Community Update

I hope this installment of our legislative update finds you and your family happy and healthy after an enjoyable summer that seemed to fly by. I send my best wishes to those students who have returned to school and those young adults returning to college. I look forward to taking in school functions and sporting events this Fall.

The Legislature has had a break in its session for the month of August, however, that has not stopped work from being done. While no voting sessions occurred, many issues have remained at the forefront moving into the restart of the session this month.

Tech tax repeal
I am glad to see that common sense has prevailed in the Governor and Legislative leaders deciding to vote to repeal the tech tax that was instituted in the transportation finance bill. During the debate on taxes, I voted three times against the tech tax; twice against the transportation finance bill in its entirety and once in favor of an amendment that would have removed the tech tax from the bill. This particular tax would have greatly impacted our innovative economy, graphic designers, and software producers. It also would have hurt businesses that access these services by instituting a sales tax on those services. This would have had a negative impact on our small businesses, hiring, and would deter start ups from choosing Massachusetts as a place to anchor their businesses.

The continued reporting on the state’s welfare system

The news media has done a remarkable job continuing its investigative reporting on the rampant and outrageous fraud and abuse that has become ever more apparent in our state’s welfare system. From accused drunk drivers having multiple EBT cards in their possession to EBT card balances reaching over $7,000, the system has definitely deviated from its original intent in helping people back on their feet. It has become less of a transitional program and more of a lifestyle. The independent think-tank, the Cato Institute, recently released a study which showed that Massachusetts had the most generous public welfare benefits in the country. If one were to average out all the assistance that Massachusetts offers, each person receives an estimated $50,000 plus. It’s hard to look taxpayers in the eye and say we are reforming our system when that figure is brought to their attention. Welfare in some cases is necessary to help get people back on their feet. However, when we receive findings that show us the system has become more than its intent of transitional assistance, there should be no more evidence needed to act. I am encouraged by recent mention that there will be an attempt to finalize reforms this Fall, however, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Striking the right balance on the minimum wage

The minimum wage has become a hot button issue on Beacon Hill over the past six months with legislative hearings occurring right before our August recess. I would love to say that the decision is a simple one. However, rather than being reactionary to this issue we need to make sure we know of all the impacts related to any increase in the minimum wage. My concerns are with workers, but I also must keep in mind the impacts on job providers. For instance, a small business with 35 employees making the MA minimum wage of $8/hour would face a $2,800 per week and $140,000 per year increase in salary obligations if the proposed minimum wage of $10 was established. These figures would put a lot of stress on our small businesses and may result on business owners being forced to downsize their work force. It’s difficult to appreciate a minimum wage increase, when you are laid off because of it.  Also, another consideration will be the additional costs related to the impact Obamacare implementation. We need a comprehensive working group of union members, large and small business owners, and economic development agencies to look at all the impacts- positive and negative- that an increase will have to make sure we put together a bill that best represents all parties involved and strikes the right balance.

Protecting our nation’s traditions and heritage

Recently, many of you may have heard about an Acton couple suing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts over the fact that “under God” appears in the Pledge of Allegiance. The suit is based on the complaint that the Pledge of Allegiance is recited in schools and that it discriminates against atheists. There are many things that are discriminatory in our society. The Pledge of Allegiance is not one of them. The great resiliency of our United States Constitution is that the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion are two way streets; while you have the freedom to say what you will, and you have the freedom to worship in any way you choose, you also have the freedom of saying nothing, and the freedom of choosing not to worship. It is my firmly held belief that if someone is offended by words in our traditional songs or the Pledge of Allegiance, then they can either avoid them all together or omit certain words and phrases they find offensive. However, when it comes to manifesting their own opinions or philosophies on everyone through a lawsuit, I strongly disagree. I have no problem with those who define themselves as atheists. What I have a problem with is when any person of any race, creed, or following questions that when we as a country remind ourselves through a pledge that we are endowed with unalienable rights through our creator, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, that we are depriving them of their civil rights.