Advocate for Newton

Representative Balser has a strong record of accomplishment advocating for the people in her home community. It was Representative Balser’s legislation that extended the terms of a state loan that has allowed the City to finance the repairs of a Newton fire station; she achieved the bond authorization to improve Needham Street; and a Massachusetts Highway Department traffic study on Route 9. Moreover, she worked hard to make sure that Newton North would receive its fair share of funding from the State's School Building Assistance program.

Representative Balser on Casinos

Representative Balser was one of 37 House Members to oppose Speaker DeLeo's proposal to introduce slot machines in Massachusetts. Representative Balser rejected the idea that a business with so many social costs should be the engine of our economic recovery. For more information on Representative Balser's position on casinos, please read her April, 2010 op/ed in the NewtonTAB.

An Advocate for the Mentally Ill

Representative Balser leads efforts to expand access to treatment for mental illness and addictions. She is responsible for the passage of mental health parity and children's mental health legislation

Advocate for the Environment

Recently endorsed by the Sierra Club of Massachusetts and recipient of a 100% rating from Massachusetts Audubon, Representative Balser has a long history of fighting for the environment. Earlier in her career as Chair of the Open Space Subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Local Affairs, Representative Balser advocated for the preservation of publicly protected open space. The first report, entitled "New School Construction and the Loss of Article 97 Land" was issued in March, 2000. She issued a follow-up report in 2005. She was recognized for her efforts with awards from the Newton Conservators and the Environmental League of Massachusetts. She is the lead sponsor of the Public Lands Preservation Act.

Advocate for Equal Rights

A top priority for Representative Balser has been ending gender discrimination in insurance. She is responsible for the passage of a bill that prohibited gender discrimination in annuity policies. This term she filed legislation that would prohibit gender discrimination in disability policies.

Representative Balser was proud to have worked with her colleagues to protect equal marriage rights in Massachusetts. During the first constitutional convention on this issue in 2004 Representative Balser received an "A" from the Boston Phoenix for her speech during the debate on gay marriage at the earlier Constitutional Convention in February 2004. Here's what the Boston Phoenix had to say at the time, when giving her an A rating for her speech:

Separate but equal is not a part of civil rights, it is a violation of civil rights," Balser said near the beginning of one of the most thoughtfully constructed and argumentative speeches of the day. She pierced the argument that marriage has been hetero for millenia with the magnificent observation that "we have a historic opportunity to expand our definition of love and marriage." She read from an American Psychological Association report to refute arguments that same-sex marriage is bad for children. She spoke of other movements for equality that had faced opposition. In scope, language, and passionate delivery, Balser’s speech may have been the best of the day.

Representative Balser continues to fight for equal rights for the LGBT community. She is currently a co-sponsor of legislation that would grant equal rights to transgender individuals.

Advocate for the Disabled

Representative Balser has been a leading advocate for human services throughout her legislative tenure. Here, she was speaking to a large rally outside the State House led by the ARC of Massachusetts.

Advocate for Seniors

Representative Balser has always fought for seniors in her district. In the FY09 House budget, Representative Balser succeeded in expanding the scope of the Elder Home Care program to include mental health services. At right, Representative Balser addresses a rally in support of the Equal Choice Law - legislation Representative Balser supported that allows seniors who receive long term care benefits form MassHealth to choose home care rather than residential nursing care if they choose.