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.