Jenny’s Affordability Plan

As much as any community in the Commonwealth, Marblehead, Swampscott, and Lynn are acutely feeling the effects of rising prices on our daily lives. With limited housing supply, it’s nearly impossible to find a home in the area. Even if you can, prices are surging: the median sale price of a home in Marblehead today is over 50% higher than it was in 2010; and recent data show that the rental cost of a two-bedroom apartment in Lynn has increased by 12% over the last several months. Prescription drug costs are likewise going through the roof – hammering family budgets, especially for those with chronic conditions in need of regular medication. In 2019 alone, gross pharmaceutical spending in Massachusetts increased by a whopping 7.2%. And while our beautiful location on the North Shore provides incredible access to nature, scenic coastlines, and attractive amenities, our access to affordable, efficient transportation options needs significant improvement. Studies have shown that in Lynn, for example, transit plays a critical role in providing access to Boston, yet fare costs are prohibitive for many residents. 

All of these factors expand economic inequality, drive families and senior citizens to other locations, and cause undue stress and anxiety for everyone else. Simply put, we have a lot of work to do to make our communities more affordable. 

As a longtime resident and activist, I know these concerns all too well. I’ve seen firsthand the stark realities faced by our neighbors who have struggled to afford care for ailing family members. I’ve seen friends leave our amazing communities because they couldn’t justify sitting for hours in a car that’s guzzling gas when they could be spending quality time at home with their loved ones. We need a State Representative who will prioritize policies that bring down costs for residents, and commit to following through on our incredible potential to be the most desirable place to live and work in Massachusetts. 

This is why I am proposing a 3-part plan to address rising costs of living with regard to housing, prescription drugs, and public transportation. Here’s my plan:

• Aggressively Expand Our Housing Supply. We have to use all the tools at our disposal to increase the housing supply and make housing more affordable. This includes, but is not limited to, making the most of our affordable housing laws (such as Chapter 40B and Chapter 40R) and implementing the state’s 2021 Economic Development Bill that gives local communities greater flexibility to change zoning laws and incentivises the creation of transit-oriented housing in MBTA communities. But we can’t just stop there. We need a new infusion of funding that works to increase the housing stock. To that end, I support the HERO Coalition’s efforts to pass a bill that would double the deeds excise tax and generate as much as $600 million in new revenue each year – 50% of which would be geared toward affordable housing programs. While it’s true that the state is fortunate to currently have federal ARPA funding, that funding is temporary – and if we don’t act immediately to address this housing crisis, more and more families will be squeezed out of our neighborhoods. If elected, I will always seek to innovatively expand housing options by pushing for new funding streams at the state level and I will work with local officials to reduce zoning barriers that stifle housing creation. 

• Reduce Prescription Drug Costs. The cost of prescription drugs is sapping family budgets. No one should ever be forced to dangerously reduce intake of medicine they need due to high prices. It’s immoral – and it places pressure on our health care system. Fortunately, the state Senate has recently passed legislation that empowers the Health Policy Commission to review the cost of various drugs and identify price levels that pose a public health risk. The bill also brings much-needed relief to those who suffer from diabetes – permanently capping co-pays for insulin at $25 per 30-day supply. I support this measure, and urge the House to follow suit and send the bill to the Governor’s desk. As our next State Representative, I will be vigilant in pushing for greater drug price transparency and work with consumer advocates and public health experts to improve access to affordable medicine and care. 

• Make Transit More Accessible. Climate change is a real, existential threat to our health and way of life, especially for our communities that lie along the coast. Yet, it also presents a tremendous opportunity to reimagine decades-old systems that are inefficient and inaccessible. In order to do this, we must take bold steps to fund transportation initiatives. That’s why I support the Fair Share Amendment, which will not only provide critical resources to improve our roads and bridges but also fund innovative transit projects that work to meet our carbon reduction goals. These investments will help us electrify our MBTA rail lines and expand reliable transportation options for people to drive less. Lynn, with its unique geographic location, diverse immigrant community, and projected growth and development, can truly be at the center of this historic transformation. If elected, I will push to see many of the Lynn Transit Action Plan recommendations become a reality: more buses on roadways, improved physical access to public transit stops, and larger network changes, such as resuming ferry services to downtown Boston. This doesn’t just benefit the residents of Lynn – it benefits us all. If we can make transit more accessible, we can become the economic hub for the North Shore as well as a more convenient commuter destination for those working in Boston. 

I am confident that we can get this done. It will take hard work and determination, but I am energized by the challenge. We need an advocate on Beacon Hill who will work tirelessly to reduce the cost burdens we all face and help us realize our incredible potential. That’s why I am running – and, if elected, that’s what I’ll do.