Calls On Mr. Eldridge to Finalize Date(s) for Littleton Rotary Sponsored Debate & Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Invitation
MARLBOROUGH-- Dean Cavaretta, (R) candidate for Massachusetts State Senate in the Middlesex and Worcester District, announced today that he and his opponent, State Senator Jamie Eldridge, have agreed to three debates, and calls on his opponent to "open up his calendar" to reach the publicly agreed upon number of five to six.
To date, the two campaigns have initially agreed to the following:
· October 10th in Ayer sponsored by the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce. (Time/details TBD)
· October 17th at 7:30pm in Acton at the www.ActonTV.org studios (16 A Craig Road) sponsored by Acton-TV and the district's www.Patch.com websites.
· October 24th at the Acton Town Hall sponsored by the Acton Area League of Women Voters.
Cavaretta also challenges Jamie Eldridge to a debate on WCRN 830 AM in Worcester on the WCRN Morning News with Hank Stolz, responding to the show's open invitation.
"My opponent and I have very different career backgrounds and more importantly very different views on how to help the Massachusetts economy, improve our schools and what our priorities are for the Middlesex and Worcester District," Cavaretta said. "In this important election, I look forward to giving the residents of the District an opportunity to learn more about me and where I stand on these important issues."
Voters can learn more about Dean Cavaretta by going to his websites: www.deancavaretta.com and www.MomsAndDadsForDean.com or following him on Facebook and Twitter @DeanCav
Protect Mass Children has come out with a web graphic in the style of those SomeECards that fill up your Facebook news feed. It highlights Jamie Eldridge's vote against Melissa's Bill, and it's damn effective.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CavarettaCommittee@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter @DeanCav
STOW - Certified Teacher Dean Cavaretta, Republican candidate for the Massachusetts State Senate, today called upon his Democratic opponent to debate jobs, state health care and transportation issues.
"My Opponent owes us an explanation why he continues to support a VT or Canadian-style health care system for Massachusetts when he knows such a massive expansion of government would bankrupt our state," said Cavaretta.
"Our cities and towns lack the Local Aid they need to deliver essential services, and our state transportation network is in need of faster project delivery. Yet, he insists on imposing an unworkable health care system coined 'MA Medicare for-All' that he knows would put us even further behind. We have a responsibility to save Medicare for seniors first."
As part of his campaign, Cavaretta has proposed lowering health care premiums by allowing health insurers to compete across state lines. He also supports improving choice and affordability with differently tailored plans for small businesses and individuals within the Massachusetts Health Connector.
On state transportation, Cavaretta has proposed setting the goal of making all Mass. infrastructure projects take six years or less and transform the state's Project Delivery Process, akin to pilot reforms he previously worked on with Governor Patrick's 8-year, Accelerated Bridge Program.
"The Health Connector is a bipartisan framework within the private marketplace, and I support it," said Cavaretta. "The exchange can be improved without imposing mandates. On transportation, I'll insist on performance based management and on-time delivery because reforming state transportation is central to our Economic Recovery," said Cavaretta. I've already done this at MassDOT and in the private sector, and will use my experience to get better results for our communities."
As part of his challenge, Cavaretta has proposed that the two 2012 candidates debate at a public forums to be held in the District sometime in the next 2-3 months.
Cavaretta is the Republican candidate for the Massachusetts State Senate in the Middlesex and Worcester District, which includes the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Littleton, Ayer, Shirley, Devens, Harvard, Stow, Maynard, Hudson, Marlborough, Southborough, Westborough, Northborough (Precinct 3) and Sudbury (Precincts 2 & 3).
Matt Dehner
978-310-1245
CavarettaCommittee@gmail.com
Media Advisory
Cavaretta for State Senate Launches 6th YouTube Video Highlighting Dean's Jobs Plan; Also, Campaign Holds Westborough Fundraiser with Special Guest: Karyn Polito on June 6th
CAVARETTA CALLS ON OPPONENT TO DEBATE EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND THE FUTURE OF STATE TRANSPORTATION
STOW - Dean Cavaretta, Republican candidate for the Massachusetts State Senate, today called upon his Democratic opponent to debate education, health care and state transportation issues in the Middlesex and Worcester District.
EDUCATION
"I am running for State Senate to offer new policies that will put education and the economy first," said Cavaretta in a statement. "My newly launched Education Web site will help me show voters how I will use my skills as a former teacher to support accountable and local education reform."
www.MomsAndDadsForDean.com features a collection of education-related information about Cavaretta and his 2012 campaign.
As an example, Dean's new site includes detailed information about Cavaretta's professional experience in the Ashland, Lexington, Acton-Boxborough and Concord Carlisle school systems - skills the candidate says make him perfectly-suited to know how to improve public education in Massachusetts.
Cavaretta has taught 8th grade, U.S. History in Lexington. Previously, he student-taught at Ashland High School while concurrently working as the History Department's Special Education Aide. He has also works as an area substitute teacher, and taught ESL and Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs to adult learners at the ABE Program at Devens and Mt. Wachusett Community College.
SAVE MEDICARE FOR SENIORS
"My opponent owes us an explanation why he continues to support a VT or Canadian-style health care system for Massachusetts when he knows such a massive expansion of government, even with all the tax increases would bankrupt our state," said Cavaretta.
"Our cities and towns lack the Local Aid they need to deliver essential services, and our state transportation network is in need of faster project delivery. Yet, my opponent, just this week, insists on imposing an unworkable health care scheme called 'MA Medicare for-All' that he knows would put us even further behind financially. During this fiscal emergency, I believe we have a responsibility to save Medicare for seniors first."
STATE TRANSPORTATION
Cavaretta has proposed setting the bold goal of making all MA infrastructure projects take six years or less and transform the state's Project Delivery Process, similar to pilot reforms he previously worked on with the Governor's 8-year, Accelerated Bridge Program.
"I'll insist on performance based management and on-time delivery for all of MassDOT and the MBTA because reforming state transportation is central to our Economic Recovery," said Cavaretta. I've already done this at MassDOT and in the private sector, and will use my proven experience to get better results for our communities."
Cavaretta has proposed that the two Middlesex and Worcester State Senate candidates debate at a public forum to be held within their district sometime in the next 2 months.
For More Information from the Cavaretta Campaign Visit:
www.DeanCavaretta.com
www.MomsAndDadsForDean.com
Read A Bullet Summary of Dean's JOBS PLAN: An Act Making MA Competitive for New Jobs and An Act to Reduce Spending & Fund Responsible Tax Cuts: http://on.fb.me/wJBB5b
Elections are about choices and contrasts. Here are 4 real differences between myself and my 2012 opponent:
• He WANTS massive, green-only government subsidies that have failed to create large scale job numbers.
What our District NEEDS is a more competitive, small business climate that entices all companies - in multiple industries, to stay in Massachusetts instead of leaving our state. My opponent has conducted the wrong strategy by attempting to pick winners and losers in the marketplace, and place one, emerging industry above all the rest.
By contrast, I have filed a broad-based Economic Plan that establishes a more efficient and simpler system for our state tax code. It's time to end special deals for both "big oil" and failed, solar panel "boondoggles."
• He WANTS a Cap and Trade Carbon Tax on MA Small Businesses.
What our District NEEDS is to restore our commitment to educational excellence and Human Capital as the premier issue in Assabet Valley, MetroWest, and Nashoba Valley. This longstanding tradition is luring families from China, India, Brazil and the rest of the world to come here. As a certified teacher, former coach, classroom aid and tutor - I have the experience to be more effective on school issues, and make the next generation of state Education Reform work for our city and towns.
My new website: www.MomsAndDadsForDean.com is devoted to sharing ideas on the #1 issue in our District, next to a stronger economy.
CAVARETTA CALLS ON ELDRIDGE TO DEBATE HEALTH CARE AND THE FUTURE OF MA MEDICARE
Says Incumbent Has Responsibility to Explain Positions to Constituents
STOW - Dean Cavaretta, Republican candidate for the Massachusetts State Senate, today called upon his Democratic opponent to debate health care issues.
"Jamie Eldridge owes his constituents an explanation why he continues to support a single-payer, health care system for Massachusetts residents when he knows such an expansion of government would bankrupt our state," said Cavaretta. "Our cities and towns lack the local aid they need to deliver essential local services, and our educational system is in need of real flexibility. Yet, my opponent remains singularly focused on imposing a health care system coined 'MA Medicare for-All' that he knows would put us even further behind."
"My opponent fails to realize that Massachusetts is not Canada or Vermont and that his misguided plan make 'Obama-Care' look conservative and incremental. His bill is too bureaucratic in the middle of a growing doctor shortage and worst jobs climate since 1929," said Cavaretta. "We have a responsibility to save Medicare for seniors first."
As part of his campaign, Cavaretta has proposed lowering health care premiums by allowing health insurers to compete across state lines. He also supports improving choice and affordability with differently tailored plans for small businesses and individuals, and providing more benefit design flexibility within the Massachusetts Health Connector.
"The Connector is a bipartisan framework within the private marketplace, and I support it," said Cavaretta. "The exchange can be improved without imposing mandates."
As part of his challenge to Eldridge, Cavaretta has proposed that the two candidates debate health care at a public forum to be held within the Senate district sometime in the next month.
"Let the public come and hear our different plans for the future of MA health care, and how we plan to pay for them," said Cavaretta. "I believe the choice will be clear. I did not make Medicare a state issue, Jamie Eldridge did."
Dean Cavaretta is the Republican candidate for the Massachusetts State Senate in the Middlesex and Worcester District, which includes the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Littleton, Ayer, Shirley, Devens, Harvard, Stow, Maynard, Hudson, Marlborough, Southborough, Westborough, Northborough (Precinct 3) and Sudbury (Precincts 2 & 3).
###
Dean Cavaretta (R-Stow)
2012 Candidate for State Senate
HQ: (978) 310-1245
www.MomsAndDadsForDean.com
www.DeanCavaretta.com
HUDSON - The project delivery process involves the development, implementation and maintenance of a road, bridge or transit project throughout the asset's useful life, managing multiple planning, design and construction issues along the way.
Right now, the average time to deliver a road or bridge project owned by the Commonwealth is taking seven to 10-plus years - completely unacceptable when one considers how important a safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation network is to Massachusetts and to our economy.
Over 15 years ago, I started my political career calling for drastic reform at our transportation agencies, including the acceleration of all Route 2 reconstruction projects. My first job working for MassHighway was on a mega-project in Worcester whose total budget exceeded Rhode Island's annual appropriation for snow and ice.
Bringing performance-based management, improved roadway maintenance and on-time project delivery - while reforming the state agencies involved in road, bridge and MBTA jobs - is central to our economic recovery and to my 2012 state Senate campaign. I've already participated in this important reform work at MassDOT, and in the private sector, and I will use those experiences to get improved results for our communities.
We know some of the reasons that state jobs are coming in over budget and taking twice as long: environmental permitting, lack of coordination with utility companies and municipalities, poor procurement procedures, faulty design plans and incompetent project management.
At the local level, town departments cannot find the cheapest contractors to do even the simplest of painting jobs because of the over restrictive Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law.
Unlike my opponent, Jamie Eldridge, who needs to "study the issue" and get back to the Northborough Board of Selectmen (by the end of April), I can unequivocally say today that I will immediately file legislation next year to exempt local projects of $100,000 or less from prevailing wage restrictions.
In Hudson, the Houghton Street Bridge has sat idle and been closed inexplicably for over eight years. Now that MassDOT has begun work on the Washington Street Bridge, the past failures of the department with project delivery are coming back into focus, since Houghton is an important feeder road in proximity to the town's downtown business district.
On March 26, at a recent Hudson selectmen's meeting, state Rep. Kate Hogan, D-Stow, recounted how she meets with MassDOT every six months to review projects. Well, that's great, but this is pretty underwhelming to say the least. As state senator, I'll do much more than bi-annual check-ins with the MassDOT District 3 and 4 offices in Worcester and Arlington, respectively.
Having worked at both locations, with multiple district highway directors and their staffs, I'll go to work with officials on a tangible plan to speed up all state road, bridge and transit jobs, in all phases of development for every single project impacting my 14 communities.
Dean Cavaretta
(R) Candidate for State Senate
Middlesex & Worcester District
www.MomsAndDadsForDean.com
www.DeanCavaretta.com
The project delivery process involves the development, implementation and maintenance of a road, bridge or transit project throughout the asset's useful life, managing multiple planning, design and construction issues along the way.
Right now, the average time to deliver a road or bridge project owned by the Commonwealth is taking 7-10+ years. Completely unacceptable when one considers how important a safe, reliable and cost effective transportation network is to Massachusetts and to our economy.
Over 15 years ago, I started my political career calling for drastic reform at our transportation agencies, including the acceleration of all Route 2 reconstruction projects. My first job working for MassHighway was on a mega-project in Worcester whose total budget exceeded Rhode Island's annual appropriation for snow and ice.
Bringing performance based management, improved roadway maintenance and on-time project delivery - while reforming the MA agencies involved in road, bridge and MBTA jobs is central to our Economic Recovery and to my 2012 State Senate campaign. I've already participated in this important reform work at MassDOT, and in the private sector, and I will use those experiences to get improved results for our communities.
We know some the reasons that state jobs are coming in over budget and taking twice as long: environmental permitting, lack of coordination with utility companies and municipalities, poor procurement procedures, faulty design plans and incompetent project management.
At the local level, town departments cannot find the cheapest contractors to do even the simplest of painting jobs because of the over restrictive MA Prevailing Wage Law. Unlike my opponent, Jamie Eldridge, who needs to "study the issue" and get back to the Northborough Board of Selectmen, (by the end of April), I can unequivocally say today, that I will immediately file legislation next year to exempt local projects of $100,000 or less from prevailing wage restrictions.
In Hudson, the Houghton Street Bridge has sat idle and been closed inexplicably for over 8 years. Now that MassDOT has begun work on the Washington Street Bridge, the past failures of the Department with Project Delivery are coming back into focus, since Houghton is an important feeder road in proximity to the town's downtown business district.
On March 26, at a recent Hudson Selectmen's meeting, State Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow) recounted how she meets with MassDOT every six months to review projects. Well that's great, but this is pretty underwhelming to say the least. As State Senator, I'll do much more than bi-annual check-ins with the MassDOT District 3 and 4 offices in Worcester and Arlington respectively.
Having worked at BOTH locations, with multiple District Highway Directors and their staffs, I'll go to work with officials on a tangible plan to speed up all state road, bridge and transit jobs, in all phases of development for every single project impacting my fourteen communities.
Dean Cavaretta
Candidate for State Senate
Middlesex and Worcester
www.DeanCavaretta.com
www.MomsAndDadsForDean.com
Maynard: Dean Cavaretta, candidate for State Senate in the Middlesex and Worcester District issued the following statement today regarding Jamie Eldridge's inability to act on what the district needs.
Cavaretta stated, "I do not need until the end of April to make the towns priorities my priorities, they should be one in the same."
"While my opponent continues to push for ideas out of the mainstream like overturning U.S. Supreme Court decisions, banning plastic bags from grocery stores, addressing Occupy Boston and traveling to Worcester to dream for Medicare for All, I will be fighting for what the district needs and clearly the Town of Northborough needs a stronger voice on Beacon Hill fighting for special education funds and money for our crumbling roads," commented Cavaretta.
The Town of Northborough submitted a letter to both Governor Deval Patrick and Senator Jamie Eldridge on February 13th that requested the state to support exempting construction projects of $100,000 or less from the prevailing wage law. That law requires towns or the companies they contract with to pay workers "prevailing wages," which are often higher than wages paid for by local contractors.
The Town Administrator John Coderre said, "Besides costing the town money, the law also makes it difficult for the town to get local contractors to bid on a small project because there are mountains of paperwork that must be completed."
One of several examples of how the law has hurt the Northborough was how the municipality was forced to hire another contactor out of state for an simpple job of just painting their town police station.
"Bringing performance based management and on-time delivery, while reforming the MA agencies involved in road, bridge and MBTA projects is central to our Economic Recovery," said Cavaretta. I've already done this at MassDOT and in the private sector, and will use my experience to get results for our communities, as Middlesex and Worcester's next State Senator," concluded Cavaretta
Cavaretta is a Republican candidate for state senate in the Middlesex & Worcester District, which includes: Acton, Boxborough, Littleton, Ayer, Shirley, Devens, Harvard, Stow, Maynard, Hudson, Marlborough, Southborough, Westborough, Northborough (Prec. 3) & Sudbury (Prec. 2/3).
Dean has solid experience working for MassDOT, including working closely within and outside the Highway Division to accelerate transportation projects through their project life cycle. This led to pilot recommendations as components of both the Patrick Administration's Scorecard Initiative and Accelerated Bridge Program launched in the spring of 2008, focusing on performance based management and on-time delivery.
(For every 10 spam posts I delete, Eno let's me blatantly plug one of my local candidates! Dean is running vs. "Progressive" Jamie Eldridge in the Middlesex & Worcester District. - promoted by Paul R. Ferro)
New Site Focuses on State Senate Candidate's Support for Education And Credentials As a Former Public School Teacher
STOW - Stow resident Dean Cavaretta, candidate for Massachusetts State Senate in the Middlesex and Worcester District, is featured in a new Web site highlighting his support for public education and his experience as a licensed public school teacher.
The Web site, MomsAndDadsForDean.com, was officially unveiled by the Cavaretta for State Senate campaign today.
"I am running for State Senate to offer new policies that will put education and the economy first," said Cavaretta in a statement. "This new Web site will help me show people how I will use my skills as a former teacher to support accountable and local education reform."
MomsAndDadsForDean.com features a collection of education-related information about Cavaretta and his campaign.
For example, the site includes detailed information about Cavaretta's professional experience in the Ashland, Lexington, Acton-Boxborough and Concord Carlisle school systems - skills the candidate says make him perfectly suited to know how to reform public education in Massachusetts.
A biographical page on the Web site notes that Cavaretta became dual-certified to teach United States History and Political Science to Grades 5-12 by the Massachusetts Department of Education. He taught U.S. History to eighth graders in Lexington. He also completed Secondary Education and Student-Teaching Coursework with Framingham State College's Post Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure (PBTL) Program. Cavaretta student-taught at Ashland High School while concurrently working as the History Department's Special Education inclusion aide. He has served as a substitute teacher in different systems, and has taught ESL and Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs to immigrant, adult learners at the ABE Program at Devens and Mt. Wachusett Community College (Adjunct Instructor), as well as at a Brazilian church founded in Marlborough.
The site also points out that Cavaretta has combined his teaching skills and a love of sports to help student-athletes achieve success on and off the playing fields. He served as the Freshman Football Coach at Concord Carlisle Regional High School and Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. He was also Head Junior Varsity and Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, where he is a proud member of the Acton-Boxborough Athletic Hall of Fame.
MomsAndDadsForDean.com also contains information about how Cavaretta intends to reform public education, including a Ten-Point Plan the candidate is proposing as part of his campaign. Cavaretta has repeatedly vowed he will be the "Education State Senator" if he is elected, focusing on policies that grant higher performing school districts, including Middlesex and Worcester, more autonomy over school building assistance, regionalization agreements and curriculum decisions. Cavaretta also supports an MCAS Exam for U.S. History and greater state assistance for training rookie teachers, calling professional development "the new unfunded mandate" in Massachusetts Education Reform that needs to be fixed.
The Web site also contains testimonials from people supporting Cavaretta's candidacy.
Residents wishing further information about Cavaretta and his campaign can also visit the campaign's existing Web site, DeanCavaretta.com, in addition to following the candidate on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
It is baffling and telling that State Sen. Jamie Eldridge is scheduled to again travel outside his Middlesex & Worcester District (Wednesday evening, 3/14) to try and sell his Medicare-4-All Plan, (modeled after Canada or VT), when policy makers should be doing everything they can to save the near bankrupt Medicare for Seniors.
The Eldridge Bill in the MA State Senate (S Bill 509) contains FIVE new state taxes on income, capital gains, payroll, employees and employers. It will cause private sector layoffs, drive Mass. doctors from medicine, and reduce the quality of care throughout our state.
ITEM: Across my district Local Aid is down, Property Taxes are up and Home Values are falling. Road, Bridge and MBTA jobs take 7-10+ years to build. Chapter 70 School Aid relative to MetroWest vs. the Big Cities is still not equitable.
Yet, Greater Marlborough's State Senator this winter and spring has focused almost exclusively on repeating the Evergreen Solar boondoggle for new job creation, a non-binding resolution re: a U.S Supreme Court Decision, changing the Electoral College to a popular vote, and a Single Payer Health Care Bill that is so radical and unworkable it would never pass the Legislature.
It is time to put Education and the Economy first, rather than a failed and progressive policy agenda catered exclusively to the Special Interests. Let's speed up road, bridge and MBTA projects, create new jobs by supporting all small businesses and improve public education by once and for all eliminating unfunded state mandates that cost-shift expenses on to local taxpayers.
Dean Cavaretta
2012 Candidate for State Senate
www.DeanCavaretta.com
(Great questions for Jamie Eldridge, who supports crony-captialism.
- promoted by Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno)
We all know it's unreasonable to expect a different result when you do the same thing over and over and over again: http://bit.ly/ybbntu
Take, for example, the clean energy sector.
Those of us in MetroWest and Assabet Valley are all too familiar with failed investments in Solyndra, Beacon Power, Sun Power, and the now infamous bankruptcy of Evergreen Solar - a bad investment which alone cost Massachusetts taxpayers $58 million.
Only giving preferential treatment to one industry is costly, risky, and unproductive. So, why is State Senator Jamie Eldridge devoting considerable effort to forming a 'Green Energy' Caucus at the State House, and proposing the creation of yet another state environmental agency to support it?
My opponent wants to expand state government to focus on a small, emerging industry which is not even one-tenth the size of the Commonwealth's health care, education, retail or high-tech sectors. It doesn't make economic sense for the Legislature to focus on only one market at a time when our state still faces high unemployment and systemic budgetary challenges. And, it's no longer acceptable to pick winners and losers in private business.
Immediately after Evergreen's bankruptcy in the summer of 2011, my opponent also formed a Senate District Green Advisory Council on just this one, emerging sector of the state's overall economy.
Question: Why not create an overall, Senate District Small Business Advisory Council instead?
There is too much money in politics, and I've been very clear on the need to reform Campaign Finance Laws on all sides. (Just ask Charlie Baker who in 2010 was viciously placed in the cross-hairs of my former union the MTA, to the tune of millions).
But, across Middlesex & Worcester: Local Aid is cut; Property Taxes are up; Home Values are down. MA road, bridge and MBTA projects take 7-10 years to build. The commercial vacancy rate along I-495 exceeds 50%. Unfunded mandates and the unfair Chapter 70 funding formula still negatively affect our schools. Yet, As a State Senator, Jamie Eldridge makes as his #1 initiative (?) to somehow overturn a U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Super-Pacs, while his Massachusetts tax, regulatory and Canadian Health Care Plan(s) would bleed this Commonwealth dry and eliminate jobs.
I'm running as a former teacher and state transportation official to put Education and the Economy first, not a failed, narrow policy agenda targeted exclusively to the Special Interests.
Dean Cavaretta (R-Stow)
2012 Candidate for State Senate
Tel: (978) 310-1245
www.DeanCavaretta.com
I find it remarkable that my 2012 opponent, Jamie Eldridge can be shocked at the idea of negative repercussions related to MA casinos, yet was perfectly willing to 'gamble' with the People's Money (-58 million) on special tax giveaways to the now bankrupt Evergreen Solar. Yet, we have a so-called revenue problem in state government, Jamie?
It clear what the coordinated, 2012 talking point is going to be for ultra-liberal candidates this election year. Actually, the young Joe Kennedy the III used the word so much in his recent announcement for Congress, I actually thought my DVR replay button on the remote was broken.
But really, what is "fair" Massachusetts fiscal and economic policy for the one party dominating Beacon Hill? What is "fair" treatment for taxpayers still struggling to put the Great Recession behind them? Before we answer those questions, I have a few questions for my opponent:
-Is it "fair" that less than 1% of the available 800 Billion in 2008 TARP funds under this Administration has actually been spent on Mass. homeowner loan modifications?
-Is it fair for every one dollar in state/local taxes that goes to Boston, many if not all of your Middlesex and Worcester communities receive (approximately) 64 cents back? Is that "fair to local students or municipal workers?
(In fact, since 2008, our hometown of Acton has experienced a 36% reduction in Local Aid from this Legislature and Governor).
-Is it "fair" Senator Eldridge for you to propose state tax increases on: gasoline, income, capital gains, dividends and local fees to the General Fund all while the federal and state government have wasted millions on failed stimulus or subsidies to connected industries? How is that any less "fair" than corporate welfare policies so chastised by the Left as being unjust? Both are equally corrosive to Economic Recovery.
-Is it "fair" to impose the highest Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax rate (15.4%) on MA job creators even though small businesses and/or individual S Corporations already pay such an exorbitant high cost burden in a host of areas?
Note: Forbes Magazine recently ranks MA #1 on its Cost of Doing Business Index
Clearly, times must change. Sen. Eldridge: Our goal in public office should be to create more MA taxpayers NOT create higher tax rates under the guise of so-called "fairness" no matter how many times Joe Kennedy III's political consultant has him repeat the word. Income redistribution, class warfare, and artificially imposing 'equality of outcomes' (instead of equality of opportunity) on Massachusetts residents and small businesses doesn't work. It goes against our Constitution. But, that lowest common denominator proposal is what voters unfortunately receive in the absence of true competition and balance under the Golden Dome.
As a former teacher and MA transportation official, I am running because the Legislature needs to protect taxpayer funds, accelerate infrastructure projects and make Education Reform local. Especially now, when home values and Local Aid both continue to fall, causing even more strain on local budgets and our vanishing commercial tax base. Unlike my opponent, I do not support: Canadian-style health care in MA, state tax increases in a recession, amnesty or in-state tuition for illegals, special tax giveaways to bundlers of either political party, and lowering the drug-free zone around MA public schools.
What is truly "fair" in 2012 is the election of new faces who won't raid the taxpayers' wallets every time policies fail and massive amounts of borrowed money doesn't put people to work.
Dean Cavaretta
Candidate for State Senate
Middlesex and Worcester District
www.DeanCavaretta.com
To be fair, only about 2,000 of the company's 25,000 employees are based here in Massachusetts, and the company has not yet said how many of the "1,200 plus" layoffs will hit here at home (Boston Scientific's HQ is in Natick). Could be none of them. But it will hardly be surprising if the impact is felt locally.
That uncertainty hasn't kept one of the state Senate's leading liberals from sounding off. From the Globe:
"I've asked for information on where they are cutting jobs,'' said state Senator James B. Eldridge, an Acton Democrat. He has proposed so-called clawback legislation that would allow the state to recover money from businesses that receive tax breaks here - including Boston Scientific - and then reduce their workforces.
"My sense is, sadly, that like many other American companies, they are shedding jobs in Massachusetts and adding jobs overseas,'' Eldridge said. "And this is a company making greater profits, so it's even more outrageous.''
Yes. Outrageous (Senator Eldridge forgot egregious! and preposterous!)!
Jamie Eldridge, the State Senator for the Middlesex and Worcester District, is in support of putting one of his districts manufacturing companies out of business. Yesterday Senator Eldridge gave an atta-girl to State Representative Lori Ehrlich on twitter for her legislation to ban plastic bags.
Senator Eldridge has a problem however. His support for banning plastic bags would have the effect of directly causing layoffs in his district. Hudson Poly Bags is a manufacturer of both technical bags and tubing, and retail bags. While the company seems to have a strong presence that would not be affected by this ban of retail plastic bags, they do have a line of high quality merchandise bags for retail applications. A picture of the bags of some of their customers can be seen below.
In that image you can clearly see that the company has clients in Massachusetts. Clients that would, under legislation Senator Eldridge wholeheartedly supports, no longer be able to purchase Hudson Poly Bags products.
TO: Sen. J. Eldridge (D-Acton)
FR: Dean Cavaretta
DT: March 22, 2011
RE: Please file this bill on my behalf
Jamie:
Below, please find the text of a bill I am formally requesting you file on my behalf as soon as possible. My legislation is in response to your proposed Clawback Bill and comments in your recent newsletter. Far from perfect, my bill moves the debate to much larger issues affecting us all: the viability of our local and state economy in the years ahead.
I salute the effort, but while a stronger clawback law may be warranted to attempt to recoup a portion of the monies you YOURSELF voted to appropriate (to firms like Evergreen Solar), your bill does absolutely nothing to solve the overall fragile business climate in MetroWest, the empty commercial space along the Route 495 Corridor, or help the Commonwealth become a more competitive location for entrepreneurs, relative to other states.
In short, my bill addresses the PROBLEM, your bill addresses the SYMPTOM.
As the old adage goes, "people vote with their feet." By that measure, in your nine years in the Legislature, both people (young and old) and businesses (big and small) are fleeing our state and your District. In this brutal, Great Recession its time for bold action.
Beyond the citizen petition, I welcome you as the lead or co-sponsor on my bill, or however that process works.
