State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin is making affordability, education, public safety and infrastructure priorities as she seeks another term representing the 21st Assembly District, pointing to legislation she has supported and funding she has secured for communities across the district.
Griffin, 63, who served two previous terms before returning to the Assembly in 2024, said her experience has helped her build relationships and advance legislation. She returned, she said, because she wanted to continue bringing resources to local schools, municipalities, parks and nonprofit organizations.
One of her proudest accomplishments, Griffin said, was passing the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act last year, which provides confidential peer counseling for law enforcement officers. Griffin said that police officers face particular challenges when seeking help with personal and professional issues.
“I'm proud of that because it helps save lives,” she said.
Affordability remains another central focus. Griffin said she wants to address the costs of housing, utilities, health care and prescription drugs while finding ways to help residents without increasing taxes. She pointed to legislation extending the time allowed for school districts to repay energy-performance contracts, giving them the chance to invest in improvements such as air conditioning systems and solar energy while using future savings to offset costs.
She also discussed efforts to change automobile insurance regulations, including restrictions on using ZIP codes to determine rates and requiring insurers to return some excess profits to policyholders.
Education is another of Griffin’s priorities. She supports more equitable school funding, additional resources for special education and expanded access to mental-health services for students. “I would love to see those mental health clinics modeled and put in more schools,” she said.
She also favors changes in charter-school funding, and has advocated for requiring families to talk with public-school administrators before enrolling children in charter schools. Griffin said she believes school districts should have the opportunity to explain the programs and services they offer.
She also highlighted free school meals and a pause on the implementation of electric school buses, arguing that districts should not have to shoulder the cost of the new vehicles without adequate planning and support.
Flood mitigation is another major concern in the 21st District, particularly for South Shore communities. State funding can help municipalities improve drainage and reinforce shorelines, Griffin said, but larger projects may require federal involvement. She noted that floodgates are a potential long-term solution, while acknowledging that such projects would require substantial funding and coordination.
Griffin also supports efforts to establish a South Shore Water Authority, which would require negotiations to purchase Liberty Water before it could begin operating. She said that municipal water systems can offer lower bills, but the authority would need funding to address aging infrastructure.
On the subject of public safety, Griffin highlighted legislation addressing stalking and domestic violence, as well as funding for police community-outreach programs. She also supports expanding workforce-development opportunities, including training programs that prepare residents for manufacturing and other in-demand careers.
Griffin said her approach to her job centers on remaining accessible to residents and securing resources for local communities. “I show up, I listen to constituents,” she said. “I'm always available, I'm accessible, and that's what you want in an Assembly member.”
