Q&A with Patrick Kearney
1) What specific goals/actions would you take to address the affordable housing crisis in our communities?
The cost of housing is driving people out of Scituate. Seniors on fixed incomes are facing rising property taxes and difficult choices about whether they can afford to remain in the community where they raised their families, while young families increasingly feel they cannot afford to put down roots here. I believe we can expand middle-class housing while preserving the character that makes Scituate such a special community. That starts with investing in the infrastructure needed to support responsible growth.I secured more than $1.1 million for the design and construction of the North Scituate sewer project, a critical step toward expanding sewer service in our community. I also secured $10 million for corridor and safety improvements along Route 3A and surrounding roadways. I will continue advocating for infrastructure investments, increased Chapter 90 funding, and Unrestricted General Government Aid so our local leaders have the resources they need.I also voted for the Affordable Homes Act, which included $800 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $50 million for MassDREAMS first-time homebuyer assistance, a new state homeownership tax credit, and streamlined rules for accessory dwelling units. In my next term, I will work to expand these programs and pursue zoning reforms that increase housing opportunities while respecting the character of our communities.
2) How do you plan to engage with your constituents to learn about what their top priorities and concerns are?
The most important part of being a State Representative is listening. From my first day in office, I have made it a priority to stay accessible, hear directly from constituents, and understand the issues affecting their families and communities.
We will not always agree, but I believe having respectful conversations and understanding different perspectives makes me a more effective representative.
I am accessible to everyone in the 4th Plymouth District by email, phone, and text. My State House office line goes directly to my cell phone because I want constituents to know they can reach me when they need help with a state issue or want to weigh in on legislation.
I also regularly hold office hours throughout the district and make a point of being present at community events. Whether I am talking with residents at office hours or meeting with community organizations, I believe the best way to represent people is to listen to them directly.
3) What is your assessment of the concerns residents have about the effects of climate change in our district?
As a lifelong fisherman, owner of a small fishing charter business operating out of Scituate, graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, I have experienced firsthand how changes in our climate and ocean affect our communities and our way of life. Scituate residents understand what is at stake. Rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather threaten our coastline, homes, infrastructure, and beaches, while also contributing to rising insurance costs. I have worked to bring significant state resources to address these challenges, including $261,600 for Marshfield and Scituate for permitting and design of the North/South River dredging project; $5.9 million through the Dam and Seawall Program for reconstruction of seawalls on Oceanside Drive and Turner Road; and $4 million through the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program for a beach nourishment project at North Scituate Beach. As federal support for clean energy and climate programs faces renewed uncertainty, I will continue advocating for Massachusetts to invest in our coastal communities and clean-energy economy. That includes supporting organizations like the Seaport Economic Council and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, as well as state grant programs for dredging, seawall repair, and maritime infrastructure. I believe we need to protect our coastline, invest in resilient infrastructure, and continue expanding clean energy—including offshore wind and solar—while making sure these investments benefit the communities that depend on our coast.