Legislative Committees
Legislative committees have jurisdiction over particular subject matters and are tasked with holding hearings regarding proposed legislation and recommending whether proposed bills ought to pass.
I have been appointed to serve on four committees this session, each of which has relevance not only to the 5th Barnstable District but also to matters that are important to me and fit well with my professional experience:
As a member of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, I will continue working to make Cape Cod a safer place to live and work. As a former Deputy Police Chief with four decades of law enforcement experience, I feel I have a unique perspective to bring to this committee’s work. I also want our state to always honor and support first responders. I am honored to be appointed the Assistant Ranking Minority Member of this committee this session.
I am additionally gratified to continue my service as the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, working to promote the interests of citizens who served in uniform. We owe a special debt of gratitude to those who served and sacrificed. That obligation is especially meaningful to me as a Gold Star Father. I have made an extensive commitment to our veterans on a volunteer basis in memory of my son, and it is my honor and pleasure to carry this work forward to committee work as a legislator.
New this session, I will serve as a member of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. This is a very important committee that considers policy regarding revenue and spending, including particularly the state budget. Aside from promoting fiscal responsibility in state government, I hope my work on this committee will help me to bring vital financial assistance back to our district and our communities.
Also new this session, I will be serving as a member of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. As a former police officer and as someone who knows so many people in our community who have been affected by issues of mental health and substance abuse, this committee is especially meaningful to me. In particular, I hope to bring increased focus on the mental health needs of our youth and to continue the fight against opioids that poison our communities.
As these committees begin their important work this Spring, I will keep you updated as to their important work. I am especially happy that many committee hearings will be in-person in addition to those being held virtually, which gives members a better opportunity to communicate with people who are interested in the policy we consider.