
Some communities face opposition to building affordable housing, for fear of negatively impacting neighborhood character, scale, or density. I strongly believe that the inclusion of affordable housing developments not only helps to alleviate our housing crisis, but also makes communities stronger and more diverse.
Christine’s Plan
H.1080 would update the Massachusetts Fair Housing Act by prohibiting the exclusion of housing development solely because it would include affordable units. Every community in the state needs to be doing its part to help build affordable housing, and I believe that this will take a large step to encourage that type of development.
Supported by
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute,CHAPA (Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association), and other housing advocacy groups.
Ensuring Access to Housing for People with Disabilities
Issue
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes the right to equal access. However, there exists a discrepancy between the ADA and the Massachusetts building code, creating barriers to access for those with disabilities in housing and employment. People with disabilities are twice as likely to be homeless and twice as likely to be unemployed.
Christine’s Plan
H.2029 will align Massachusetts building code with the ADA by updating the Architectural Access Board rules. Doing so will create more job opportunities and housing options for people with disabilities and will simplify the code-book, giving architects and developers more freedom to create accessible designs.
Supported by
The Disability Policy Consortium, and the Massachusetts Association of Independent Living Centers.
Rent Control
Issue
Despite the severity of the current housing crisis, rent continues to skyrocket in our communities. We should reinstate the ability to create limitations on how much a landlord can raise rent in these perilous economic conditions.
Christine’s Plan
I am a co-sponsor on legislation to reinstate Rent Control in Massachusetts. H.3924 would repeal the statewide ban on local rent control ordinances by striking all of the text of M.G.L. Ch. 40P, the Massachusetts Rent Control Prohibition Act of 1994, and replacing it with a new law called the Tenant Protection Act.
Real Estate Transfer Fee
Issue
Raising progressive revenue to meet our current housing need in Medford & Somerville
Christine’s Plan
I am a co-sponsor on legislation to enable municipalities to levy fees on the transfer of real estate to fund local affordable housing projects.
Christine prioritizes investments in public education for students of all ages and regardless of socioeconomic status. She believes in debt-free higher education for all. A member of the Early Education Workforce Commission, Christine works to develop a stronger and more equitably-paid early educator workforce. She created a new commission to improve children’s vision screenings. As a member of the Autism Commission, Christine advocates for Massachusetts to better serve the educational and developmental needs of people with autism, and has been successful in increasing funding for programs. Recently, Christine was proud to vote for the Student Opportunity Act, a comprehensive education funding reform package that will positively impact every student and school in Somerville and Medford.
Equitable Funding
The Issue
For decades, outdated funding formulas for public schools in Massachusetts left low-income students, students of color, and English language learners behind. This creates wide achievement gaps, that continue beyond K-12 education and have consequences for one’s entire life.
Christine’s Plan
I was proud to vote for the Student Opportunity Act, a comprehensive education funding reform package that will positively impact every student in Somerville, Medford, and statewide. This bill will provide new funding to MA public schools, focusing on schools with higher proportions of low-income students, students of color, and English language learners.
Debt-Free College
The Issue
There is a student debt crisis in this country. Public college tuitions and fees are unattainable for many students and families, forcing students to accept an average of $37,172 in student debt.
Christine’s Plan
I am a cosponsor of An Act to Guarantee Debt-Free Public Higher Education, which would ensure that every MA resident has a right to a public higher education free of tuition, fees, and debt.
Early Education
The Issue
Early education providers are critical to the intellectual and emotional development of our kids. Despite this critical work, they are often under-paid and struggle to access professional development and education opportunities to grow their own careers.
Christine’s Plan
I am a member of the Early Education Workforce Commission, and work to develop a stronger and more equitably-paid early educator workforce.
Protecting Children’s Vision Health
The Issue
It can be hard to detect challenges that a child is facing with their vision—young children are not likely to complain that it is hard for them to see because they don’t know what normal vision is like. Vision is a critical component of a child’s overall health and well-being. Poor vision can cause behavioral problems, learning difficulties, and frustration that makes school and activities challenging for kids.
Christine’s Plan
I created new commission to improve children’s vision screenings and care so young children can see and succeed in school
Supporting Children with Autism
The Issue
Our schools are places of learning and development—and students with Autism and other developmental disabilities need some additional supports to achieve to their fullest potential. Programs outside of the school day are also critical.
Christine’s Plan
I am a member of the Autism Commission, tasked with helping MA better serve the educational and developmental needs of people with autism from early childhood, to college, to adulthood. I work hard to secure funding for programs for that support kids, and adults, with autism in every aspect of their lives.
Criminal justice reform is a multi-faceted issue. Reducing mass incarceration while supporting those who are currently incarcerated is a top priority for me. We must move towards de-careration through diversion programs, bail and parole reform, and changes to discriminatory sentencing laws. But that doesn’t happen overnight, and while we do that important work I am pushing for stronger supports for those who are currently incarcerated. Police brutality and racial justice are woven into this, as we work to dismantle centuries of racist policies.
Justice-Involved Women
Issue
Women involved in the criminal justice system have complex needs and face different challenges than men. Approaches taken by penal institutions are often tailored to men, leaving the unique needs of women behind. Taking approaches that focus on trauma, family relationships, parenting, education, and mental health lower rates of recidivism, improve public safety, and better support women before, during, and after incarceration—and can keep women from entering the system initially.
Christine’s Plan
As Co-Chair of the MA Caucus of Women Legislators Task Force on Justice Involved Women, I work with organizations supporting currently- and formerly-incarcerated women to make policy addressing the specific needs of women in the justice system. This includes pushing for trauma-informed programming, access to adequate physical and mental health care, educational opportunities, and the ability for incarcerated women to continue to parent their children and stay connected to their communities. I also work to create strong diversion programs and post-release supports, to help keep women out of the criminal justice system and support them when they return home.
Racial Justice & Police Reform
Issue
Racism, police brutality, and white supremacy run rampant in our nation, in our state, and in our communities. We lawmakers must be actively anti-racist, and we must actually listen to the needs of Black and Brown families in Medford & Somerville.
Christine’s Plan
I voted to pass the recent omnibus police reform bill, An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth. Championed by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, this bill will create an independent certification system to investigate misconduct and excessive use of force, update police training, strengthen use of force standards including banning chokeholds, and assess the role of race in state institutions. While these issues ultimately failed on a roll call vote, I also fought to include stronger limits on qualified immunity, a ban on tear gas, and restrictions on local law enforcement from acquiring military-grade equipment in the bill. This bill is just the beginning to dismantle structural racism and rethink public safety, and I will continue to listen to and work with Black and brown activists, community members, and legislators while fighting for racial justice.
To fund critical services like education, public transportation, and other public services, Massachusetts must raise new forms of revenue--but it is essential that this revenue does not fall on the backs of low- and moderate-income workers. Corporations should pay their fair share in taxes. Christine has been a tireless advocate for raising progressive revenue, and filed legislation to close corporate loopholes.
Taxing the GILTI
The Problem: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused state revenues to decline to the tune of $4-6 billion, causing real consequences for our schools, public services, and our COVID-19 response. Many large corporations, however, take advantage of loopholes to pay fewer taxes. These profitable, multinational corporations shift income generated in the U.S. to offshore accounts. In a 2017 federal tax bill, lawmakers identified this income as Global, Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI). The GILTI provision allows the federal government and states to recoup tax dollars on income that has been shifted offshore. However, MA still allows businesses to take advantage of this loophole.
The Bill: Christine filed HD5132 to close this corporate loophole and raise needed revenue. This bill would "recouple" the MA tax code to the federal GILTI provision, bringing in as much as $400 million in revenue. GILTI only applies to large, multinational, and highly profitable corporations with offshore holdings.
Media & Reports
Somerville Times: "Rep. Barber files bill to close corporate loopholes, raise progressive revenue, and fill budget gaps"
Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center: "Taxing the GILTI: By Reversing 2018 Policy, MA can Fight Corporate Tax Dodging & Raise $450 Million a Year"
Somerville Journal: “Closing corporate loopholes - a solution to COVID-19 economic crises”
Christine prioritizes investments in public education, including early childhood development. A member of the Early Education Workforce Commission, Christine works with other leaders to develop a stronger and more equitably-paid early educator workforce. She created a new commission to improve children’s vision screenings and care so all young children can see and succeed in school. Christine is appointed to the Autism Commission, to help Massachusetts better serve the educational and developmental needs of people with autism, and has been successful in increasing funding for programs that support autistic individuals.
Christine builds upon her expertise to strengthen our health care system. Christine is spearheading a comprehensive bill to reduce prescription drug costs so patients can afford the treatments they need. She led the charge against Gov. Baker's recent proposal to roll back the Medicaid Expansion that provides health care for thousands in Massachusetts, a proposal the House and Senate ultimately rejected. Christine has led on making sure families can find the right provider for children's mental health.
As a Board member of the Caucus of Women Legislators, Christine works to address serious threats to women’s health at the federal level, including a new guarantee of coverage for contraceptives with no copay, ensuring women can access birth control. When the legislature passed a comprehensive law reforming the criminal justice system, Christine stood up to ensure there was a focus on services and programs for incarcerated women. She has prioritized a bill, inspired by work of local students, to ensure menstrual products are free and available in all public schools, shelters and prisons.
Christine has secured state funding to clean up and create more usable parks along the Mystic River. Christine also fought to keep the Green Line Extension, including the Community Path and a stop at Route 16, on track, by making sure transportation officials understand how vital this project is for our future. This project will take thousands of cars off our roadways and improve air quality in our communities. Christine has led on fixing gas leaks, working with Mothers Out Front on a new law to require greater tracking and regulation of natural gas leaks that causes safety and greenhouse gas concerns. She is currently working to require all vehicle fleets to convert to zero emission vehicles to address climate change and improve air quality in our neighborhoods.