Why I am running

I am running for the state Senate, because I have had enough. I want an opportunity to help change the way state government does business.

I have had enough of the legislature refusing to deal with the critical budget problems facing our communities. The incumbents serving in the legislature refuse to cut taxes or spending. They refuse to confront the public pension crisis. They would rather raise our taxes than cut their bonuses or per diems. The incumbents refuse to help cities and towns deal with the health care crisis crushing our towns. Their failure hurts jobs and investments, because it creates uncertainty. I support and, as a state Senator, will sponsor legislation to:
 Give local officials authority to design their health insurance plans outside of collective bargaining;
 Require all eligible local retirees to enroll in Medicare as their primary source of health insurance.

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimates passing the first proposal will save about $100 million the first year and $2 billion annually by 2020. The second proposal, according to the same organization, would save up to $75 million annually.

I have had enough of the legislature’s chronic ethical lapses and the incumbents’ refusal to deal with the disgraceful behavior. Three house speakers have been indicted, two convicted. One state Senator was caught stuffing cash in her bra, another convicted and jailed for OUI and a third awaits trial for assaulting women in Lowell. The legislature responded by imposing more open meeting law mandates on towns, while ensuring that the requirements don’t apply to the legislature. This is the kind of hypocrisy that has destroyed confidence in state government.

If I am elected to the state Senate, I will work to end the new requirements on our local governments and make the open meeting law applicable to the legislature. I will support giving the state Auditor authority to audit the legislature and make the results of the audits public,

If you have had enough of the behavior on Beacon Hill, please vote for me on November 2. Thank you.

Lack of leadership problem with illegal immigration debate

Those running state government would rather label those trying to deal with the problem of illegal immigration than deal with the problem. Calling those who disagree with you names does not solve problems.
In July, the state Senate flip flopped on the Perry Amendment, which would have required those seeking non-emergency state benefits to prove they are in the country legally. The change of heart occurred after a Globe poll was published concerning the issue. This makes it appear that much of the name calling is a political tactic rather than a sincere effort at debate. Repeated efforts by some in state government to grant in-state tuition and driver's licenses to those in the country illegally generate a legitimate controversy. We should have a rational, civil debate on these issues and stop the name calling.

NATION’S LEADING SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION’S PAC ENDORSES ED McGRATH FOR STATE SENATE

The nation’s leading small business association has endorsed Ed’s campaign. In making the endorsement, Bill Vernon the Director of The National Federation of Independent Business, Massachusetts SAFE Trust PAC said that Ed “will be committed to the needs … of Main Street small businesses and their more than one million employees in Massachusetts…”

Ed proudly accepted the endorsement. Ed said, “I am grateful for NFIB Massachusetts SAFE Trust PAC’s confidence in our campaign. NFIB gives small, independent business owners a voice. For too long, state government has over taxed and over regulated small business. Whether it is increasing the sales tax, the costs of unemployment insurance or the costs of health insurance, state government has made a tough economy tougher for small business. This has to stop, if we are going to start growing the Massachusetts economy and putting people back to work.

Soaring Health Care Costs Hurt Small Business

The legislature fails to act and does as little as possible when dealing with big problems hoping to get by the next election. Avoiding responsibility is their goal. One of the most glaring examples of this behaviour is the crisis of rising health care costs on small business. Today's Globe, has a story discussing the problem. For months outsiders have been telling those running state government capping insurers charges was not dealing with the underlying problems. Those in charge ignored them hoping they could get by November 2. We have to elect those who will confront tough problems, not avoid them.

Legislature must act to help towns

Cities and towns across Massachusetts are struggling to meet the crushing burden of rising health care costs and repeated cuts in local aid, but the legislature fails to help. Last week an arbitrator ruled that Framingham’s attempt to change the health benefits of new employees was a breach of contract.
I support and, as a state Senator, will sponsor legislation to:

• Give local officials authority to design their health insurance plans outside of collective bargaining;
• Require all eligible local retirees to enroll in Medicare as their primary source of health insurance.
  

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimates passing the first proposal will save about $100 million the first year and $2 billion annually by 2020. The second proposal, according to the same organization, would save up to $75 million annually. The legislature’s failure to act has hurt cities and towns and the people of Massachusetts. If elected, I will act.

Lots of work to do

Two news reports last week show how much work we have to do to get Massachusetts working again. Despite assurances by those who run state government, the econony in Massachusetts is not creating jobs as quickly as neighboring states. The Boston Globe reported that Massachusetts hospitals are not hiring and the State House News service reported that Massachusetts' economic growth is below the average of Northeast states. The great thing about this election cycle is that incumbents with opponents have to explain what they have done to get people working and how they will change things to get results. Let's put them to the test.

Jobs

People are talking about the loss of jobs at Wonderland. For Wonderland's employees, others who make their livings at the track, and their families the closing of the track is a devastasting blow. But it is also an example of a bigger problem. Massachusetts reached its peak job number in 2001. Massachusetts has not created any new net jobs in almost 10 years. Our state government has made it difficult to do business and we have suffered for it.
Massachusetts has not had a consistent, fair tax policy. One year our legislature said "no" to the sales tax holiday and, in fact, in the middle of a recession, they voted to raise the sales tax. The next year -- an election year -- the legislature passed a sales tax holiday. This kind of erratic behaviour has to stop. To begin the road to recovery:

• I will support an immediate cut in the sales tax to 5%. If the voters approve a cut of the sales tax to 3% at the ballot box, I pledge to support the will of the voters and will vote to implement it;
• I will support an immediate cut in the state income tax to 5%.

There is lots to do, but cutting the sales and income tax is a critical first step.

Sales Tax Holiday a Lesson

The upcoming sales tax holiday is a great chance to save money, but it's more than that it provides a lesson in consistency. Last year, when there was no election, our legislators turned their backs on retailers and consumers and said no to the sales tax holiday. Instead, they raised the sales tax and created new taxes. The economy and every resident of Massachusetts suffered, because of those decisions.
The economy is struggling, there is a $2.7 billion dollar structural deficit in the state budget and next year there is no election. If we send the same crowd back to Beacon Hill, what will happen to taxes next year?

The sad "end' of the legislative session

Maybe a recap of the legislative session isn't appropriate yet, the Governor says the legislature should come back to "finish" casino legislation, but the senate president says no way. There is already lots we know--lots to think about.
We know that, although the session began in January 2009 and every one knew it would end on July 31, 2010, our legislators waited and waited and waited to get down to business. We know that the recession started in 2008, but our legislators waited months to do some thing about economic development and foreclosures. First, they raised taxes including the sales tax and imposed a tax on alcohol. They failed to deal with the structural budget deficit, which next year will be about $2 billion, and they did nothing to start to cope with unfunded pension liabilities. They refused to deal with the sky rocketing costs of health care that are crushing our cities and towns. This summer when you see your legislators let them know that they let us down and that it's time to get people in there who will get results or get out of the way.

Accountability under attack

Whether it's the scandal involving the probation department or the shame of colleagues in the legislature, it is clear our elected officials do not believe in accountability, unless the story gets in the paper. Here is the latest story about efforts to destroy accountability. This one concerns education. We have to elect officials who will stop looking the other way to get along with special interests.
http://bostonherald.com/news/opinion/op_ed/view/20100729absent_accountability_mass_schools_fail/

Election Day 100 days away!

It’s hard to believe, but Election Day is only 100 days out! Thank you for all your help.

Since we decided to try to change the way Beacon Hill does business, we have begun to build a great team and collect the tools we’ll need to give voters a real choice on November 2, 2010. None of it would have been possible without your help. Your commitment of time and money, your encouragement and advice have made a tough job fun. Thank you.

Every day items in the paper and stories we hear from neighbors remind us how important this election is. We have heard stories from people who were laid off more than a year ago and have been unable to get even an interview. We have heard from people who are behind in their mortgage for the first time and can’t get a straight answer from their lender about renegotiating the loan. We have heard from small business owners who can no longer afford their employees’ health insurance. Despite all of these problems, the legislature has not adopted an economic development plan, the debate over casinos goes on and on and tax dollars are squandered. Stories about $600,000 spent on road signs, money wasted by the probation department, and other horror stories are in the news almost every day.
With your continued support, come November 2 there will be a change on Beacon Hill.

As Election Day draws near, I need even more help. We'll be doing more and more stand outs and other events and we would love to have you join us. If you do not have a bumper sticker, let us know and we'll get you one. If you can put up a lawn sign, please send along an e-mail with your street address and we'll put you on the list. And, if you can spare the money to make a financial contribution of any size, please do. You can do it at the secure web site www.mcgrathforsenate.com or by mailing your check to The Committee to Elect Ed McGrath PO Box 773 Framingham, MA 01701.

Thanks again. I'll see you on the campaign trail.

Don't lower education standards

Yesterday two people who fought for the education reform that began Massachusetts' long process towards excellence in education came out against the Administration's plan to lower standards. Both former Governor Weld and former Senate president Birmingham are against the plan. The Republican and the Democrat who led the fight for education reform say no to this change, but today the majority in the legislature is silent about this critical change in policy.
Please tell your legislators to speak out and protect the progress we have made in education over the last two decades.

More of the same on Beacon Hill

Today's story about the licensing inspector allegedly taking a bribe gives me a strange feeling of deja vu.
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1267673&pos=breaking
My memory is that Gov. Romney tried to fire the licensing inspectors. The legislature responded by assigning them to the Treasurer's office. Does this remind any one else of the Probation Department mess? When the judiciary controlled the Probation Department, the legislature did not like that and created the mess we all read about a few months ago.

Secrecy inappropriate in casino debate

Today the legislature's leadership will name the conference committee that will deal with the casino legislation. Recent news reports state that the conference committee will do its work in secret. Given the recent rash of ethical lapses involving members of the legislature and the effects expanded gambling will have on the quality of life in Massachusetts, secrecy and a lack of transparency in the process is unacceptable. The members of the conference committee must open up the process to the public.

State budget puts off tough choices and makes some bad choices

Make no mistake the state budget passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Patrick yesterday puts off making tough political decisions and shows that those running state government have the wrong priorities.
http://boston.com/community/blogs/rock_the_schoolhouse/2010/07/_governor_patrick_signed_a.html

Confusion in state Senate

Earlier this week the Boston Globe released a poll. One of the less talked about parts of the poll concerned whether people trust the incumbents currently running the state and federal governments. Only 28% of respondents trust incumbents. The way the state Senate is handling the debate on casinos is another example of our ineffective state government. Check out todays story in the Globe. www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/30/murray_warns_of_state_loss_on_casinos/

A Bill as important as the casino bill deserves a quorum

Today the state Senate did not a have quorum so there was no progress on the casino legislation. I don't think it is too much to ask our elected officials to show up on the occasional Saturday -- especially since they make the schedule.
www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/26/mass_senate_holds_saturday_session_on_gambling/

Those running state governement can't deal with the problems they created

As this story from the Globe makes clear, the people running Beacon Hill won't deal with problems that are bringing the state and its municipalities to the brink of financial disaster. Problems that they created. They keep kicking the can down the road, hoping to get by the next election. We have to elect people who will be honest with us and make tough decisions.
www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/25/officials_give_up_on_cutting_health_perks/

Campaign update

Hi,
Happy father's day to all the dads. Can you believe that, as of about 2 hours ago, it is summer! Let me share some of the things that we've been up to.
Friday we went to the Fox 25 morning show's telecast from Cushing Park. It was a beautiful morning. Every one was thrilled to see the morning crew there. Julia Spitz from The Metro West Daily News wrote a story about it.
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x792538252/Spitz-Fox-shoot-puts-spotlight-on-Framingham
Thursday we attended the Strawberry Festival in Franklin. We had a chance to make new fiends say hello to old friends, and have some strawberry short cake. Earlier in the day we attended a small business round table in Natick with Charlie Baker. It was not surprising to hear that folks who run small businesses and keep people working understand that the solution to our state's economic crisis does not involve spending more money that we do not have.
The one constant at each of these events was how happy people were to find out there was a choice this fall. Folks like the small business people in Natick and a public school administrator I met in Franklin know that state government is not getting the job done and are looking for a change.
If you have any thoughts or questions, please share them on the blog. Keep checking out the campaign blog and take a minute to become a fan of the campaign's face book page. http://www.facebook.com/McGrathForSenate?v=wall
Thanks and I'll see you soon.
Ed

Tough decisions have to be made

We all know tough economic decisions have to be made and the sooner they are made the better. Among other mistakes the people running Beacon Hill have made is counting on $600 million from the "federal government," but we don't have the money. http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2010/06/senate_bill_to.html

People understand the trouble we are in

While our elected officials may not understand the significance of the fiscal mess that they have created, many folks I meet out campaigning do. In past election cycles, there would be some folks who thought the state was on the right track and others who thought it was on the wrong track. I have been busy campaigning. The last few days I have been to Ashland and Framingham. I spoke to scores of people and not one thought the Commonwealth was on a sustainable economic foundation. Many folks can't explain it, but they know, in their gut, that we are headed for an economic train wreck.
Here is more evidence that those running Beacon Hill have failed. This study from Northwestern makes it clear that the Massachusetts Public Employee Pension Plan will be broke in 2026. Yet there is no plan to fix it and, almost unbelievably, my opponent and others want to borrow money from it. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1596679

How to be Charlie Baker!

I want to congratulate Charlie Baker for being bold and taking a stand to get Massachusetts working again. Here is the Globe story about Charlie's latest inititive. http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/06/baker_calls_for.html
While no one can undo the crisis caused by those running Beacon Hill alone, those of us willing to make tough decisions and work together for common sense solutions can get the job done.

Thanks To the folks in Ashland and Karyn Polito

I want to thank the folks who came out to support me in Ashland last night. It was great to see so many pumped up folks. I also want to thank Karyn Polito for her support. I look forward to working with her next year and thereafter to get the people of Massachsetts working again.

Proud to stand up for taxpayers and job growth

Below is the endorsement from CLT's 21/2 PAC. I am proud of this endorsement, because it shows my commitment to taxpayers and job growth in Massachusetts. Let me know what you think. Is the answer to our struggling economy raising taxes or controlling spending?

McGRATH WINS TAXPAYERS’ ENDORSEMENT
Edward B. McGrath has won the endorsement of CLT’s 2½ Political Action Committee in his election bid for State Senator from the Second Middlesex & Norfolk District.
CLT’S 2 ½ PAC, the political arm of Citizens for Limited Taxation, was originally created to support candidates who would defend Proposition 2 ½ in the State Legislature. It now endorses candidates who support taxpayers on a variety of issues, and uses the CLT Legislative rating to identify pro-taxpayer legislators.
Francis J. Faulkner, executive director of the PAC, said the group endorsed McGrath based on his strong consistent support for tax limitation. "We need to put people like Ed McGrath in the State Senate to continue the fight for the income tax rollback and to block any attempt to impose new taxes. Ed has also taken the taxpayer protection pledge. This pledge asks candidates to ‘oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes’ A candidate who signs the pledge is sending a message to legislative leaders that he is serious about not raising taxes and will focus instead on better management of state revenues." In contrast, his opponent Senator Spilka, received a lowly 21% on CLT’s most recent taxpayer rating.
In serving the best interests of the taxpayers and the economy, we urge the voters of the Second Middlesex & Norfolk District to elect Edward B. McGrath to the State Senate on November 2nd.

Stop the waste

The legislature has cut local aid 3 years in a row, but still wastes money on things like parties with lobbyists. Dave Wedge's story in the Herald today is another example of the reason we have to change the faces on Beacon Hill. Every dollar they waste is another dollar cut from local aid, education and help for our neighbors that need help.

State Senate did the right thing on illegal immigration

I want to congratulate the state senators who passed legislation to crack down on illegal immigration, especially those who have been fighting for these common sense changes for years. Thank you also every one who let their state senators know that these were important changes that had to be made. Now let's encourage them to fight to get the changes through the conference committee.

Probation dept.. mess

The state senate plan to deal with the mess at the probation department is too little, too late. The state legislature broke the probation department. Nine years ago it took authority for the agency from the courts. The problems of patronage and abuse were well known and even Gov. Patrick tried to do some thing about them. But the legislature refused to deal with the problems. Now, finally, the senate proposes "joint authority" and a commission. Joint authority means no accountability and we do not need studies to know that the courts should control what happens in court houses. We should demand an investigation to find out which legislators took advantage of the probation mess.

State benefits should be for legal residents

I want to commend those in the legislature who want to ensure that state benefits only go to those legally in the country. The Republicans in the House, along with a lot of Democrats, almost succeeded in passing a similar provision. Let's hope enough Democrats in the Senate join the Republicans in voting for these common sense amendments. Let me know what you think.

Campaign Kickoff

Welcome to my blog, where you can get the latest information and stay informed about our movement to win this November.

I want to invite you to our campaign kick off and click here for more details.

February 25, 2010
Framingham Elks
450 Union Avenue
Framingham, MA 01702
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Suggested donation, $25.00