Matthew Cohen

Drug Policy

Further expansion of mental health parity legislation is an important next step.  While Massachusetts has new initiatives to battle opioid addiction, more can be done to prevent people from becoming addicted. I will work to offer expanded treatment options and access.  The federal government recently ended a program that informed patients and doctors of the most effective mental health treatments to help them avoid treatment methods that are not successful.  I will work to ensure that the Commonwealth maintains this program to fill this void. Learn more

Economy

The economy should work for everyone, from employees, to the self-employed, to small and large business owners.  This can be achieved partly through smart tax policies that allow businesses to grow and to pay workers a living wage. The role of unions is central to these efforts, including in the fight against wage theft. The Commonwealth must protect the right to collective bargaining so that the unions' ability to advocate for the rights of their members is protected. Learn more

Education

To help ensure success in the changing economy, Massachusetts also needs to provide students with expanded access to college education. I will push for legislation that will address these issues, as well as work to ensure towns receive enough money from the state to pay for all state mandated programs and for updating facilities. I believe that local communities need more control and flexibility regarding their community’s schools. Learn more

I will push for teachers to have greater flexibility in the classroom, and to end or greatly reduce the role of standardized testing in student, school, and teacher evaluation. The METCO program should also be protected. Learn more

Environment / Energy

Expanding access to, and the use of, alternative energy is also one of my central goals.  Protecting and expanding consumer subsidies for the installation of solar panels (as we have done on our home) are effective tools for increasing their use. Ensuring that rates are set fairly so that consumers benefit and companies can profit and invest in improving clean energy technology is key, and will require working with companies and local government. Learn more

Protecting the environment is critical, and there are numerous ways I will work as a state representative to help.  Alternative transportation options can be part of the solution.  The MBTA is vital to this effort, but it currently faces a sizable budget deficit and provides unreliable service.  The Legislature needs to work with the MBTA to help determine how to address these problems, including though expansions of services and routes. Learn more

Guns

I believe there is more that we can do that is not in conflict with the Second Amendment. We must ensure the minimum age of purchase for all firearms is 21. The Legislature should continue to support the existing ban on assault weapons. While I am proud the Commonwealth was the first to ban bump stocks, we must ensure that other similar modifications are addressed as well. Massachusetts must additionally pass so called 'red flag' laws that are critical tools for preventing gun violence.  I also oppose efforts to bring guns into our children’s classrooms. The Massachusetts firearms licensing program is an outstanding initiative that deters people who should not have weapons from obtaining them, but it is not enough. Part of the requirement should include demonstrating proficiency with any class of weapon that an individual is licensed to own. We also need laws regarding proper storage of weapons so that people cannot illegally gain access to guns Learn more

Healthcare

The cost of health care and of health insurance continues to rise faster than many individuals and families can afford.  To help address this, one important step that I will take as a state representative will be to work on legislation that will create incentives to increase access to preventive services. Learn more

Further expansion of mental health parity legislation is an important next step.  While Massachusetts has new initiatives to battle opioid addiction, more can be done to prevent people from becoming addicted. I will work to offer expanded treatment options and access.  The federal government recently ended a program that informed patients and doctors of the most effective mental health treatments to help them avoid treatment methods that are not successful.  I will work to ensure that the Commonwealth maintains this program to fill this void. Learn more

Housing

We additionally need to ensure there is housing appropriate for seniors.  Expanding affordable housing and the availability of rental properties to seniors in their communities could help people who want to downsize their houses to continue to live near friends, services, and resources with which they are familiar and comfortable. Learn more

Immigration

I support the Safe Communities Act and protections for immigrant and refugee populations. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

Beyond the MBTA, another possible innovation is to make it easier for neighboring towns and cities to partner with each other to build their own transportation systems. Communities should be given the option to work together to build these systems and to establish a joint levy or fee to fund their projects. Learn more

A solution that can help decrease the MBTA's deficit is to increase service and introduce more routes. This should lead to an increase in ridership, which will offset new costs and lower the deficit.  At the same time, public transportation systems will likely never fully pay for themselves, and as public transportation is a public good, we need to be ready to subsidize services to some degree. Learn more

I support programs such as Lexpress and Lex-Connect, and transportation services provided by the Woburn Council on Aging. I will support an expansion of MBTA routes and the “Last Mile” program so that more seniors, and other people, can use the MBTA. Learn more

The Legislature should adopt net-neutrality regulations for all Internet traffic in the Commonwealth similar to bi-partisan legislation recently passed in Washington State and Oregon. Learn more

The use of bicycles to commute is growing, and I will advocate for safe roads that are designed to properly handle both motor vehicles and bicycles. Learn more

Social Services

I will advocate for programs such as the local tax exemptions programs currently available to people on a fixed income. I support the Senior Tax Deferral program and the Senior Service Program (Lexington) and Senior Citizen Property Work-off Program (Woburn) and the State Senior Circuit Breaker program which provide qualifying seniors with much needed relief. Learn more

I support programs such as Lexpress and Lex-Connect, and transportation services provided by the Woburn Council on Aging. I will support an expansion of MBTA routes and the “Last Mile” program so that more seniors, and other people, can use the MBTA. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

I will advocate for programs such as the local tax exemptions programs currently available to people on a fixed income. I support the Senior Tax Deferral program and the Senior Service Program (Lexington) and Senior Citizen Property Work-off Program (Woburn) and the State Senior Circuit Breaker program which provide qualifying seniors with much needed relief. Learn more

I will prioritize the Circuit Breaker program and similar policies that keep taxes at a rate that enables people to stay in their homes and work to help to improve awareness of these programs.  We need to reform the revenue system and exemptions to ensure that everyone pays a reasonable and fair share in taxes.  Similarly, commercial tax programs should be examined in order to establish fair and manageable tax rates and to improve the quality and diversity of stores and offices in town centers and expand the tax base. Learn more