The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Dylan Fernandes
House of Representatives State House, Boston, MA 02133
(T): 617-722-2425 ext. 7320
Aide:  Thomas Dixon thomas.dixon@mahouse.gov

 

Three months ago this week, I was sworn in as your local State Representative. It is an honor to wake up everyday and do the job I love – serving you and Nantucket in the State House.

On the campaign trail, I talked a lot about fighting for our environment, combatting our opioid and heroin epidemic, and supporting affordable and workforce housing. We hit the ground running to fulfill that promise by filing six bills in the first two weeks that address these critical issues facing our district. The bills include:  a) setting up a commission to connect those struggling with opioid addiction with the best long term treatment options, b) creating a housing bank to fund workforce and affordable housing, c) establishing a commission to combat ocean acidification, d) standing in solidarity with the Paris Climate Agreement’s green house gas emission standards – and more.

Committee assignments at the State House came out last month, and I requested those that focus on the biggest issues facing our district. My top three choices were:  1) Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture 2) Mental Health, Substance Misuse & Recovery 3) Municipalities & Regional Government. I was named to all three – a rarity for a freshman!

I always look forward to spending time on Nantucket, and I’ve been hosting regular office hours on island. Last Saturday, I joined residents at the high school for town meeting, and this Friday I’ll be back hosting office hours on the 2nd floor of the Nantucket Culinary Center from 3pm-4pm and kicking off an event for Congressman Keating later that evening at the Atheneum. I hope you’ll join me!

Nantucket is a unique community in our state with needs that aren’t always solved by cookie-cutter state policy. In January, we filed the Nantucket Housing bank home rule petition passed by town meeting. Our district has become profoundly unaffordable for working families, young people and seniors and our current dearth of workforce housing has put us on an unsustainable track. Although a tiny .5% fee on multi-millionaires to pay for affordable housing for our most vulnerable may seem like fundamental fairness to you and me, we anticipate opposition. I also signed on as the chief House cosponsor for a bill filed by Senator Cyr that gives Nantucket the same fishing protections as nearly every other community in the Commonwealth.

It is very important to me that all Nantucketers know that our office is here for you. My email is dylan.fernandes@mahouse.gov and our office line (subject to change as our office will move this month)

We are also incredibly lucky to have the brilliant and engaging Tom Dixon as Island Liaison and you can reach him at thomas.dixon@mahouse.gov. 617-722-2425.

I want to leave you with an optimistic, hopeful note about politics – something we all need these days. Our freshman class in the State House is probably the youngest and most diverse in a generation – two thirds of the class is under 35 and there is even someone four years younger than me! We are an energized group, united in addressing climate change and fighting for social and economic justice. Our class makes me very hopeful for the future of Massachusetts.

Yours, Dylan
State Representative