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.
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.