Issues
Send to friendJOBS:
Sal’s family has owned Flowers by Sal, a small business in Cambridge for over 4 decades. He knows first-hand the challenges that businesses face. As your State Senator, Sal will work to spur job growth including supporting small business tax credits and investments in growth industries such as green technology and biotechnology.
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES:
The nation’s financial crisis has devastated cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Like each of us, cities and towns are struggling to balance their budgets and maintain critical services such as public safety, teachers, and public works. We need a State Senator that knows the budget process and can start fighting for the communities of our district NOW!
EDUCATION:
Being a product of public schools, I strongly believe that our next State Senator must fight for every dollar we can for our education systems. Shrinking budgets are creating larger class sizes, teacher lay-offs and the elimination of critical curriculum. We must attract the best and brightest teachers and provide our children with the tools they need to create a brighter future.
REGIONAL SPECIFIC ISSUES:
Cambridge
Cambridge has grown from a farming village during the American Revolutionary War to a world-class city that is home to renowned universities, life science and biotechnology companies, and is one of the most diverse communities in the nation. I grew up in this vibrant community, and I am a proud graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin, class of 1989.
- I will work with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to provide jobs to District residents.
- I will work with the city administration and Cambridge Energy Alliance to promote energy conservation and clean energy initiatives.
- I will ensure adequate funding for safe and affordable housing.
- I will continue working to ensure that Cambridge Health Alliance maintains a robust network of hospitals to serve the communities they are housed in.
Somerville
From new development at Assembly Square to the economic growth opportunities in the Inner Belt, Somerville is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the new economy. Its proud neighborhoods still maintain a small-community feel, as families that have lived here for generations introduce newer residents to the charm of this city.
- I will continue to work with state and local officials on the Washington Street reconstruction project.
- I will continue to work with Somerville officials on the Green Line expansion and oppose the placement of a MBTA maintenance facility in the Brickbottom community.
- I will continue to maximize economic development and residential growth opportunities in the Inner belt and Washington Street area.
Everett
I am proud to represent the City of Everett as a City Councilor, a community that is known beyond its borders for its independent spirit and state championship athletic programs. The energy in this city is contagious. Take a trip down Route 16 to see for your-self the pride that this city has in its young people and its vibrant community.
- I will continue working on the reconstruction of Route 99 (lower Broadway).
- I will work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to develop an appropriate schedule for state swimming pools.
- I will continue to work with city officials and Conservation Commissioner on RecycleBank, a national model for municipal recycling programs.
- I worked with city and state officials to bring a Boys and Girls Club to Everett.
Chelsea
Chelsea is a city that does not quit. When a fire ravaged its streets in the early 1900s, the city rebuilt. A second great fire over 60 years later was also no match for this city’s resolve. New businesses now flock to this city formerly dependent on manufacturing. Chelsea is a welcoming city that is proudly home to immigrants hailing from South and Central America to Eastern Europe.
- I will work with local officials to promote new development in downtown Chelsea.
- I will continue to work with local human service agencies to provide core services to residents.
- I will continue working on the reconstruction of Beacham Street.
Revere
Revere is just 5 miles from Boston, but it displays a character that is uniquely its own. My family, which immigrated to this country from Italy, used to visit Revere Beach to join the many other newly arrived who flocked there during the summer months. I would be proud to represent this great city.
- I worked with Revere officials and assisted in the process to bring needed funding for the Wonderland transit oriented project - a project which will create hundreds of jobs for Revere residents and citizens across the State.
- I will work to promote economic development and public-private partnerships to position Revere for future growth opportunities and strategic investments.
- I will work with the Revere delegation to continue upgrading the school buildings in Revere.
Saugus
Saugus is also home to sweeping reservations and historic sites that highlight the rich history of this North Shore town. My wife, Tricia, grew up in this town, attended Saugus Public Schools and is a graduate of Saugus High School, Class of 1991. I will be proud to represent precincts 2, 6 and 10 in the town of Saugus.
- I support the moratorium on incinerator expansion.
- I worked on the Kasabuski ice skating rink agreement which saved the town of Saugus nearly a million dollars of taxpayer money.
- I will work to bring new and clean economic development to the Easter Tool site and surrounding area.
Charlestown
Home to the famous battle of Bunker Hill which underscored the fierce resistance of American colonists to the British, Charlestown is located at Boston’s northern tip. This Boston enclave continues to commemorate its famous history, while forging a new identity as a neighborhood known for its close ties and restaurants and shops.
- I will work with local, state and federal officials on the proposed reconstruction of the Sullivan Square area and the Alford Street Bridge.
- I will work with the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition to help reduce substance abuse and counsel at-risk adults to secure placement in job training programs, apprenticeships and permanent employment.
Allston/Brighton
The Allston/Brighton neighborhood of Boston is one of the liveliest in the city. Generations of families have long lived here among the many students that make this their home. Big things are happening here. New investments have changed the landscape of this neighborhood, but its character and uniqueness remain.
- I will continue to work towards resolving issues that were in the comprehensive community needs survey conducted in Allston-Brighton.
- I will continue to work on behalf of the residents to resolve the ongoing issue of the stalled development of Harvard's Allston Science Center.
- I will address the issue of vacant properties that are a blight to the neighborhood and promote planning and development that will conform with the needs of the community.
Small Businesses: An Engine for Economic Growth, Job Creation and Community Development
With the unemployment rate in Massachusetts currently at 9.5%, it is imperative that our state does everything in its power to put our residents back to work and accelerate economic growth. One area of the economy where we can take immediate action to ensure the retention of our current workforce, as well as spur job creation, is the small business community.
As the son of two small business owners, I grew up in my parents’ workplace and know first-hand the struggles that these businesses face, even in a favorable economic climate. My parents have operated Flowers By Sal in Cambridge for over 40 years and continue to be an integral part of their community.
Small businesses keep our neighborhoods vibrant, employ local residents and provide support to community-based organizations in nearly every city and town in the Commonwealth. They are the backbone of our cities and towns and we have to ensure that they continue to play this important role in communities throughout the state. In addition, they can also play a central role in our economic recovery and we should give them the tools they need to make this happen.
First, to assist them in creating jobs I support a $2,500 tax credit for each employee hired by a small business who stays employed for at least a one-year period. This incentive will provide business with much needed tax relief and allow them to re-invest in their infrastructure and hire additional staff.
Second, the rising cost of healthcare coverage has placed a significant burden on small businesses and needs to be made a priority on the state level. In speaking to many business owners, the unpredictability of rate increases by health insurers in recent years is often the single factor that has prohibited them from hiring new staff and in some cases, retaining the staff they currently employ. We must mandate caps on rate increases to allow businesses to budget accordingly and give them the assurance of knowing that an unexpected rate hike will not be a factor in the retention of their current workforce.
Third, we must work with local banking institutions to continue opening lines of credit. Without credit small businesses cannot expand. We have used government funding to sustain these banks and we must now hold them accountable for assisting us in this period of economic recovery. Small business need capital now and we have to make sure that they receive the resources they need to continue doing business and expanding employment opportunities.
In addition, we must continue to properly utilize the tools that have helped stabilize the economy during the recession. We must ensure that federal stimulus funding is being directed to the appropriate agencies to both create and retain jobs. Millions of dollars have been allocated to expand small business and we need a State Senator who knows how to work with the various agencies on Beacon Hill to make sure that stimulus dollars are distributed into our communities in a both an efficient and transparent manner.
Finally, we must continue to encourage new industries, such as the biotechnology and film industries, to make Massachusetts their home. Both of these industries have contributed much needed revenue to our state, and in the particular case of the film production companies who have done work in our communities, have contributed to the stability of our small businesses, such as restaurants, retailers, supermarkets, hotels and coffee shops.
The recession that we have faced has been difficult on all of us and our economic recovery will not happen overnight. While they are not the only area of the economy we must focus on, we would be well-served by partnering with the small business community to help accelerate this process and put more our state’s residents back to work and on the path to financial stability.