Massachusetts House of Representatives Profile

Massachusetts House of Representatives

About Massachusetts House of Representatives

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the 160-member lower chamber of the Massachusetts General Court, with each member representing a district of approximately 40,000 people. It meets year-round to consider legislation, and Massachusetts constitutional rules require money bills to originate in the House. malegislature.gov

What they do

The House debates, amends and votes on legislation affecting the Commonwealth, including budgets, public policy and local matters. Daniel M. Donahue is a Democratic representative for the 16th Worcester District, which covers specified precincts and wards in Worcester; in the 194th General Court, he is a co-chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy. malegislature.gov

Who they serve

The chamber serves residents across Massachusetts through statewide lawmaking and district representation. Donahue’s district constituency is in Worcester, and his legislative work includes proposals involving housing assistance, labor standards, health care access, public services and economic development. malegislature.gov

Recent signals

Donahue is listed as a co-chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy in the current 194th General Court. malegislature.gov
On February 27, 2025, he filed H.1496 to have the Department of Housing and Community Development administer the RAFT homelessness-prevention program; the bill was later reported favorably and referred to House Ways and Means. malegislature.gov
He filed 2025 legislation proposing tax incentives for video-game and digital interactive media/entertainment industries. malegislature.gov
His official biography lists prior roles as Worcester mayoral policy director and assistant chief of staff, and political director for Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray. malegislature.gov

Reasons to get in touch

Cannabis-policy research or regulatory analysis could be relevant because Donahue co-chairs the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, which considers matters concerning marijuana. malegislature.gov
Housing-program implementation expertise could be useful in connection with his 2025 proposal to have the Department of Housing and Community Development administer the RAFT homelessness-prevention program. malegislature.gov
Economic-development or tax-policy analysis may be pertinent to his proposals for tax incentives involving video-game and digital interactive media industries. malegislature.gov
Health-care policy expertise could relate to his legislation concerning insurance coverage for acute hospital-at-home services and access to care by advanced-practice registered nurses. malegislature.gov

Questions worth asking them

What policy outcomes is the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy prioritizing during the 194th General Court?
What changes to the RAFT program would most improve access for households at risk of eviction or utility shut-off?
How is Massachusetts evaluating the potential economic impact of video-game and digital interactive media tax incentives?