Brad Jones Re-Elected As House Minority Leader

Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) announced this week that he has been re-elected to a sixth term as Minority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

“I am very grateful that my Republican colleagues have given me the opportunity to continue serving as House Minority Leader,” said Jones in a statement. “This upcoming session will be extremely difficult as the Commonwealth faces a myriad of challenges, especially when it comes to the state’s finances. I look forward to joining my Republican colleagues in not only playing a significant role in helping to reform the way state government delivers services, but also in offering creative and fiscally responsible solutions.”

Jones indicated that at the outset of the legislative session, he remains focused on economic recovery, fiscal responsibility, and creating an open and transparent state government.

“The Republican Caucus intends on coming out of the gate focused on getting Massachusetts moving in the right direction,” said Jones. “One way we intend on doing that will be to argue against the ongoing and increasing clamor on Beacon Hill about the need for a statewide tax increase.”

Jones also said that protecting local aid needs to be at the top of the priority list this legislative session.

“Local cities and towns continue to feel the trickle-down effect of a worsening economy,” said Representative Jones. “Further paralyzing them through cuts to local aid will only further aggravate the situation. The Legislature must first exhaust all options for savings at the state level before placing the Commonwealth’s budgetary problems on our local municipalities. Cutting local aid must always be a last resort."