Meet the candidates for state Senate: Tim Schofield

November 30, 2011|By Boston.com staff, Globe Staff

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I believe that we need to focus on fraud and abuse in the pension system and consider reforms which do not impact current pensioners, people planning to retire soon, and people who have been paying into the retirement system. I do not believe that the government — like any employer — should break promises made to its workers.

Q. How would you seek to make improvements to public schools, both elementary/secondary and higher education?

A. I am a product of public schools and understand their importance to our families and our future. Much of the income gap in our society results from a difference in the quality and quantity of education. In order to be prepared for the jobs of the future, we must provide a quality education to all children.

In addition, there has been a significant transformation of work in this country over the last 50 years. Many people have seen their opportunities erode and their risk of long-term unemployment grow because the skills necessary to succeed in our world economy have changed.

As State Senator, I would support increased funding for early childhood education, including mandatory pre-K and full-day kindergarten because early education is vital to success in school and in life. I would fight for increased Chapter 70 funds for our communities so they can maintain small class sizes and outstanding teachers in every classroom. And, I would ensure we provide funding for continuing education, including vocational training at our community colleges, so that members of our community can continue to learn and update their skills.

Q. What professional experience do you have that you feel would be helpful if elected?

A. My life and professional experience has shown me that government is about helping and empowering people. I believe that working families have been left out of the current policy discussions, and as State Senator I will work to prioritize working families.

I also believe that my personal and professional experience will enable me to be an effective State Senator. I understand the struggles of working families because I grew up in a working class family. I am the youngest of eight children and the first in my family to go to college. I later earned my law degree from Boston College Law School. I am proud to have built a successful small business which now employs five people. I understand the challenges facing small businesses in this struggling economy.

As an attorney, I have experience representing the needs of other people. I have also served as a Legislative Aide on Capitol Hill and have been active in my community for many years. I served as an advisor to former State Senator Warren Tolman and I have served on various boards including the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund and the LGBTQ Bar Association. I currently serve on the Board of the Presentation School Foundation.

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