Showing posts with label statement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label statement. Show all posts
Friday, April 30, 2010
Statement of Karyn Polito on the House Budget
I voted no on the House budget because I believe it is the product of poor policies and even poorer procedures. At a time when our Commonwealth is facing serious challenges, the people of Massachusetts deserve a more thoughtful approach to the problems before us and better procedures to debate policy. Unfortunately, very few ideas were permitted to be debated and voted on this week. That’s bad for the House as an institution and it’s bad for the people of Massachusetts.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
STATEMENT OF KARYN POLITO REGARDING HER VOTE AGAINST THE GAMING BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE TODAY
The gaming bill approved by the House today is a bad deal for Massachusetts. These are the biggest licenses ever awarded by our state and it would be wrong to hand them out on a no-bid basis. The only way to obtain maximum value for the taxpayers is through a competitive bidding process. I hope the Senate makes the bill better by adding language that encourages competition and openness. As we look to expand gaming in the state, we need to do it in a way that maintains the public's confidence.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Statement of Representative Karyn Polito on Budget Cuts Announced by Governor Patrick Today
With a budget gap that has now reached $600 million in Massachusetts, it appears that Governor Patrick has finally decided it is time do the necessary thing by making substantial cuts in state spending, while preserving local aid and protecting vulnerable citizens in our state.
These are not easy decisions to make, but the poor economy combined with years of overspending and overestimated revenues by state government is forcing our hand. And unfortunately, Massachusetts residents have already had to pay the price in increased taxes because we waited until now to make these spending reductions.
But now is not the time to place blame or point the finger. We should use the predicament in which we find ourselves now as a lesson for the future. Instead of being reactionary every time revenues go up or down, we need to reset the way Massachusetts government works and delivers core services. We need to have better foresight when it comes to our fiscal planning so we can set more reasonable benchmarks. We need to proactively work to streamline government operations, realize savings and efficiencies, and bring state employee benefits in line with the private sector. We need to be creative and inventive to identify innovative ways to better position our state for economic recovery and job creation.
These are not easy decisions to make, but the poor economy combined with years of overspending and overestimated revenues by state government is forcing our hand. And unfortunately, Massachusetts residents have already had to pay the price in increased taxes because we waited until now to make these spending reductions.
But now is not the time to place blame or point the finger. We should use the predicament in which we find ourselves now as a lesson for the future. Instead of being reactionary every time revenues go up or down, we need to reset the way Massachusetts government works and delivers core services. We need to have better foresight when it comes to our fiscal planning so we can set more reasonable benchmarks. We need to proactively work to streamline government operations, realize savings and efficiencies, and bring state employee benefits in line with the private sector. We need to be creative and inventive to identify innovative ways to better position our state for economic recovery and job creation.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Statement of Rep. Polito Regarding Sex Offenders and a Recent Attack at Mass. General Hospital
It’s a story line that keeps repeating itself: a high-level sex offender is caught committing a sexual assault, and a look back at his past shows that he has a lengthy record of sexual violence.
In the most recent incident, the alleged attacker has been in and out of courtrooms since 1996, and was twice deemed by judges to not be a threat to the public.
We need to stop playing “catch-and-release” with sex offenders here in Massachusetts. That responsibility lies with our judicial system to exercise better discretion, and also with the Legislature to enact tougher laws to deal with these violent criminals.
Requiring a hearing and written findings of fact for judges relative to all sex crimes and GPS monitoring requirements would make the process more accountable and transparent to the general public. We also should have prison sentences for first offenses of rape of a child or sexual assault, which is something I have advocated for the past several years.
In the most recent incident, the alleged attacker has been in and out of courtrooms since 1996, and was twice deemed by judges to not be a threat to the public.
We need to stop playing “catch-and-release” with sex offenders here in Massachusetts. That responsibility lies with our judicial system to exercise better discretion, and also with the Legislature to enact tougher laws to deal with these violent criminals.
Requiring a hearing and written findings of fact for judges relative to all sex crimes and GPS monitoring requirements would make the process more accountable and transparent to the general public. We also should have prison sentences for first offenses of rape of a child or sexual assault, which is something I have advocated for the past several years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)