because I too am frustrated with government’s lack of imagination and vision, that has lead to a lack of direction.  And, that those we hire to manage our public affairs and interests not only have taken us for granted, but, have enabled monopolies of wealth to have monopolies in Governance, the Judiciary, the media, the markets and in our communities.  They have allowed us to be used to subsidize those monopolies.  And, have created obstructions to voter/taxpayers participation in the governance process.  This is, for me then, an opportunity to advocate for a restoration of Middle American authority, and to make the Middle Income a legislative priority.  With a little creativity I am developing a legislative agenda that includes:

A call for a study on “how we fund government,” with a goal of ending The Property Tax on residential property.  Until then, a home owner’s tax credit up to $4,000, similar to the renter’s tax credit. 

Some say government should be run more like a business.  On one level it is; everyone wants to profit from the taxpayer.  But, we do not give government the means to generate revenue other than taxes, fees, and give away auctions.  I propose to relieve the home owner’s tax burden by:

Work to reduce the cost of government by establishing a shared resources policy for state and local governments.  Human Services homes rent for $30,000+ per year, buying houses is cheaper; saving millions.  Revise PUBLIC EMPLOYEE sick time policies.  People bank 100’s to1,000’s of hours, only to get a small percentage cash out at retirement.  Establish that once an agreed to number of hours have accrued, convert a percentage of them to vacation or comp time.  Managed time could mean millions of dollars saved. 

Stop the give away of public assets by:

RESEARCH PROTECTION POLICIES that keeps research paid for by Mass. in Mass.  Form RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS with industries THAT SHARE THE PROFITS with the Commonwealth that then goes back to fund education.  With grants for on the job training of workers in the research and development process, thus, to enable them to work in these new industries.  And, focus Vocational Education on 21^st Century jobs skills and partner them with tech colleges, to facilitate students in attaining advanced educational opportunities. 

PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS for more rest stop tourist information centers along Rts. 91 and 90, etc., operated by local small businesses, and with local social, cultural, recreational tourist information resources available.

PUBLIC PROPERTY PARTNERSHIPS THAT SHARE THE PROFITS and allows cities and towns to use public property in partnership with private sector businesses where by we split the profits generated from the use of that facility.

MIDDLE INCOME RELIEF FROM PREDATORY BUSINESS PRACTICES:

revise ORAL CONTRACT LAWS to curb the “over the phone” oral contract abuse. No over the phone contract is to be valid until sent to the consumer, signed off on, and returned.   

LEGISLATION to protect us from IDENTITY THEFT before it happens by limiting who has what information, for how long, how it can be used, and how it is stored. 

LEGISLATION to increase penalties for public corruption by government officials and rip off’s by private sector venders

LEGISLATION to end arbitrary changes in business contracts with consumers as with changes in terms, fees and interest rates. 

LEGISLATION to establish a tax credit of $250 to spay/neuter, or adopt pets, verified through licensing.    

LEGISLATION to create a Public Felons Registry

LEGISLATION for Public Higher Education to authorize College Credit Gift Certificates, that enable friends/relatives to purchase course credits as gifts, thus to help pay for a college education to reduce personal debt and dependence on loans.

LEGISLATION to promote and increase on line courses so that adults can up grade needed skills to remain competitive.