Voters in Cambridge’s 25th Middlesex District have the opportunity to reelect state Rep. Marjorie Decker, a true progressive champion, in the Sept. 3 primary. A recent letter printed in the Cambridge Day in support of her opponent, Evan MacKay, is concerning to us: The letter contained many inaccuracies regarding where Decker stands on the issues, and we feel it is imperative for us to address it. Marjorie Decker has been our champion, representing our values and delivering on our priorities on Beacon Hill, and we must ensure she is reelected. The undersigned Cambridge City Councillors urge you to vote for Marjorie in the Democratic primary election Sept. 3.
Marjorie grew up in public housing. Her father was a veteran who struggled with PTSD. Her mother worked multiple jobs to put food on the table. And sometimes there wasn’t any. Marjorie understands the struggles that so many face. It’s not an academic exercise. It’s not a political fancy. It’s who she is. It’s in her soul. It’s why she fights as hard as she does. Those who too often don’t have a voice need her.
As elected officials in this city, we know Marjorie Decker. Marjorie is a trusted partner, and we rely on her experience and effective leadership in the State House. As the dean of the Cambridge delegation, she leads on the home rule petitions that we send to Beacon Hill, including as the lead sponsor of Cambridge’s real estate transfer fee home rule petition. We know that Marjorie not only filed the real estate transfer fee bill but was championing it in conversations with her colleagues and leadership. Marjorie also supports the elimination of MCAS as a graduation requirement. Marjorie has been the lead sponsor on a bill to eliminate the MCAS requirement for a decade and continues to call for the elimination of high-stakes testing. Her position has not changed in 12 years.
Decker is the fierce advocate and ally Cambridge needs on Beacon Hill, but working to pass legislation is only one aspect of what makes her invaluable to our community. Marjorie partners with the city by helping to liaise with state agencies. When Cambridge was called on to host an overflow shelter site at the Registry of Deeds, Marjorie was right there with us, communicating our concerns to state officials, advocating for less punitive shelter rules and supporting us as challenges arose. She has been the most visible member of the Legislature working to keep the “Right to Shelter” law and has been a leading voice and legislator supporting families and migrants in need of shelter.
People can decide for themselves who to vote for, but it is important for people to know Marjorie’s record for what it is. Readers and voters deserve to know the full truth, and luckily, Marjorie’s record speaks for itself. Here are some accomplishments we think you should be aware of:
- She has led important antipoverty initiatives that provide cash assistance to the most vulnerable, has fought to ensure that families can access shelter, passed a landmark children’s mental health and school-based behavioral health bill, and will soon pass a signature maternal health bill to improve birthing outcomes.Marjorie is always accessible and responsive: Whether someone needs help finding housing or wants to meet with her to discuss legislation, she always shows up for our residents and local organizations. Marjorie centers equity, community engagement and care for the most vulnerable in everything she does.
- She championed commonsense gun-safety reforms including the regulation of ghost guns and expanding red flag law to make our streets and communities safer.
- She has been a strong labor ally and has stood side by side with unions to improve wages, benefits and working conditions for working people across the commonwealth.
- In the Legislature, Marjorie has secured millions of dollars for nonprofits supporting Cambridge’s most vulnerable residents, including the Cambridge Community Center, Food For Free, YW Cambridge and Cradles to Crayons.
These are just a few of her accomplishments. You can learn more at decker4rep.com. She is our champion, and our choice for state representative of the 25th Middlesex District.
Mayor E. Denise Simmons and city councillors Marc McGovern, Sumbul Siddiqui, Paul Toner and Ayesha M. Wilson, Cambridge
A stronger
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It’s surprising how someone who claims to be so successful in securing legislative wins for Cambridge still can’t manage something as simple as a home rule petition after a decade. And what happened to the maternal health legislation? Maybe if there were fewer selfies, it could have been completed. But here we are, with no progress for yet another year.
This letter feels more like the candidate boasting about how great she is rather than a genuine message from councilors who truly value her support. Did they even write this?
Decker is good at misleading people.
She sent out a mailer claiming to have passed the maternal health bill, when in reality it has not been signed by the governor
Last year, she publicly stated that she was neutral on Saturday closures of Memorial Drive…but then a public records request revealed that behind the scenes she was the primary reason why the state backpedaled on weekend closures.
Almost everyone you talk to has a story about how she yelled at and berated colleagues
She doesn’t even want the job; it is widely known that she has applied (unsuccessfully) for several lucrative gigs in the private sector, including being the CEO of MassBio
McGovern usually has integrity and claims to be pro-transit come election time, I’m very surprised to see his name on this list. shame on you, Marc
Failing to see how she has lobbied for Cambridge at the state level to any meaningful extent. Our subway is broken down, dirty, and a national/international embarrassment.
She did successfully manage to get a park shut down though.
She thoroughly deserves to be voted out of office.
This letter contains a factual inaccuracy: Marjorie Decker is not the dean of Cambridge’s statehouse delegation. She and Rep. Rogers were both first elected in 2012. In fact, Rep. Moran (2005), Senator DiDomenico (2010), Senator Jehlen (2005), and Senator Brownsberger (2007) were all serving well before she took office.
Given that this is a publicly verifiable fact, I believe Cambridge Day should issue an editor’s note to correct the record.
It’s also important to note that Marjorie Decker has refused to file certain home rule petitions passed by the city council. A particularly notable instance was her refusal to file the petition needed for Cambridge to join the Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Pilot. Despite her self-described commitment to climate change action, Rep. Decker declined to support this initiative. Fortunately, Rep. Connolly stepped in and filed the petition, securing Cambridge’s participation in the project. As a result of this incident, the council decided to send future home rule petitions to all state representatives, rather than just Rep. Decker.
Additionally, there’s a well-known story from the 1990s when Marjorie, then a council aide, punched a cake in frustration when a vote didn’t go her way. The police were called!
Maybe when Evan MacKay has the depth of knowledge and understanding of policy, they will be able to challenge a hard working Rep like Rep Decker.
This election is about sending a message to our legislature that the citizens of Massachusetts demand to know how our legislators vote.
Marjorie serves on three committees, two of which govern legislature rules and she has repeatedly fought against calls for rules requiring house votes to be public.
It is embarrassing that our state legislature ranks 47th out of 50 (Sunlight Foundation report) for transparency and openness.
For too long we have focused on city and national politics and given our state legislature a pass, but we can no longer accept “monkey” business as usual at the state level.
The enemies of progress on Cambridge city council endorse the enemy of progress representing Cambridge in the legislature. Is anyone surprised?
Respectfully disagree with the letter. Rep Decker is keeping everyone in Massachusetts including us in Cambridge in the dark about the legislative process. Bills regularly die without any public information on how each representative voted. Yup. Because why should we know, right?! This two-year cycle was absolutely wasted, few bills signed, no climate bill, no fixing the T- nothing!!! I am voting for the challenger who at least respects the constituents.