Government Affairs
and Advocacy
About Us
Our Mission
The Government Affairs Team works to promote policies that help improve outcomes at the local, regional, state, and federal levels.
MAPC actively promotes its legislative agenda by working with members of the Legislature on a number of key initiatives. MAPC's priorities come from a variety of policy areas, with a focus on sustainable development initiatives and municipal relief measures to help the 101 cities and towns in the Greater Boston area continue to provide quality services with efficiency.
The team works in collaboration with the MAPC Legislative Committee to develop action items and to advocate on behalf of the members of our regional community.
MAPC Deputy Executive Director Lizzi Weyant stands with leaders from various Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) at the Massachusetts State House for 2024 DLTA Day | Photo Credit: MAPC
About Us
Our Legislative Priorities
MAPC’s legislative priorities are grounded in MetroCommon 2050, Greater Boston’s regional land use and policy plan to make the region more equitable, more prosperous, and more sustainable. Policy changes are one of the core tactics to make this plan a reality.
Action Areas
Click on each below to go to the Legislative Priorities for that Action Area.
About Us
Your MAPC Government Affairs Team
Leah Robins, Government Affairs Director
Leah oversees the MAPC Government Affairs Team. Leah joined MAPC in 2017 and as a Senior Government Affairs Specialist.
Before joining MAPC, Leah worked in both the Executive and Legislative branches of government in Massachusetts. She served as the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), which works in partnership with families and communities to keep youth safe from abuse and neglect. Read full bio. . .
617-933-0710 | [email protected]
Norman Abbott, Senior Government Affairs Specialist
Norman works with stakeholders and legislators to advance economic development, arts and culture, and clean energy policy. Norman joined MAPC in 2023.
Prior to joining MAPC, Norman worked for elected officials and nonprofits serving Massachusetts and New England. Most recently, he served as the Regional Director in Congressman Seth Moulton’s office where he assisted with economic development and transportation policy as well as outreach to a wide variety of stakeholders. Read full bio. . .
Georgia Barlow, Government Affairs Specialist II
Georgia works with legislators and partners to center equity in transportation, public health and safety, housing, and other policies. Georgia joined MAPC in 2022.
Prior to joining MAPC, Georgia was a Research and Policy Analyst at the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice in Louisiana, where she worked to advance racial equity in the state through legislative advocacy. There, her particular focus was on environmental justice and criminal justice reform. Read full bio. . .
About Us
MAPC Legislative Committee
The Legislative Committee includes municipal leaders from cities and towns in the Greater Boston region as well as members of advocacy organizations who MAPC works with closely.
MAPC's Government Affairs Team works in collaboration with the Legislative Committee to develop action items and to advocate on behalf of the members of the Greater Boston regional community.
Membership
Chair: Keith Bergman
Thank you to the MAPC Legislative Committee for their passion and commitment to this work on behalf of the Greater Boston region. Our work wouldn't be possible without your dedicated support!
Meetings
The Legislative Committee meets monthly to discuss current and emerging policy priorities at MAPC. All meetings are typically held virtually on the second Wednesday of the month, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Monthly meeting agendas are posted within 48 hours of the meeting on MAPC's Meetings and Legal Notices page.
About Us
Coalitions
The Government Affairs Team collaborates with influential groups and organizations across the Commonwealth and the nation to provide policy analysis and to coordinate advocacy campaigns.
Coalitions
Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA)
MARPA is a coalition of the 13 Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) throughout the Commonwealth, including MAPC, that aims to strengthen regionalization and municipal collaboration throughout Massachusetts. MARPA meets monthly and hosts an annual conference at varying locations around the state. For more information, contact a member of MAPC’s Government Affairs staff.
Metro Mayors Coalition (MMC)
MMC is a group of cities in towns in the urban core of Metro Boston whose leaders gather to exchange information and create solutions for common problems. The municipal leaders in this group represent more than 1.6 million constituents. The MMC is 17 cities and towns including Arlington, Boston, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Melrose, Medford, Newton, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Watertown, and Winthrop. MAPC facilitates and staff the work of the MMC.
The North Shore Coalition
The North Shore Coalition is a group of 18 cities and towns on the North Shore, facilitated by MAPC staff. The Coalition is a voluntary forum where municipal leaders share information and solutions to common problems particular to the North Shore region. The municipal officials in this group represent nearly 400,000 residents from Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Manchester-by-the-sea, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, and Wenham.
National Coalitions
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)
NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s regional development organizations. The association and its members promote regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America’s local communities.
National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)
NARC serves as the national voice for regionalism by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues. NARC’s member organizations are composed of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities large and small and urban and rural.
Transportation for America (T4A)
T4A is an alliance of elected, business and civic leaders from communities across the country, united to ensure that states and the federal government step up to invest in smart, homegrown, locally-driven transportation solutions. These are the investments that hold the key to our future economic prosperity.
Smart Growth America
Smart Growth America advocates for people who want to live and work in great neighborhoods. Smart Growth America believes smart growth solutions support thriving businesses and jobs, provide more options for how people get around and make it more affordable to live near work and the grocery store. Smart Growth America works with communities to fight sprawl and save money.