Issues | Rep. Josh S. Cutler

Issues and Legislation

Rep. Cutler's maiden speech on senior center grants (2013)

Rep. Cutler has been hard at work on a range of issues since he was first elected to represent the Sixth Plymouth District. Among his priorities are renewable energy, economic development and education. During his career Josh has always worked to stand up for those who need a voice, including our seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities.

Below please find a list of initiatives Rep. Cutler has worked on by policy area. This is by no means an exhaustive list so if you are interested in a particular issue and want to know more please contact our office. Additional info is also post to our blog page. One of the things Rep. Cutler most enjoys about his position is always learning new things and finding new issues to work on or problems to solve. We encourage you to reach out and share your ideas and let us know what your own priorities are.

Labor & Workforce Development

Anti-Wage Theft bill gets favorable report from Labor Committee co-chaired by Rep. Cutler: "Unanimous vote lifts wage theft bill supporters" (3/28/22)
Rep. Cutler's Future of Work Commission issues report: "Mass. commission says worker training, child care are key to equitable economic recovery" and "Technology, remote work shaping future labor force," and "Massachusetts is facing many challenges as it adapts to a post-pandemic economy, a legislative commission says"
Rep. Cutler calls for pause on DUA no-fault overpayment collections. "Two legislative leaders call for pause on collection of unemployment overpayments until end of July" (2/11/22)
Rep. Cutler leads efforts to drive reform on UI Trust Fund Commission (12/2/21)
Coverage of Future of Work Commission meeting held in Plymouth focused on higher ed and workforce training. (10/12/21) and here.
Boston Globe commentary on employer wage disclosure bill. (9/8/21)
Future of Work Commission, co-chaired by Rep. Cutler, outlines broad scope of work (7/8/21)
Second Future of Work Commission hearing focuses on state economic data, hybrid work models (7/20/21)
Rep. Cutler work on pay equity legislation to address gender and racial wage gap (6/22/21)
More coverage of Cutler-Jehlen pay equity bill (6/24/21)
Rep. Cutler helps lead passage of bill to provide targeted tax relief to employers and workers.(3/28/21)
Rep. Cutler works to addresses solvency of state unemployment fund (5/12/21)and UI rate stability (5/9/21).
Rep. Cutler leads House working group on wage theft legislation.
Bloomberg News coverage of pay equity bills, including Rep. Cutler’s legislation. (2/16/21)
Rep. Cutler appointed chair of Labor and Workforce Development Committee, a panel that deals with major issues like the minimum wage and worker safety protections each session. (3/13/21)
Rep. Cutler opposes effort to privatize state transportation services (6/13/16)

Advocating for Persons with Disabilities

New state commission aims to unite the diverse disability community (12/16/21)
Coverage of Rep. Cutler’s work on removing obstacles for remote work to aid workers with disabilities (10/18/21)
Rep. Cutler gives update on new disability hiring tax credit (10/7/21)
New Disabilities Commission spearheaded by Rep. Cutler has first meeting (7/21/21)
Rep. Cutler report examines business case on hiring people with disabilities
Rep. Cutler advocates for budget incentives for hiring employees with disabilities
Rep. Cutler speaks out in support of Nicky’s Law to protect persons with disabilities from abusive caretakers.
Rep. Cutler and Sen. Rodrigues named ADDP legislators of the year.
Rep. Cutler named MDDC legislator of the Year.
Speaking at Disability Employment Conference
WorkAbility Subcommittee hosts hearing led by Rep. Cutler

Rep. Cutler speaks on COVID sick leave and UI funding legislation (2021)

Rep. Cutler speaks on labor and workforce development budget (2021)

Rep. Cutler speaks on UI rate freeze (2021)

Rep. Cutler speaks on Energy SAVE Act (2020)

Economic Development

Legislature acts to exempt qualifed PPP loan proceeds from state taxation (3/28/21)
New economic development bill passed in House.
Read about Rep. Cutler’s visit with Pembroke Chamber of Commerce members
Read more about Rep. Cutler’s efforts to promote the cranberry industry in Southeastern, Massachusetts
Read about legislation passed by Rep. Cutler and his colleagues to freeze unemployment insurance rates to help small businesses.
Coverage of Rep. Cutler hosting Joint Committee on Small Business for Listening Tour in Pembroke.
Read about bill to increase minimum wage and reform unemployment insurance system.
Letter in support of supplemental budget line item to benefit local shellfishing industry by studying vibrio bacteria.
Read about Rep. Cutler hosting the Joint Committee on Small Business here on the South Shore to meet local businesses and learn about their issues and concerns. Boston Globe story. Patriot Ledger story.

Rep. Cutler speaks on disability commission (2020)

PANS/PANDAS legislation

South Shore families turn struggle to diagnose, treat rare disease into statewide movement
New DPH Advisory Council formed, has first meeting.
Gov. signs health care bill with Rep. Cutler’s PANS/PANDAS insurance coverage mandate (1/11/21)
Conference Committee adopts Rep. Cutler’s PANS/PANDAS provisions (12/23/21)
Rep. Cutler files amendment on DPH advisory council
Two-parts series on families grappling with PANS/PANDAS (9/28/20)

Senior & Veteran Issues

Veteran Lunch in Hanson.
Rep. Cutler at groundbreaking for EPOCH memory care facility
Honoring Pembroke Iraq War Veteran
Coverage of new bill expands housing options for veterans
Rep. Cutler hosts forum on tax credits for seniors
Watch video of Rep. Cutler’s Maiden Speech in support of Council on Aging grants.
Read about Rep. Cutler’s successful amendment to help veterans reduce their property tax burden.
Read about VALOR Act II legislation supported by Rep. Cutler to expand opportunities and services for military personnel, veterans and their families. More coverage of the VALOR Act II which is now law.
Read about community services forum Rep. Cutler hosted in Hanson and in Pembroke.
Watch Cutler Corner episode with Mass. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Coleman Nee.
Read about Rep. Cutler’s forum on Senior Citizen Circuit Breaker tax credit in Pembroke.

Rep. Cutler speaks in support of Nicky's Law (2020)

Rep. Cutler speaks in support of legislation to end so called "conversion therapy". (2019)

Rep. Cutler speaks on Energy SAVE Act (2018)

Public Safety

Advocating for passage of “Nicky’s Law” to protect persons with disabilities from caretaker abuse. Also here. Video of Rep. Cutler’s floor speech here.
Coverage of my efforts to change law protecting perpetrators of domestic violence.
Read about bi-partisan legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Cutler to increase penalties for animal abuse.
Read about new law to increase death benefit for families of first responders.
Read about the kids safety forum hosted by Rep. Cutler in Pembroke.
Read commentary by Rep. Cutler in support of tougher penalties for animal abusers.
Read article about Rep. Cutler and his colleagues voting to stiffen penalties for corporate manslaughter.
Read article about legislative change that allows public to access information on Level II sex offenders.
Read about Rep. Cutler’s visit with local high school students in support of a domestic violence prevention campaign.
Read about new legislation addressing juvenile murder parole standards in the wake of SJC court decision.

Public Health & Opiate Crisis

Rep. Cutler and DA Cruz testify on civil commitment notification bill (5/30/2018)
Coverage of family notification for substance abuse civil commitments. And here.
Effort with Pembroke family to update civil commitment law
Rep. Cutler participates in Good Samaritan Law campaign
Working with Boy Scout on opiate awareness project
Coverage of hurricane relief fundraising efforts.
Coverage of South Shore delegation effort to keep family support office open.
Coverage of Rep. Cutler’s event on Suicide Prevention and Behavioral health issues.
Coverage of Rep. Cutler’s forum on Lyme Disease
Rep. Cutler’s Community forum on tick borne illness
Read about Rep. Cutler’s support for pilot program to provide recovery coaches for a recovering addicts
Read Commentary by Rep. Cutler about the many facets of substance abuse.
Read about comprehensive Autism services bill supported by Rep. Cutler.
Read about Rep. Cutler’s efforts to keep parents informed about the issue of e-cigarettes.
News coverage of Rep. Cutler’s open forum on e-cigarettes in Duxbury.
Read about legislation supported by Rep. Cutler to help combat substance abuse epidemic and ensure access to medical detox services. UPDATE: Now law.
News coverage of Rep. Cutler’s involvement with new substance abuse prevention group in Pembroke.
Article on bill advocated by Rep. Cutler to tighten rules on opiate prescriptions.
Rep. Cutler’s remarks in support of House opiate and substance abuse addiction prevention bill.

Energy, Environment & Climate Change

Josh believes renewable energy and green jobs should be as vital a cog in our state’s economy as health care, higher education or biotech.

Rep. Cutler’s Energy SAVE Act passed as part of Climate Road Map bill.
Rep. Cutler and South Shore colleagues talking about climate change priorities
Advocating for update to Bottle Bill to include “nips”
Coverage of Rep. Cutler’s Energy SAVE Act to update appliance efficiency standards.
Coverage of Duxbury seawall damage and coastal flooding.
Rep. Cutler hosts solar energy forum (3/17/2017)
Rep. Cutler talking about storm preparedness and impact of climate change
Rep. Cutler interview on Bloomberg Business Radio about impact of coastal storms
Coverage of seawall infrastructure needs in Boston Business Journal
Article about new energy bill signed into law by Governor Baker
Coverage of Rep. Cutler’s Energy Forum held in Pembroke.
GMO Labelling bill approve by Environment & Natural Resources Committee
Coverage of Rep. Cutler being given award by South Shore Recycling Cooperative for his work on environmental issues.
Read commentary in Patriot Ledger by Rep Cutler in support of solar energy.
Read about open forum Josh hosted in Duxbury with environmental experts to talk about updating the Bottle Bill.
Track legislation (H.3038) filed by Rep. Cutler to encourage use of electronic vehicles on state highways.
Read about legislation Rep. Cutler and his House colleagues passed to curb methane gas emissions.
Read about Rep. Cutler’s efforts to bring a solar array to Duxbury’s capped landfill, including his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Read article about Rep. Cutler joining key bottle bill supporters to speak out and advocate for prompt action this session.
Read about opening of new solar company in Pembroke that will bring dozens of new jobs to area.
Coverage of the Summer Solstice Tour stop in Pembroke to highlight solar energy growth and success in Massachusetts.
Watch video of Rep. Cutler’s interview of Mass. Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin.

Rep. Cutler speaks on substance abuse bill (2016)

Rep. Cutler calls for restoration of weekend commuter rail service for the South Shore (2014)

Rep. Cutler speaks in support of legislation to establish early voting

Rep. Cutler speaks on flood insurance relief (2014)

Consumer Protection

Supporting efforts to crack down on price-gouging during health crisis
Rep. Cutler’s commentary on the need for labelling of GMO foods.
Read a commentary on Rep. Cutler’s legislation to fix the way mobile phones are charged sales tax.
Read about legislation passed by Rep. Cutler and his colleagues in the House to boost standards for compounding pharmacies. Update: now signed into law.
Read commentary by Rep. Cutler about direct shipment of wine legislation.
Watch Rep. Cutler’s testimony on Flood Insurance Relief Bill and read coverage of bill’s passage.
Read about the issue of GMO labelling and the growing list of legislators supporting this issue including Rep. Cutler.
Read about Rep. Cutler’s efforts to protect whistleblowers and confidential news sources with a state media shield law.

Local Aid, Schools & Municipal Issues

Rep. Cutler talks about regional school transportation and other local aid issues
Coverage of boost to school aid for Pembroke schools.
Overview of FY17 state budget which boosts Chapter 70 School Aid.
Summary of Municipal Modernization Bill proposed by Gov. as approved by House W&M.
Article on Rep. Cutler’s successful effort to boost Chapter 70 school aid funding in FY17 budget.
More coverage of boost to per pupil minimums in Chapter 70 formula.
House FY17 budget provides more funding to local cities and towns
Coverage of Rep. Cutler’s work to get funding for Pembroke pond management.
Update on Chapter 90 funding to cities and towns for local road and bridge projects
Read article on bi-partisan efforts to restore local aid cuts.
Update on Rep. Cutler’s public forum on Unfunded Mandates with State Auditor Suzanne Bump.
Track legislation (H.3773) co-sponsored by Rep. Cutler to give cities and towns more flexibility in the issuing temporary bonding notes.
Track bill (H.3691) written by Rep. Cutler to reduce local interest fees paid by cities and towns in judicial actions.
Read Rep. Cutler’s commentary opposing a state takeover of our local housing authorities
Read article about Rep. Cutler’s support for local Cultural Councils and arts organizations.
Coverage of efforts by Rep. Cutler and Rep. Diehl to question if new state requirement on background checks for teachers is unfunded mandate

Nuclear Power Plant safety

Rep. Cutler talks about efforts to safeguard ratepayers from getting stuck paying for Pilgrim decommissioning costs.
Letter from activist about legislation Rep. Cutler working on to protect ratepayers.
Read a letter from Rep. Cutler to NRC expressing concerns with the environmental review of nuclear waste storage options at Pilgrim.
Track legislation (H.1906) co-sponsored by Rep. Cutler to expand the emergency planning radius of nuclear reactors from 10 to 20 miles.
Track legislation (H.1907) co-sponsored by Rep. Cutler to increase the Mass. Dept. of Public Health’s annual reactor assessment for environmental surveillance & emissions monitoring.