Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,
Erika Has the Senate Seat. Now What?
Erika Uyterhoeven has won the Senate seat. The campaign is over. Now comes the part that matters: **results.**
Erika has introduced plenty of legislation and attached her name to many proposals. But introducing a bill isn’t the same as getting it passed.
Her Somerville right-to-purchase legislation is one example. Despite her advocacy, it still hasn’t become law after multiple sessions. Other proposals have stalled or failed to reach the finish line.
That’s not a criticism of her willingness to work. **It’s a question of effectiveness.**
The Senate will require more than introducing bills. It will require building relationships, finding common ground, negotiating and, most importantly, getting things done.
So now that Erika has this new opportunity, I have one simple question:
**What will she actually accomplish on her own for Somerville and the district?**
Don’t measure success by press releases, bill filings or co-sponsorships.
**Show us what you can get passed.**
Show us what you can deliver for Somerville. Show us what you can deliver for the district.
Maybe she’ll prove the skeptics wrong.
**I hope she does.**
The voters have given her the opportunity.
**Now it’s her turn to deliver.**
And if she does, I’ll be among the first to acknowledge it.
Until then, skepticism isn’t unfair.
**It’s accountability.**
Signed Todd Easton
Somerville Resident