Letter to the Editor: Supporting Barbara L'Italien

Dear Editor,

Whenever I have conversations with friends and family about politics, more often than not the conversation isn’t about which political party is right - it is about the partisan gridlock and complete lack of cooperation. Whatever your political beliefs, no doubt most Americans want to see their officials working together to tackle the tough issues and move our country forward.

It is with these feelings in mind that I feel compelled to write about how excited I am to see Barbara L’Italien running for State Representative.

Serving 8 years representing the Merrimack Valley, Barbara built a reputation as a thoughtful, hardworking legislator. Perhaps most importantly, Barbara built a reputation as someone willing to work with anyone - regardless of Party or philosophy - to pass groundbreaking legislation that improves the lives of seniors, families, and people with disabilities.

As our State Representative, Barbara teamed up with Republican Richard Ross in co-chairing the legislature’s Senior Citizen Caucus. In this role, Barbara built bridges and worked with others in passing legislation that made it possible for seniors to avoid nursing homes, and instead receive in-home care. This policy-change maintained the dignity of our senior citizens, expanded care, and ended up saving taxpayer money!

It is rare to find an official, especially in today’s hyper-political environment, who is able to take a complicated issue, develop a plan to tackle that issue, and make sure that plan increases care and decreases cost. Not only did Barbara L’Italien do this, she did it through collaboration and by bringing people together.

Barbara’s record speaks for itself, and though I only detail one example above, this example sums up why Barbara L’Italien is the very type of person we need serving the Merrimack Valley. If we want a government that works for us, then we need to start electing people who are willing to work together. This is why I support Barbara L’Italien, and I ask that voters join me in electing her State Representative.

Sincerely,

Margot Bixby