Malden City Councillor Carey McDonald outlines priorities for the 5th Middlesex District Senate race, calling for stronger school funding, greater transparency on Beacon Hill, and action on affordability
This is a moment when so much of what we love about our communities seems at risk. Our next state senator for the 5th Middlesex District must be ready to tackle the urgent challenges we face, and that’s why I’m running. I see the lack of urgency from Beacon Hill as Finance Chair of the Malden City Council. This year, Malden, like most of the communities around us, was forced to ask our voters for a tax override to continue funding our basic schools and services. When our vote narrowly failed, it made it clear we need more help from the state to solve this problem. Yet Beacon Hill seems to have little awareness of the “perfect financial storm,” as it’s called by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, that is sweeping the Commonwealth.
Funding our local schools and services is a top priority for me. As the parent of two kids in the public schools, schools are the life blood of our communities, and also the biggest part of our local budgets. Even if you don’t have kids in the schools, this matters because we can only fund libraries, roads, parks or public safety if we can stabilize the schools. I’ve fought for years to fix the state’s school funding chapter 70 formula, so it reflects the resources our cities and towns actually have. If elected, I am prepared to push on Day one for changes.
The lack of transparency on Beacon Hill is part of the problem. Unlike nearly every other state, Massachusetts’ state legislature is not subject to the same public records and open meeting laws as local governments. This is why the voters demanded an audit of the legislature, which I endorsed as a City Councillor. When democracy is under attack, we need to build trust in government with openness and honesty.
To be clear, there are other areas where the lack of urgency from our state leaders has to change. We must make life more affordable for working folks by tackling the cost of utility bills, childcare, healthcare, and housing. And we absolutely must have leaders with the backbone to fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks on our institutions, our economy and our neighbors. I’ve actually sued the Trump administration. I will be a fierce advocate, continuing to work side-by-side with local organizers and officials, to protect our privacy, our rights, and our most vulnerable LGBTQIA+ and immigrant community members.
Open senate seats like this one are rare, and we need leaders with courage and a collaborative spirit, but who aren’t afraid to shake things up sometimes. I am a working parent, nonprofit executive, and three term City Councillor who knows how to deliver for our communities. I’m proud to be endorsed by unions like teachers and firefighters, by progressive and environmental groups, and by local elected officials. As your next state senator, I promise I will fight for you, and with you, in every room I am in, as we build communities together where everyone can thrive. Visit careymcdonald.com to find out more and join our campaign.
Carey McDonald
Candidate for MA State Senate
5th Middlesex District (Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and parts of Winchester)
