Local Aid • Education • Health Care •Energy and the Environment
Civil Rights • Transportation • Veteran’s Services

Local Aid

The unpredictability of Local Aid combined with unfunded State Mandates has made fiscal planning a nightmare for the 4th Middlesex communities. Most communities in Fiscal Year 2008 are still receiving less Local Aid than they did in Fiscal Year 2002!

Jack Hurd was an active member of the coalition that included the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, and town financial leaders that created and adopted a five year fiscal stability plan that includes controlled growth in our annual town and school budgets, a cap on healthcare costs, a financial need-based tax exemption for our seniors, and aggressive efforts to restore state aid cuts back to the 2002 level. As a result, the Town of Arlington has been able to survive the local aid roller coaster. Jack Hurd didn’t stop there; he kept searching for (and finding!) new revenue streams from municipal and overnight parking, public/private funding partnerships, and by the consolidating department heads.

The State’s Local Aid formula needs to be overhauled. Services need to be prioritized and funding guaranteed. Some local cities and towns have been punished for being fiscally responsible while others were rewarded (bailed out). We need to work together at the local, state, and federal level to ensure a steady income stream. One GAO study in the late 1990’s estimated that local communities receive one cent in services for every dollar we pay in federal taxes and eleven cents for every dollar we pay in state taxes – those ratios can be improved with a consistent and cooperative effort from the local, state and federal legislative bodies. The solutions include forming coalitions to improve our purchasing power, negotiating with health insurance carriers to seek group benefits, closing corporate loopholes, and pursuing regionalization opportunities. Local Police and Fire departments have successfully created and implemented mutual aid programs for public safety. We can expand on that concept and share educational resources, infrastructure repairs and other costly items.

“As your State Senator, Local Aid will be my highest priority. We can’t educate our children, provide public safety, or repair our roads and bridges without a steady stream of support from Beacon Hill. The citizens of Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington, and Woburn will be my only Special Interest Groups.” — Jack Hurd

Local Aid • Education • Health Care •Energy and the Environment
Civil Rights • Transportation • Veteran’s Services

Education

Chapter 70 Funding

The strength of our school systems not only prepares our youth to succeed and excel, but also increases property values, stabilizes tax revenue, and improves the overall quality of life in our communities.

State Chapter 70 Education funding for schools is the major source of state funding for public education. Jack Hurd supports changing the existing Chapter 70 Foundation Budget Formula to create a fair and more equitable distribution of funds to all districts through out the state. Specifically, he supports efforts to raise the minimum amount of Chapter 70 funds a community receives to 20% of foundation, and increasing foundation amounts to ensure they reflect actual expenditures. Currently the foundation budget statewide is 18% below the average expenditures schools are making presently.

School Building Assistance Program

Children need to be schooled in modern, safe, energy efficient facilities.

Jack Hurd worked tirelessly as a precinct captain during the rebuild campaign for Arlington’s first three elementary schools and as co-chair of the successful campaign to gain approval to rebuild the remaining four elementary schools.

When funding shortfalls threatened the completion of the Peirce and Hardy School playgrounds, it was Jack Hurd who recommended funding alternatives to finish the job.

Jack Hurd will devote his energies to ensure the School Building Assistance Program is properly funded and to advocate for timely state funding to modernize schools within our State Senate district.

“I was honored to co-chair the successful Rebuild Our Schools effort with Jack Hurd. Our new schools are a testament to his leadership abilities and tireless community activism.” — Charlie Foskett

Local Aid • Education • Health Care •Energy and the Environment
Civil Rights • Transportation • Veteran’s Services

Health Care

One of the most fundamental and vital needs of our residents is access to affordable health care, but the cost of health care has become prohibitive for far too many individuals and families. Many residents among us have had to make a choice between basic necessities and health insurance. In addition, the cost of employee health insurance for municipalities in recent years has become a major budget buster, absorbing a significant percentage of new tax revenues. I am committed to supporting initiatives to provide all citizens with affordable health care coverage. I am also concerned about patient/nurse ratios and the safety impacts resulting from overburdened nurses. Issues of safety in health care settings must be addressed with definitive action for the sake of both patients and healthcare providers.

Local Aid • Education • Health Care •Energy and the Environment
Civil Rights • Transportation • Veteran’s Services

Energy and the Environment

There is no greater responsibility than to leave our children a healthier world than the one we inherited. The maxim, “Think Globally, Act Locally” is a perfect mantra that should guide all policy decisions. Individuals, corporations, and government bodies have made choices in recent history that have negatively impacted our environment. A recent increase in information and education about living “green” has led to greater awareness and action, but real change requires the support of government policy. I will support initiatives that have a positive impact on our struggling environment and natural resources.

With the current energy crisis it is imperative that we focus on developing alternative energy or ‘clean power’ resources that will provide both environmental and economic relief. ‘Clean power’ is generated by using these resources and not by the burning of fossil fuels. Residential, municipal, and commercial use of renewable energy resources will significantly reduce the amount of environmentally damaging pollutants and emissions. I will support legislation that encourages the development and use of alternative energy resources.

When the residents of the Reed’s Brook neighborhood asked Jack Hurd to help with their flooding problems, they were amazed at the results. Jack Hurd, not only helped get the problem resolved, but also proposed using CDBG monies from his subcommittee to transform the vacant landfill into Arlington’s newest open space and recreational facility.

As a member of the Mugar Land Advisory Committee, Jack Hurd fought to prevent future development, protecting neighborhoods from increased traffic, flooding, and pollution.

Local Aid • Education • Health Care •Energy and the Environment
Civil Rights • Transportation • Veteran’s Services

Civil Rights

I believe that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation are entitled to equal rights. It is important that we embrace our individuality while, at the same time, working together to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected under the law.

Marriage Equality

I strongly support same sex marriage, and I oppose any and all attempts to introduce discrimination of any kind into our state Constitution.

Pro-Choice

Although the decision to terminate a pregnancy is no doubt a difficult one, I believe it is a deeply personal decision that should be made only by the woman who faces it. I support each woman’s right to make that decision for herself.

Local Aid • Education • Health Care •Energy and the Environment
Civil Rights • Transportation • Veteran’s Services

Transportation

Many of the roads and bridges in the cities and towns through out the state are in deplorable and in some cases unsafe conditions. Chapter 90 state transportation funding is a critical resource necessary to address these concerns. Our transportation infrastructure needs to be updated and take into account components that encourage residents to use alterative forms of transportation such as bicycling and walking. I also support the enhancement of our public transportation system, including the extension of the Green Line and improvements that will create incentives for residents to use public transportation.

Local Aid • Education • Health Care •Energy and the Environment
Civil Rights • Transportation • Veteran’s Services

Veteran’s Services

We live in a free society today because of the sacrifices of so many heroes in our armed forces. As the son of a WWII Marine Veteran and the brother of a dedicated soldier killed in Vietnam, I fully understand the importance of proudly recognizing our Veterans’ great service and the need to provide them with the critical resources necessary to transition back into the community and the workforce. As your State Senator, I will never forget and never fail to provide for those who have served our Country.

Local Aid • Education • Health Care •Energy and the Environment
Civil Rights • Transportation • Veteran’s Services