This doesn't faze Barrios. He describes his legislative agenda in the vague terms so characteristic of political jargon.

His priorities, he says, lie in "listening to what the constituents have to say, because it is important to me."

Yet his actions may just be that simple--and effective.

For example, one of Barrios' favorite accomplishments lies in the realm of affordable housing.

"The State Low Income Housing Credit Act we passed will go a long way towards solving the problem [of housing]," Barrios says. "A tax credit for low- to middle-income families is something my constituents need."

The key, Barrios says, is to keep residents in Cambridge, so that they can establish themselves in their communities.

"Some families are not always so good at nesting in neighborhoods--they need to get involved, and we need to reach out to them, because they're not on the radar screen yet," he says.