On Thursday, November 3rd, 2011, Governor Deval Patrick signed House Bill 3770, An Act Relative to Establishing Representative Districts in the General Court and Senate Bill 2045, An Act Establishing Executive Councillor and Senatorial Districts. These bills update the 160 House, 40 Senate, and 8 Governor's Council districts based on the results of the 2010 census.

The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting held dozens of public hearings across the Commonwealth, collected written testimony from residents and interest groups, and heard from advocates of all perspectives before drafting the new district maps.
To view the new district maps, visit the Committee's homepage by clicking here.

Although the population in Massachusetts grew over the last ten years, the state's growth compared to the rest of the country was proportionally less. Therefore, the state will be losing a U.S. House seat, shrinking the federal delegation from ten representatives to nine. To view the proposed changes to the Congressional districts, and to submit written testimony online, please click here.

Healthcare

In this difficult economic climate, the state legislature has made health care cost containment one of its major goals for the 2011-2012 legislative session. As families continue to struggle to put food on the table and hold on to their jobs, they should not be burdened by skyrocketing health care costs. The universal health care law passed in 2006 has gone a long way in covering residents who before were unable to obtain health care. Costs, however, have continued to go up for recipients, as well as employers and municipalities. The municipal health insurance reform plan that was part of the FY'12 budget is a major step forward in helping towns and cities across the Commonwealth contain costs, while still affording employees the right to negotiate their health plans.

Jobs and the Economy

Although Massachusetts has fared better than most other states, job creation and economic stimulation remains a key focus of Representative Peisch and the House of Representatives. Rep. Peisch has continued to advocate for further investment in infrastructure, an initiative that will create jobs and improve our roads and bridges at the same time. The Accelerated Bridge Program introduced by the Patrick Administration has proven that this type of investment is effective and efficient. Over the July 4th weekend, the entire Cedar Street bridge structure over Route 9 in Wellesley was replaced with a brand new structure.

Education

As Chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Education, Representative Peisch and her Senate co-chair, Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Jamaica Plain), work in partnership with the Secretary of Education and the leadership in the Legislature to set the direction and policy for the state in regards to education from birth through grade 12. Since being appointed House Chair last January, Rep. Peisch has chaired the School District Collaboration and Regionalization Commission, which released its report to the Legislature in August, served as a member of the leadership team for the Department of Early Education and Care’s Early Learning Challenge Fund-Race to the Top application, and continues to chair Education Committee hearings and events on a weekly basis.

The Joint Committee on Education is focusing on several important issues this session, including the oversight of education collaboratives, virtual education, financial literacy, and improving third grade reading proficiency. Representative Peisch is particularly interested in working to close the achievement gap through increasing partnerships and collaboration among those in the education field, such as non-profit and advocacy groups,  the government, and the private sector.

Expanded Gambling

        Many constituents contact Representative Peisch to voice their opinions on both sides of the expanded gambling debate. Rep. Peisch's position with respect to this issue has always been that the burden is on the proponents of expanded gambling to show that the benefits of any proposal outweigh the costs.

        As was the case last session, Rep. Peisch remains persuaded that, overall, the proposal benefits the Commonwealth significantly more than it is likely to cost the Commonwealth. There were several factors that led to this conclusion, including the following:

-  The legislation will create thousands of jobs; 
- Expanded gambling will result in significant additional state revenues;
- Those revenues will be directed to a variety of underfunded programs, including education and local aid; and
- The bill provides for strict regulation of the industry.
     
        Representative Peisch is aware of the legitimate concerns that have been raised regarding the expansion of gambling in the Commonwealth. It is Rep. Peisch's belief that such an expansion is inevitable, and the state is now in a better position to address these concerns in Massachusetts if a proposal is approved now. For example, the Commonwealth can maximize the likely revenue, impose limitations on the number and type of gambling facilities, and secure funds for the treatment of gambling addiction. If there is no action, Massachusetts residents will continue to patronize the Connecticut facilities, resulting in significant financial benefit to the Connecticut while Massachusetts bears all the costs associated with those who might be compulsive gamblers.
 
        Rep. Peisch does not believe that expanding gambling should or will preclude the state from supporting other measures to stimulate economic development, such as investing in transportation infrastructure and public eductation.

To read a copy of the bill, please click here.