Q. What two major issues are facing state legislators? What would you do as a state Senator to help resolve them?
A. I believe that we must invest in people and infrastructure, and to do so we must make sure that large corporations and the very wealthy pay their fair share. Although the Commonwealth has taken steps to reduce waste, it is now clear that we cannot cut our way out of this economic crisis and we cannot continue to ask working people and the most vulnerable to bear so much of the burden.
To ensure we are able to maintain key programs, I would work to close corporate loopholes and eliminate or reform corporate tax credits. I would also support an amendment to allow for a progressive, graduated income tax to be sure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes. In addition, I would recover tax credits and other incentives from corporations that fail to live up to their promises.
To promote economic growth in Massachusetts we must get our people back to work. While Massachusetts has not been hit as hard as many states have, we are still facing an employment crisis. As a successful small business owner, I know first-hand how small businesses are vital to our economic growth, and that state government must help small businesses to succeed. I also believe that strong local infrastructure is crucial to economic growth, so I will fight for increased funding for job training, public transportation, and green technology to create jobs now and in the future. As State Senator, I would support efforts to influence banks to provide loans and credit to small businesses. Many banks are sitting on billions of taxpayer dollars from the bailout and that money should responsibly be made available.
As a product of public schools, I know how essential education is to individual opportunities and community-wide economic development. I will support increased funding for early childhood education so that our schools can maintain small class sizes and outstanding teachers in every classroom. And I will ensure funding for continuing education, job training and adult education, including vocational training at our community colleges.
Q. Did you support the proposed casino bill?
Tim Schofield