Issues
My experience over the last six years addressing the economic, fiscal and social issues facing the citizens of Massachusetts prepares me for the challenges to come. Fiscal policies are in urgent need of fundamental change to get our economy growing again and to save taxpayer dollars. The statewide income tax increase for every income level scheduled for January 2011 will only depress economic growth and prolong high unemployment. Moreover, recent increases in the sales, meals and hotel taxes exacerbate the problem.
I will be a fearless defender of Massachusetts taxpayers. The annual budget should not be treated as a spending target. The budget is on an unsustainable trajectory and we cannot simply tax our way out of it.
It is time to elect individuals at all levels of government who seek to do the right thing for long-term economic growth. This is the only way to increase real job growth.
I promise to always fight for YOU.
My priorities:
Aggressive Action to Revitalize the Economy
- Protect income growth and roll back the income tax to 5%
- Impose a moratorium on all new business regulation
- Support for a consistent business tax policy to encourage long-term investment
- Support state ballot question rolling sales tax back to 3%
- Repeal the new sales tax on alcohol and distributors
Government Reforms & Responsible Spending
- Repeal costly, unfunded mandates on cities and towns
- Reduce crushing municipal healthcare costs through reforms already available to the state
- Establish local aid floor; Guarantee funding for core education & public safety services
- Reform the state pension system to achieve meaningful tax savings
- Privatize MassHealth to achieve hundreds of millions in net savings
Restoration of Accountability
- End pensions for politicians and political appointees; cut off salaries for jailed politicians
- Require proof of citizenship for beneficiaries of state entitlements
- Support for Receivership for Lawrence, which will set the city on a path of fiscal stability for the long-term
