Why I'm the best candidate for state rep
Somerville Journal, by Carl Sciortino
Sep 11, 2008
State representatives have two main responsibilities -- passing legislation that shapes policies in our community; and ensuring that individual constituents get the help and services they need from government. For the past four years, I've had the privilege of serving Somerville and Medford in both capacities, and on Sept. 16, I'm running a write-in campaign for re-election.
One of the biggest issues I hear about when I talk with voters is education. When I was elected in 2004, our communities had just suffered devastating budget cuts that eviscerated school funding. I'm proud that I pushed to significantly restore our funding, and that the legislature has increased Chapter 70 education funding for Somerville and Medford every single year for the past four years. I've also led the charge on reforming the MCAS standardized testing system, and filed legislation that would change how MCAS is used as a graduation requirement. We also need to support young people outside of school hours, which is why I helped secure $250,000 for the Teen Empowerment program.
It's no secret that open space is in short supply, given Somerville's population density. That's why protecting and enhancing Foss Park -- our largest park in the city -- is so critical. This year, I secured $2 million in the House for renovations, and worked with the Foss Park Neighborhood Association and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to make sure that maintenance and improvements were completed regularly and on schedule.
Another way we can protect our environment is through mass transit. Like many Somerville residents, I don't own a car and use the T to get to work. Just as the Red Line helped spur economic growth and development in Davis Square, the additional Green Line stops and the proposed Orange Line stop at Assembly Square have the potential to transform our city.
Currently, 30 percent of our population lives within a half-mile of the T -- in a few years, that will jump to 85 percent, opening up new possibilities for residents to leave their cars at home. Finally, I co-sponsored the Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates a major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and the Green Jobs Initiative, which will promote workforce training in the clean energy sector and provide support and grants to existing clean energy companies in the commonwealth. Massachusetts has always been an innovation economy, and we have the opportunity now to be a leader in this groundbreaking new industry. I support targeted investments that will pay dividends in the future for our commonwealth -- such as our groundbreaking health-care bill. But these initiatives can be costly upfront, and it's our job to watch taxpayers' money carefully. It wasn't popular on Beacon Hill -- I went head-to-head with Speaker Sal DiMasi -- but I led the effort to prevent large multistate corporations from exploiting tax loopholes to avoid paying their fair share in Massachusetts. Especially in tight fiscal times, we simply couldn't afford this giveaway, and the result will be hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for Bay State residents.
I have also prioritized legislation to assist senior citizens. SCM Community Transportation provides free rides to elders in Medford and Somerville who need assistance getting to doctor appointments, going grocery shopping and moving about their daily lives. They were facing a devastating funding shortfall, and I was proud to help secure $100,000 so they could continue offering their critical service. I also filed and passed legislation to enable the building of 95 new units of senior housing in Somerville.
Making a difference in our community has been extremely gratifying. But it's equally, if not more, important to help make a difference for individual residents. As State Representative, I've been honored to help the constituents who call my office every day. From families trying to figure out the state's new health-care system to residents trying to clean up their local parks, and from veterans seeking clarification on benefits to individuals who may have faced discrimination, I've worked to help connect them with the resources they need and get them assistance, because government should be on our side, working for us.
For the past four years at the State House, I've worked hard to help our residents and stand up for our community's values. On Sept. 16, I respectfully ask for you to support me by writing in my name, so I can continue to fight for all of us.
Democratic State Rep. Carl Sciortino has represented the 34th Middlesex District, serving parts of Somerville and Medford, for two terms. He is running a write-in campaign for re-election on Sept. 16. To read more about issues or the campaign, please visit www.electcarl.org.