Ryan O'Donnell

Civil Rights

I will be an ally of all efforts to protect all of our citizens from discrimination on any basis, including race, national origin, age, gender identity and sexual orientation. Learn more

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

We need to imagine a truly enlightened criminal justice system that reduces incarceration levels and treats those who are incarcerated humanely, with compassion and respect, and with the goal of guiding them to employment and reducing recidivism. Learn more

We must reform the bail system so an individual's release is based on the actual risks of doing so, not whether they have money to pay bail. Cities and towns should also be eligible for greater funding to develop community policing programs that can strengthen ties between law enforcement and those they serve. Learn more

Economy

I believe we must also systematically scrutinize the costly tax breaks and giveaways to certain industries that are on the books, and ask ourselves if they are truly serving a genuinely useful public purpose. It makes no sense to cut the regional transportation, social services and local aid while the cost of industry-specific tax breaks in Massachusetts continues to grow year after year. Learn more

I support an increase to a $15 minimum wage, and indexing that wage to inflation so that subsequent cost of living increases do not require epic ballot measure campaigns or contentious legislative battles. Learn more

Education

We must fix our broken "foundation budget" formula for public school districts, the unfair charter school funding mechanism and address cuts to regional transportation reimbursements for rural districts as well as inadequate special education funding. Learn more

I oppose lifting the cap on charter schools in the Commonwealth and believe we need to stand up for the teachers who give so much of themselves to the students in our public schools. Learn more

Environment / Energy

We should oppose new pipelines in the Commonwealth, encourage offshore wind, and eliminate the cap on "net metering" to allow sustainable solar power to flourish. I support putting a price on carbon with a revenue-neutral carbon fee that is rebated to residents. Learn more

I will champion green energy innovation and green jobs, push to end our reliance on greenhouse gas-producing sources of power and work towards ambitious goals to power Massachusetts with renewable energy. Learn more

I will also fight to protect our natural environment by insisting the state reverse its disappointing track record in enforcement actions for clean air and clean water under Governor Baker. Learn more

Government Reform

We should modernize our voter registration laws to make sure every person who is eligible to vote is ready to do so, and tear down all barriers to participation. In addition to campaign finance reform, we must pursue electoral reforms and not be afraid to explore alternate voting methods to help make our institutions better reflect all of us, especially people of color, women, and those without access to wealth and resources. Learn more

I also believe we should work to upgrade our state's ethics rules to prevent legislators from monetizing their public service by becoming lobbyists. If Learn more

Guns

I will follow the lead of Attorney General Maura Healey as she pushes for commonsense gun violence prevention laws like extreme risk protective orders, which would allow for guns to be taken out of the hands of dangerous or suicidal people. I also support universal background checks and divesting the Commonwealth's pension funds of all investments in gun manufactures and retailers. Learn more

Healthcare

I will be a strong and consistent advocate for paid family leave and equal pay for equal work. I will advocate for increased funding for family planning and healthcare access, and for that funding to be provided on an equitable basis, including in rural areas. Learn more

I am a supporter of a single-payer, Medicare-for-All style system, and legislation to do that will be among the first I will co-sponsor and fight for. Learn more

Housing

Many communities have adopted programs to end homelessness for veterans, meaning that formal programs are established to guide every veteran who asks for help into good housing. This program needs to be encouraged and expanded. Learn more

Immigration

I support the Safe Communities Act and believe that we have an obligation to respect and protect the rights of immigrants who are an important part of our communities. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

I will stand up against further cuts to regional transportation, and do all I can to advocate for funds our cities and towns need for much needed road repairs. Learn more

Social Services

I will also do all I can to promote equity of funding for the many social service programs that matter to our district and our region, from cot shelters and food pantries to the Healthy Incentives Program. Learn more

I also support comprehensive paid family and medical leave, which benefits the public health, common good and everyone's economic stability. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

We can also make our tax code more progressive by raising the refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit to at least 30% of the federal credit, as other New England states have done, and expanding it to cover more people. Learn more

I support a progressive tax code and moving away over time from relying on property taxes to fund essential services. In this spirit, I am a strong supporter of the Fair Share Amendment ballot measure Learn more

I believe we must also systematically scrutinize the costly tax breaks and giveaways to certain industries that are on the books, and ask ourselves if they are truly serving a genuinely useful public purpose. It makes no sense to cut the regional transportation, social services and local aid while the cost of industry-specific tax breaks in Massachusetts continues to grow year after year. Learn more