Thank you for returning me as your State Representative to fight for the issues important to our community. I am grateful for the confidence you have shown me. In the 189th General Court of the Commonwealth we had many legislative achievements. I was proud to have sponsored or co-sponsored several important pieces of legislation crucially benefitting our district and the state as a whole, including: Ensuring women receive equal pay for equal work — one of the strongest pay equity laws in the country Securing $109 million for improvements to the Paul W. Conley terminal in South Boston, creating jobs and ensuring the local shipping industry continues to grow and thrive Authorizing $200 million in local transportation funding- including $14.5 million for City of Boston roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure Securing $15 million for the Innovation Infrastructure Fund, a new grant and loan program aimed at spurring entrepreneurship across the state Creating a Hot Works Commission overseeing welding in the Commonwealth in response to the tragic 2014 Back Bay fire killing two Boston firefighters Promoting the development and use of solar power by creating a long-term roadmap for the continued growth of the solar power industry in the Commonwealth Establishing a Transportation Network Commission to regulate ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft to improve public safety requirements and consumer protection standards Increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) without implementing new tax or fees, helping lift working families out of poverty Calling on corporations to include more women on boards of directors and in leadership positions was among the most important and timely resolutions I was proud to sign. I am committed to championing legislation that will fix public transit; improve schools; better care for veterans; reduce crime; build more affordable housing; curb the opioid crisis and help families affected by it; support organized labor in the quest for workplace justice and equity; and promote decent and just wages. I welcome hearing from you about these and other issues affecting our community.
Nick Collins
