Agriculture & Climate Policy
For too long, corporate utility monopolies and energy executives have profited while Western Massachusetts families struggle to heat their homes. At the same time, the backbone of our region, our local farmers, are left to face climate-driven floods and droughts. I am running to champion a populist climate policy that puts people over polluters. We don’t need to tax working families to save the planet; we need to hold the corporate CEOs accountable and reinvest those funds back into our community.
Energy Accountability & Lowering Costs
I will fight to limit the influence of the utility giants. It is time to prioritize affordable energy for people over profits for corporate shareholders.
I support a state-level fee on the Commonwealth’s largest carbon emitters. These funds will be utilized in a dedicated fund for infrastructure and green energy, ensuring we transition away from fossil fuels without further raising taxes on working-class households.
We can put money back in working families' pockets by aggressively funding and expanding Mass Save and weatherization initiatives that slash energy demand.
By expanding renewable energy programs, we will drive down costs through increased production and a modernized, efficient power grid.
Agriculture & Local Food Systems
Western Massachusetts is the backbone of the Commonwealth’s agriculture, yet many of our own neighbors go hungry. I will work to bridge that gap, ensuring that those most in need have access to healthy, locally sourced foods.
The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) allows families to get an instant, dollar-for-dollar refund when they buy fresh fruits and vegetables directly from local farmers, farm stands, and CSAs. I will fight to expand HIP reimbursements. This increase will combat rising costs at the grocery store and ensure that healthy, local food isn't a luxury, while keeping our agricultural economy strong.
I will sponsor legislation that expands FRESH Grants for schools, and further incentivizes state agencies to buy directly from local farms, keeping our dollars right here at home.
Protecting Our Farmers
Our local farms are on the front lines of the climate crisis. I will work to protect our farmers from the increasing costs of climate-related disasters through grant programs.
I will push for state-funded grants to help farmers implement flood-prevention infrastructure and address other climate related difficulties to protect our farms from increasingly volatile seasons.