State Representative Denise C. Garlick represents the 43,000 people of the 13 Norfolk District, comprised of Needham, Dover and Medfield (precincts 1 and 2). She currently serves as the Chair of Bills in Third Reading, which is the final committee legislation must pass before it can be engrossed. She is also serving as the elected Chair of the permanent funded Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and she is the only legislator serving on the Opioid Trust Fund Advisory Council.
Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. As the Chief Sponsor of the Medicare for All bill, I believe in streamlining and consolidating the finances and administration of healthcare in order to reduce cost, waste, and inefficiencies so that more time and resources for patient care is available. Ensuring accessible, affordable, quality care for all residents of the Commonwealth, including our most vulnerable populations, is one of top priorities. In the face of an ever-changing healthcare landscape, it is vital to continue to assess healthcare standards.
MassCARE (Endorsed), Campaign for Children’s Health, MA School Nurses Association, Massachusetts Nurses Association (Endorsed), MA Chapter of National Association of Social Workers.
According to the US News and World Report, Massachusetts is ranked number 1 in education in the country, and the 13th Norfolk District — Needham, Dover, and Medfield — ranks in the top tier in the state. However, we have so much more work to do to close the achievement gap in our state and ensuring that all of our children — no matter their race, their family’s socio-economic status, or what neighborhood they live in — are able to succeed in our public schools. In the House, I voted in favor of reforming the Foundation Budget Formula and was deeply disappointed that we were unable to find consensus on updating the formula. I vow to continue working to find this consensus to ensure that we are fully funding our schools and giving our students, teachers, and administrators the tools they need to thrive.
As a mother whose 4 children have attended the public schools in our district, I am committed to prioritizing education. As the former Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, I have developed important education policies that serve our community members with developmental disabilities and autism, ensuring that all our children have opportunities to learn and flourish.
Needham School Superintendent Dr. Dan Gutekanst, Medfield Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Marsden, Dover Superintendent Dr. Andrew Keough, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials, Massachusetts Teachers Association (endorsed).
I am strongly in support of common-sense gun violence reform legislation, which promotes public health and public safety. Massachusetts has the best and the strictest gun laws in the nation and the lowest death rate, thanks to our vigilant efforts. As the Chair of the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention, I find it particularly important that our state has the lowest suicide rate by a firearm.
Climate change is real and it is happening right at this moment. I share our community’s deep concern about climate change — and I know that investing in clean energy is key to the future of our state.
I have been working on multiple clean energy policies, including raising both the renewable portfolio standard and the net metering cap. I am also in strong support of policies that promote environmental justice. Although there is still much work to do, I am proud that the Legislature has made significant investments in energy storage technology, which will be absolutely vital to transforming our grid to 100% renewable sources and to promoting electric vehicles, which will decarbonize our transportation sector — the sector that produces the most emissions (40%) in MA.
Green Needham, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Interfaith Group for Environmental Justice, League of Women Voters,
One of the most predominant issues I hear from constituents is regarding transportation — whether it’s the train, the traffic, the add-a-lane project, bicycles, and pedestrian safety — these issues affect nearly everyone in our Towns. I have met with constituents, interest groups, and other stakeholders on a myriad of issues related to transportation in Needham.
In the light of the recent tragedy in the town of Needham, I worked to successfully secure $200,000 in funds for Needham pedestrian safety improvements.
I have worked to be responsive to concerns about the MBTA. Through advocacy and collaboration with the Town and Keolis/MBTA, I restored Saturday commuter rail service and were able to change the departure time of an important morning commuter train to better meet the needs of commuters. I have worked to establish better practices to manage train idling and, in response to concerns, Kelois is currently working on the maintenance and repair of train platforms.
I have continuously partnered with MassDOT to ensure a high level of communication with constituents as the Add-a-Lane project has progressed and worked with individual constituents who have specific, related issues and concerns. Furthermore, I have worked to preserve the 59 bus route, which transports older adults and those with disabilities and I successfully secured the $70,000 that allowed the construction of the Rail Trail, in which the town delights.
Town of Needham, Department of Public Works, Department of Public Safety, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Leadership of Keolis/MBTA, and the Needham Transportation Committee.
This session, the Legislature passed comprehensive criminal justice legislation, seeking to fulfill the promise of justice for all. In the past, there have been – and still are – racial and socio-economic inequalities in our criminal justice system, and the omnibus bill passed this year worked to change that.
Progressive Needham, League of Women Voters.
Criminal justice omnibus reform bill
Key provisions:
As a woman, a mother, a nurse, I support a woman’s right to make all choices, including reproductive choices. I support laws that guarentee this right and I work to ensure access to quality healthcare and education and advocacy services. A woman’s right to these services should be readily available in safe settings that preserve and protect the privacy and rights of each individual, regardless of income, age, marital status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. While I have always been commited to these goals, I know that in light of the present federal dynamics, which threaten these goals, we must be vigilant and determined.
Planned Parenthood (Endorsed), NARAL Pro-Choice (Endorsed).
Massachusetts has been a leader on rights for our LGBTQ community members and we have made it clear that discrimination has no place in our state.
LGBTQ rights have always been important to me, as Chair of the LGBTQ Aging Commission and as chief sponsor of the funding for the LGBTQ Youth Commission.
I was proud to vote for the transgender anti-discrimination bill in 2016, which protects transgender people from discrimination in public places, such as restaurants, stores, hospitals, and in restrooms, and encourage everyone to Vote Yes on 3 and uphold this important law.