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Notes
from the Statehouse
Methuen Rep. Linda Dean Campbell
(03/06/07)
 One thought to pass on to you
before you begin reading a piece written by a freshman
legislator, is that any freshman comments regarding the
“inner” workings of Beacon Hill should be
considered with a bit of skepticism and a sense of humor!
One fairly reasonable observation I have is that this
budget session will be more complex - and more
productive – because both the Legislature and the
Governor will have an active, frank dialog on all
the specifics.
My initial reaction to the Governor’s Budget is that
I accord him and his staff great credit for attempting to
address the issues he raised during his campaign –
the need to make the Commonwealth more competitive; the
need to provide greater assistance to cities and towns;
the need to address affordable housing; deliver health
care; and enhance education.
Of all the issues raised in the previous campaigns, I
believe the most important is the immediate need to bring
employers to Massachusetts. One thing that we need
to keep in mind as we move forward is that 39 states in
our nation have steeper business tax rates than we do in
the Commonwealth. Targeting the 4% of corporations
in the state that are using loopholes to avoid paying
taxes is not going to affect whether or not small
businesses or corporate entities remain here – or
relocate. So, what is needed to convince future
small businesses and corporations to come and stay in
Massachusetts? We need to make improvements in our
infrastructure which include improvements in both public
and private transportation systems; a more robust
telecommuni-cations capability; and more affordable
housing for employees. A streamlined permit-ting process
is the final critical link that has been aggressively
addressed by both the current and former Governor.
In sum, don’t be misled by the issue of closing
loopholes on 4% of corporations which do business in the
Commonwealth – the states that we are competing with
have already done that. Instead we need to focus
upon the above challenges which will define how we are
able to compete in an international marketplace.
My focus right now is to meet with all of the
stakeholders in Methuen that have an interest in the
state budget. My thanks to all of them for their advice
and support. Our meetings in Boston and Methuen have been
most productive. My weekly meetings with Mayor Manzi and
his Chief of Staff, Attorney Matthew Kraunelis, are most
important as we continue to analyze the details of the
Governor’s Budget.
For the foreseeable future, I can be reached in Room 33
of the State House. My legislative aide, Christopher
Dwelley, and I, welcome your visits and calls.
We may be reached by calling (617) 722-2060. My email at
the State House is: Linda.Dean-Campbell@MassMail.State.MA.US
and Chris-topher’s email address is:
Christopher.Dwelley@ MassMail.State.MA.US You are also
welcome to contact me at my residence: (987.989.0722)
campbellmethuen @comcast.net
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The March 2007 Edition
of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 12,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
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Salisbury Beach, and Lowell.
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