Edward Pacheco

Artificial intelligence has alot potential to improve things like healthcare, education, public safety, and government services, and I support responsible innovation. However, innovation shouldn’t come at the expense of our communities, our environment, or working families. I support reasonable safeguards that require transparency when AI is used in decisions affecting employment, healthcare, lending, or public services. People deserve to know when AI is making decisions that impact their lives and should always have the right to meaningful human review. Coming from a social services background , in particular, where there are limited HIPAA protections in AI, we must protect people’s privacy. I’m also concerned about the rapid expansion of AI data centers. These facilities consume huge amounts of electricity and water, placing added strain on our power grid, natural resources, and climate goals. My district is already under some serious strain from drought. I would support Massachusetts requiring environmental impact reviews, responsible siting, and investments in energy efficiency before approving large-scale AI infrastructure. Finally, we have to protect workers as AI becomes more common. Technology should enhance jobs, not simply replace them. I support workforce retraining, upskilling programs, and policies that encourage employers to invest in their employees as they adopt AI. The goal should be thoughtful oversight that protects people, promotes responsible innovation, and ensures AI benefits everyone, not just the companies developing it.

Massachusetts’ land-based resources are some of our greatest assets, and we have a responsibility to protect them for future generations. I support policies that balance responsible growth with preserving the character, natural resources, and quality of life that make our communities special. I have publicly opposed misplaced large-scale development that do not consider the impact on our roads, infrastructure, water resources, environment, and surrounding neighborhoods, and will continue to do so. Development must be thoughtful, properly planned, and aligned with the needs and capacity of the community, not simply driven by short-term interests and development profits/real estate profits. I strongly support protecting open spaces, farmland, and right-to-farm communities. These areas provide environmental benefits, support local agriculture, preserve our history, and contribute to the unique identity of our towns. We need to continue investing in programs that help communities preserve conservation land, support farmers, and maintain access to parks and outdoor spaces. Protecting our water resources must also be a priority. I support investments in modern wastewater infrastructure, including replacing aging systems that contribute to environmental challenges and implementing solutions that reduce or eliminate nitrogen from groundwater discharge. These improvements protect drinking water, coastal ecosystems, and the long-term health of our communities. This is currently a issue that is very real and very soon for my district. As our state grows, we have to make decisions that allow for economic opportunity while protecting the places that make the state and my district, great places to live. Smart planning and responsible investment today will ensure future generations inherit communities that are both thriving and sustainable.

As I have indicated on my website, pachecoforthepeople.com Access to affordable, quality healthcare should be a basic expectation for every resident of Massachusetts. I support the goal of healthcare for all and believe we can continue moving toward a system where cost is not a barrier to getting the care people need. At the same time, we should take practical steps to improve affordability and access today. I support expanding programs that reduce prescription drug costs, strengthen primary care,(like my NPs and PAs pilot program) investing in behavioral health services, and addressing healthcare workforce shortages, (PCA’s, Nurses and more) that create delays and limited access in many communities. We also need to ensure that rural and underserved communities are not left behind. Supporting community health centers, expanding telehealth options, and developing innovative workforce programs can help bring care closer to the people who need it most. A healthcare system should focus on patients, not just costs. As we continue working toward broader healthcare access, we must also protect healthcare workers and provide support for those whose jobs may be affected by changes in the industry. My goal is a healthcare system that is affordable, accessible, and sustainable, one that provides quality care to every resident while being responsible with taxpayer resources.

Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education without worrying that the cost will put their future out of reach. That’s why I strongly support continued funding for free community college. It’s one of the best investments Massachusetts can make in our people, our workforce, and our economy. Whether someone is graduating from high school, changing careers, returning to school after raising a family, or serving our country, community college should remain an affordable path to success.

We can do more than just make tuition affordable. I want to expand need-based financial aid, strengthen apprenticeship and internship opportunities, and encourage partnerships between our colleges, unions, vocational schools, and local employers. When students can earn valuable experience while they’re learning, they graduate with less debt and stronger job prospects.

I also support targeted loan repayment or tuition assistance for graduates who choose careers where Massachusetts has the greatest need, such as teaching, nursing, behavioral health, and public safety. Helping graduates stay and work in our communities benefits everyone.

I believe education is one of the best investments we can make. By continuing to support free community college and creating more affordable pathways to good-paying careers, we can give more people the chance to succeed while building a stronger Commonwealth for the future.

Massachusetts has some of the best healthcare education programs in the country, but too many students face barriers to completing their training, and too many communities struggle to recruit and retain healthcare providers. We need solutions that strengthen both education and patient care.

I have proposed a pilot program that encourages experienced Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to become clinical preceptors. Clinical placements are one of the biggest bottlenecks in training new providers. By supporting more preceptorships, we can expand opportunities for graduate students and help prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

I also support a service-based scholarship program that would provide tuition-free PA education at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. In exchange, graduates would commit to five years of service in public healthcare within the Commonwealth. Those who choose not to fulfill that commitment would repay the cost of their education.

These proposals reduce financial barriers, expand hands-on training opportunities, and help address critical workforce shortages while ensuring taxpayers receive a clear return on their investment. I believe this type of partnership—investing in students while asking for a commitment to serve—is a practical, fiscally responsible way to strengthen our healthcare workforce and improve access to care for communities across Massachusetts.