A lifelong resident of Massachusetts with deep roots in Amherst, Bonnie MacCracken has drafted several pieces of legislation, including a bill that protects active military from losing their homes while serving the United States.
The passage of the Valor Act of 2012, a law that ensures active military and their families will not be legally forced out of their homes by so-called predatory lenders, came from her knowledge as a Blue Star mother and the need to expand the declaration of homestead law.
“My writing legislation is to improve people’s lives,” MacCracken said, adding that this motivates her interest in becoming the state representative for the 3rd Hampshire District. “I feel this is the next thing I need to do for legislation already passed and legislation that needs to continue to be worked on.”
She observes that the Massachusetts Alliance Against Predatory Lending has numerous pieces of legislation that needs leadership to get refiled and passed.
In 1987, she created the land title research company Real Estate Title Research Services, which has assisted with preservation of more than 15,000 acres of land by local and state agencies, including sizable woodland saved in Leverett and Shutesbury.
“I’m the only candidate running with a legal background who reads and interprets law on a daily basis,” MacCracken said.
MacCracken, 60, is married to Gregory Bascomb, and is the mother of four, including one son serving as a U.S. Army captain in Germany and another for the Amherst Fire Department.
She completed her degree in liberal arts at Anna Maria College and also did course work in anthropology.
MacCracken serves on both the Democratic State Committee and as secretary to the Amherst Democratic Town Committee, and regularly testifies on bills, meaning she has established relationships at the Statehouse.
For instance, she recently met with House Speaker Robert DeLeo about ways to get the University of Massachusetts to cover more of the costs of ambulance service provided by Amherst.
“That opens the door for me to start, on day one, to begin addressing this issue,” MacCracken said.
MacCracken has received endorsements from the Amherst Firefighters Local 1764, the union representing the force for which her son works, and Mass Voters for Animals, an endorsement she sought because she grew up on a small farm.
She also has an advisory team supporting her and ready to give her advice in Boston.
Establishing a green bank that would leverage public dollars and private investment to make green projects cheaper and quicker, and promote the growth of clean energy, is a priority for her, as is adopting the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and continuing to work with the Commission on the Status of Women.
She hopes her experience in Boston, and her current job, give her the skills to succeed state Rep. Ellen Story.
“That gives me a certain perspective and experience that you need to have as change is happening across the country and across the state,” MacCracken said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
