When Proposition 2½ was proposed, I supported it, because I believed that the Governor and Legislature, seeing that the local communities were limited in what they could raise by way of property taxes, would provide sufficient “state aid” so that the cities and towns would not be prevented from carrying out their essential functions – but I was wrong, that didn’t happen.  Unfortunately, there seems to be a theory that “state aid” is some sort of manna from heaven to which no one is entitled – in other words a gift from Beacon Hill.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  The source of state aid is not manna from heaven but your and my income taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes, etc.  When the Legislature sends money to the cities and towns, they are not making a gift; they are returning to our communities our own tax dollars.

Most of the vital services on which we and our families and friends depend every day – such as police, fire, education, elderly services, libraries, snow clearing, street repairs, trash removal, provision of water and sewer and the like - are provided by the cities and towns.  If there’s a fire in West Medford, don’t wait for the Beacon Hill Fire Department, call the Medford Fire Department; if you’re Arlington Street needs to be plowed, call the Arlington DPW.  And certainly don’t send your children to the State House to get their education!

I believe that local aid, what I’ll call the “Local Aid Foundation Budget” should be appropriated, according to the needs of the respective cities and towns, off the top of the state revenues, not treated as an orphan to be reduced whenever times get tough.  Then, provision should be made from the balance for other state services and departments. 

  “You have placed your trust in me for 19 years, and I have kept that trust in all that I have done.  Should you elect me as your Representative, I will do the same.  I will work for you and for Arlington & West Medford, and Massachusetts to be the best that they can be.”