Taxes
Three years ago the State of Massachusetts had a budget surplus of $1 billion with $2.3 billion in the rainy day fund.  Today we are facing a $3 billion deficit, we have left only a few hundred million dollars in our rainy day fund, and taxes are up $1 billion!  Sales tax was increased 25%, beer and liquor sales were charged sales tax for the first time, and the state gave cities and towns the ability to tax meals 2%, which further hurts businesses and residents.  Beacon Hill continues to throw around additional ideas for tax increases that would hurt families and businesses when the state is already suffering from nearly 10% unemployment.  We must stop increasing taxes in Massachusetts.  Every tax increase on residents makes it increasingly more difficult for families to survive.  Each tax increase on businesses causes job loss, slow economic growth and development, and a push be companies to leave Massachusetts.  Marc Lombardo does not support tax increases.  He supports reducing the sales tax and income tax back to 5%.

State Spending
The Town of Billerica has been suffering from local aid cuts and increases in state assessment fees, has not filled positions in public safety and public works, and has had to negotiate 0% increases in employee contracts, all in an effort to balance our budget and live within our means.  The State of Massachusetts has been on a different path.  Not only does the State have 7,500 more employees today than it did in 2005, but it also continues to give pay increases and lucrative benefit packages which include vacation buy back bonuses.  The State of Massachusetts does not have a hiring freeze and continues to conduct business as usual.

Undoubtedly you know someone who has taken a pay cut or has lost a job in the past 24 months.  Families and businesses alike are making sacrifices, controlling spending, and making cuts to survive.  Beacon Hill, on the other hand, continues to act as if it doesn’t need to do the same.  Marc Lombardo will fight to reduce spending and downsize government, all in an effort make our government more efficient.

Transparency in Government
Lately, the Massachusetts State House has been riddled with corruption.  Our last two Speakers of the House have been indicted, the current speaker is being questioned about the use of tax dollars for defending a past speaker, and a state senator has been recently charged with accepting bribes.  The current one-party rule has made it possible for policy decisions to be made behind closed doors.  Residents and taxpayers deserve transparency in our government and expect our elected officials to act legally and morally.  As your State Representative, I will push for increased transparency, demand open and fair debate, and will bring strong moral character to our State House.

Illegal Immigration
Illegal immigration is a violation of United States law.  It’s absurd to think that the same benefits we legal residents and legal immigrants have should be extended to illegal immigrants.  In-state tuition is a prime example of a benefit the legislature continue to try to provide for illegal immigrants.  In-state tuition is for legal residents of Massachusetts only.  People who live out of state yet work in Massachusetts, paying our income and sales taxes, are not even eligible to receive in-state tuition. It makes no sense that Massachusetts would extend this benefit to anyone living illegally in our state or country.

Marc Lombardo supports the idea of the Massachusetts State Police enforcing immigration laws and turning illegal immigrants over to federal officials.  Illegal immigration isn’t just a problem which exists in Texas and Arizona, it exists throughout our country.  All states must do their part to enforce immigration laws.