By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Nov., 2017 The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a very timely annual breakfast where Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger and our Merrimack Valley Police Chiefs briefed us on the most current trends and challenges. I am thankful to the […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Oct. 2017 Brewing discussions here in Massachusetts about taxes prompted by ballot question initiatives provide us an opportunity to look at the big picture. This opportunity is now energized by recent tax changes proposed at the federal level. Let the games begin! It is likely that Massachusetts will never […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – July, 2017 One looming challenge for our country and Massachusetts is a general lack of civic engagement on the part of our young people. The steadily declining voter turnout by our youth is particularly pronounced in both midterm and local elections. Only 20% of 18 to 29 year olds […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – June, 2017 As a State Representative who represents a district vibrant with the contributions and citizenship of immigrants, I want to share thoughts I have about how we might advocate for policies at the federal level which are so necessary right now to achieve positive results given the scourge […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell Following an extensive process that starts with hearings in January, the Fiscal Year 2018 House budget was finalized in the last week in April. The Senate will soon complete their budget and the two will be reconciled by 1 July. The 40.4 billion dollar House budget DID NOT include […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – April, 2017 My prior service in the U. S. Army has influenced my public service in many ways, very significantly in my understanding of threats, sacrifices and increasing challenges faced by our public safety officers. This past legislative session I was honored to serve as the Vice-Chair of […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell – Feb. 2017 Methuen has made some significant strides in recent years leveraging State investment in projects to renovate the High School, build the Methuen Rail Trail, and improve infrastructure as with the replacement project for the Rotary. It is very gratifying and exciting to be working with our city leaders […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell – Feb. 2017 The deadline for filing and co-sponsoring legislation guaranteed to receive a public hearing occurs a few weeks after the session starts. While we shall file additional more complex bills later, here are those that I have filed before the deadline: Recreational Marijuana (HD1494). Changes the composition of […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Jan. 2017 Before I list several very challenging issues that we will likely face in this Session – some good news: Massachusetts was recently ranked the number one state in the country for quality of life by a fre quented website, 24/7 Wall St. This ranking was based upon […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell – Dec. 2016 We should begin discussions to focus upon the concerns of our local communities as well as develop better formulated estimates of cost. We need to start discussions as soon as possible so that the new commission on legalization of marijuana will be aware of our concerns from the […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Oct, 2016 Bridgewater State Hospital is the center of attention for a number of high profile incidents stemming from the use of excessive force. These include the recent suicide of Leo Marino this April and the death of Joshua Messier from the excessive use of restraints in 2014. […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Sept, 2016 During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln explained his reluctance to impose capital punishment upon homesick soldiers that deserted or upon young men who bolted from their posts and “ran like hell” when being fired upon for the first time. Quite simply, he said, “It is simply […]
By: State Representative Linda Dean Campbell – July, 2016 The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently passed important legislation for workers, for our communities, and protections for transgender individuals. Facing an unexpected decline in capital gains, we also passed a budget on time – unlike many states throughout the country. I will have more on the […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – May, 2016 Following a three-day session and a process that starts in the fall, we in the House of Representatives finalized our FY17 budget. We held the line on spending and included no new taxes or fees. As a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, I […]
By: State Re. Linda Dean Campbell – April, 2016 Recently, we saw the bipartisan approval by the Massachusetts House of a bill to fund local municipal road and bridge repair. Additionally, Governor Baker has requested more money for local bridge repair, which will require an additional appropriation. As a member of the Committee on Ways […]