Patricia Duffy was born in San Pedro, California, the youngest of five children from a military family. Pat’s family on her father’s side came from Swinford in County Mayo, Ireland. She traveled to Ireland with her father and a college friend in 1991 and then later after her marriage to Joe Paul.
As a member of the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority, Pat has actively supported the work and planning that has been required to secure the expansion of affordable housing in the downtown neighborhoods of Holyoke; including affordable first-time home ownership.
As a legislative aide, Pat has worked with Mass Fair Housing and helped them secure funding for their representation work of people fighting illegal housing discrimination in our area.
Additionally, Pat understands the connections across our state and that the inability of young families to afford housing in the Boston-area is a statewide problem that impacts us here in Western Massachusetts. Expanding affordable housing must be seen as a state wide priority.
Pat has always been a fighter for our public education system. She is an advocate for strong, fully-funded public education from pre-K through higher education.
In addition to this general commitment, Pat is dedicated to fighting for:
The rights of public educators to bargain collectively and the funding necessary to fulfill those contracts.
Fully funding our public education system in MA (including higher education)
Relieve charter school burdens on local budgets and place those burdens on the state
Expand early education to include children ages 3-4.
Increase regulation of charter schools for greater transparency and accountability in their operations.
Keep cap on charter schools, don't raise it
Pat supports efforts to increase the rights of people to organize at work and to remove obstacles to joining and building strong unions in Massachusetts.
Pat’s commitment to the rights of workers began at UMass Amherst when she was a graduate student in the Sociology department. She became an active member and officer of her union at the time, UAW Local 2322, and organized against massive budget cuts to public education financing- participating in workplace organizing and actions aimed at protecting our public education system.
Pat supports legislation that both benefits workers and also hold employers accountable to their obligations to follow all workplace regulations:
Increasing penalties for employers engaging in worker wage theft.
Strengthening our existing prevailing wage laws and opposes any attempts to
weaken these prevailing wage guarantees.
Requiring a good health and safety record for any state contractor to be
awarded contracts.
Protecting workers from retaliation when they exercise their rights at work
Expanding eligibility and expanding benefits of our unemployment system
Stabilizing unemployment agency trust and making it solvent
Supporting the rights of Public Defenders to collectively bargain
Working families are struggling with the overwhelming costs of health care in this country. Massachusetts has a history of innovating in health care and in social programs. We may not be able to fix our broken system in Washington, but we can make sure that all residents in Massachusetts have equal opportunity for health justice.
Pat supports the “10 Point Plan” proposed by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus including the following state level priorities:
Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST): Resolve to provide for a “Special Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training” to study and make recommendations concerning the implementation of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) system, H2146; Reported favorably now with Rules Committee; Establishes a statewide POST system to certify police officers and enable de-certification for misconduct and abuse.
Civil Service Exam Review and Oversight: An Act to Reform Civil Service Exams, H2292; Currently sent to study, but could be added to Outside Section of the Budget; Establishes an Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity to establish guidelines and review for diversity plans for all state agencies, Establishes a peace officer exam advisory board to review examinations for appointment and promotion of peace officers.
Commission on Structural Racism: An Act establishing a special commission on structural racism, H1440, Currently sent to study, but could be added to Outside Section of the Budget; Establishes a commission to study how the systemic presence of institutional racism has created a culture of structural racial inequality which has exacerbated disproportionate minority contact with the criminal justice system in Massachusetts.
Adopt clear statutory limits on police use of force, including choke-holds and other tactics known to have deadly consequences. Require independent investigation of officer-related deaths. Require data collection and reporting on race, regarding all arrests and police use of force by every department.
Other public safety issues:
Pat supports firefighters right to bargain over safe staffing policies.
Pat supports drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants.
Pat opposes changes to binding arbitration that could lead to the weakening of the dispute resolution process for firefighters, police, and MBTA.
Viable and relevant transportation options are critical to the success of a region. Massachusetts can lead the way in innovation, accessibility, and environmental responsibility.
Pat supports the expansion and “greening” of public transportation.
Pat will fight for more funding for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.
Pat supports East-West rail expansion and the Valley Flyer.
Massachusetts must confront its revenue problem and we must be bold. We must think about expanding revenue sources in a way that addresses income and equality. Pat believes we must decide the best ways to collect and distribute resources in ways that advance equal opportunities in Massachusetts- and specifically in Holyoke. Pat’s positions:
Pat supports comprehensive harm reduction approach to the addiction crisis.
Addressing climate change is perhaps the most urgent challenge that we face as policy makers. We must devote the time and energy to alternative energy solutions.
We must focus our efforts and resources on building up our communities and ensuring opportunities are available for all. We can maintain safe communities while focusing on comprehensive and rehabilitative methods for those in the criminal justice system. In order to make progress to this aim, Pat is committed to supporting:
Pat supports the “10 Point Plan” proposed by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus including the following state level priorities:
Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST): Resolve to provide for a “Special Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training” to study and make recommendations concerning the implementation of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) system, H2146; Reported favorably now with Rules Committee; Establishes a statewide POST system to certify police officers and enable de-certification for misconduct and abuse.
Civil Service Exam Review and Oversight: An Act to Reform Civil Service Exams, H2292; Currently sent to study, but could be added to Outside Section of the Budget; Establishes an Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity to establish guidelines and review for diversity plans for all state agencies, Establishes a peace officer exam advisory board to review examinations for appointment and promotion of peace officers.
Commission on Structural Racism: An Act establishing a special commission on structural racism, H1440, Currently sent to study, but could be added to Outside Section of the Budget; Establishes a commission to study how the systemic presence of institutional racism has created a culture of structural racial inequality which has exacerbated disproportionate minority contact with the criminal justice system in Massachusetts.
Adopt clear statutory limits on police use of force, including choke-holds and other tactics known to have deadly consequences. Require independent investigation of officer-related deaths. Require data collection and reporting on race, regarding all arrests and police use of force by every department.
There is a skills mismatch in Western Massachusetts between the jobs being offered and the workforce available. Pat knows job training and workforce development tracks are good investments in our local economy.
Holyoke Community College can serve as an economic catalyst by working with high schoolers to adult learners to meet our local healthcare, technological, and service industry needs while putting the underemployed into growth opportunities.