Sustainable Communities, Healthy Families

Protecting our Natural Resources

As an environmental lawyer, Dan has first-hand knowledge of the threats we face to our natural resources, which directly affect our ability to sustain our current standards of living and quality of life. Immediate and robust action is needed to curb and reverse the effects of climate change and water pollution, at all levels of government. As an attorney, Dan has worked with citizens groups and environmentalists to fight or at least mitigate environmental threats. As Senator, Dan will be a leader in the State House fighting to enact tougher environmental protection legislation and promote greater private sector investment in “green” technology. His legislative priorities include:

  • Passage of the Sustainable Water Resources Act (H.B. 834), and the Act to Sustain Community Preservation (CPA II) (S. 90).
  • Adoption of DEP’s proposed General Stormwater Permit regulations as statutory law.
  • Phasing-out fossil fuel-burning taxis and tourist buses.
  • Challenging California for the lead in renewable energy innovation and implementation.

Investing in our Children’s Future

As the son of two public school teachers and the husband to another, Dan is acutely aware of the day-to-day challenges facing our dedicated educators and administrators. The Massachusetts public education system can and should be the envy of other states around the country. Unfortunately, certain federal and state laws do more harm than good. Massachusetts can do a better job alleviating the bureaucratic burdens on our schools, letting teachers do what they do best – teach. And we can do a better job identifying the causes of the drop-out epidemic and focus our public investment on programs that work. As Senator, Dan will work towards:

  • Ensuring sufficient day care funding for teenage parents who are in school.
  • Keeping teachers and administrators in the classroom, not in the courtroom.
  • Letting teachers do what they do best - teaching, not test prepping.

Reviving Our Local and Regional Economy

All municipalities statewide are feeling the hit of the economy but some, including several in this district, have been taking it harder than most, while opportunities are either delayed or slip away. Dan will work to make these opportunities a reality as quickly as possible, putting people in jobs and helping to build a more secure future for us all. Among the initiatives Dan will work on as Senator:

  • Revitalize Sullivan Square with public infrastructure improvements and investment incentives.
  • Improve public infrastructure in Everett (Route 99).
  • Bring the FBI Regional Headquarters to Chelsea.
  • Convert underutilized public parcels/buildings into incubator space for renewable energy technologies.
  • Provide greater affordable housing opportunities through state and local partnerships; empower cities and towns to create smart-growth urban growth zones to attract private developers.