Again this year, the Daily News has offered local candidates for state office the opportunity to communicate directly with voters. All candidates in contested, local races for the Massachusetts Legislature have been invited to submit 150-word essays, which will appear each Sunday in the Opinion section up to the Nov. 4 election. Candidates in uncontested races may also submit statements, which will appear as space allows.
State Senate
Middlesex & Worcester
Includes Marlborough, Hudson, Maynard, Acton, Boxborough, Northborough, Southborough and Westborough
Jamie Eldridge, Democrat
One of my top priorities is working to improve the quality of life, health care, and safety for our communities' senior citizens. I do my best to serve as an advocate for seniors in the Legislature.
I have fought to expand the "circuit breaker" tax credit for seniors, ensuring that they aren't taxed out of their homes. I have worked to increase funding for Councils on Aging, which offer a variety of activities and services for seniors. To improve the public safety of senior citizens, this year I proposed legislation requiring automatic sprinkler systems in all senior housing across the Commonwealth. Further, to safeguard the health and well-being of seniors, I have consistently voted to protect funding for Prescription Advantage, keeping prescription drugs affordable.
We have a responsibility to make sure that our seniors can count on the Commonwealth after having given so much to our communities. As your next State Senator, I will continue to be an advocate for our senior citizens.
Steven Levy, Republican
James Eldridge firmly opposes Question 1 as do I. The ability to eliminate $12 billion of spending would not come without deep cuts to programs, services and local aid. As inefficient as state government is, we will not find that kind of savings without making extraordinary changes to the roles government fulfills.
But if the voters of Massachusetts pass this "binding" referendum, would Mr. Eldridge honor that vote? History says "No." Getting Mr. Eldridge to commit has been impossible. Instead he answers "I believe elected officials should act in the best interests of his constituents, according to what is in the public interest." So according to Mr. Eldridge, sometimes our elected representative is just plain smarter than us and knows better than us what's in our interest.
As your senator, I will honor your vote. Please vote Steven Levy on November 4th and let me represent you in the Senate.
www.StevenLevy.org
State Senate
Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex
Includes Natick, Wayland, Sherborn, Wellesley, Millis and Franklin
Sara Orozco, Democrat
My parents fled Cuba in 1961, and I was born and raised in a working class, Cuban-American neighborhood in Miami. I earned a volleyball scholarship to attend college and through federal school loan programs and work study, completed a Ph.D. Thirteen years ago a Harvard Medical School appointment and job at McLean Hospital brought me to Massachusetts. I am currently a psychologist in private practice in Needham with twin 9-year-old boys in public school. I am a 10-year breast cancer survivor. This January I embarked full-time on this campaign to fight for middle-class families struggling with the high costs of health insurance, housing and education. Virtually unknown nine months ago, I have won the endorsement of Governor Deval Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, Congressmen Barney Frank and Jim McGovern, and over 25 organizations. But the endorsement I most want is yours on November 4th. Let me work for you.
www.saraorozco.com
Scott Brown, Republican
As a member of the Bio-Tech Caucus, I have been a strong supporter of the life sciences industry and its many benefits to humanity and the economy.
The intent of the life sciences bill was to use funding to attract more companies to Massachusetts; however, special interest groups convinced the legislative leadership to fund expensive and questionable pork projects. Tens of millions of dollars in earmarks for incubators, sewer improvements and assistance for capital projects is not a comprehensive economic development strategy. To be clear, I am not against the goals of the bill or the value of each project. I am, however, opposed to borrowing $1,000,000,000 for such a plan.
I am proud to advocate for the life sciences industry but when the state gets in the way of a fair policy, I must object. I owe it to the taxpayers of my district to see that their money is being spent wisely, and that their concerns are heard.
House of Representatives
3rd Middlesex
Includes Hudson, Stow, Maynard and Bolton
Sonny Parente, Republican
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, two out of every three jobs created in Massachusetts come from small businesses. Their success is crucial to our survival as we struggle through this economic downturn.
However, as a small business owner myself, I know our state isn't doing enough to encourage entrepreneurs to set up shop in the Bay State.
It seems the Legislature is always finding new ways to burden small businesses and stunt their ability to grow and thrive here. The combination of unaffordable healthcare costs and unfair mandates, burdensome regulations, high taxes and poor infrastructure make Massachusetts a poor partner for achieving success as a small business.
Beacon Hill needs to start showing small businesses that they are valued members of the community or we risk losing their energy, ingenuity and jobs to neighboring states. Let's send a new wave of energy to Beacon Hill. I appreciate your vote on Nov 4th.
www.sonnyparente.com
House of Representatives
4th Middlesex
Includes Marlborough, Southborough and Berlin
Danielle Gregoire, Democrat
The economic crisis we currently face is not just about foreclosed homes. It is about credit and debt and student loans, mortgages and second mortgages, equity lines of credit and car loans. I support the governor's recent budget cuts, not necessarily the depths of all of those cuts, but there is fat to be trimmed in our state budget and there is no better time to make those cuts than now. As we begin to turn our economy around, we must continue to re-invest in the right kinds of jobs that are not exportable and that will benefit our citizens, our Commonwealth and our country. While every option is on the table for further cuts, local aid and public safety should be a last resort. Our federal government has bailed out Wall Street and it is time for our state, cities and towns to bail out Main Street.
www.daniellegregoire.com
Arthur Vigeant, Republican
In recent weeks the governor finally acknowledged a budget deficit of over $1.4 billion this resulted in over $1 billion in his cuts and reforms. Although the first round of cuts has been aimed at reducing state agencies and services, future cuts will certainly cut local aid and impact education and public safety.
These deficits are a direct result of bloated budgets, over-projected revenues, and mismanagement of the Commonwealth's finances by a one party legislature. Now, more than ever, the 4th Middlesex State Representative needs to have a strong financial background. My education as a CPA, personal experience as a small business owner and accountant for over 20 years and proven record as a legislative leader on the Marlborough City Council have prepared me for the challenges facing the Commonwealth in the years ahead.
www.arthurvigeant.com
House of Representatives
6th Middlesex
Includes Framingham precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14 and 17
Jim Pillsbury, Write-in independent
I invite all concerned voters of the 6th Middlesex District to open their minds and visit my web site, http://jimpillsbury.homestead.com/ to see what exactly I have to offer in terms of solutions and ideas that concern most of you. Toll payer relief tops the list of what I have heard from you, drunk drivers and sex offenders prowl our streets poised to wreak havoc and harm to innocent victims is on the list of immediate solutions you have asked me to do something about, along with keeping senior citizens in their homes for as long as possible through tax relief, eliminating the MCAS requirements, creating revenue sources and holding parents of children more accountable for their children's actions, along with the environment, agriculture tax relief and renewable energy, are issues that can be solved quickly and if elected, I will do my best for the will of the voter.
House of Representatives
8th Middlesex
Includes Holliston, Hopkinton, Precinct 1 in Medway, Precincts 2 and 3 in Southborough, Precinct 2 in Westborough.
Carolyn Dykema, Democrat
Education is opportunity. A good education opens doors and changes lives. We are so fortunate here in MetroWest to have strong public schools and many educational opportunities for our children, but we cannot take that for granted. Academic excellence requires our continued attention and commitment. Today's students are tomorrow's workforce. They need to be ready to compete in a global economy. They need to have opportunities to build their math, science, technology and engineering skills. We need to be forward thinking and proactive. We need to encourage partnerships between schools and businesses, and tap into our retired workers to be mentors and guest teachers. We need to support our teachers in their efforts to expand and hone their skills. Our highly skilled workforce is our most valuable resource here in Massachusetts. An investment in education is an investment in our economy, our children and our future.
Dan Haley, Republican
Ironically, Question 1 is distracting from the fiscal mess that prompted it. As press coverage fills with forecasts of apocalypse should it pass, the impact of our legislature's reckless spending goes unaddressed and those responsible again side-step blame.
I have consistently called for more local aid, to fund public education and other true priorities. Even though our legislature last year collected record tax revenues, they did not send adequate funds to the local level to pay for basic needs like school bus service. This is unacceptable, and I will fight for more education funding.
House Speaker DiMasi has said that if Question 1 passes he will block implementation - just as they blocked the rollback in 2000 - and we will still be in the financial hole caused by our legislature's irresponsible spending. We need representatives dedicated to ensuring that when the economy recovers, we do not repeat past mistakes.
House of Representatives
13th Middlesex
Includes Wayland, Sudbury and Lincoln
Tom Conroy, Democrat
Last week I discussed with my state representative colleagues the governor's budget cuts and whether we should continue to fund public-private partnerships to stimulate the economy. It's a debate at the federal level as well: should we have a national economic stimulus package? I tend to believe - and I welcome feedback from citizens - that we could turn this crisis into an opportunity by investing in renewable energy production and energy conservation throughout the state. Much like the depression era WPA and CCC, and the federal investment in a national highway system during the 1950s, a Massachusetts renewable energy infrastructure investment could serve multiple goals: prevent a deep economic crisis in the Commonwealth, create new jobs in the near future for those losing jobs today, dramatically reduce energy costs for Massachusetts-based businesses, reduce our dependence on oil, and promote a cleaner environment.
