THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 Page 5 ~ FIVE QUESTIONS WITH THE CANDIDATE ~ 4. How can the legislature JUAN JARAMILLO T he Democratic Primary for the 19th Suff olk District representative seat, representing Winthrop and a portion of Revere, is on March 2. Following are the answers to questions put to candidate Juan Jaramillo. 1. What is your background and why are running for the 19th Suff olk seat? My family came to America seeking safety after my mom nearly lost her life, and Revere welcomed us with open arms. My parents are janitors who work 80 hour weeks – their sacrifi ces helped me go from cleaning ICU beds after high school to graduating college and serving Revere and Winthrop as Senator Joe Boncore’s Budget and Policy Director where I helped secure millions of dollars in state funding for housing, public transportation, and healthcare. I’m ready to get to work on day one to build a stronger, more worker-friendly economy that helps us recover from COVID without leaving anyone behind. 2. What are the biggest issues you see facing Winthrop and Revere today? Our coastal communities are facing unprecedented challenges from the covid pandemic and climate change. As our state representative, I would focus on pushing for relief that saves small businesses, additional funding for our public schools and community health centers as they battle COVID-19, building infrastructure that protects us from fl ooding, holding large institutions, like Amazon and MassPort, accountable for noise, air, and water pollution, and investing in Revere and Winthrop by creating good-paying jobs that allow all working people to aff ord basic life necessities like housing, food, and saving for their retirement. 3. How can the state and the legislature help hard-hit communities like Revere rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic? The COVID crisis has exposed health, social and economic issues and disparities in the communities of Revere and Winthrop. As your State Representative, I will fi ght for life-saving funding for public schools, community health centers, and small businesses, additional funding for pre- and after-school programs to help families, as well as increased support for workers by expanding critical safety nets, like unemployment and workers’ compensation. We live in a rich state, and can aff ord to protect all small businesses and people from economic suff ering if wealthier households and suburbs paid their fair share in taxes. help balance development in communities like Winthrop and Revere while making sure the communities are still affordable for working class families? As Senator Joe Boncore’s lead staff er on the Housing Committee, I helped pass the largest Housing Bond bill in state history, authorizing $1.8 billion in funding for the development of public and aff ordable housing across Massachusetts. In the Legislature, I will continue advocating for more funding, while pushing for a state-wide solution to our housing problem so that new units are not just built in Revere, Winthrop, and other parts of Greater Boston. If all communities, especially wealthy suburbs, do their part in building real aff ordable housing, we will end homelessness and the displacement of working class families. 5. What unique skills and Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 qualifi cations would you bring to Beacon Hill, and how would JARAMILLO | SEE Page 10
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