Issue Position: Economy

Issue Position

Framingham MUST address the structural deficits that exist as described by the Finance Committee during the 2010 Town Meeting. As the costs of employing people and providing essential services continue to rise faster than municipalities are able to raise the funds, we will continually slip further and further into an economic hole.

The circumstances of this structural deficit are created and exacerbated by the Legislature with the passage of numerous unfunded mandates and an unwillingness of the State to live up to its economic commitments and promises.

As a State Representative I will insist that programs mandated by the State have both an economic impact assessment and a budget proposal. Promises to fund the "special education circuit breaker" or removal of the turnpike tolls must be honored or fair alternatives offered. Binding legislation such as the collective bargaining agreement (Section 19 of Chapter 32B MGL) have, over time, created unsustainable economic straitjackets in affected communities and I will work to build a level of flexibility and common sense into legislation that will allow municipalities to cope with the particular circumstances of their community.

Source