CLM recently asked all candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor to answer a basic set of questions related to our members' work and our priorities as a League.
State Senator Eric Lesser, a candidate for Lt. Governor, sent us his thoughts on these issues, including these highlights:
On disproportionality and race equity:
It is important for the next administration to approach all issues through the lens of equity, especially when we are looking to address challenges around child welfare in our Commonwealth. That is why I have been a champion on addressing the cliff effect in Massachusetts, which disproportionately affects Black and brown children and families.
On Transition-Age Youth:
As Lieutenant Governor, I will support legislation such as An Act to ensure positive transition plans to prevent youth homelessness, in order to mandate transition plans that include housing, healthcare and employment. I will also work with the Governor to provide ample resources to support services in our state budget and establish policies across agencies that
incorporate planning for transition age youth.
On fostering collaboration:
I will work to establish a Children and Families Cabinet within the administration that will coordinate across state agencies to put together programs and initiatives that will benefit the Commonwealth’s families. In particular, based on my many years of experience as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, I look forward to tackling the issues that directly impact families’ and their ability to live and work in Massachusetts - high quality housing, reliable public transit options, and lowering the cost of childcare.
On workforce:
I believe providing the resources to attract and retain human service workers here in Massachusetts is key to thriving and caring communities. Ensuring the Commonwealth adequately pays human service workers with fair rates is another key priority of mine. Ultimately, as Lieutenant Governor, I will work with the Governor and her administration to ensure our human service
workers receive the resources and wages they deserve.
Read candidate Eric Lesser's complete response to our Q&A here.