Issues & Policy Positions

Manny Silva is committed to addressing the issues that matter most to Massachusetts residents. Below are his comprehensive policy positions on the key challenges facing our Commonwealth.

Core Policy Positions

Three comprehensive policy positions that will guide Manny's work in the Massachusetts State Senate.

Restoring Prosperity Through Tax Relief
Massachusetts residents, including the First Bristol Plymouth District, are facing an unsustainable burden from relentless tax increases under Governor Maura Healey's administration. These policies, supported by key legislators like Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, have pushed families and small businesses to the breaking point. As a conservative Republican, I believe that over-taxation stifles economic growth, undermines family stability, and restricts individual freedom. It is time to prioritize tax relief, fiscal discipline, and policies that empower residents to prosper, support their families, and thrive in our communities. It is time to replace a Senator who does the bidding of Maura Healey, with a Senator who fights for lower taxes and economic freedom for the people.
Enforcing the Will of the People – Legislative Audit
As a Republican candidate for State Senate in the First Bristol and Plymouth District, I am committed to upholding the rule of law, promoting transparency in government, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and efficiently. One of the most pressing issues facing our Commonwealth today is the Massachusetts Legislature's refusal to comply with a clear mandate from the voters: the requirement for an independent audit of legislative operations. This mandate comes directly from Question 1 on the 2024 ballot, which was overwhelmingly approved (72%) by Massachusetts citizens. I strongly support enforcing this law through a comprehensive audit, and I pledge to fight for its implementation if elected. In contrast, my opponent, incumbent Senator Michael Rodrigues, is on record opposing efforts to allow such oversight, prioritizing the status quo over accountability to the people we serve.
Prioritizing Tax Dollars for Citizens and Legal Residents
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is facing enormous challenges in addressing the needs of its citizens and legal residents, such as rising living costs, increased homelessness, higher rent prices, and a severe shortage of affordable housing. While compassion for all individuals is a core value, the primary responsibility of the state government is to prioritize the welfare of its citizens and legal residents. The allocation of taxpayer dollars must reflect this obligation, making sure that public resources are directed toward those who are legally entitled to them and who contribute to the state's economy. This policy position outlines a framework to redirect state funds to prioritize citizens and legal residents, addressing the damaging impacts of current policies that allocate extremely high levels of resources to illegal aliens. This position directly contradicts the default position of Senator Michael Rodrigues (stated or unstated) that goes along with every budget Maura Healey has approved.

Key Issues

Detailed positions on the most important issues facing Massachusetts families and communities.

Economy & Jobs

Cutting taxes for working families and small businesses to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

High taxes and overregulation in Massachusetts stifle economic growth and burden families. I believe in the Reagan model of supply-side economics—cutting taxes, reducing government spending, and deregulating business—which will spur job creation and innovation. The state should lower income and business taxes to attract investment and keep wealth in citizens' hands. This will help spur more jobs, which will increase the tax base.

  • Reduce the tax burden on Massachusetts families
  • Support small businesses by cutting red tape and regulations
  • Promote job growth through pro-business policies
  • Fight against wasteful government spending
Public Safety

Standing firmly with our law enforcement officers and first responders who keep our communities safe.

Rising crime in Massachusetts cities demands strong law enforcement support. Overly restricting police undermines public safety. My law-and-order stance calls for backing police with adequate funding and training, coupled with swift justice for offenders, to restore community trust and security. I also support fully the need to cooperate with ICE and other Federal law enforcement to arrest illegal aliens, especially dangerous and violent criminals.

  • Fully fund and support our police departments
  • Strengthen penalties for violent criminals
  • Address the opioid crisis with treatment and enforcement
  • Ensure our communities have the resources they need to stay safe
Education

Empowering parents and improving educational outcomes for all Massachusetts students.

I support expanding school choice options, such as charter schools and education savings accounts, to give parents alternatives to public schools. I also support measures to eliminate progressive curricula, instead focusing on academic excellence and traditional values.

  • Support school choice and parental rights in education
  • Focus on core academics and skills that prepare students for success
  • Increase transparency in school curriculum
  • Ensure education funding reaches classrooms, not bureaucracy
Family Values

Committed to protecting traditional family values and standing up for the principles that make our communities strong.

Parents, not bureaucrats, should control their children's education. Massachusetts' progressive school policies often sideline parental input on curriculum, especially regarding controversial social issues. My emphasis on local control will support empowering parents to oversee education, ensuring schools reflect family values and focus on academics over ideology.

  • Defend religious liberty and freedom of speech
  • Support policies that strengthen families
  • Protect the rights of parents to raise their children according to their values
  • Advocate for the most vulnerable in our society
Illegal Immigration

Secure borders and enforce immigration laws while treating immigrants humanely but firmly.

Secure borders are essential for national sovereignty and public safety. Massachusetts' sanctuary policies encourage illegal immigration, straining public resources. Over three billion dollars of taxpayer money has been spent by the Maura Healey machine for illegal aliens, while ignoring the homeless, veterans, and stressed out families. My approach favors enforcing immigration laws, streamlining legal pathways, and prioritizing Massachusetts citizens' economic and security interests while treating immigrants humanely, but firmly.

  • Enforce immigration laws and cooperate with federal authorities
  • End sanctuary policies that strain public resources
  • Prioritize Massachusetts citizens' economic and security interests
  • Support legal immigration pathways while securing borders
Free Speech

Protect robust expression and open debate in universities and public spaces.

Free speech is the bedrock of liberty, and Massachusetts' progressive culture sometimes stifles dissent through cancel culture and restrictive campus policies. I am a champion of open debate, even for unpopular views. The state should protect robust expression, ensuring universities and public spaces remain forums for diverse ideas without fear of censorship and harassment.

  • Champion open debate, even for unpopular views
  • Protect universities as forums for diverse ideas
  • Oppose cancel culture and restrictive campus policies
  • Ensure public spaces remain free from censorship

Additional Policy Positions

Comprehensive positions on other important issues facing Massachusetts.

Election Integrity

I am an advocate for stricter voter ID laws and election security measures to ensure trust in Massachusetts' electoral process.

Energy Policy Reform

I will push back against Massachusetts' net-zero carbon emissions mandate by 2050, which burdens municipalities with costly regulations (e.g., truck emission rules). I will advocate for market-driven energy solutions and reduced reliance on green energy subsidies.

Healthcare Cost

Rising healthcare costs can be lowered by promoting price transparency and market competition. I will oppose challenge state-level mandates that increase costs for residents.

Housing Affordability

Massachusetts' housing crisis stems from excessive regulations and zoning restrictions that limit supply. I support deregulation to encourage private development, reducing costs for homebuyers and renters. Free-market solutions, not government subsidies, will make housing more affordable while preserving property rights.

Pro-Life

Human life begins at conception, and protecting the unborn is a moral imperative. Massachusetts' liberal abortion laws undermine this principle. While respecting individual choice, the state should prioritize policies that promote adoption and support for pregnant women, reducing abortions through compassion rather than coercion.

Euthanasia/Physician Assisted Suicide

All life is precious. I reject any policy that allows for physician-assisted suicide.

Progressive Social Policies

I will push back against policies promoting "radical gender ideology" or DEI initiatives. This includes protecting parental rights in education and opposing transgender sanctuary city designations.

Public Health

Public health policies should balance individual freedom with community safety. A few years ago, Massachusetts' heavy-handed COVID mandates often overreached, ignoring personal responsibility and discriminating against churches and other while favoring different groups. My trust in individuals supports transparent health policies, voluntary compliance where possible, and limited government intervention, ensuring citizens make informed choices without coercion.

Second Amendment

The right to bear arms is a constitutional cornerstone, ensuring self-defense and resistance to tyranny. Massachusetts' strict gun laws infringe on this freedom. I support responsible gun ownership, background checks to keep firearms from dangerous individuals, and protecting law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights.

Transportation Infrastructure

I support efficient transportation policies, such as reforming the MBTA's funding and operations. I oppose costly mandates like zero-emission vehicle requirements that burden taxpayers and businesses.

Women in Sports

Fairness in women's sports requires protecting biological females' opportunities. Allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's categories, as sometimes permitted in Massachusetts, has undermined competition and safety and should not be permitted. I support policies ensuring women's sports are strictly for women, respecting biology while compassionately addressing transgender rights.