James Cantwell

Coastal Issues

Cantwell was recognized as a leader for coastal communities, serving as co-chair of the Legislature's Coastal Caucus,^[18] a board member of the National Institute for Coastal and Harbor Infrastructure (NICHI)^[19] and representing Massachusetts at the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference^[20] as part of the America's Pledge efforts to reaffirm American commitment to the Paris Climate Accords.^[21]

Through the Coastal Caucus, Cantwell emphasized the importance of coastal resiliency, sponsoring the creation of a special Coastal Erosion Commission^[22][23] and highlighting the challenges of seawall degradation.^[24] These efforts led to the passage of a multi-million dollar coastal infrastructure bond bill,^[25] later expanded upon with a $1.4 Billion environmental bond bill to support climate adaptation.^[26][27]

Highlighting residents whose insurance premiums were set to increase by as much as $60,000,^[28] Cantwell's advocacy^[29][30][31] placed pressure on Federal authorities (primarily FEMA) to make updates to disputed maps of flood zones and provide disaster funding under the National Flood Insurance Program,^[32][33] informing debate around the passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act.^[34][35][36] Cantwell was recognized as the Jack Conway Company's citizen of the year for his work on flood insurance.^[37]

His advocacy for coastal communities also includes helping to create the Seafood-Marketing Committee^[38] and supporting research into fishing equipment that avoids entanglement with whales.^[39] For his work on coastal issues, Cantwell was recognized as the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association's 2016 Legislator of the Year.^[40]

Healthcare

Cantwell is noted for his work to combat the opioid epidemic, pushing for increased access to recovery coaches^[41][42] and co-chairing the Promote Prevent Commission^[43] created by his legislation.^[44]

The Promote Prevent Commission's work also included suicide prevention, serving as one of several forums where Cantwell sought to advocate for evidence-based solutions^[45] and promote awareness^[46][47] and destigmatization.^[48] He was recognized for these efforts by the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention.^[49]

Cantwell fought^[50][51] to mandate insurance coverage for long-term impacts of Lyme disease.^[52]

Infrastructure

When two homes in Scituate burned down after floodwater contacted electrical equipment^[53] that was still live due to a delayed response from National Grid,^[54][55] Cantwell was among the first to call for a Department of Public Utilities investigation,^[56] urged DPU to impose fines,^[57] and fought to ensure those fines would be returned to affected towns.^[58]

Cantwell's also worked to get the Department of Transportation to begin a widening project for Route 139 in Marshfield.^[59]

After the Fukushima nuclear accident, Cantwell led efforts calling for more robust emergency planning surrounding the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.^[60] Cantwell was also critical of the lockout by Entergy during contract negotiations at Pilgrim.^[61][62]

Judiciary

Cantwell played a substantial role in alimony reform: sponsoring the 2017 alimony reform proposal,^[63] debating of the legislation in committee,^[64] and being cited by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's interpretation of the final law.^[65]