Bio

State Senator Karen Spilka

State Senator Karen E. Spilka

2nd Middlesex and Norfolk

Ashland • Framingham
Franklin • Holliston
Hopkinton • Medway • Natick

Through hard work, a keen ability to navigate complex issues, and a demonstrated commitment to advocating for her constituents, Senator Karen E. Spilka has established herself as a respected leader in state government.

First elected to the House of Representatives in a special election in the fall of 2001, Senator Spilka served three years in the House before her election to the Senate.  She was officially sworn in as the State Senator for the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district in January 2005.  As such, she represents the MetroWest, one of the most important economic regions in Massachusetts.

In a move that reflected her acute understanding of both the needs and opportunities facing the entire Commonwealth, Senator Spilka was appointed Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies in February 2009.

Senator Spilka’s achievements while Chair of Economic Development include the passage of an economic development reform law that revolutionizes the way the state does business, increasing capital for small businesses so they can hire more workers,  making it easier for businesses to get the help they need from the state to start or grow here, and establishing a streamlined, cohesive economic development model with built-in oversight and transparency to reduce redundancy and waste.  Included in this initiative was the creation of the Mass Marketing Partnership, which will better market Massachusetts to businesses both within the United States and abroad to attract global businesses.  Also included was the development of a MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau, which will promote the cultural and natural attractions of this growing and vibrant region.

Senator Spilka also oversaw the passage of important legislation on clean energy and broadband access expansion.  Last session, she conducted a statewide listening tour to hear the concerns of businesses and workers.  Many of the ideas discussed in these sessions were included in the economic development reform bill.

In addition to her work with the Economic Development Committee, Senator Spilka serves as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules and a member of both the Senate Ways and Means Committee, through which the finances of the state are considered and distributed, and the Senate Committee on Global Warming.   She also serves on the Joint Committee on Revenue, the Joint Committee on Transportation, and the Special Senate Committee on Redistricting.  In addition, Senator Spilka is the Senate Chair of the Jobs Creation Commission, charged with studying the economy in order to create ways to keep good jobs in Massachusetts.

Senator Spilka provides leadership in a number of other areas, including as Senate Chair of the BioTech Legislative Caucus and the MetroWest Legislative Caucus.  Fully committed to tackling the challenge of creating 20th century schools that will train the workforce of the innovation economy, she also serves on the Goddard Council for STEM Education and the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.  This session, she has also been named Senate Chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, dedicated to advancing women in elected positions.

Due to her experience in social work, law, and disability issues, Senator Spilka was named the first Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.  In this role, she continued her strong and vocal advocacy on concerns—such as child safety and self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities—that have long been important to her.

Prior to becoming a legislator, Senator Spilka was in private practice as an arbitrator and mediator, specializing in labor and employment law and community and court mediation.  In addition, she has been a facilitator and fact finder in disputes in the public and private sectors, as well as a trainer of adult mediation and school-based peer mediation programs, collaborative-based collective bargaining, and conflict resolution strategies.  She has also previously worked as a labor and employment attorney on behalf of employees, unions, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), and the Commonwealth.

Senator Spilka has received considerable recognition for her public service, including being named to the National Honor Roll of State Legislators and appointment to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Human Services and Welfare Committee for 2007–2008.  Other awards include the 2009 Health Info Management Association’s Legislator of the Year Award, the Massachusetts Hospital Association’s 1st annual Legislator of the Year Award in 2008, the 2007 Legislative Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations, the 2007 Legislator of the Year Award from the Arc of Massachusetts, the 2006 Legislative Leadership Award from the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, the 2006 Regional Spirit Award from the MetroWest Growth Management Committee, and Advocates, Inc.’s 2006 Medal of Honor.

Senator Spilka is a graduate of Northeastern Law School and holds a B.S. from Cornell University.  She has been married for over twenty years to Joel S. Loitherstein, an environmental engineer, and has three children and three dogs.

Click here to watch an October 2008 interview with Senator Spilka.