Priorities

The next State Representative from the 23rd Middlesex District will take office in March when the Legislature is debating the FY ’09 budget. Many interest groups will pressure our new State Representative on a host of issues. Here are my priorities in the coming session of the Massachusetts Legislature:

• Property Tax relief for residents on fixed incomes

In 2000, the so-called “Circuit Breaker” bill proposed by former Representative and now State Senator Jim Marzilli became law and provided a refundable state tax credit to qualified senior citizens whose property taxes exceed 10% of their income. The circuit breaker is designed to make the property tax less regressive. If elected, I will support a bill sponsored by State Representative Jay Kaufman to expand the property tax circuit breaker to residents regardless of age.

• Increase state aid for Arlington and Medford

State aid to both communities of the 23rd Middlesex House District ( Arlington and Medford) was reduced considerably in 2003 and has not been restored to FY ’03 levels. Increasing state aid – and working with colleagues across the state to make sure the state has the revenue to do this – is a top priority to strengthen our schools and municipal services.

• Education Funding

I will support additional funding for early education programs, funding of full-day kindergarten, and increased assistance to cities and towns for special education.

• Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes and passing the rest of the Municipal Partnership Act

I will vote for the two provisions of the Municipal Partnership Act that have not yet been enacted – allowing cities and towns to vote on a 1 or 2 percent tax on meals and hotels and updating a century-old provision that exempts telecommunications companies from paying property taxes on their poles. I will vote to close corporate tax loopholes and require corporations to file combined tax returns, which will prevent revenue from leaving the state. The combined reporting proposal would generate more than $450 million in revenue from the state. Closing corporate tax loopholes could generate even more revenue.

• Health Care

The new state health care law has helped insure 300,000 residents. In this legislative session, we must be sure the program, known as Chapter 58, is fully funded. The Legislature must carefully examine the implementation of the new law and be open to modifying it so all residents of the state are covered.

• Restoring funding for safety net programs

Sixteen years of Republican Governorships in Massachusetts combined with Republican control of the federal government has weakened programs designed to help people in great need. My priority will be to increase funding for adult basic education, programs that serve homeless individuals and families, the Emergency Aid to Elders, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) program, the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), and Residential Assistance for Families in Transition Program (RAFT).

• Environmental Funding

Through my work on Spy Pond Park and the Vision 2020 Spy Pond Task Force, I saw first hand how reductions in funding of state environmental agencies harmed our state. I will work to ensure the state funds environmental programs in order to maintain our parks, enhance the quality of our water, and enforce laws designed to protect our water and air.

• Regional Transportation

As a State Legislator from Arlington and West Medford, I would look forward to the opportunity to work with municipal leaders from both communities to identify and advance projects that enhance transportation in our region. I will participate in discussions about the extension of the Green Line to Medford and am eager to find ways to improve bus service to and from the Alewife terminus.

• Staying in touch

Since my election to Arlington’s School Committee in 2003, I have held forums each year with parents, grandparents and others interested in school issues. I will continue this practice and will hold regular office hours in both Arlington and West Medford. I enjoy meeting and learning from my constituents and especially enjoy sitting down and listening to people who hold opposing views. Careful constituent service is a critical piece of the job of a State Representative and is the best way to develop policies and programs that benefit the district.

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