Rick will advocate for increased funding for our public schools so every child has access to an excellent education. Massachusetts had some of the best educational institutions, but too many students still face barriers to quality education. Rick will fight for directing more dollars directly to the classroom, securing resources for after-school, youth sports, and enrichment programs, fully funding SPED and ELL, funding statewide universal pre-K, paying teachers and support staff fair wages, and providing social and emotional support for our children.

Key Initiatives:

• Expand Early Childhood Education: Advocate for increased funding for early childhood education programs and creating universal pre-K ensuring every child has access to quality preschool regardless of their family’s income.

• Support for Teachers: Advocate for competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain the best educators. Promote professional development programs to keep teachers updated with the latest educational practices. Additionally, support creative approaches like provisional teaching licenses to address teacher shortages and efforts to recruit and retain more teachers of color.

• Expand Access to Higher Education: Support initiatives that reduce the financial burden on students, such as increased funding for scholarships and state colleges. Advocate for the use of Fair Share amendment funds to help students recover from educational and mental health setbacks caused by the pandemic

• Accountability in Education: Maintain the MCAS as a graduation requirement to ensure accountability in education, while being open to developing a better assessment method before making changes.

• Prioritize Inclusive Education for All Students: Rick understands that middle-tier students often get overlooked, falling between those needing extra help and high achievers. He is committed to ensuring that education serves all students, providing the necessary resources and support to help every child reach their full potential. This includes tailored educational programs and opportunities that address the unique needs of these students, ensuring they receive the attention and encouragement they deserve to thrive academically and personally.

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Massachusetts and across the nation. Incidents of hate crimes continue to increase, and anti-Jewish tropes and conspiracies are being embraced at record numbers. Rick will lead efforts in the State government to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of hate, provide resources to keep our communities safe from violence, and demand accountability.

Key Initiatives:

• Support Anti-Hate Legislation: Back legislation aimed at strengthening laws against hate crimes and discrimination. Ensure that antisemitic incidents are classified and prosecuted effectively, and that victims receive appropriate support and justice.

• Foster Community Engagement: Facilitate dialogue and collaboration between Jewish communities and other local groups to build mutual understanding and respect. Promote interfaith and intercultural programs that celebrate diversity and combat stereotypes.

• Strengthen Reporting Mechanisms: Ensure that there are clear and accessible channels for reporting antisemitic incidents. Advocate for support systems that help individuals and communities report and address incidents of antisemitism promptly.

• Enhance Security Measures: Increase funding for security at synagogues, and community centers to ensure the safety of individuals and families. Work with local law enforcement to improve response protocols and security assessments.

• Promote Antisemitism Education: Advocate for the integration of antisemitism education into school curriculums. Support programs that educate students and the public about Jewish history, culture, and the dangers of hate and prejudice.

• Advocate for National Support: Work with federal and state legislators to secure resources and support for combating antisemitism. Support national initiatives that aim to address and reduce anti-Semitic violence and discrimination.

• Monitor and Address Hate Speech: Support initiatives to track and address antisemitic hate speech and online harassment. Collaborate with advocacy groups to develop tools and policies that prevent the spread of hate online.

Climate change poses an existential threat with far-reaching impacts on public health, the economy, and the environment.

As a leader who has championed sustainability on the Newton City Council, Rick Lipof is committed to advancing comprehensive environmental policies that address these urgent challenges. His approach focuses on reducing reliance on fossil fuels, enhancing clean energy infrastructure and investing in resilience and green technology. By advancing these initiatives, Rick Lipof aims to ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for Massachusetts, addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Key Initiatives:

• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Implement and support policies aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on major contributors like transportation and buildings. Endorse the Next Generation Roadmap bill to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and promote energy efficiency and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure investments.

• Enhance Climate Resilience: Increase funding for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program to assist local communities in assessing and preparing for climate-related risks such as extreme weather events. Advocate for the establishment of a statewide disaster fund to address “gap disasters” and provide support for weather events not covered by FEMA.

• Promote Sustainable Transportation: Invest in and improve public transportation systems to offer clean, reliable alternatives to car travel. Expand EV charging infrastructure and support updates to the MBTA to enhance reliability, safety and accessibility.

• Support Energy Efficiency Programs: Strengthen energy efficiency initiatives such as Mass Save, ensuring greater access to incentives for residents and businesses. Explore alternative management structures to improve effectiveness of these programs and increase their impact.

• Protect Natural Resources: Advocate for policies that conserve and enhance Massachusetts’ natural landscape, including parks, waterways, and green spaces. Support funding and initiatives that promote biodiversity, clean water, and sustainable land use practices.

• Invest in Green Technology and the Green Economy: Encourage investment in green tech and support economic opportunities related to environmental sustainability. Advocate for policies that drive innovation and growth in the green economy.

The skyrocketing cost of living has become a significant barrier for many residents in Massachusetts. From struggling to achieve homeownership to seniors finding it difficult to age in place and families facing exorbitant childcare costs, the affordability crisis impacts us all. As State Representative, Rick Lipof’s dedication to addressing the affordability crisis is rooted in his experience and commitment to making Massachusetts a place where everyone can thrive. By supporting these initiatives, Rick aims to build a more equitable and accessible future for all residents

Key Initiatives: .

• Housing Development and Preservation: Support the responsible creation of new housing units, including affordable and mid-market options. Ensure that new developments maintain the character and history of our neighborhoods while addressing the need for more housing.

• Pathways to Homeownership: Develop and support programs that facilitate pathways to homeownership, especially for first-time buyers. This includes creating incentives for affordable housing development and working with local governments to streamline zoning and permitting processes.

• Universal Pre-K: Champion the expansion of universal pre-K across Massachusetts to ensure that all children have access to high quality early education. This initiative aims to level the playing field and provide a strong foundation for future learning.

• Affordable Higher Education: Fight for increased funding for public colleges and universities to reduce tuition costs and make higher education more accessible. Support initiatives that provide financial aid and scholarships to students from low-income backgrounds.

• Tax Relief for Families: Advocate for targeted tax relief to alleviate financial pressure on low and middle-income families. Support initiatives that provide direct financial assistance and tax breaks to those who need it most.

• Creative Housing Solutions: Utilize Rick’s extensive experience on the Land Use Committee to bring innovative ideas and collaborative solutions to the housing conversation. Focus on creative approaches that balance development with preservation, ensuring sustainable growth.

Every woman in America should make her own health care decisions. Massachusetts must continue to provide care to women, both from here and elsewhere, and ensure that reproductive care is accessible and protected. As State Representative, Rick Lipof is unwavering in his commitment to protecting freedom and ensuring that all women have access to the care they need. His dedication to women’s healthcare is deeply personal, inspired by his wife’s, Janice, battle with breast cancer. Rick Lipof’s commitment to reproductive rights and women’s healthcare ensures that Massachusetts remains a leader in providing and protecting these essential services.

Key Initiatives:

• Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Services: Rick will ensure reproductive health clinics are well-funded to provide essential services like contraception, prenatal care, and abortion. He will advocate for comprehensive insurance coverage that includes reproductive health services, eliminating financial barriers for women. Additionally, Rick supports the expansion of telehealth for reproductive services to improve access for those in rural or underserved areas.

• Safeguarding Legal Protections for Reproductive Rights: Rick is committed to legislative advocacy to oppose efforts that restrict access to reproductive health services. He will stand against federal policies and court decisions that threaten reproductive freedoms.

• Preventative Care: Rick will work to increase access to preventative health services such as cancer screening, to catch health issues early. Community outreach programs will be supported to provide education and resources on reproductive and primary healthcare through local organizations. Rick will continue to work on initiatives like Ruth Balser’s bill, H.938, which mandates insurance coverage for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and additional screenings for women with dense breast tissue or high cancer risk. This legislation aims to improve detection rates and reduce patient recalls, following the lead of states like Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont.

If we are going to get people out of cars and into public transportation we must have a system that is fast, connective and reliable. For years the MBTA has been underfunded and unreliable. Investments and innovation to our transit system is long overdue and Newton and Brookline deserve better, as do all the MBTA communities. Rick will support every initiative to create efficient transportation that can change everything, from where we live, to how we live, to the amount of greenhouse gasses we emit. Providing a robust transit system is the foundation of a cleaner, more efficient society.

Key Initiatives:

• Invest in Modernizing the MBTA: Rick Lipof will advocate for increased funding to modernize the MBTA, ensuring it meets the needs of today’s commuters. This includes upgrading infrastructure, improving safety measures, and implementing state-of-the-art technology to enhance reliability and efficiency.

• Expand Public Transit Access: Rick Lipof will work to expand public transit routes and services to underserved areas. By increasing connectivity, he aims to make public transportation a viable option for more residents, reducing reliance on personal vehicles and easing traffic congestion.

• Enhance Multimodal Transportation: Rick Lipof will champion the development of multimodal transportation options, integrating biking, walking and other alternative modes of transit with the existing public transportation network. This approach will create a more flexible and user friendly transit system, encouraging more people to opt for sustainable travel options.