EASTHAMPTON — Looking ahead to 2025 Reminder Publishing connected with new state Rep. Homar Gomez to discuss his expectations and hopes for his first year in the state house.
Gomez, a seven-year Easthampton city councilor prior to his November election to the new role, said he loves connecting with his community and finding ways to support them.
“I love to be with the people, and I really want to listen to the people and bring those concerns to the state house,” Gomez said. “I spent a lot of time [as a city councilor] with the community, learning about the community and going deep with the community to find out what are the needs of the community.”
He added that his job is to bridge the gap between his constituents’ concerns and action within the state house and he plans to be in the district as much as possible in an effort to connect with the voices within the community and advocate on their behalf when in Boston.
Heading into 2025, Gomez said his approach to his first year and this new experience will be to learn as much as he can while becoming more familiar with the role and process. He said as a councilor he grew over time through experience and working with his new colleagues, leading to him becoming a productive member.
“The first year I was quiet, learning a lot, going to different meetings and trying to figure out how I could be productive as a councilor,” Gomez said of his early time as a city councilor. “That is my plan as state rep., too. I’ve been spending time in Boston so far, even with not being in session yet, and I was there just learning and talking to all the state reps., different aides, different offices, learning about the process and how everything works in Boston.”
On top of learning the new role and growing in it, Gomez said he will still be active in trying to pass legislation on issues important to him. He acknowledged the challenges of new legislators being able to pass bills that become law, but he was “not afraid to do it” and is planning on submitting some bills before the new session’s deadline.
Gomez added the environment was one of his biggest focuses as a state representative and was happy to work with other legislators on environmental issues. Other issues he hopes to focus on include food insecurity, housing and education.
“If we don’t have a clean earth, how will the future generations have a place to live,” Gomez said. “That is something that I’m really passionate about and will be working on.”
Now being a state representative, Gomez said he plans to continue working hard for constituents and their needs.
“My expectation is I’m going to be working and working hard. Working for those funds that Western Mass. needs, especially the 2nd Hampshire District. For housing, for roads, Chapter 70, Chapter 90, money that we need in our communities,” Gomez said. “It’s been a privilege [being a Easthampton City Councilor] and humbly I am going to treat the 2nd Hampshire District like my home. When you protect your house and want your property to look better and get everything it needs, I am going to do the same [for the district]. I take this responsibility really seriously and I really want to bring the 2nd Hampshire District what they deserve.”
