JEROMIE HAS SOLUTIONS

I recently made a shirt with a motto every Democrat should embrace: “Lower Taxes. Raise them on billionaires. Party.” And it’s true: Democrats are the party of lower taxes, at least for the 99%.

With 63% of Americans supporting higher taxes on large corporations, the public is ready. But what’s holding up progress? Richie Neal and his billionaire buddies continue to gaslight by trying to sell trickle-down economics to you.  

Here's how we will TAX them their fair share:

• Raise the tax threshold for working and middle class: Create a Cost of Living Exemption (COLE) so that federal taxes do not apply to income up to a reasonable cost-of-living level for a single adult with no children, set at about $45,000 per year.

• Surcharge on the ultra-wealthy: Apply a 3% surtax on annual income over $1 million, and an 8% surtax on income over $15 million.
  

• Close the stepped-up basis loophole: end the “buy, borrow, die” tactic that allows ultra-wealthy individuals to avoid paying taxes as their wealth grows.

Our healthcare system is broken, and it breaks lives as a result. In February, my brother Christopher died after taking his own life during a battle with mental illness. I watched him suffer in hospitals and psych wards, denied proper care unless our family could afford private treatment. This is the reality for countless families whose loved ones are tragically left behind.

Yet healthcare has repeatedly been cut and slashed, with Republicans recently forcing through a bill that threatens coverage for millions. But the crisis didn’t start there. Over the course of Richie Neal’s 37 years in Congress, the system has only deteriorated. Why doesn’t Richie Neal want you to say Medicare for All? Because he receives hundreds of thousands of dollars from the health care industry to ensure that nothing gets done. While his donors stay protected, you don’t.

Here’s how we will MAKE healthcare work:

• Implement Medicare for All: Guarantee healthcare for every American by establishing a single-payer system that provides comprehensive coverage for all.
  

• Invest in mental health and preventative care: Expand access to counseling, screenings, initial appointments, and community-based services to stop health issues before they escalate.
  

• Cap prescription drug prices: Enforce price limits on essential medications so that no one is priced out of the treatments they need, such as insulin and chemotherapy.
  

• Support our nurses and frontline healthcare staff: Increase pay, create safe staffing ratio laws, and ensure safe working conditions so nurses and other healthcare workers can deliver the care our communities deserve.
  

• Support EMS services: Address staff shortages, increasing call volume, and financial constraints that plague our medical first responders in Western MA.

Public education is essential to a healthy society, yet it's under attack. As a high school teacher for 11 years, I’ve seen how strong schools support all students, especially those with diverse needs. My dedication to inclusive education is personal, shaped by documenting the history of institutions like the Belchertown State Schools and by my close friendship with a young man with autism, who became my best friend and the best man at my wedding.

Unfortunately, Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans have repeatedly undermined public education, targeting teachers and students nationwide. This year alone, the Department of Education was abolished, and Massachusetts lost $108 million in public school funding, including $47 million in Springfield: all while Richie Neal stood by and did nothing. As a public school educator, I am committed to taking innovative approaches to improving our education system.

Here’s how we will EMPOWER public schools:

• Pay Teachers More: Raise teacher salaries to attract, retain, and respect qualified educators in every community.
  

• Restore the Department of Education: Re-empower the Department of Education to establish national standards, safeguard student rights, and foster equity in public education.

• Provide Universal Pre-K Services: Guarantee access to free, high-quality Pre-K education for every child in MA-01 and beyond, giving all students an equitable start and supporting working families who rely on affordable early childhood education.
  

• Fully Fund Public Schools: Ensure that public funds are used primarily to support public schools, rather than being diverted to private institutions and voucher programs. This includes funding special education services so all students receive the support they need to succeed.
  

• Tuition-Free Community College & Vocational Schooling: Ensure every American has access to affordable higher education and job training by passing federal legislation that eliminates tuition at public community colleges and vocational programs, opening pathways to stable careers and economic mobility.

Growing up in Western Massachusetts, I saw firsthand how housing shaped the stability of families and the health of entire communities. I spent much of my time at the Lord Jeffery Apartments, the Section 8 housing where my friends lived, just a block away from my suburban neighborhood. That single block showed me a stark contrast in living conditions and opportunity.

Under Neal’s watch, we see landlords hiking up rents in Easthampton, Ludlow, and Springfield, just to name a few.

If we want our communities to thrive, we need bold action to bring housing costs under control, expand affordable options, and protect renters from being pushed out of the places they call home.

Here’s how we will MAKE housing affordable:

• Crack Down on Corporate Landlords: Rein in predatory practices by large real estate investors who drive up rents and displace residents, prioritizing community ownership and local housing trusts instead.

• Support Rent Control Policies: Restore the ability of cities and towns to implement rent stabilization measures that protect tenants from sudden, unreasonable increases.

• Build and Preserve Affordable Housing: Increase federal investment in affordable housing construction and protect existing units from being converted into luxury apartments or short-term rentals.

• Expand Housing Vouchers and Assistance: Ensure federal rental assistance programs cover more families and actually reflect the cost of living in Western and Central Massachusetts.

Social Security is a promise that after a lifetime of work, every American deserves stability and peace of mind in retirement. Millions rely on these earned benefits to pay for housing, food, and healthcare, yet Washington politicians continue to treat Social Security as negotiable. 

With Richie Neal asleep at the wheel, the Trump administration has repeatedly attacked Social Security by pushing payroll tax deferrals and benefit cuts that threatened the trust fund. Our seniors deserve better.

Protecting and expanding Social Security is a moral obligation to those who built this country and to future generations who deserve that same security.

Here’s how we will SAFEGUARD social security:

• Strengthen Benefits for Retirees: Guarantee that Social Security payments keep pace with inflation so seniors do not lose purchasing power.

• Prevent Cuts or Privatization: Oppose any attempts to privatize or undermine Social Security through risky investment schemes.

• Safeguard the Trust Fund: Keep the Social Security Trust Fund solvent by ensuring adequate revenue and reassess the payroll tax cap so that higher earners contribute fairly. Close loopholes that exempt certain income from payroll taxes.

• Expand Coverage & Fairness: Ensure that all workers (especially part-time, gig, and self-employed workers) are fully included in the Social Security system. Strengthen spousal and survivor benefits so that families are not left vulnerable if a wage earner passes away.

Growing up in Western Massachusetts, I saw firsthand how difficult it is to get around without a car. Long before I had a license, I relied on my bike, family, and rides in my friend Jay’s 1986 Toyota Supra to get from one place to another. Even today, many communities in the region are isolated by limited bus routes, infrequent service, or no public transportation at all. This lack of access creates a major barrier, especially for young people, seniors, low-income residents, and people with disabilities, who deserve the same freedom and opportunity as everyone else.

Expanding public transportation in Western Mass isn’t just about convenience; it’s a crucial step toward equity and climate resilience. A strong, reliable transit system reduces our reliance on cars, cuts emissions, and connects people to jobs, education, and healthcare. If we want to build a future that works for everyone, we need to invest in a public transportation system that reflects the needs and values of our entire region.

Here’s how we will EXPAND transportation:

• Expand ValleyBike program: Increase access to affordable, sustainable transportation by expanding the ValleyBike network to more communities.

• Fully fund PVTA buses and switch to hybrid/electric: Improve service and reduce emissions by fully funding PVTA and transitioning to a clean-energy fleet.

• Advocate for a high-speed train from Western MA to New York: Connect Western Mass to major economic hubs by pushing for a high-speed rail link to NYC, bypassing the current gap in New Haven.

• Make West-East Rail a reality: Establish reliable, frequent rail service between Pittsfield and Boston to connect the region and boost economic opportunity.

In the mid-2000s, I worked at a convenience store near my house as a high school student, earning about $7 an hour. It was hard to save for gas money then, and with the uncertain economic forecast, every dollar is becoming worth less and less. 

Meanwhile, with Richie Neal in charge for over 37 years, the minimum wage has been increased by Congress only three times, and has remained just $7.25 since 2009. Today, nearly 44% of full-time American workers still don’t earn enough to meet their family’s basic needs. Raising the minimum wage reduces poverty, boosts consumer spending, and drives economic growth, benefiting the country as a whole.

Here’s how we will PAY people more:

• Raise the minimum wage: Increase the federal minimum wage to a minimum of $15.
  

• Tie to Cost of Living Wage: connect minimum wage to a wage sufficient to pay the basic living expenses of a single, childless adult living in the median American state based on a 40-hour work week.

Citizens United may be the most damaging Supreme Court ruling in U.S. history. Opening the floodgates for unlimited dark money has corrupted nearly every part of the legislative process. That’s why in my twenties, I launched a political action committee to fight against the influence of PACs, because I recognized early on how destructive this ruling would be to our democracy.

Percentage-wise, Congressman Neal is one of the TOP recipients of corporate money in all of Congress, with 75% of his campaign funding coming from big banks, pharmaceutical companies, and corporate lobbyists—more than any other Democrat or Republican. Less than 0.15% of his donations come from small, individual donors. In return, we get a congressman who’s nowhere to be found when his constituents need him. To make matters worse, his son lobbies the very committee Neal chairs, all while collecting a part-time salary from his father’s campaign account.

Here’s how we will REFORM campaign finance:

Reverse Citizens United: Support the fight to overturn the Supreme Court decision that unleashed unlimited corporate spending in elections and restore fair limits on campaign financing.

Ban Congressional Stock Trading: Prohibit members of Congress from trading individual stocks to prevent conflicts of interest and insider dealing.

Oppose Corporate PACs: Pledge to reject campaign contributions from corporations and corporate PACs to preserve my values and mission.

For the past 11 years, I’ve been a proud member of the Northampton Association of School Employees, a wall-to-wall union representing all district staff. I’ve supported organized labor even longer, once creating a satirical site called WhatTheFuckHaveUnionsDoneSoFar.com to highlight union victories. I served as Communications Director and later as a delegate while earning my master’s and doctoral degrees. When my brother fell ill and I had to step back from work, the union never stopped showing up for me. That’s the power of solidarity.

Richie Neal claims to be a champion of unions, but his lack of leadership has gotten us two Trump administrations that have weakened unions by stripping collective bargaining rights, stacked the labor board with anti-union appointees, promoted at-will employment in government positions, enabled employer interference in organizing, and rolled back worker protections and enforcement. How strong is his fight if he can’t stand up to a union bully?

Here’s how we will SUPPORT strong unions:

• Pass the PRO Act: Expand workers’ rights to organize by banning employer interference, ending “right-to-work” laws, and imposing penalties for union-busting.
  

• Enforce the NLRA: Strengthen the National Labor Relations Act with increased funding for the NLRB to protect workers and hold violators accountable.
  

• Guarantee card check recognition: Allow unions to form once a majority of workers have signed authorization cards, thereby reducing delays and intimidation during elections.
  

• Ban captive audience meetings: Prohibit employers from forcing workers to attend anti-union meetings during organizing drives.
  

• Protect public sector unions: Establish federal protections for collective bargaining rights of state and local government employees.
  

• Extend labor rights to gig and misclassified workers: Redefine employee status to ensure gig workers and contractors have union rights.
  

• Promote union access and neutrality agreements: Require federal contractors to remain neutral in union efforts and grant union access to workplaces.

Small businesses are the backbone of a strong economy. Over the years, I’ve used my background in graphic design and media to help local entrepreneurs launch their ideas, and I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it is to get started and stay afloat.

But under Richie Neal’s leadership, the U.S. Small Business Administration has shrunk, and the Springfield office was shut down. It’s no surprise: why prioritize small businesses when you’re busy hosting $5,000-a-plate fundraisers with corporate executive on Cape Cod?

Here’s how we will INCREASE economic opportunity:

Expand Access to Capital: Increase funding for low-interest loans and grants through the Small Business Administration (SBA), with a focus on underserved communities.

Offer Tax Relief: Provide targeted tax credits and deductions for small businesses to help cover startup costs, employee wages, and equipment.

Reform Procurement Policy: Prioritize federal contracts for local and minority-owned small businesses to boost revenue and growth opportunities.

Invest in Local Infrastructure and Broadband: Improve transportation, utilities, and high-speed internet access in business districts to help small businesses compete and thrive.

I recently got a frantic call from a former student after unknown agents pounded on their door in Western Massachusetts. Terrified to answer, they fled to a relative’s house, unsure what would happen next. As I scrambled to connect them with legal and support resources, my heart broke hearing them repeat in a trembling voice, “I’m not a bad person, I didn’t do anything wrong.” I witnessed that same fear and heartbreak at the vigil for Demetrio, a local farm worker taken in broad daylight at gunpoint by ICE agents.

Since Richard Neal fell asleep at the wheel and allowed Trump’s second round of “retribution,” we’ve seen him weaponize ICE into a force of masked goons more focused on tearing families apart than addressing real crime. These scare tactics and disregard for due process undermine the integrity of our local and state law enforcement who protect and serve our communities every day. ICE’s reputation is forever tarnished, and it’s got to go.

• Abolish ICE Now: Dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement and replace it with a humane system that upholds due process and human rights. 

• Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Create a clear, fair pathway to citizenship, end family separation, and fix our broken visa and asylum systems.

• Protect DACA/Dreamers: Enshrine protections for DACA recipients into law and provide a permanent path to citizenship for Dreamers.

Growing up Catholic, I experienced a turning point in my teenage years when I realized that some church teachings, especially around abortion, conflicted with the core values of compassion, dignity, and autonomy with which I had been raised. I chose to stand by my belief in a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. Over time, that conviction has only grown stronger, inspired by the strength and wisdom of the women in my life, including my mother, my wife, and my students.

But with Richie Neal asleep at the wheel, we’ve seen Donald Trump elected twice, and with him has come cutting federal funding for clinics that mention abortion, blocking contraceptive access, defunding Title X programs, repealing emergency abortion protections, and appointing anti-abortion judges to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Here’s how we will PROTECT reproductive healthcare: 

• Support Maternal Healthcare: Increase research funding for maternal healthcare, call attention to the inequitable treatment of black mothers, support and urge immediate action on the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Bill. 

• Combat Crisis Pregnancy Centers: Ban deceptive advertising on a national level, and demand that states like Georgia immediately divest from CPCs and stop placing state funding into manipulating women.

• Protect Digital Privacy: Demand a digital privacy bill and Location Shield Act on the federal level to protect any pregnant person ordering a medicated abortion. 

• Ensure Right to Choose: Stop leaving bodily autonomy up to the states by codifying the right to choose into law.

• Protect Access to Birth Control: Pass the Right to Contraception Act, which would safeguard access to contraception, and call out anyone trying to attack birth control.

• Enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment: Denying access to reproductive healthcare discriminates particularly against women and LGBTQ+ people. The ERA has met all requirements for a constitutional amendment; it’s time for the Archivist of the United States to publish it.

• Support Grieving Parents: Ensure that no parent has to take unpaid time off due to an unexpected loss of a child, even in the case of a miscarriage.

• Make Fertility Treatment Inclusive: Expand access to fertility treatments by requiring all insurers to cover fertility medications and procedures.

Two stickers on my computer remind me why I fight for LGBTQ+ rights. One is a butterfly drawn by a trans student at the Queer Youth Leadership Awards, where I spent nearly a decade producing media and amplifying youth voices. The other is from students in our school’s GSA, who see my classroom as a safe, affirming space. As an educator and advocate, I will always stand for the rights, safety, and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals, because everyone deserves to live openly, joyfully, and without fear.

Here’s how we will FIGHT for LGBTQ+ rights:

• Ensure access to gender-affirming healthcare: Support legislation that ensures and expands access to life-saving care, legislation providing funds to train providers to offer gender-affirming care, and legislation awarding grants to continue researching gender-affirming healthcare. Oppose legislation that criminalizes providers for giving gender affirming healthcare to minors.

• Protect Gay Marriage: Advocate for the protection of the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act, so that everyone, regardless of gender, race, and sexuality, can marry who they love.

• Pass the Equality Act: Call on peers in Congress to finally pass the Equality Act and guarantee full legal protections for LGBTQ+ people in housing, employment, education, and public life.

• Pass the Transgender Bill of Rights: At a time when our transgender neighbors are under attack, we must stand with them always. This critical legislation helps ensure the affirmation of who they are, but enshrines respect for them in our society.

Years ago, while driving to a technology competition in Boston, a former student and I stopped at a gas station for coffee. My student, who is Sikh and wears a turban, caught the attention of a man parked beside us. The man looked at us with suspicion, then crouched down to inspect the underside of his truck. When I asked what he was doing, he replied, “Checking for bombs.” I was furious and ready to confront him, but my student gently stopped me. “Don’t react,” he said. “This kind of thing happens. You have to keep a cool head.”

While we in Western Massachusetts take pride in our progressive values, biases like this still exist, and individuals within our communities need to address them in various ways. Our black and brown communities have been the targets of disproportionate racial discrimination and attention by law enforcement, and this has only become worse now that Richard Neal has allowed Trump to implement his radical agenda.  

Here’s how we will ENSURE racial justice:

• Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act: Enact national police accountability standards by banning chokeholds, ending qualified immunity, creating a federal misconduct registry, and holding departments accountable for civil rights violations.
  

• End for Profit Prisons: Ban federal contracts with private prison corporations and cut funding to facilities that profit from incarceration, prioritizing rehabilitation over revenue.

• End the School to Prison Pipeline: Invest in counselors, restorative justice programs, and equitable school funding while eliminating harsh disciplinary policies that criminalize students, especially students of color.

• Combat Racial Gerrymandering: Strengthen the Voting Rights Act and require fair redistricting practices that protect communities of color from being disenfranchised through manipulated district maps.

My grandfather served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, earning three Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars, yet he never spoke of the horrors he endured. When he passed, he took that pain with him, having spent his life shielding others from it. In his honor, and in recognition of all who serve, my wife and I became deeply involved in supporting veterans through fundraisers and honor trips.

Through our volunteer work, I had connected several times with our local veterans advocate to support events and initiatives. That’s why I was outraged to learn he was fired while on the job due to DOGE budget cuts. Richie Neal will stand by a veteran’s side for a picture opportunity, yet where is he as Trump slashes VA jobs and leaves our veterans behind

Here’s how we will HONOR our veterans and active-duty military:

Fully Fund the VA: Ensure consistent, timely, and adequate funding for all VA programs, benefits, and services.

Support Veteran Employment and Education: Expand job training, protect against employment discrimination, and safeguard access to educational benefits.

Guarantee Quality Healthcare: Ensure all veterans receive comprehensive healthcare, including care for toxic and environmental exposures.

Secure Housing and Benefits: Strengthen housing assistance, address veteran homelessness, and increase benefits for survivors and dependents.

Protect Veteran Rights and Services: Streamline disability claims, expand Veterans Treatment Courts, support public employment preference, and invest in Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.

Keep the Military Out of Harm’s Way: We need to make sure our service members aren’t sent into unnecessary danger by pointless wars that do nothing but feed the military-industrial complex.

In 2018, I traveled to Puerto Rico with the Red Cross to help deliver generators after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. That experience reinforced a clear truth: the climate crisis has real, urgent consequences for our health, economy, and way of life. In Western Massachusetts, this has led to problems, including millions of dollars in lost revenue due to flooding on farms and hazy, red skies caused by Canadian wildfires.

But Richie Neal doesn’t give a damn about any of that. For years, he has ignored supporting the Green New Deal and meaningful legislation aimed at combating the dire situation we are in. He also refused to sign the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, a voluntary commitment to reject corporate money from executives in the fossil fuel industry, further indicating where his allegiances lie.

Here’s how we will SAVE our planet:

• Fight for the Green New Deal: Pass the Green New Deal and related legislation to stimulate the economy, create millions of union jobs, invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, and ensure a just transition for frontline communities.
  

• Make Polluters Pay: Enact federal legislation that holds corporate polluters financially accountable for environmental damage, funds climate recovery, and prevents future harm through strict enforcement and penalties.
  

• Increase K-12 Climate Literacy Education: Integrate climate science and sustainability into school curricula to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and address the climate crisis.
  

• Phase Out Fossil Fuels: Pass laws to end fossil fuel subsidies, halt new oil and gas projects, and invest in clean, renewable energy sources to transition the nation to a carbon-free future.

• Place a Moratorium on New Data Centers: Pause new data center construction until strong environmental standards are in place to address their massive energy and water consumption, protect local communities, and ensure they align with our climate goals.

I have a tattoo that reads, “Tomorrow's such a long time to go since yesterday,” words left behind by my childhood friend who died of an overdose at 31. After a snowboarding injury, he was overprescribed OxyContin, then turned to heroin when the pills ran out. I tried to help him through recovery, but the system failed us both. His death, like so many others, could have been prevented with real oversight and accountability.

While my friend spiraled into addiction, Richie Neal accepted corporate money from top opioid distributors. He won’t truly confront the crisis because he’s funded by it. We need leaders who will act by increasing funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery, and by cracking down on illicit fentanyl trafficking through stronger border screening and targeting international suppliers. This isn’t just policy; it’s personal. 

Here’s how we will END opioid abuse:

• Expand access to treatment: Increase federal funding for medication-assisted treatment (MAT), mental health services, and long-term recovery programs through Medicaid and public health grants.
  

• Regulate and hold pharmaceutical companies, drug dealers, and foreign governments accountable: Enforce stricter oversight, transparency, and penalties for drug manufacturers and distributors that fueled the crisis, as well as those who are involved in their illegal distribution within the United States.
  

• Support harm reduction strategies: Legalize and fund programs like syringe exchanges, fentanyl test strips, and supervised consumption sites to prevent overdose deaths.
  

• Invest in prevention and education: Fund evidence-based education, community outreach, and early intervention programs targeting youth and at-risk populations.

End the Genocide in Gaza.

I’ve seen the impact of war and displacement firsthand, working at the border of Lebanon and Syria with my friend Mahmoud Khalil. I know the human cost, and I demand an end to the genocide in Gaza and a full stop to U.S. military aid that enables the bombing of civilians.

Congressman Richard Neal voted to send millions of dollars in military aid to Israel, enabling its assault on Gaza and the Palestinian people. He also supported H.R. 6090, a bill that threatens free speech on college campuses by censoring dissent against Israel. These votes show a pattern of supporting cruel, inhumane policies and the continued funding of a genocide.

Here’s how we will END the genocide:

• Cut off U.S. military aid to Israel: Stop the flow of weapons and funding that make ongoing bombings and civilian deaths possible. Our tax dollars should not finance war crimes.

• Call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire: Push for diplomatic action to halt the violence, protect civilians, and ensure humanitarian relief reaches those in need.

• Redirect aid toward humanitarian support:  Reinvest in food, water, medical supplies, and infrastructure to help rebuild communities and support families displaced by violence.

• Uphold international law and human rights: Demand accountability for violations of international law and work with global partners to prevent.
  
  
  

Protect Jewish Communities

At the same time, we need to be clear that the actions of the Israeli government, just like those of the current U.S. administration, do not always reflect the beliefs of all Jewish people. In fact, as a result of the Netanyahu regime’s actions, members of the Jewish community have faced increased attacks.

Here’s how we will PROTECT our Jewish communities:

• Condemn antisemitism: Denounce all acts of hate and violence, including those on October 7, against the Jewish community.

• Uplift Jewish culture: Invest in education, dialogue, and community-based efforts that combat hate and build understanding across cultures and faiths.

• Support the safety of Jewish communities: Protect the safety, security, and civil rights of Jewish communities while standing firmly against all forms of discrimination and scapegoating.

For too long, Washington has acted as though military intervention is the answer to every problem. We've spent trillions on wars overseas while communities here at home struggle to afford healthcare, housing, and education.

For years, I volunteered for weeks each summer, traveling to Central and South America with my students to broaden their perspectives on the world and work alongside local communities on humanitarian missions.

America should lead through diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and international cooperation whenever possible. A safer world isn't built through endless conflict. It's built through strong relationships, mutual respect, and addressing problems before they become crises. That’s why I am proud to be endorsed by Mass Peace Action and Peace Action National.

Here's how we will PUT diplomacy first:

• End Endless Wars: Oppose unnecessary military interventions and ensure Congress has a meaningful role in decisions about war.

• Restore USAID: Rebuild America's humanitarian and development programs to help address poverty, hunger, public health crises, and disaster relief around the world.

• Invest in Diplomacy: Strengthen the State Department and diplomatic efforts that prevent conflicts before they start.

• Stand Up for Human Rights: Promote democracy, labor rights, and human dignity while holding governments accountable when those rights are violated.

• Invest in America First: Shift resources away from wasteful military spending and toward healthcare, education, infrastructure, and housing here at home.
  

My parents live in Otis, a small rural town in the foothills of the Berkshires. As a kid, it felt like a magical getaway when we camped at nearby Tolland State Forest. What’s not charming, however, is trying to get a reliable internet connection when your permanent residence is located within one of these communities and far from the nearest city. Hilltowns like Otis are too often overlooked when it comes to basic infrastructure needs, especially compared to the more populous cities and suburbs of eastern Massachusetts.

Here’s how we will ASSIST rural communities:

• Broadband Expansion: Invest in federal infrastructure programs to expand high-speed internet access in rural and underserved communities, bridging the digital divide and supporting education, healthcare, and local economies.

• Support for Agriculture: Federal programs like EQIP and CSP provide financial and technical assistance to help Western Massachusetts farmers implement sustainable practices and maintain agricultural viability.

• Rural Business Development: Programs such as the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant initiatives offer funding to stimulate job creation and support rural businesses through local utilities and USDA-administered loans and grants.

A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. As a teacher, I've spent my career working alongside students with disabilities and their families, and I've seen both their incredible potential and the barriers they face every day. Too often, people with disabilities are forced to fight for services, accessibility, healthcare, and opportunities that should already be guaranteed.

That’s why I’m proud of my involvement with organizations like Camp Sunshine and the Miracle League of Western Mass, which uplift and enrich the lives of people with life-threatening illnesses and physical and cognitive disabilities.

Disability rights are civil rights. Everyone deserves the freedom to live independently, participate fully in their community, and have access to the support they need to thrive.

Here's how we will DEFEND disability rights:

• Expand Home and Community-Based Care: Help people with disabilities access the services they need while remaining in their homes and communities.

• Strengthen Accessibility Protections: Make sure public spaces, transportation, housing, and online services are accessible to everyone.

• Protect Disability Benefits: Defend SSDI and SSI from cuts while modernizing rules that often make it harder for people to access support.

• Create More Economic Opportunity: Expand workplace accommodations and strengthen protections against discrimination in hiring and employment.
  

A few years ago, I went duck hunting for the first time and gained a deep respect for responsible gun ownership and its connection to land and tradition, values rooted in the original intent of the Second Amendment. 

But times have changed, and so has the power of modern firearms. I’ll never forget the day we got a call about a man with an assault rifle near a local middle school. We sheltered students in the gym, hoping it was a false alarm. It was. But for too many schools across the country, it isn’t.

Richie Neal allowed a criminal into the White House under his watch twice, who weakened gun regulations by repealing mental health background check rules, reversed bans on forced-reset triggers, dismantled gun safety oversight, and supported expanded concealed carry and firearm access for individuals with criminal records.

Here’s how we will END gun violence:

• Common Sense Gun Reform: Ban bump stocks and require enhanced license-to-carry training to ensure that only responsible, well-trained individuals have access to firearms.

• Comprehensive Background Checks: Mandate universal background checks for all gun sales, including private and online transactions.

• Closing Straw Sales Loopholes: Strengthen laws to prevent individuals from purchasing guns on behalf of others who are prohibited from owning them.

In 2017, two girls from Puerto Rico joined my photography class after Hurricane Maria devastated their home and displaced their family. With limited Spanish and the help of translation tools, I helped them catch up on classwork and formed a meaningful friendship. I learned they were from Aguadilla, where their school had closed due to storm damage. Moved by their resilience, I spent my February break in Puerto Rico delivering generators and supplies to local communities, including a visit to their high school as a tribute to our connection.

My time in Puerto Rico helped me understand why being Boricua is a source of pride for so many in the valley. The spirit and culture rooted in Taíno heritage are part of what makes Western Massachusetts, the capital of Puerto Rican culture outside the island, so special, and we should celebrate and uplift that in every way we can.

Here’s how we will UPLIFT Puerto Rico:

• Increase Natural Disaster Relief: Ensure Puerto Rico receives fair and timely federal funding to rebuild after hurricanes and climate disasters.

• Invest in Infrastructure: Support federal funding for resilient infrastructure and renewable energy to ensure long-term sustainability and climate readiness.

• Celebrate Boricua Culture: expanding federal grants for arts and education programs that preserve the island’s heritage, promote bilingual learning, and uplift local artists and educators.

Over the past several months, I’ve been touring western Massachusetts, partaking in rallies all across the district. From the denunciation of kings to the honoring of John Lewis’s legacy, people have shown up en masse to champion the fundamental freedoms we enjoy as Americans. I have listened to stories of tragedy and triumph spanning generations of activists, all ready for change.

Sadly, Richard Neal would never show up and show out at demonstrations like this. He is a ghost in the district, and rarely attends events that don’t benefit his pockets. 

Here’s how we will SAFEGUARD democracy:

• Defend Fundamental Freedoms: Uphold constitutional rights to free speech, protest, and privacy by resisting government overreach and opposing laws that infringe on civil liberties.

• Protect the Rights of Journalists: Enact federal safeguards to ensure reporters can investigate and publish freely without threats, censorship, or retaliation.

• Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act: Restore and strengthen protections against voter suppression by requiring federal oversight of voting law changes in states with histories of discrimination.

• Pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the Native American Voting Rights Acts: Expand fair ballot access, protect against discrimination, and ensure every community has an equal voice in our democracy.

• Enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment: Guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex, closing loopholes that allow discrimination and ensuring true equality is written into the Constitution.