I was so honored today to be sworn in as State Representative for South Newton and Brookline! I had a front row seat to the 350+ year-old traditional ceremony, including the sergeant-at-arms leading the Governor into the chamber to administer the oath. I know the task ahead of me is profound and important, as I attempt to be your voice at the state level and fight for a healthier, greener, and fairer Commonwealth for us all.
We had a great victory last night at the polls, and I am excited to have been elected the presumptive state representative for the 12th Middlesex district. I am so grateful you have entrusted me with this responsibility. The campaign was issue oriented, and I salute the other candidates for a hard fought and vigorous election season.
I want to thank my family, my supporters, my endorsers, and most of all retiring State Representative Ruth Balser - for their support, incredible commitment, and belief in me to fill the role of State Representative for Newton and Brookline. I couldn’t have done it without your support and the hard work of my dedicated team of campaign staff.
I can’t wait to get started working on the issues facing the Commonwealth and our municipalities, especially those that affect the health and well-being of all of us. Your faith in me and my commitment to taking care of our community means the world to me.
With gratitude,
Greg
Hello!
My name is Greg Schwartz and I am running to be your state representative for the 12th Middlesex district to replace retiring Rep. Ruth Balser. I’ll bring to the State House my experience as a former Newton city councilor and primary care physician, to make policies that improve access, reduce costs, and raise the quality of health care in Massachusetts. I will also work to improve the health of our community through public transportation upgrades, environmental protection, and improved mental health services. For more information, please check out my website gregschwartz.org
I was honored and filled with pride to attend an event celebrating the 20 year anniversary of Massachusetts’ Healthcare Reform Law of 2006 (aka “Romneycare”). This law expanded health insurance to 97% of state residents and established the model for the Affordable Care Act (aka “Obamacare”), which insured 20 million Americans. Five governors attended. On display was bipartisanship and the commitment of many state leaders, including former Governor Mitt Romney and former House Speaker DiMasi and Senate President Travaligni, who achieved this milestone 20 years ago. Very inspiring in the current times!
Great to join with so many fellow Massachusetts patriots to protest our current lurch toward tyranny, both at Newton Centre and Boston Common on Saturday! No Kings!
It was great welcoming Senator Ed Markey to Newton this weekend, where he visited local businesses and talked local, state, and federal policy with City Councilor Tarik Lucas, former State Rep Kay Khan, and Democratic State Committee Policy Chair Martina Jackson. We especially enjoyed the offerings at Cabot’s Ice Cream and MIDA!
Had a great morning coffee at the Price Center’s brand new Kindness Cafe, a new initiative at the Center, which provides day programing for adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. At the cafe, participants can gain practical experience working at jobs in customer service, as well as socialize and engage with customers - who included Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Mayor Marc Laredo, and fellow State Representatives Amy Sangiolo and John Lawn.
Yesterday, I was proud to stand with my colleagues from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to support the PROTECT Act, An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment (House docket item 5608). This bill would address many of the injustices being perpetrated by our federal immigration agencies by clarifying and expanding legal protections in the Commonwealth. Now more than ever we need to safeguard our rights while upholding the law.
Honored to be present at Governor Healey’s annual State of the Commonwealth speech tonight, in which she highlighted her initiatives on so many important issues including: health care, housing, and energy affordability; investments in education, infrastructure, and the innovation economy; improved access to primary care and the preservation of our civil rights and due process. I look forward to working with her on achieving these ambitious goals.
Attending Newton’s celebration of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this morning I was inspired by remarks by Rev. Devlin Scott, Mayor Marc Laredo, and Rev. Dr. Eric Jackson, who reminded us that love is not a soft emotion but rather a powerful force in achieving justice.
Later in the afternoon, at a forum in Jamaica Plain on preventing youth gun violence, I saw the hard work being done. Organized by Mosaic, a non-profit organization fostering interfaith community building among middle and high school students, we heard from families touched by gun violence, including my colleague Senator Liz Miranda.
The young people at both events today reminded me that our future depends on our fighting to achieve Dr. King’s vision not just today but every day of the year.
Yesterday, I was honored to stand with Governor Maura Healey and legislative leaders to announce the State’s plan to fund continued subsidies for Health Connector insurance. This will ensure continued health care and prevent financial ruin for 270,000 Massachusetts residents in the face of federal inaction.
Later, I stood with Waltham Indivisible to call out ICE for the tragic death of motorist Renee Good in Minnesota earlier this week.
It was a full day that included attending the MA Food Policy Council hearing and meetings with school bus safety advocates, health policy researchers, and local dentists. I finished the day by attending the inaugural meeting of theNewton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council’s in the evening.
Thrilled to attend inauguration of my friend Newton Mayor Marc Laredo, as well as the full City Council and School Committee. Governor Maura Healey spoke of the importance of participating in local government, and Chief Justice Kim Budd administered the oath of office. Here’s to a new term of working together and getting things done!
