Jamie Eldridge: Acton resident, and Democrat incumbent State Senator

The global economic crisis of 2008 wreaked havoc on our country’s economy, including here in Massachusetts. The greed of an elite few has led to the pain and suffering of many. As a legislator, job creation has always been my top priority. It has become an even more pressing issue as my constituents face unemployment, rising health costs, and foreclosures. My focus on changing this problem reflects the complex nature of creating jobs and the need for government to show leadership in proposing a long-term vision to ensure a diverse economy in Massachusetts.

I have fought for and supported a variety of bills that will help create jobs and maintain a diverse economy in Massachusetts. The Green Communities Act and Property Assessed Clean Energy legislation will create thousands of jobs for highly educated professionals and working families and will expand the market for solar installation and home energy efficiency. I supported increased funding for the Mass Technology Collaborative, which recently awarded the town of Harvard $35,707.26. The trust is providing the town of Harvard with a Clean Energy Choice grant to install an approximately 5.3 kW solar photovoltaic array at the Bromfield School. This system will reduce the school’s energy costs and will help educate students about the power of clean energy technologies. The Life Sciences Bill increased state support to start-up biotech firms and will ensure that Massachusetts remains a global leader in this field. The recently passed Economic Development Bill will increase direct lending to small businesses and provide technical assistance from development organizations to grow our small businesses and create jobs.

I have also focused on ensuring that our communities have the infrastructure they need to grow and attract businesses. I helped secure more than $100 million in upgrades to the Fitchburg and Worcester commuter rail lines to improve commuting to Boston and Cambridge and the reverse commute to companies located in our district. I fought to make sure we received our fair share of stimulus funding for wastewater treatment plants that will ensure our communities have safe, clean water and that companies have access to the water they need to grow their businesses.

Finally, the economic crisis taught us that there must be “rules of the road” to safeguard our economy from the select few corporations who would act irresponsibly and damage our state and country. I have supported stronger consumer protection laws to crack down on the predatory lending that led to the housing bubble. I have fought to protect those who have fallen on hard times and are facing foreclosure. I led the fight to pass an amendment in this year’s budget that requires disclosure of tax breaks given to corporations so that the public can see if their money is being used efficiently to create jobs.

A diverse economy, supported by well-maintained infrastructure and appropriate safeguards is the kind of integrated approach to job creation I have always championed. I welcome any feedback on how to create more jobs in Massachusetts.

About Jamie Eldridge:

Jamie is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Boston College Law School, where he served as president of the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) for two years.

He is a former member of the Acton Housing Authority and an Associate Member of the Acton Planning Board. Jamie served as state representative for the 37th Middlesex District, after being elected in 2002 and has served as state senator for the Middlesex and Worcester District since January 2009. For more information visit www.jamieeldridge.com.

George Thompson: Westborough resident and Republican

In the area of state government, there is a need for fiscal discipline, reform and responsible expense and programmatic management.

Our current level of state spending is rapidly approaching the point where it can no longer be sustained because of its rate of growth coupled with a lack of revenue. State government is facing a consensus deficit next year of anywhere between $1.5 and $2.25 billion. There are two directions, both of which essentially define the difference between myself and the incumbent, Jamie Eldridge: (a) expense management and programmatic review (which I favor) or (b) raise taxes (Mr. Eldridge supports hiking the income tax to 6.3 percent as well as raising the gas tax).

I think every state agency, program, and state employee position should be carefully reviewed with an eye toward creating improved efficiency, reduction, or elimination. Here are a few examples of what could be done: (1) reduce public construction costs by opening public projects to all bidders; (2) lower municipal health care costs by giving towns health plan design review authority (Mr. Eldridge voted against this proposal); (3) restructure public employee benefits by moving the vesting time for lifetime health benefits from only 10 years of service to 15 years of service, moving the eligibility age to 60, and increasing the employee contribution rate above 15 percent.

I favor a hiring freeze of noncritical state employee positions. A noncritical position would have to be one that was certified by the specific agency head. Mr. Eldridge voted against a hiring freeze this past spring. As of Sept. 7, the state website was advertising to fill 194 jobs. Assuming $40,000 as the average salary for each position, coupled with another $20,000 (conservative) for the cost of benefits (health insurance, disability, pension, etc.), that is a potential expense of more than $11,500,000. In short, the state needs a hiring “time out.”

Although it is not a material expense to the overall state budget, I think legislators should set an example of personal leadership for the rest of state government employees by refusing a pay raise. I have pledged not to accept a pay raise or a transportation stipend until state unemployment gets down to 6 percent. Although several democratic legislators declined their pay raise this past year, Mr. Eldridge accepted his.

State government issues aside, there are things we must do for our state:

• Create a pro-business and private-sector job growth environment that is not just specific to one or two industries.
   
• Lower the cost of doing business in Massachusetts, in particular the cost of energy and health insurance, which is still the highest in the country, notwithstanding the promise of our universal health-care law.

I support a two-year moratorium on any new business regulations while we review all of the current regulations to assess their effectiveness.

Finally, I support a responsible rollback of the state income and sales taxes to 5 percent, which would follow a review and reduction of current state expenses.

About George Thompson:

George holds a master’s degree from American International College and a law degree from Suffolk University School of Law, and currently has his own law practice in Westborough. He has served two terms on the Westborough School Committee and is in his second term on the Westborough Board of Selectmen. For more information visit www.votethompsonforsenate.com.