State Rep. Patricia Duffy
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
HOLYOKE — Now that state Rep. Patricia Duffy (D-Holyoke) has officially been sworn in for another term, Reminder Publishing spoke with her to discuss her goals and priorities for her next term.
Duffy was first elected in 2020 to serve as the Democratic state representative on Beacon Hill for the 5th Hampden District.
Duffy said it was “incredible” to be reelected and thanked the voters for coming out in November to allow her to continue her work as the state representative.
She explained, “I am so gratified that the people of Holyoke have put their faith in me again, it just means so much to me. I’m hoping that it means we share priorities, they like the results I’ve given them. To advocate for this city is the honor of a lifetime. I’m thrilled to be back.”
Although Duffy recognized she and her fellow legislators have accomplished a lot of good things since she has been in her role, she is always looking to build on certain items.
“I feel like, maybe this is always true with legislation, that it’s a past. You accomplish something then you want to build on it,” Duffy said.
One of those areas that Duffy highlighted included providing breakfast and lunch for students in kindergarten through 12th grade but explained that she wants to expand that program this year.
“What I’m excited about and taking the lead on is to grow and solidify a farm to school program. We’re supporting local farmers, regional agriculture and we’re giving all these students their meals, I think some really good and healthy and delicious meals, and help students learn about the agriculture and the good food and the healthy food that’s all around them,” she said.
Duffy also recognized the importance of tuition free community college in Massachusetts.
“It’s such a stepping stone for so many of my constituents, the whole region, so now what we all need to work on is making sure those students are supported, that they have all the resources and counseling and staff and professors that they need. They get into community college, now let’s have them succeed,” she said.
Duffy is taking the lead with state Rep. Sean Garballey, on what they are calling the bill of rights or the faculty restoration and equity fund, to make sure the faculty at all the higher education institutions know that is a secure career.
She said this is important “so that the students can count on them, the institutions can count on them. If we’re sending folks to these great institutions, we have to make sure that they’re strong and students are getting what they need out of them.”
Besides filing those two bills to expand on previous accomplishments by the legislative body, Duffy said it is also important to “make sure that Holyoke has the support and funding that we need.”
She said, “We’ve done really well the last couple of years in state funding for roads and bridges so I’m looking forward to that continuing.”
When looking at public education, Duffy also anticipates the reform to public school funding that first took place in 2018 to continue.
“Holyoke benefited as well, we needed to from that and that looks to be continuing,” Duffy said. “We also, this past session, the Student Opportunity Act and that funding reform, we did see that it’s leaving some districts maybe not where they’re expected to be so I do want to join. Holyoke has done very well with that, but I do want to join and support my colleagues in making sure that that is a funding formula that works for everybody across the state.”
One of the things Duffy said she is most excited about is a bill she worked on with state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfield) and state Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) on setting up and funding a pilot program based in Hampden County.
The program is set up to help those who are advancing in their careers maintain benefits.
Duffy explained, “What we’re doing is working with families that are going into job training, getting their education and as they move the career ladder, say from something like a certified nursing associate to a licensed practitioner nurse, they qualify for fewer benefits and so we’re sending them off, it’s kind of called the cliff effect, on benefits. We’re working with these families to ease the drop in benefits so that as people go through these training programs and advance in their careers, their household income stays the same for like three years.”
Duffy said she is proud of this program, and it will be important to watch what happens with those families and learn what they still need.
Duffy stated how proud she is to serve the people of Holyoke. She said, “I love advocating for this city. No matter how anyone feels about it, it’s certainly a different federal administration and Holyoke has a really strong foundation of being a community that pulls together and protects each other, Massachusetts has a very strong state constitution where we prioritize taking care of each other and that is not going to change.”
She also credited those she has gotten to know in the communities and legislation and explained, “I have such great municipal partners here, I have such wonderful colleagues in the legislature. I know we’ll be able to stand together and make sure everybody feels well taken care of, comfortable, protected.”
