In May 2005, Bill, graduated from Boston College and began working behind the scenes in the film and television industry. When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in September of 2005, Bill felt compelled to act. He knew if he could get there he could do something to help. What started as a two-week break from his job turned in to a two-year mission to assist underserved communities in Mississippi facing the aftermath of the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, and changed the course of his career.
Our local reservation lands are a source of pride for our entire community that set us apart from other areas and make this one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Bill is working to ensure that we protect these environmental assets from development and that they can be enjoyed by generations to come.
Milton is experiencing an unacceptable level of air traffic. The frequency of planes is taking a toll on quality of life, and many are concerned about the effects of particulates in the air emitted from engines flying at low altitudes overhead. Bill is working with other elected officials at all levels to support the whole community advocacy effort that is needed to address this important issue.
Bill believes that preventing any further inflations for necessary medications from drug companies is a key issue facing all residents of the Commonwealth. It is essential that we are able to provide life-saving drugs at prices affordable to everyone in Massachusetts.
Bill deeply believes in the power of education and will work to ensure that each child has access to an excellent education in his/her community.
We owe a deep debt of gratitude to our military veterans. These courageous men and women deserve to be appropriately respected for their service. We must ensure that veterans have unimpeded access to medical care, and that opportunities are made available for them to integrate back into the Commonwealth with well-paid jobs.
Today’s minimum wage in Massachusetts of $11.00/hour leaves families unable to pay their bills, feed their families, and develop the self-reliance and resiliency that all residents long for and deserve. We need a living wage for ALL. Bill supports a $15 minimum wage in Massachusetts.
In 2015 alone, more than 1,500 Massachusetts residents died in Opioid related deaths. We cannot afford to ignore this issue. Bill supports laws and programs that increase access to mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment. Bill also supports both the effort to de-stigmatize those seeking help for opioid addiction, and programs that lead to the outcomes that best benefit individuals, our neighborhoods, and society.
No employee should be forced to choose between their job and their health or that of their family. Paid Family Medical Leave could ensure that all workers are protected if they need to take time off due to illness, to take care of a sick family member, or after the birth of a child.
Bill supports Jail Diversion Programs that address issues related to mental health, substance abuse, and mass incarceration. The primary goal for Massachusetts must be to ensure that people with mental and substance abuse disorders are effectively rehabilitated. The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that Jail Diversion Programs reduce the number of repeat offenders, and enhance public safely as a consequence.
Film and television productions that spend more than $50,000 in Massachusetts qualify for tax incentives. The Massachusetts Film Tax Credit has helped create jobs and drive dollars into our economy.
Bill supports increasing transparency of where our tax dollars are being spent. The Revenue, Information and Accountability Act (H.3363/S.1722) filed by Rep. Connolly and Sen. Jehlen, would result in efforts to provide Massachusetts resident taxpayers with an annual summary and analytical breakdown of charts and graphs to make this information more accessible and comprehensible. One of the intentions of this bill is to increase civic engagement through demonstration of priorities as they relate to federal spending.