Government

Q&A: Rep. Sanchez on Fighting for Healthcare, Chairing a Powerful Committee and More

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State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez recently sat down with Jamaica Plain News to talk about a range of topics -- how his mother inspired him, his proudest moments as a legislator, his Democratic opponent this fall, chairing the House Committee of Ways and Means and more. Rep. Sanchez, D-15th Suffolk, was first elected in 2003, and was named chairman of the House Committee of Ways and Means in 2017. He is being challenged by Democrat Nika Elugardo this September. The following is a condensed transcript of Jamaica Plain News' interview with Rep. Sanchez. Q: When someone thinks of State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez – what do you want them to think of?

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Elections

Video: Candidate Forum with Rep. Sanchez and Nika Elugardo

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State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez and his Democratic Nika Elugardo faced off against each other in a candidate forum on Monday night. This is an unedited video of Monday night's forum hosted by JP Progressives, Our Revolution Boston, NAACP Boston and Amplify LatinX. The forum begins at the 17:30 mark with Elugardo first introducing herself. The two Democrats will face each other in September for the 15th Suffolk District seat.

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Elections

Candidate Forum with Rep. Sanchez and Nika Elugardo on July 9th

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This September incumbent state Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez is being challenged by fellow Democrat Nika Elugardo, who wants to unseat him at the state representative for the 15th Suffolk District. Not sure who you're going to vote for? Then you should attend the July 9th candidate forum with both candidates. The forum is being hosted by JP Progressives, Our Revolution Boston, NAACP Boston and Amplify LatinX. In 2017, Sanchez's political profile was raised after he was selected to chair the House's Ways and Means Committee, which is a powerful committee.

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Arts

JP Porchfest is July 7th: Get Ready for 170 Performances on 90 Porches!

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The 5th Annual Jamaica Plain Porchfest this Saturday will be more awesome than the previous four as it will include music, theater, dance, spoken word, storytelling, comedy, circus arts and a politicians' porch. "We have 90 generous porch hosts this year – that is, folks who offer their porches to performers. In some cases, people perform on their own porches, but they often welcome others," said Mindy Fried, co-organizer with Marie Ghitman and Eli Pabon. "And in many cases, porch hosts simply offer their porches to whomever we assign to their porches, of course taking into consideration their available space, and if they have any special requests." Click on the map of porches to see a description of all of the performances (courtesy JP Porchfest).

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Opinion

Opinion: It’s Time to Champion True Justice for All

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I am marching in the Boston Pride Parade, and I’m both excited and sobered. I’m excited because the celebration of our LGBTQ+ communities is full of joy, laughter, and camaraderie. I'm sobered because in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ court decisions, slow-moving local LGBTQ+ legislation, and a state ballot initiative that’s only necessary because so many people want to reverse much-needed protection for transgender rights, I’m reminded that we have so far to go. What’s more, as we approach Pride, we also approach the anniversary of the Pulse Club shootings in Orlando. On June 12, 2016, 49 people’s lives were lost at the hand of hate.

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