“Change” is certainly the buzzword during the 2008 campaign season.  Instead of empty rhetoric, our Commonwealth needs change that makes sense and that we can afford.  Even though many of us are struggling to balance the family budget in the face of skyrocketing energy, healthcare, and food costs, the state is constantly in search of ‘new sources of revenue’.  That revenue comes from the families, small businesses, and big businesses that are all interconnected and needed to create a strong, healthy economy. 

Sadly, Massachusetts has long suffered a well-deserved reputation for being unfriendly to the very employers, employees, and families that we need to attract to regain our competitiveness.  It’s time that we make common sense changes that focus on the spending side of the equation, not just the revenue side.  Thoughtful, forward-thinking change will enable us to compete with other states to keep and attract businesses that are the lifeblood of a healthy Massachusetts economy. 

In November, you must decide if you want to continue with the status quo on Beacon Hill, or elect new leaders like me to work for change that makes sense and who will put your interests above the special interests.

Rather than the constant drum beat from Beacon Hill for “new sources of revenue”, we need a new drum beat for “results, efficiency, and better stewardship of your tax dollars”.  The state needs to live within its means just as families and business must, even in the face of skyrocketing prices and a struggling economy. 

The rollback of the income tax from 5.3% to 5%, as approved by the voters and stopped in its tracks by our legislature for several years, should be enacted.  That tax cut must come with real cuts in wasteful spending.  A top to bottom initiative to identify and eliminate wasteful spending must be undertaken by your elected leaders on Beacon Hill. 

If we have the will, there is no doubt that we can find enough waste and inefficiency to accommodate the income tax rollback to 5%.  Just as your family must find ways to save in order to live within your income, we must elect leaders like me to make Beacon Hill accountable to do the same.

Massachusetts is working towards the ultimate goal of having health insurance for all citizens by forging a partnership between the government, employers, and the private market.  However, we are also seeing the high costs that go along with programs for  subsidized insurance. 

In addition to working diligently to attack the cost side of healthcare in Massachusetts by eliminating inefficiency, waste, and redundancy, we need to ensure that there are creative programs to provide viable insurance options for all citizens.  This includes the young students and workers who today choose to pay state fines and forego health insurance they view as un-affordable. 

Rather than punishing the uninsured with arbitrary fines, the system must do more to help them.  Any subsidized health insurance should include incentives for taking steps to reduce ones health risks.  By rewarding regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoidance of activities such as smoking, many long-term health problems can be avoided.  This will ultimately help drive down health care costs for us all. 

Now that Massachusetts is becoming a national leader in the movement for “health insurance for all citizens”, we need to elect leaders like me to help drive down costs and work for reform to make our healthcare system affordable and sustainable.

Regardless of economic standing or background, each child in the state of Massacusetts deserves the same opportunity for an excellent education that prepares them for the jobs of tomorrow. 

We need to ensure that the base school aid funding formula and Chapter 70 funds delivered to the towns are distributed equitably to all towns and cities in the Commonwealth.  We also need to ensure that unpredictable special education and transportation costs do not overburden town budgets.  This can be accomplished by shifting more of the funding from local property taxes to the larger pool of funds at the state level.   

As the father of three in the public school system, I fully support teachers and understand the challenging, crucial role they play in educating our children.  As your Representative, I will always look out for the best interests of our children, especially when that means standing up to a bureaucratic system that is structured to protect the status quo rather than promote change that makes sense for our children, schools, and towns.

Part of attracting and retaining workers to Massachusetts is the availability of affordable housing.  Did you know that we rank near the bottom in affordable housing compared to other states?  Clearly, the noble goal of providing enough affordable housing is not being met by the 40 year old 40b legislation, which is allowing developers to overstep town bylaws for their own profit. 

It is time we end 40b and place more focus on incentive-based alternatives such as 40r to enable towns to establish Smart Growth Zoning Districts (SGZD’s).  This alternative allows towns and developers to work together while enabling towns to retain control of future development.

I will go to the State House to work for common sense changes that help achieve the stated goals of affordable housing while encouraging towns and developers to work together.

We have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of our environment and the tax dollars we are elected to spend for the benefit of the citizens of Massachusetts.  As the world leading economic power, we depend on tremendous supplies of energy and resources to keep the engine of our economy and society running & growing. 

We must provide motivation to our universities and Massachusetts companies to lead the development of truly renewable energy sources and to make Massachusetts the leader in new ‘green’ industries.  

If I earn the honor and privilege of representing you on Beacon Hill, I will work for a balanced energy policy that makes Massachusetts the leader in the renewable energy industry of tomorrow while also supporting policies that make energy more affordable today.