Currently, Ann-Margaret is the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means and sits on the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight, House Committee on Operations, Facilities and Building Security, and the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. She has previously served as the First Division Chair of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, and House Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, as well as a member of several other committees. In addition, she is the House Chair of the Tech Hub Caucus and serves on the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee. In all of these roles, she has been a dedicated and persistent advocate on behalf of the people of Cape Ann.
Prior to serving as Cape Ann’s state representative, Ann-Margaret practiced law within the community in her Gloucester-based office. Part of Ann-Margaret’s practice was representing fishermen and the fishing industry businesses. She observed the abuse of NOAA’s law enforcement agency toward fishermen and fishing industry business owners. Working with the fishermen of Cape Ann, she was able to document them and report them to superiors at NOAA and federal elected officials such as then United States Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, and United States Congressman John Tierney.
Advocating for Our Fisheries
In 2009, Ann-Margaret used her legal and political background to build a coalition of seaport legislators including Massachusetts Speaker Robert DeLeo and Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray to seek a federal investigation by the Inspector General. Three investigative reports later, the Inspector General revealed wrongdoing and abuse involving federal agents at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The revelation of wronging resulted in an apology and $649,527 being returned to fishermen and fishing industry participants.
Ann-Margaret also worked closely with Attorney General Martha Coakley to take the federal government to task on the implementation and development of federal regulations. Attorney General Coakley won one of these lawsuits. Ann-Margaret has made it her mission to be sure that the legislators on the Federal level were aware of the plight faced by local fishermen since the groundfishing industry was declared an economic disaster in September 2012. In 2014, $75 million was awarded in disaster relief to the nation’s fisheries.
Working for Better Fisheries Science
Ann-Margaret worked tirelessly to make the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) a reality. GMGI’s first research project was to sequence the genome of the North Atlantic Cod, with the aim of learning more about the spawning activity and grounds of the cod to better inform fisheries regulators on the protection of future generations of fish. GMGI’s early successes ultimately lead to the state investing $2.7 million in a new facility on Gloucester Harbor, where they continue to have a focus on improving the science behind fisheries regulation. Moreover, GMGI is an important research partner of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the University of Massachusetts Amherst/Marine Station located in Gloucester.
Supporting Our Fishermen
As the daughter of a fisherman and an attorney who represented those in the fishing industry, Ann-Margaret understands the challenges that fishermen and their families face relative to qualifying for affordable health care coverage and other work related benefits. Working with legislators from other fishing communities, Ann-Margaret successfully led a effort in 2018 for an increase in funding for the operation of the Fishing Partnership from $1 million to $2 million per year to provide services to fishing families. The Fishing Partnership delivers health care coverage, safety training, and legal and financial services to over 7,000 fishing families in Massachusetts, including 700 households in Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex.
Protecting Our Ocean
Following the proposal by the Trump Administration to open up new areas of the New England coastline to offshore drilling, including Georges Bank, Ann-Margaret gathered the support of 54 of her colleagues on a letter she authored urging Governor Baker to oppose the Trump plan, emphasizing the potential economic damage to industries in Massachusetts that could be done by oil drilling off the shores of New England, highlighting the risks to the fishing industry and tourism.
In 2000, scientists at Northeastern University and MIT unveiled findings that sonar technology could be used to more accurately determine fish stocks. This technological revelation is critical because of the effect climate change has on fish stocks. Ann-Margaret has repeatedly sought and built coalitions to fund this important research method. She continues to work with industry leaders such as Legal Sea Foods CEO and President Roger Berkowitz to assure that the government uses the best attainable science.
Building a New Innovative Research and Commercial Cluster
In 2015, during her tenure as Vice Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Ann-Margaret worked tirelessly to make the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) a reality. She has played a pivotal role in bringing biotech leaders such as David Walt, Greg Verdine and Marc Vidal together. Ann-Margaret secured critical funding in the state budget for GMGI’s early programs. GMGI’s early successes and Ann-Margaret’s continued advocacy at the state level ultimately lead to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts investing $2.7 million in a new facility on Gloucester Harbor, which opened in 2018, creating new opportunities for science and job growth on Cape Ann.
Ann-Margaret realizes that one institution alone cannot bring the critical mass of research needed to establish a marine research center on Cape Ann. Therefore, in addition to the establishment of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute on Cape Ann, she has brought state investment to state agencies and university with the potential to create the synergy needed to maximize Cape Ann’s potential as a research hub.
Working with officials from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Ann-Margaret secured funding for the rehabilitation and re-opening of the UMass Amherst Marine Station in Gloucester. Since that initial funding, UMass Amherst has renewed its commitment to its presence on Cape Ann, investing in further improvements to the station and hiring full-time staff for its marine science work based out of the Hodgkins Cove lab.
In cooperation with regional stakeholders and state officials, Ann-Margaret has secured funding for the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute to develop a state marine genomics program involving GMGI, the Division of Marine Fisheries, and UMass Amherst Marine Station Gloucester. The development of the statewide genomics program resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding involving the three entities and their future working relationship on marine genomics research. The first state genomics research program will investigate how norovirus is transmitted from shellfish to humans, providing information useful for both shellfish consumers and harvesters.
Ann-Margaret has brought biotechnology to our students and to our evolving workforce, giving everyone from a recent high school graduate to a more advanced student the opportunity to find work in this emerging field, by helping to establish the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, a training program for biotechnology skills on Cape Ann. Moreover, she has worked to fund cutting-edge fisheries research that may improve fisheries research and bring invaluable information about the fishery to future generations.
Ann-Margaret understands the threat that climate change poses to Cape Ann and the Commonwealth. Impacts on sea level rise, more intense storms, food security, health care and spread of disease, transportation, and other areas of life will affect people across the board.
Effectively addressing climate change requires a wide set of tools. Ann-Margaret has sponsored a range of legislation that takes a comprehensive and varied look at addressing the issues that climate change presents to the people of Cape Ann and the Commonwealth. These bills directly address efforts to curb climate change and other threats to the environment as well as mitigating their effects, accelerating use of renewable energy, investing in renewable energy infrastructure and technology, promoting energy conservation, preserving open space, increaseing funds for research iniativies, coastal resiliency projections, infrastructure construction and maintenance, and developing carbon capture storage.
As global climate change challenges the ability to feed the Massachusetts population as well as the national and the global community, Ann-Margaret has filed a bill that she and her office researched and drafted to start monitoring and addressing the issue.
Ann-Margaret also supports a new House of Representatives initiative to invest $1 billion over the next 10 years to help communities across Massachusetts adopt technologies – including clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate change resiliency measures – that cut greenhouse gas emissions, fortify infrastructure and reduce municipal costs.
Ann-Margaret continues to be focused on making sure that Cape Ann receives its fair share of funding to have the ability to create pathways to new careers and economic growth for our residents, as well as supporting and investing in traditional industries that define our communities, such as fishing and farming.
Working with the Laborers Union, Gloucester High School, and Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Ann-Margaret helped to assemble a pre-apprenticeship vocational program for Gloucester High School students who want to go into the trades. Students in the program, starting in their junior year, will complete their academic coursework at GHS in the morning. They will then spend four afternoons of the week at Essex North Shore and one afternoon at GHS learning a brand new vocational curriculum directly from Laborers’ and GHS instructors. After the completion of this 18-month program, students will graduate from high school credited with half of their four-year union apprenticeship requirements and all the commensurate pay and benefits.
Ann-Margaret has helped to bring biotechnology to our students and to our evolving workforce by working with the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, a training program for biotechnology skills on Cape Ann that gives everyone from a recent high school graduate to a more advanced student the opportunity to find work in this emerging field. Students in the program learn hands-on lab techniques and career skills, culminating in placement at an internship to put their new skills to use. Graduates are working at established companies in Boston, startups on the North Shore, and at GMGI’s state-of-the-art laboratory on Gloucester Harbor. Others have chosen to continue their education in the sciences in college. To further promote science education in Cape Ann’s schools, Ann-Margaret worked with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to create stronger science programming from grade six through high school.
To provide opportunities for individuals to increase their earning potential, Ann-Margaret has worked to secure state funding for programs operated by Wellspring House and North Shore Community College to create pathways to new careers and higher education for those with the ability and willingness, but who lack resources and adequate support. These programs have allows individuals to find new ways to earn a living wage through workforce and life skills training, certificate programs, and continuing higher education at North Shore Community College.
Recognizing that Cape Ann’s unique cultural assets offered tremendous potential to revitalize and preserve historic cultural assets and foster economic growth, Ann-Margaret worked with House colleagues in one of her first acts as a legislator to draft the language for cultural districts: special areas within municipalities and focal points of pride and collaboration for the community.
In her second term, Ann-Margaret worked with Massachusetts Cultural Council executive director Anita Walker to implement cultural districts on Cape Ann, including the Rockport Cultural District, Essex River Cultural District, and Gloucester’s Harbortown Cultural District and Rocky Neck Cultural District.
As a result of the implementation of cultural districts, Ann-Margaret was able to help provide funds for the Gloucester Stage Company, Rocky Neck Cultural Center, Cape Ann Museum, and Rockport Music.
Throughout the 5th Essex District, Essex, Rockport and Gloucester, is a history of farming and horse breeding, horse riding and horse stables. As a part of Ann-Margaret’s commitment to fishermen and farmers, she worked closely with House Leadership as the Vice Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Agriculture to carve out a special section in the casino bill to serve as an incentive to breed more Massachusetts horses and as a result providing increased income to Massachusetts farms.
Ann-Margaret has been a pivotal force in securing local aid for Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex. Keeping in line with her ongoing effort to keep Cape Ann a vital cultural center, she has worked to pass legislation that awarded funding to the Cape Ann community. Such examples are the Downtown Initiative Technical Assistance awarded to Essex, the Newell Field Installation in Gloucester, unrestricted general state aid to cities and towns, as well as state funding for local tourism, arts, education and local aid to Gloucester, Essex, and Rockport.
Supporting Public Education
Ann-Margaret is an advocate for Cape Ann’s public schools. She advocated for the historic increase in Chapter 70 aid to local schools the fiscal year 2020 budget, as well as programs for schools with low-income students and integrated coordination of school and community-based resources, including enhanced access to social services and behavioral health providers. She supports legislative action to fulfill the Foundation Budget Review Commission’s recommendations to fund the Commonwealth’s responsibility to provide access to high quality public education.
Community Preservation
Believing in the effectiveness of the Community Preservation Act as a tool for local aid, Ann-Margaret filed legislation to increase funding to the Community Preservation Trust Fund, gaining the support of 117 of her colleagues in the House and Senate. A version of her proposal was included in the fiscal year 2020 budget, which will increase the current state match to local CPA funds from 12 percent to 30 percent, giving cities and towns more funding for historic preservation, open space, affordable housing, and recreation. On Cape Ann, CPA funds have been used for the restoration of Gloucester City Hall, the Rockport Meeting House, Essex Town Hall, and many other treasured local landmarks and spaces.
Representative Ferrante has been a long-time supporter of the veterans of Cape Ann. She co-sponsored the legislation that designated the Route 128 extension as a Purple Heart Highway to pay tribute to those veterans who received the Purple Heart after being injured during their time of service. She also voted for the Valor Act – a bill that expands financial, housing and education benefits and many other services to veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families. Representative Ferrante also started the “Flag Initiative” where every school in Gloucester would receive two flags, one representing the Commonwealth and the second being the POW flag. She began this initiative in November 2013 at the Veteran’s School where fifth graders wrote essays titled “What Veteran’s Day Means to Me.”