Jeff's Vision
The citizens of western Massachusetts must be treated equally to those from the eastern part of the Commonwealth. Our voices are often not heard or not heard loud enough in the eastern part of the Commonwealth on issues that directly impact those of us in western Mass. I am committed to making sure that the elected officials in Boston hear us loud and clear on all issues that impact the nomination of judges and the overall administration of justice.
Governor’s Council hearings in Boston should be available via live stream and subject to the Open Meeting Law and hearings should be conducted in western Mass. The public deserves transparent and accessible hearings on judicial nominations and the convenience factor for the public cannot be overstated.
Many elected officials from Boston think that the western part of the state ends in Worcester. Those of us from western Massachusetts know better. We are geographically the largest district in the Commonwealth; however, our voices are often not heard or not heard loud enough in the eastern part of the Commonwealth on issues that directly impact those of us in this region, including the appointment of judges.
Our judicial branch of government is charged with protecting our constitutional rights, including the rights of the minorities, children with disabilities, the elderly, and those economically disadvantaged. An ideal bench is representative of the larger community, including women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and other under-represented groups.