Natalie M. Blais was sworn into office as the first female State Representative for the 1st Franklin District in January 2019. She proudly represents one of the most rural districts in the Commonwealth that includes 19 communities and spans three counties.
Massachusetts has a national reputation as “the education state.” Time and again, the Commonwealth is recognized for the emphasis it places on K-12 education. Indeed, states across the nation look to us as a model. But schools in our rural areas are suffering from an outdated Chapter 70 funding formula and the state’s decision not to reimburse 100% of school transportation costs. Let’s work together to ensure that our schools are properly funded. While addressing school funding, let’s fight for the funding to reimburse our towns for the full costs of school transportation. In a state known nationally for its commitment to K-12 education, we cannot fail the children who live in our most rural areas.
And as a Commonwealth, let’s look beyond our K-12 system. Our children deserve quality, affordable higher education right here in Massachusetts. They deserve community colleges and a flagship university that will carry them to the next level. Let’s commit to investing in higher education to attract and retain the young people who will meet the workforce needs of local businesses and industries across the state.
86% of all MA firms have 19 employees or less, and 458,000 are sole proprietorships. Many of these businesses are located right here in western Massachusetts including local artists and farmers, manufacturers and restaurant owners, small retail shops and tourist destinations. As a region, we value local by buying local…every day. Let’s identify the solutions to support the small businesses in our region and ensure that leaders in Boston know what we need to succeed.
When we build affordable housing, let’s build it to the highest energy efficiency standards possible. Let’s place a premium on increasing the energy efficiency of our old New England housing stock. Let’s adopt energy efficient transportation facilities and equipment whenever feasible. And finally, let’s make sure the Commonwealth is a national leader in promoting clean energy jobs and renewable energy technology.
Our local farms protect the charm and beauty of our landscape and provide us with healthy, local food. Let’s support them by funding infrastructure, such as the Franklin County CDC’s cold storage facility; by promoting agritourism; by incentivizing the diversification of farm products to include cheese, yogurt, beer and cider; and by protecting our farmland through the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program and other efforts. Let’s continue the success of the Healthy Incentives Program, which benefits local farms and our neighbors who need assistance.
We have all chosen to live in western Massachusetts for different reasons. For some of us, there are no barriers to success or quality of life. We have what we need, or can get it. But living in a rural area can present challenges for some. And being part of a small community means looking out for one another. Let’s work together to fight for transportation, affordable housing, healthcare, veteran services and other safety-net programs that support all of our neighbors.
We are extremely lucky in Massachusetts to have one of the most comprehensive healthcare programs in the nation, but let's fight for universal single payer healthcare for all. Let’s keep our local hospitals and community health centers strong and expand the use of telehealth whenever feasible in order to ensure that this healthcare is also accessible.
I will continue the fight to bring last mile broadband connections to all communities in western Massachusetts. Choosing to live and work in one of the most beautiful areas of the Commonwealth doesn’t mean we should be locked out of broadband access. And when we get broadband, I will hold community conversations in all 19 towns to hear your ideas for how we can leverage state resources to create jobs and attract entrepreneurs and small businesses to our region.
Transportation funding in rural Massachusetts is critically important, particularly for regional transit authorities and for programs like the MA Small Bridges program. Our rural transportation system will never compare or compete with the numbers served in urban centers, but that doesn’t mean we need it any less. In fact, we need it more. Without public transportation, many people in Franklin County cannot access the jobs and services needed to support their families. We cannot let this vital service go un-funded.
Our small towns and non-profit agencies often do not have the resources to access state and federal funds. My office will be a resource for local town boards and I will place a premium on constituent services for individuals, non-profits and local businesses. Together we will make the connections with agencies in Boston and in Washington so we can continue to grow the capacity of our towns and our neighbors