Issues and Priorities

Cost of Living / Inflation / Housing Crisis

Massachusetts has a lack of affordable housing.This crisis affects vital members of our community, specifically first responders and public servants. Those who do so much for our community should be able to live in our community. There are several policies that we can enact:

Tax credits for police, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and other public servants to purchase a home so they can live in or near the communities they serve
Tax breaks/interest subsidies for young families buying their first home
Provide developers with incentives to construct new green-energy, middle-class housing

Infrastructure

A thriving economy starts from safe and secure infrastructure. The Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse demonstrated that we can never be too vigilant in improving our infrastructure. Roads, bridges, and public transportation ensure our daily lives go on without a problem. You never care about infrastructure until you get a flat tire.

Improving Political Discourse

Our political discourse has become much more polarized. It is imperative that the actions we take as representatives reflect the interests of everyone, and that they do not merely serve a partisan agenda. While I am a Democrat, my job is not to serve the party. My job is to serve the people of the 13th District, irrespective of party affiliation. We need to build bridges and work together to find common ground to tackle our states’ greatest challenges. Between my experiences in the US Army Special Forces as a Green Beret to my leadership as a principal, I have worked alongside people of many different backgrounds, races, genders, and religious convictions. I have learned one important lesson: we’re not that different. While we may vociferously disagree on issues of our time, we must be united in our belief in democratic rule and agree to stay within the bounds of political decency.

Abortion

Since the Dobbs decision, the reproductive rights of women has been under constant attack. A woman’s right to seek an abortion should be a private matter between a woman and her doctor. Attempts to institute a federal abortion ban are an infringement on a woman's right to choose. If elected, I will be a firm voice in support of abortion rights and will work to make sure Massachusetts remains a beacon of freedom for women’s reproductive rights.

Healthcare

It is no secret that Massachusetts has the best hospitals in the world. In order to keep that status, we need to reward the people who make the system run so efficiently. We must address high rates of physician burnout while increasing incentives for the future of medicine. To keep physicians in Massachusetts, we need to expand the Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals. Josh also supports:

Improving access and affordability
Increasing support for local community hospitals and ambulatory care centers
Recruiting additional doctors and medical specialists to Massachusetts
Improving access to timely and affordable health care across the Commonwealth

Military

Josh's dedication to public service began when he enlisted in the US Army as a Special Forces Green Beret. During that time, he deployed to Afghanistan and South America. After 20 years of service, Josh continues to serve his country as a Judge Advocate General (JAG), assisting soldiers and commanders with accurate legal guidance. With his experience and knowledge, Josh is aware of the many issues facing veterans. If elected, Josh will champion greater access to mental health treatment for veterans, increase educational opportunities to allow veterans to easily integrate back into civilian life, and advocate for veteran’s families.

Education

Our education system is the foundation of our society, and Massachusetts should be proud of the fact that our education system is second to none. We are blessed to have such a strong K-12 School System due to the generosity of the taxpayer. As Representative, I will make sure that we continue to fund our schools and prioritize it in the budget. As a former teacher and current principal, I know what is needed in order to ensure every child gets access to a high quality education. Other stances:

Raise starting teacher salaries
Increase state aid to public schools
Increase resources to treat and combat mental illness, including additional adjustment counselors
Pass state law that allows school districts to ban cell phones in schools

Climate Change

Climate change is real and should be treated as the existential threat it is. Make no illusions, our indecisiveness and failure to act will be catastrophic to our local communities. While the 13th District may be a small piece in a much larger puzzle, we still have a part to play in creating a green, brighter future for our children. Steps we can take include:

Increase access to walking and bicycle lanes throughout Dover, Medfield, and Needham
Encourage all state and local governments to speed the transition to electric vehicles
Increase the supply and installation of electric charging ports
Decrease the use of plastic bottles, plastic bags, and non-biodegradable products
Increase incentives for use of Mass Transit System