Mary Keefe Makes Her Case for Reelection in Worcester’s 15th District

Keefe Talks Education Funding, Housing and Wages

“And I challenge anybody to say that they’ve called my office and not gotten a response.”

Editors Note – Radio Worcester interviews candidates from across the political spectrum to help voters hear directly from those seeking public office.

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic- Radio Worcester/Photo Submitted

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WORCESTER, MA- State Representative Mary Keefe (D) discusses her 12-year tenure representing the 15th Worcester District and why she is running for reelection.

Asked about her time in the legislature, she points to major accomplishments including the Student Opportunity Act, which brought $100 million to Worcester over seven years, and criminal justice reform that reduced the Massachusetts’ prison population.

Worcester’s Transformation and Housing Challenges

Keefe addresses Worcester’s transformation, particularly downtown development and housing challenges, advocating for fair wages and neighborhood-level housing improvements.

She discusses the school-to-prison pipeline, the 30% rule for property renovation incentives, “The 30% rule is based on a threshold. So, if you had a three-decker and you’re going to put new porches on and you’re going to renovate one of the apartments to make it come up to what it should be, if you reach 30% of your assessed value of your property, all these other codes kick in that really become a detriment to you moving forward.

Massachusetts’ Minimum Wage

And minimum wage increases, “Even in our fight for the $15 minimum wage, which I was a big part of, it was exciting. That’s not a livable wage when you look at affordability right now. $15 an hour isn’t where it’s at. And even at the time we were talking about really livable wage would be more like 22.”

also she says, “I think that’s going to be some work that will happen in the upcoming session. I know folks, Raise Up Massachusetts is talking about it again. Is it time to revisit the minimum wage?

Constituent Services and Campaign Criticism

Responding to campaign criticism about visibility, Keefe emphasizes constituent service responsiveness and the importance of legislative experience.

“And I challenge anybody to say that they’ve called my office and not gotten a response. One of the first things and foremost things that we do is respond to our constituents and their needs and to be able to help them cut through red tape that government kind of presents along the way.”

The Legislative Audit Controversy

She addressed the controversy over the audit, “Well, it’s a complicated issue, right? And I think what we’ve learned through this process is more about our own constitution and our three branches of government, what their roles are, and that one really can’t supersede the other.”