Why Karen Spilka for Congress

When it comes to the toughest fights on Beacon Hill, Karen Spilka has never backed down. She’s taken on the status quo, battling insurance companies, big banks and entrenched interests to make Massachusetts government work better for middle-class families. The breadth, depth and length of Karen Spilka’s legislative track record is unparalleled; she’s had 27 major pieces of legislation signed into law. In addition, she’s been a leader on economic development to help grow our economy and has successfully secured support for programs that assist persons with disabilities.

In this Democratic primary in Massachusetts, all the candidates seem to be saying the same thing. Everyone is pro-choice, pro-gun control, supports protecting the environment, wants women to get equal pay for equal work and thinks that the wealthiest Americans should pay their fair share. It’s just a given.

But Congress is a mess right now and it is critical that we have a representative that can go to Washington and fight the tough fights. Karen proven that she can get the job done during her time as a school committee member, a state representative and now as Majority Whip in the state senate. She is the clear choice in this election.

The MetroWest Daily News recently endorsed her saying, “But the most impressive legislative record in the Democratic field belongs to Sen. Karen Spilka of Ashland. On a range of issues large and small, specific to her district or of statewide importance, she has shown an ability to build coalitions, to forge legislative solutions, to bring outside pressure to bear on the Legislature and to build alliances within it.”

In a follow-up post, the editor of the paper added, “Because I’ve watched Spilka closely, as well as those who preceded her and serve with her, I know she is the most effective legislator from MetroWest in at least 25 years.”

Karen also has the backing of 35 labor organizations and the endorsement of over 100 elected officials who have worked side by side with her to get things done for our state.

Here is a list of the 27 major pieces of legislation that Karen Spilka has had signed into law:

1. Expanding Juvenile Jurisdiction (Ch 84 of the Acts of 2013)
2. Tax Fairness Commission (Ch 46 of the Acts of 2013)
3. Dam Safety, Repair and Removal (Ch 448 of Acts of 2012)
4. Providing Access to EpiPens in Schools (Ch 432 of the Acts of 2012)
5. Families and Children Engaged in Services - CHINS Reform (Ch 240 of the Acts of 2012)
6. Preventing Unnecessary and Unlawful Foreclosures (Ch 194 of the Acts of 2012)
7. Government and Finance Reform (Ch 165 of the Acts of 2012)
8. Health Care All-Payer Claims Database (S552, included in Ch 9 of the Acts of 2011 and Ch 224 of the Acts of 2012)
9. ‘Gift of Life’ – Income Tax Deduction for Living Organ Donation (S1516, included in section 62 of Ch 68 of the Acts of 2011)
10. Fairness and Transparency in Tax Administration (S1523 included in sec 23, 66,67,68 of Ch 68 of the Acts of 2011)
11. Economic Development Reform Act of 2010 (Ch 240 of the Acts of 2010)
12. Clean Energy Center – Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund Consolidation (Ch 158 of the Acts of 2010)
13. Transparency in Government Spending (Ch 131 of the Acts of 2010)
14. Public School Funding Adequacy Study (Section 16 of Ch 12 of the Acts of 2010)
15. Broadband Expansion (Ch 33 of the Acts of 2009)
16. Mobilizing Economic Recovery in the Commonwealth (Ch 30 of the Acts of 2009)
17. Consumer Protection in Life insurance — The Good Health Clause — Jenny’s Law (Ch 376 of the Acts of 2008)
18. Health Care Cost containment - Uniform Coding and Billing (Sections 17 and 25 of Ch 305 of the Acts of 2008)
19. Global Warming Solutions Act (Ch 298 of the Acts of 2008)
20. Establishing Fair Rates for Human Service Programs (Ch 257 of the Acts of 2008)
21. Changing the name of the Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Developmental Services (Sections 9 and 113 of Ch 182 of the Acts of 2008)
22. Child Abuse, Neglect and Foster Care - Protecting Children in the Care of the Commonwealth (Ch 176 of the Acts of 2008)
23. Foster Child Placement Act (Ch 4 of the Acts of 2008)
24. Maintaining and Releasing Information for the Protection of Children (Ch 3 of the Acts of 2008)
25. Access to Birth Records (Ch 109 of the Acts of 2007)
26. Establishing Regional Transit Authorities – Granting Communities the Power to Provide Public Transit (Sections 70, 71,72 of Ch 123 of the Acts of 2006)
27. Military Families Relief Fund (Ch 130 of the Acts of 2005)

Read even more about what Karen has been able to get done on Beacon Hill here.