My Work

Here are some highlights from what I’ve been working on this term.

Healthcare

Helped save the Leeds VA – Worked with Jim McGovern and the Veterans Administration to successfully lobby the Biden administration to keep the Leeds VA Medical Center open.

Protecting your privacy – Crafted policy to help shield healthcare data, particularly around reproductive and gender-affirming care, from being shared by city employees, resources, or contractors.

Reproductive Healthcare Access – Worked with the Health Commissioner to set up a webpage compiling reproductive health resources in the face of national threats to women’s health.

Housing and the Environment

Helped reduce the use of fossil fuels – Worked with the climate department to apply for and secure Northampton a spot in the MA Municipal Fossil Fuel Free Building Demonstration Program Fossil Fuel-Free Building Pilot Program. Worked with climate activists and CAPA (Climate Action and Project Administration) to craft the code

Opt-in Specialized Net Zero Code – Crafted, sponsored, and passed legislation for a specialized energy code that ensures new construction will align with climate goals.

Changed Zoning – Sponsored and passed Two Family By Right building code, easing restrictions on additional dwellings built on residential lots.

Helped mitigate light pollution – Worked with Northampton City Lights, a resident group concerned about light pollution, to update the city’s lighting ordinance so that we follow the Dark Skies principles.

Safety

Improved road and pedestrian safety – Worked with residents to make safety improvements near Florence Fields along Meadow Street, Florence Street near Leeds School.