Drew Pepoli For State Rep

With the news and debate of House Bill 2963 circulating for discussion...I wanted to share my most recent opinion on the abuse of non-profit status and Payment in Lieu Of Tax (PILOT) programs. This will be a topic that I am VERY focused on should I be elected....and in reality...should have been a priority of our legislators years ago.

(Candidate Opinion) The Financial Mirage of Non-Profit Private Institutions: How Communities Pay the Price With House Bill 2963 currently in the news and up for debate, I wanted to share my thoughts on the abuse of “non-profit” status and PILOT programs. In today’s landscape, the class…

Check out my recent press release posted by the State House News Service

Uniting for Change: Drew Pepoli Joins Race for 11th Norfolk State Representative. Committed To Bridging Divides, Action Over Rhetoric, And Providing Independent Representation for All Constituents 2 pp.

You can’t tax your way out of poor spending habits…and you can’t tax your way to prosperity.

New opinion post on a misguided approach Boston will be taking to try and increase revenue.

The Pitfalls of Raising Taxes on Struggling Commercial Assets: A Misguided Move by the Mayor Candidate Opinion In a recent development and as reported on by the Boston Herald, Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston has proposed a controversial measure aimed at addressing the city’s staggering t…

The tagline says it all...the push for a legislative audit is supported by groups on BOTH the left and the right of the political spectrum. Groups and voters who understand how bad the lack of transparency and accountability currently is on Beacon Hill. However, it is an uphill battel to change this course and shed some light on their dealings due to the Democratic supermajority rule.

When an issue actually achieves bipartisan support in our current political environment...that should be a clear indication it needs to be addressed. The Legislature seems to forget that they work for the people...and that all of their dealings should be public and above board.

Diana DiZoglio Keep up the fight!

Lawmakers, academics call DiZoglio ballot question a ‘power grab’ DiZoglio’s supporters come from both the right and left ends of the political spectrum, agreeing with her argument that the Legislature is one of the most opaque operating in the country.

Link to my most recent post which dives into a recent article published by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership on the link between Housing Affordability and Construction Costs. It's easy for legislators to squarely put the blame on the housing construction and development industry...but that is just the easy way out.

An eye opening analysis on housing affordability in the Commonwealth In the realm of housing production, one of the most pressing challenges is striking a balance between construction costs, and ensuring affordability for residents. A recent article titled “Le…

What perfect timing of this article! A great explanation and review of the shifting trend away from political party affiliations.

High level takeaways as to why:
- Generational shifts
- Dissatisfaction with the current political parties
- A rise of Independents
- A shifting political landscape

While some of this shift away from registered party affiliations is due to a 2020 Mass law that automatically registered non-registered voters as unenrolled upon applying for a driver’s license, enrolling in the state’s Medicaid program, or going through the Health Connector...the shift can also be attributed to the topics above.

Is Mass moving away from being "blue" to "red"...no. However, there is a growing demographic that does not fully align or associate with either. A demographic that represents a significant portion of the electorate that has the potential to influence elections by swinging between candidates from different parties, or supporting third-party candidates.

There is an Independent movement afoot and I hope to be on the ground floor of that!

Massachusetts political parties are fading away If current trends continue, party registration will be so unusual that a young registered Democrat will be an unusual sight and young Republicans will go on the endangered species list.

Read my recent opinion on the Gig Worker debate here in Mass.

Gig Workers - Argument for remaining independent contractors Gig Workers - Argument for remaining independent contractors

Love to see it! A few other INDEPENDENT candidates pulling papers for MA House and Senate seats!

Happy Monday All!

The positive feedback and initial engagement received this weekend in relation to my campaign has been amazing! Thanks to all who called, texted, or stopped me in person around town. I am beyond excited that my message and run as an Independent is resonating with SO many.

This will be a long uphill battle to election day (November 5th 2024), but one I am ready for, especially with the support of you all!

Stay tuned for more updates on my progress and on an official campaign kickoff (April/May timeframe). Please also spread the word!

- Drew-

Excited by the work the Mass Fiscal Alliance is pushing for and fully support their efforts to bring light to their top three issues. Audits and transparency are essential to establishing and keeping the public trust.

Take a quick read to better understand their goals and why they are so important;

Let the Sunshine In – Sunshine Week 2024 MassFiscal

The campaign website is LIVE! Please take a spin by to learn more about me, my platform, and why I am running.

www.pepforstaterep.com

WHY INDEPENDENT?

The condition of our political atmosphere cannot improve until we step out of our silos and re-learn that compromise is not a bad word.

Having independent candidates on elected bodies is crucial for fostering diverse perspectives and ensuring representation that truly reflects the interests and values of the populace. Independent candidates bring fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and a commitment to serve the public interest rather than adhering strictly to party lines. Their presence helps to break the gridlock of partisan politics, promoting collaboration and compromise in decision-making processes.

Moreover, independent candidates can hold elected officials more accountable by offering alternative viewpoints and challenging the status quo. Ultimately, their inclusion enhances the democratic process by broadening the range of voices and promoting a more representative government.

The majority of registered voters (64%) across our district (Norfolk 11) identify as Independent or Unenrolled. However, the majority of elected members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (84%) are registered Democrats with ONE sole Independent member.

And while many Independent and Unenrolled voters do tend to have some some political leanings left or right, the majority of this base do not have uniformly conservative nor liberal views. A position landing them squarely in an increasingly growing political “no-mans land”. A position that leaves them having to vote between the “lesser of two evils”, an uncontested Republican or Democratic candidate, or worst of all, not voting at all.

Not only is the lack of a candidate that matches the majority of voters political views disheartening for those voters, but the lack of political diversity brings its own set of problems to Beacon Hill.

- Non-competitive elections have contributed to the Legislature spending less time debating issues and candidates withholding policy specifics during campaigns. When a candidate runs unopposed, there is no impetus for that candidate to have to actually express their positions and agenda.


- In a 2021 study by DC information company FiscalNote, Massachusetts had the lowest ratio of bills passed to bills introduced in the country (0.41%). A bill introduced in Colorado, for instance, was nearly 200 times more likely to be enacted than one introduced in Massachusetts. Source Report


- The Boston Globe found that lawmakers have taken fewer votes at this point in their two-year session than any other session going back two decades. And, it comes at a time of an escalating statewide housing and budgetary crisis when action is needed more than ever.


- Democrats on Beacon Hill can work, debate and negotiate behind closed doors, without public view on major legislation because of their substantial majority there is no one to call for transparency.

The time has come and the political climate is primed for this pivot to more independent, centrist candidates. Candidates who vote with common sense and who not encumbered or constrained by a majorities party agenda or funding. Candidates that can vote their conscience and not worry about party backlash or “towing the line”.

I am that candidate and that is why I am asking you to break from the norm and send me to the State House. Let us, the Norfolk 11th District, be the catalyst for this much needed change.

Welcome to the page for Pep For State Rep!

My name is Drew Pepoli and I am running for State Rep because the majority of our district—encompassing Dedham, Westwood, and Walpole P8—has been underserved, under represented and status quo for far too long in the halls of Beacon Hill.

The need for change isn't just a campaign buzzword slogan here; it's a pressing reality. We've had the same representation for over 16 years, representation which no longer reflects the shifting needs and dynamics of our community. We deserve representation that actually is in line with the majority of us—one that resonates with the varied voices and concerns of our district...and not one that is, and has been pushing further and further to an extreme.

What's needed now is an INDEPENDENT voice, free from the polarizing extremes that dominate our political discourse and not beholden to their agendas. It's time for a representative who values practicality and cooperation over partisan posturing and virtue signaling. I aim to be that voice—the advocate for sensible solutions that benefit all constituents.

Despite all the challenges we are facing as a state; aging transportation infrastructure, budget shortfalls, out of reach housing costs, and political division to name a few...the vast majority of Massachusetts residents continue to exhibit remarkable resilience, compassion, and a desire for unity.

There is a growing rejection of the fear-mongering and divisiveness from both extremes of the political spectrum, with people seeking leadership that offers hope, healing, and a vision for a better future. With good leadership and a collective commitment to rebuilding and addressing pressing issues, our state can rise to its full potential for all its citizens.

As you learn more about me and my vision, I hope to earn your support and become the voice of the unheard majority in our district. Together, let's steer our state back to the center, where pragmatic governance and collaboration can thrive.