Growing up, both of Kate’s parents were newspaper reporters, and family dinner conversations often included discussions of events happening at the local, state, and national levels. She learned early on that the policies our elected officials enact have powerful, long-lasting effects on communities and people. Kate’s first job was as a seventh-grade public school teacher in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood of Atlanta. After graduating from Harvard Law School, she worked as a judicial clerk in the federal courts; a legal consultant for states, school districts, colleges, and nonprofit organizations on efforts to improve outcomes for children and students; and as the Chief Legal Counsel at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. Prior to joining the State House, Kate was a Melrose City Councilor-At-Large where she raised the bar for resident engagement, created and served as the liaison to the School Committee, and oversaw the City Council’s budget process.
As a product of public schools, Kate’s commitment to public education is evident throughout her life. She was a seventh-grade public school English and reading teacher after college and attended Harvard Law School to pursue a career in education law and policy. Kate has been working over the last decade to support efforts in early, K-12, and higher education.
In 2015, Kate began working as Chief Legal Counsel at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. While working at the EOE, she contributed to the development of the landmark education funding law, the Student Opportunity Act, which invested $1.5 billion of new money in public schools over the next seven years and helped advance a new law to protect students and faculty from sudden college closures. She also served on the Massachusetts Safe and Supportive Schools Commission and the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
As a City Councilor, Kate created and filled the role of the Council liaison to the School Committee to enhance collaboration across the local government. She endorsed and was a vocal advocate for the successful 2019 tax override for school funding.
As State Representative, Kate has filed and cosponsored numerous bills that seek to ensure all Massachusetts students have access to excellent teachers, resources, and curricula and that educators are supported and empowered in their professional settings.
In elementary school, Kate started a student petition to encourage McDonald’s to discontinue its use of Styrofoam. Her early commitment to sustainable practices has never waivered.
As a City Councilor, Kate supported ordinances aimed at curbing the use of plastic straws and polystyrene products. She consistently championed the conservation and sustainability efforts of the Energy Commission and Zero Waste groups.
As State Representative, she strongly supports investments in Net Zero initiatives aimed at tackling greenhouse gas emissions and strives for stronger state-local and regional partnerships to address this existential crisis. She has cosponsored many bills that support sustainability, electrification, and decarbonization efforts. She also frequently partners with community based organizations to host recycling drives and other events that enable people to learn more about local, state, and national initiatives and empower them to take action.
The 32nd Middlesex District is serviced by commuter rail, subway, and public bus routes. As a daily commuter on the Orange Line, Kate understands that the state needs a bold, comprehensive, and forward-thinking framework that embraces public transportation as a critical lever in ensuring the economic and environmental health of the region.
As a City Councilor, she supported Melrose’s successful application for $400K in Complete Street projects, advocated for and secured strategic crosswalk and street signage improvements, and spearheaded an effort to connect families to share in multi-modal school commutes.
As State Representative, she has cosponsored several bills that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and increase the resilience of the state’s public transportation system. She continuously advocates for significant state investment in public transportation and supports initiatives aimed at increasing the access, affordability, and quality of public transportation.
Economic insecurity is a reality for too many of our neighbors, including many seniors and veterans.
As City Councilor, Kate met with experts about age-friendly initiatives and worked to ensure City-employed veterans received the maximum possible job protections available under state law. She spoke with residents about financial instability and social isolation concerns and worked to disseminate information about available senior and income-eligible tax and service discounts.
As State Representative, she secured the passage of Wakefield’s home rule petition for a senior property tax exemption and introduced a similar measure on behalf of the Melrose community. She has also proposed several bills that would enhance the financial stability and general well-being of veterans.
The small business communities in the 32nd Middlesex District enhance the quality of life for our residents and provide our municipalities with an important source of local revenue.
As City Councilor, Kate drafted Melrose’s new ordinance on vacant commercial storefronts, aimed at maximizing the commercial sector’s potential and highlighting the City’s vibrant arts community. She also ensured responsible zoning for recreational marijuana establishments, reflecting resident interest in an incremental approach to a growth industry.
As State Representative, she continues to advocate for the small business community and support policies aimed at spurring an inclusive innovation economy. She has proposed several bills that seek to expand technical and career training for high school students and young professionals as well as legislation that would keep recent graduates in the workforce, regardless of the status of their student loans.
Kate is committed to being accessible, responsive, and transparent as an elected official. She personally responds to each and every constituent inquiry, provides frequent updates on district and state matters via social media, and publishes biweekly newsletters that offer comprehensive synopses of developments.