Learn about the issues.

Education

As a product of public schools, Kate’s commitment to public education is evident throughout her life. She was a seventh-grade public school English and reading teacher after college and attended Harvard Law School to pursue a career in education law and policy. Kate has been working over the last decade to support efforts in early, K-12, and higher education. 

In 2015, Kate began working as Chief Legal Counsel at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. While working at the EOE, she contributed to the development of the landmark education funding law, the Student Opportunity Act, which invested $1.5 billion of new money in public schools over the next seven years and helped advance a new law to protect students and faculty from sudden college closures. She also served on the Massachusetts Safe and Supportive Schools Commission and the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.

As a City Councilor, Kate created and filled the role of the Council liaison to the School Committee to enhance collaboration across the local government. She endorsed and was a vocal advocate for the successful 2019 tax override for school funding.

As State Representative, Kate has filed and cosponsored numerous bills that seek to ensure all  Massachusetts students have access to excellent teachers, resources, and curricula and that educators are supported and empowered in their professional settings.

Sustainability

In elementary school, Kate started a student petition to encourage McDonald’s to discontinue its use of Styrofoam. Her early commitment to sustainable practices has never waivered. 

As a City Councilor, Kate supported ordinances aimed at curbing the use of plastic straws and polystyrene products. She consistently championed the conservation and sustainability efforts of the Energy Commission and Zero Waste groups.

As State Representative, she strongly supports investments in Net Zero initiatives aimed at tackling greenhouse gas emissions and strives for stronger state-local and regional partnerships to address this existential crisis. She has cosponsored many bills that support sustainability, electrification, and decarbonization efforts. She also frequently partners with community based organizations to host recycling drives and other events that enable people to learn more about local, state, and national initiatives and empower them to take action.

Transportation

The 32nd Middlesex District is serviced by commuter rail, subway, and public bus routes. As a daily commuter on the Orange Line, Kate understands that the state needs a bold, comprehensive, and forward-thinking framework that embraces public transportation as a critical lever in ensuring the economic and environmental health of the region. 

As a City Councilor, she supported Melrose’s successful application for $400K in Complete Street projects, advocated for and secured strategic crosswalk and street signage improvements, and spearheaded an effort to connect families to share in multi-modal school commutes. 

As State Representative, she has cosponsored several bills that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and increase the resilience of the state’s public transportation system. She continuously advocates for significant state investment in public transportation and supports initiatives aimed at increasing the access, affordability, and quality of public transportation.