Springfield's legislative delegation share priorities

Jan. 27, 2021 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – Increased economic development of the city, opposing the proposed bio-mass plant and the fight against COVID-19 were three of the common goals members of the city’s legislative delegation outlined during a recent online forum sponsored by the city’s Democratic Committee.

State senators Adam Gomez and Eric Lesser and state representatives Angelo Puppolo, Michael Finn, Orlando Ramos and Jake Oliveira participated in the event. State representatives Carlos Gonzalez and Bud Williams were absent.

Both Gomez and Ramos said they would finish their terms on the City Council.

Gomez said in terms of economic development, “Main Street is suffering.” He is concerned that micro-businesses – those with 10 employees or less – may not have the resources to survive the pandemic. He intends to make sure funding reaches the community.

Gomez is also concerned about additional justice reform, especially the status of cannabis convictions.

He is also looking to oppose the bio-mass plant and support a recently vetoed climate change bill.

In a recent State House News story, reporter Matt Murphy noted, “The [climate change] bill would have locked the state into a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, with interim benchmarks for reducing carbon emissions every decade. It would have also directed utilities to purchase more offshore wind power, set efficiency standards for appliances and increased the amount of renewable sources that feed the state’s electricity supply to 40 percent by 2030.”

Lesser said economic development in Springfield must also include racial equality. He is advocating for grants rather than loans for small businesses and non-profits to overcome the effects of the pandemic.     

He noted the Student Loan Bill of Rights Bill passed, offering protection for people taking out student loans and believes the development of east-west rail is a greater possibility.

“We need to put the political will together [for the funding],” he said. Noting the pro-train officials now on the federal level, he added, “This is really going to be the moment.”

Puppolo believes the creation of the new state budget is among his biggest concerns, along with greater COVID-19 relief and aid to businesses. “COVID-19 relief is critically important,” he said.

“Those two issues go hand-in-hand,” Puppolo added.

He is looking forward to working with the new speaker of the House, Ronald Mariano, and is committed to re-filing a bill that would stop the bio-mass plant.

Finn said he is working on several bills, one of which would “level the playing field” between independent insurance agents and the director sellers. He added the bill, if passed would protect many people and save consumers money.

Understanding that state aid to cities and towns can make up from 35 to 55 percent of a municipality’s budget, Finn said he would do all he could to see increases in state aid.

He said he would support a sports betting bill calling it “very important. He noted Pennsylvania has received $87 million from sports wagering since 2018.

He is also refiling legislation that would define what drones could and could not photograph as there are no laws on the book concerning drone voyeurism.

Ramos said his priorities include making mail-in voting permanent, increasing Chapter 90 road funds and continuing to push for police reform on the state levels. Like his colleagues, he is also against the bio-mass plant.

Oliveira said opposing the bio-mass plant and supporting the climate change bill. As a former member of the Ludlow School Committee, he wants to advocate for more state funding for education.

Responding to a growing trend, Oliveira said he is interested in a bill that would help people who have started a cottage home food business in their homes. He is also concerned the information supplied by students to public universities and colleges is available to use by businesses and would work for a bill to protect that information.

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