Representing the MetroWest communities of the 2nd Middlesex & Norfolk district—comprised of Ashland, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Natick—Senate President Spilka is dedicated to the advancement of progressive social causes and a pragmatic fiscal policy of balancing investments in education, infrastructure, and economic opportunity with saving for the future. She has championed issues such as mental health, juvenile justice and services for the elderly and disabled communities. During her career, Senate President Spilka has been a social worker, small business owner and attorney, and she went on to become one of the first legislators in the nation to vote in favor of marriage equality and transgender protections.
Transportation. Infrastructure. Economic Development. Housing. Each region of the Commonwealth has unique assets and unique needs, and no one knows these better how to meet those needs and capitalize on those assets than the residents and local representatives of those regions. Senate President Spilka understands this, as has long been a vocal supporter or regional equity and empowerment.
Senate President Spilka’s first major initiative when coming to the Senate was to change the law to allow for the creation of a Regional Transit Authority—public bus service—in her district. Despite the fact that many people live and work in MetroWest, access to public transportation was limited. Senate President Spilka fought for both the law change and the critical funding needed to create the first RTA in MetroWest and the larger 495 region. As a result, more people were able to get to work, seniors and young people had more mobility, and major companies such as Bose, TJX and EMC/Dell were able to grow and thrive.
Senate President Spilka believes in listening to the regions to understand what they need to become stronger economic drivers, and better places to live and work. She knows that we only succeed as a Commonwealth if each region succeeds.