Ruth B. Balser is the State Representative for the 12th Middlesex District, which includes roughly the southern half of the City of Newton. She is currently seeking re-election to serve a seventh term in the Massachusetts Legislature. Her priorities include local aid, human services, health care, education, the environment, women’s rights, and economic and social justice.

Advocate for Newton

Representative Balser’s problem-solving approach to her work in the State House has greatly benefited her home town. It was Representative Balser's legislation that extended the terms of a state loan that has allowed the City to finance the repairs of a Newton fire station; she achieved the bond authorization to improve Needham Street; and a Massachusetts Highway Department traffic study on Route 9. Moreover, she worked hard to make sure that Newton North would receive its fair share of funding from the State's School Building Assistance program.

A Leader on Mental Health Issues

Professionally, Representative Balser is a clinical psychologist with a career that includes community mental health, private practice, and managed care. A 1969 graduate of the University of Rochester, she earned her Ph.D. in 1980 from New York University. She is the first psychologist to serve in the Massachusetts Legislature.

Throughout her 12 years in the Legislature, Representative Balser has led efforts to improve access to to mental health services. In 2005, she was recognized for her expertise and commitment to mental health public policy when she was appointed her to serve as the first House Chair of the newly created Joint Legislative Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Representative Balser served for two terms in that role (2005-2006 and 2007-2008).

Environmentalist

As a member of the Joint Committee on Local Affairs for three terms, Representative Balser served as Chair of the Open Space Sub-committee, later re-named the Article 97 Sub-committee. She authored two reports (New School Construction and the Loss of Article 97 Land, March, 2000; An Updated Analysis of Article 97 Land Transfers, February, 2005) that examined the loss of constitutionally protected conservation land and led efforts in the Legislature to protect public lands. She has been recognized with awards from the Environmental League of Massachusetts and the Newton Conservators for her work in this area.

An avid hiker and snow-shoer, Representative Balser has spearheaded environmental efforts in Newton as well. Representative Balser organized and chaired a Task Force dedicated to the restoration of Hammond Pond. As a result of the efforts of the Task Force, the City of Newton received a federal grant to clean up and protect the pond. Additionally, she helped to secure an agreement from the MWRA to restore the platform under Echo Bridge in Hemlock Gorge, thus providing access to this unique natural resource. She was also successful in including in the Transportation Bond Bill an appropriation to repair and restore the historic Echo Bridge.

Newton Alderman

Representative Balser served four terms (1988-1995) on the Newton Board of Aldermen. During her tenure as an Alderman, she chaired the Public Safety and Transportation Committee and was a founding member of the Newton Child Care Commission. She has been a member of the Newton Democratic City Committee and served as Chair of the Ward 8 Democratic Committee.

Personal

The daughter of two schoolteachers, Representative Balser developed a lifelong appreciation of and commitment to public education. Following her graduation from the University of Rochester, Representative Balser was awarded a PhD from New York University. Both of her sons are Newton Public School graduates. Jonah is a doctoral candidate in New York and Micah is doing his post doc in Chicago. As an Alderman and a State Representative, protecting and improving public schools has been her top priority.

Awards and Recognition

Representative Balser has accomplished a great deal for the people of Massachusetts by reaching out to others, working with them to solve problems and to bring about change when and where it was needed. Those are the qualities we need in our leaders - someone who can bring people together for a common purpose - to solve our problems, to meet the challenges of the day, and to bring about responsible change.

Representative Balser has received the following awards for her work:

• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) - Elected Official of the Year - 2009
• National Organization of Women (MA Chapter) - Legislator of the Year - 2008
• NAMI Massachusetts - Heroes in the Fight - 2008
• Massachusetts Coalition for Addiction Services - Ending Insurance Discrimination Champion Award - 2008
• Riverside Community Care - Leadership Award - 2008
• Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology - Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters - 2008
• Labor Assistance Professionals of Massachusetts Recognition Award - "In recognition of your outstanding contributions, helping those with substance abuse problems in the community and in organized labor." - 2007
• Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association - Outstanding Service Award - 2007
• Hope House - Spirit of Hope Award - 2007
• Massachusetts Family Planning Association - Family Planning Leadership Award - 2007
• Massachusetts Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors - "For outstanding legislative actions contributing to treatment of the chemically dependent." - 2006
• Riverside Community Care - Leadership Award - 2006
• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership - "In recognition and appreciation of outstanding leadership, advocacy and support on behalf of consumers of behavioral health services." - 2006
• Disability Law Center - Legislative Leadership Award - 2006
• Massachusetts Coalition for Addiction Treatment - Certificate of Appreciation - 2006
• American Psychological Association - State Legislator of the Year - 2006
• The Recovery Homes Collaborative - "For your integrity and your keen sense of responsibility to the community for seeking the value in recovering individuals, and supporting our efforts we thank you." - September 14, 2006
• Massachusetts General Hospital Endowment for the Advancement of Psychotherapy - Leadership Award for the Advancement of Mental Health - 2006
• National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Boston Consumer Advocacy/Affiliate Network (NAMI GB CAN) - Representative of the Year - 2006
• MassPIRG - The Global Warming Hero Award - June, 2006MassPIRG - Public Interest Champion - 2006.
• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Mental Health - Certificate of Appreciation - 2006
• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Mental Health - Distinguished Service Award - 2005
• The ARC of Greater Boston - Outstanding Legislator Award - 2005
• The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics - Child Advocate of the Year Award - 2005
• The Massachusetts Psychological Association - Ezra Saul Psychological Service Award - 2003
• The Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers - Legislator of the Year Award - 2003
• The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and Association for Retarded Citizens Massachusetts - Legislator of the Year Award - 2002
• The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Legislator of the Year Award - 2002
• Work, Community, Independence (WCI) - Legislator of the Year Award - 2002
• The Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations and the Jewish Community Relations Council - Legislative Achievement Award -2002
• The Newton Conservators - Environmentalist of the Year Award - 2001
• Greater Boston Association for Retarded Citizens - Outstanding Legislator Award - 2001
• The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education - Distinguished Service Award - 2000
• The American Psychological Association - Presidential Citation - 2000
• The American Psychological Association - Karl F. Heiser Presidential Award - 2000
• Riverside Community Care Leadership Award - 2000
• The Environmental League of Massachusetts - Environmental Honor Roll Award - 2000