By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – Over 200 members of the business community attended the annual Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast held Jan. 25 at the Doubletree Hotel, which featured a panel of local state officials discussing the pressing issues facing the state.
Mark Donahue, of Fletcher Tilton PC, moderated a discussion that included state representatives Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, David Muradian, R-Grafton, Hannah Kane, R-Shrewsbury, and Harold Naughton, D-Clinton. (State Sen. Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, who is currently the acting president for the Mass. Senate was scheduled to participate but had to cancel due to a family matter.)
Before the discussion began, Donahue noted that while overall the Massachusetts economy is strong, there was still “plenty to talk about” with the officials.
He also praised the local legislators who consistently worked well together, and even if they disagreed, treated each other with respect and dignity.
Although there were not quite as many panelists as there have been in past years, those who were present gave thoughtful and detailed answers to the questions posed to them by Donahue.
In response to what her main priorities were for the upcoming year, Dykema noted that the ongoing opioid epidemic continues to be a concern to her. She has filed a bill, she noted, that that would require electronic prescribing of opiates and other controlled substances, which would make it more difficult to forge or alter prescriptions. She also will continue to work on issues related to transportation, including studying the commuter rail and so-called “reverse commuting” from Boston to the Metrowest area.
As a member of the Marijuana Conference Committee, Kane said she will continue to spend a great deal of time on matters related to how the legalized usage of recreational marijuana will affect local communities. She is also a member of the Mass. Food Policy Council which works to help end food insecurity and help local farmers.
Muradian noted he is working on a variety of concerns including those related to elder affairs, public safety, and homeland security.
With over 40 farms in his district, Naughton said matters related to agriculture are important to him. An additional priority is ensuring that Metrowest and the area west of that region get sufficient support from state government so that they too may have sustainable growth.
And as a major in the United States Army Reserve, he also strives to support veterans returning back to private life.
“We need to work with these veterans and use their training and skills to turn into needed skills for companies,” he stressed.
Other questions posed to the panel included raising of the minimum wage, sexual harassment policies at the Statehouse, banning plastic shopping bags, and texting and driving.
