Stas on the issues...

Senior Tax Relief

It is unacceptable that many of our seniors are priced out of their homes due to skyrocketing property values and rising real estate taxes. I will introduce legislation that allows towns to freeze property taxes, while indexing them to inflation, for our seniors when they begin to receive Social Security. This will protect our seniors against rising tax burdens and help keep our communities diverse in character.

State House Accountability

It should be easier for people to hold their representatives accountable for their actions. I will lead an initiative to reduce the levels of bureaucratic red tape and work to make government more service-oriented and friendlier. There should be a 24-hour, toll-free hotline to call for questions about any and all government services. Furthermore, all Legislative votes and bill records/histories should be made easily available and on the State House website. In addition, I will fight to cut wasteful spending at all levels of government so that our tax dollars go to where they belong: back to the communities!

Small Business

Small businesses must receive more help in order to provide health insurance to their employees. The current state program must receive greater fiscal priority in order to make it work for real businesses in the real world. We must reduce the burden of cumbersome regulations to make it easier to start and run a small business in Massachusetts. We must encourage investment in new technologies so that innovations begin and new industries grow in our state. With three small businesses in my family, and as the son of a small business owner, I understand the vital role played by the small business community in our economy. In the State House, I will be a champion for the cause of small businesses.

School Building Assistance Fund

We must restore the funding of this crucial program to allow towns to invest in education and make sure that current commitments are kept. The recent bill clearing the backlog is a good start, but we need to start funding new projects sooner – how long can our children wait for schools that are not falling a part? Our property values stay high because of our education system and I will fight for the funding to keep our schools great.

Community Character

Affordable housing is a good idea, but the current state laws outlined in Chapter 40A and 40B must be reviewed and altered. I will be a strong fighter for local control so the power and money will be in the hands of the town and not in the developers’ pocket. Recent reform in this area is a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough. Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland should be able to control their own destiny and maintain their charm and appeal.

Job Security

I will promote the export of products, not jobs. It is imperative to keep our jobs in Massachusetts, where they belong! I will make sure that State Government holds no contracts with companies which outsource American jobs or companies that move overseas to avoid paying taxes. Also it is important to help our local businesses stay competitive in the global economy. I am concerned about the loss of high-tech jobs in the Boston area and I will not rest until a solution is found to this serious problem.

Veterans

We must do more for our veterans. Too often veterans are made promises by politicians and then abandoned after giving their vote. Those who have honorably served our country and their families must be respected and cared for all of the time. I will work closely with veterans’ organizations to identify the issues and resolve them. Just as they fulfilled their commitment to us, we must do so for them.

Higher Education Reform

I will work to unite 2-year and 4-year State Colleges and the UMass universities under one umbrella. A seamless system would allow for easy transfers between Massachusetts’ colleges and universities. Also this will allow for great savings in the administrative system while allowing more state money to be focused on education and related expenditures. On top of this, the savings from bulk purchasing will help lower fees and tuition for all students. The UMass system should not be weakened.

Environment

Our children should be able to safely enjoy our ponds, lakes and streams. I will work to increase state and federal funding for environmental research on alternative fuels and energy conservation. I support innovative research concerning the clean up of rivers and other polluted waterways. I strongly oppose any efforts to weaken environmental protections.

Health Care Reform

I believe that every person has a fundamental right to basic healthcare and that it is vital that each and every person is covered. I will work tirelessly to find ways to reduce the cost of healthcare and stem the enormous annual increases in premiums. Also I will suggest suppressing costs by simplifying the healthcare system and reducing the complications that cost money.

Do you have a question about an issue not covered here? Do you have a suggestion for an important issue to address? Email stas@stasforstate.com and let us know!