Medford and Somerville State Rep. Christine Barber shared her thanks for stakeholders involved in the Green Line Extension, celebrating Monday's opening alongside other speakers at Tufts.

She also discussed challenges linked to the project, though, ranging from construction disruptions to housing costs.

That, she said, has forced collaboration to address affordable housing shortcomings and rent stabilization issues.

Barber said the Green Line Extension "will have an immediate impact" on the area through predicted air quality improvements and expected increases in public transit ridership, among other benefits.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted 136–17 on a bill two weeks ago to strengthen protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care in state law. I was one of 25 women legislators who spoke in strong support of the bill. Below is an excerpt from my remarks on the House floor on Wednesday, June 29.

“I rise in support of ‘An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive Rights….”

“The House of Representatives’ vote to override Governor Baker’s veto will ensure that all drivers know the rules of the road and are registered and insured,” said Rep. Christine Barber. “We filed this bill to enable all residents, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a driver’s license so they can get to work, take their children to school and doctor appointments, and buy groceries,” said a statement from Barber, the Somerville Democrat who initially sponsored the bill in the House.

“On this momentous occasion of opening the Green Line Extension, I want to thank the many local activists and community members who fought for decades to bring public transit to our neighborhoods,” said Representative Christine Barber. “We worked alongside activists to build the first expansion of the T in a generation, which will serve our communities that have been overburdened by traffic and air pollution. I look forward to the next Green Line Extension opening to ensure every Somerville and Medford resident has access to safe, clean, and reliable transit.”

“We want to incentivize with free rides on public transit to get people out of their cars, reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, and increase the overall health of communities,” said Rep. Christine Barber, D-Somerville.

State Representative Christine Barber, one of the bill’s lead sponsors, added that “it’s imperative that families can access care, particularly people who are most at risk of getting Covid,” the Somerville and Medford representative continued. “All parents should be able to take their children to the doctor, safely and without fear of being pulled over for driving without a license.”

“My community risks their lives every day to go to the grocery store or to get across the street to take the bus to school or to work,” said Barber. “Even beyond that, the hundreds of families that live on Mystic Ave. are breathing in the pollution from I-93 every day that’s greatly affecting their health. There is something we can do: the harm has been done to this community, and it can be undone.”

We need bold ideas – and new revenue – to respond to this moment

Recent Somerville High grad Kenia Arbaiza and Rep. Christine Barber wrote in about importance of leading action against climate change.

In this moment in history, states must look for ways to step up and do the right thing for those who have been targeted by The Trump Administration’s cruel anti-immigrant policies. The time is now to ensure people have mobility to support their communities and families. The time is now to pass the Work & Family Mobility Act.

Everyone should be able to count on having access to health care that is high quality and affordable. But even in Massachusetts, where we have the highest rate of health insurance of any state in the country, access to affordable care is out of reach for many people.

Housing access and affordability are issues that I hear most consistently as a burden to families’ wallets and minds. It’s a common thread, one that impacts all types of people — families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, young people, and others.

Investing in electric buses is one of the bold policy actions needed to address our massive transportation pollution problem.

Gov. Charlie Baker has publicly criticized Republican efforts in Washington, DC, to roll back health coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act. He rightly argues that such changes will have tremendously negative effects on the health care of hundreds of thousands of people in Massachusetts, our economy, and our budget. Unfortunately, his recent actions in Massachusetts are at odds with these statements.