Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana already does it, but Massachusetts doesn't? NOT ACCEPTABLE. It's time for Bob DeLeo and @KarenSpilka to take action this session. #ChildCareMakesItFair. #mapoli

When you run for state or local office in MA you can rent a tux or buy lunch w your campaign funds but can't use your funds to find childcare while you're on the campaign trail. #SeeParentsRun when they can use their campaign accounts for childcare, because #ChildcareMakesItFair

THREAD #ShareYourStory: When I ran for school committee, the first office I ever held, I was very lucky. I had two young kids and I knocked every door in the ward twice. That was only possible b/c my friend who ran a home daycare could take on two more kids and not charge us.

I ran so I could work to make schools better for everyone's kids. I wouldn't be here, still working to make schools better, without my friend’s generosity and support. But free childcare isn't something all candidates can bank on. #ChildcareMakesItFair

On Thursday the Senate will debate my Amendment #1 addressing this issue in S.2391. Campaign funds should be there to support candidates when they run. When parents run to make a difference in their communities, support means childcare. #ChildcareMakesItFair #mapoli

Being a parent shouldn't be a barrier to running for office. We're with Ayanna Pressley Senator Pat Jehlen Mike Connolly Joan Meschino Lee Erica Palmer Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women this morning to support common sense reforms that would allow candidates to pay for childcare with campaign funds. #mapoli

“This is one barrier, but why not take down one barrier?” Sen. Pat Jehlen says at panel on her bill that would allow candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds for child care expenses. #mapoli

#mapoli #ChildCareMakesItFair Joan Meschino childcare unlocks the economic and public service potential of the parent and is a professional expense.

#mapoli #ChildCareMakesItFair Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley diversity at the table leads to more equitable outcomes

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley says that child care is just as essential to a campaign as rallies, ads and that parents should be empowered to run. Tying in yesterday’s elections, she says voters are seeking government that reflects its citizens. #mapoli

Childcare is only 1 barrier parents, esp women and women of color, face running for office. Why not take down that barrier and open the pipeline from local office to higher office. Amdt 1 on S2391 addresses this tomorrow #childcaremakesitfair

Did you know 14 states have already enacted laws supporting parents running for office? Massachusetts needs to be next! #ChildcareMakesItFair

Thank you to our Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Denella Clark, Vice Chair of Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, for joining with @SenJehlen, Rep. Joan Meschino and myself in support of our bill to make childcare an allowable campaign expense. #ChildcareMakesItFair

Earlier this fall, Rep. Meschino and I each delivered our “inaugural speeches” to the full House of Representatives in support of an amendment we filed to advance this concept of childcare as an allowable campaign expense. repmikeconnolly.org/rep_mike_conno…

Tomorrow, the state Senate will have an opportunity to consider this concept as well, as Sen. Jehlen has filed a version of our bill as amendment #1 (“Supporting parents running for public office”) to S.2391, a larger bill relative to campaign finance. malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S239…

Finally, I want to thank #Somerville School Committee Member Lee Erica Palmer, whose experience running for public office as a single mom has informed and inspired our work on this legislation (as was explained in this Shirley Shirley Leung column from last year). bostonglobe.com/business/other…

Thank you Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley + Denella Clark for joining with @SenJehlen, Rep. Joan Meschino and me in support of our bill to make childcare an allowable campaign expense. And thanks to #Somerville’s Lee Erica Palmer for proposing this idea! #ChildcareMakesItFair masslive.com/news/2019/11/l…

TODAY: Call you State Senator in support of Amendment #1 to S.2391, which would end the prohibition on using campaign funds to cover child care. This is an issue of equity, you can rent a tuxedo to go to a debate, but not child care. #mapoli

For a recap of what's been happening, you can read more here: actonmass.org/post/2019/10/0… #mapoli thank you to Sens Senator Pat Jehlen Senator Becca Rausch - INACTIVE ACCOUNT Jo Comerford Jason Lewis @Sen_Jim_Welch Jamie Eldridge Sonia Chang-Díaz for sponsoring the amendment. This is long overdue