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AUBURN, Mass. – Republican state Senate candidate Steve Simonian has laid out his goals if he beats state Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury) in November, coming out with a plan called “Put the District First,” which Moore said are issues that he’s already addressed in the Senate.
Simonian said the plan “highlights a number of areas that voters are concerned about in the Second Worcester District,” which includes commitment to local funding and projects, stopping all state taxpayer benefits being paid to undocumented illegal immigrants and reeling in use of Electonic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for anything other than food.
“These are the issues for my campaign that residents in each of the municipalities have asked for in terms of an open, clean and respectable government,” said Simonian, an Auburn Selectman. “… We now have an opportunity to reach across the aisle and do what is right for the entire district. We truly can put the Second Worcester District first.
“The fall is upon us and many residents of this district have made it very clear to me that change should not be just a buzz word on Beacon Hill,” Simonian continued. “…I am not entrenched in any party in Massachusetts. I have a vision of what will work best for this area. This vision is supported by the thousands of voters I have spoken with since I jumped in to this race months ago.”
Other parts of Simonian’s platform include removing the inventory tax, which he calls an enormous burden on small and large business owners who provide jobs in the district. He also wants pension reform where no public or municipal employee may collect a state/municipal pension while on a state/municipal payroll.
But Moore said the plan shows a “clear lack of connection with constituents and a clear lack of knowledge of what is actually going on” since they’re issues that Moore already addressed in the last four years.
“My opponent has consistently identified policy issues, including his own top priorities, that reflect a fundamental lack of research, understanding, and foresight,” Moore said. "Not only has virtually every single item on his priority list been addressed, but I’ve played a direct role in their passage.”
For example, Moore said every year in office he has brought much-needed funding back to the district, increasing local aid even during the worst part of the recession. He said he helped increase school funding and secured three local projects in the recent Transportation Bond Bill.
In addition, Moore said he was proud to vote for a bipartisan measure in July to restrict the use of EBT cards.
“Where EBT abuse and fraud was once a major concern, these cards can no longer be used for alcohol, gambling, firearms, tattoos, tobacco, jewelry, fees, fines, etc.,” he said.
Moore also said he co-sponsored legislation that placed prohibitions on illegal immigrants receiving public assistance, mandated public contractors use documented citizens through the Work Authorization Program and implemented Secure Communities.
“If his goal is to endorse these proposals and successful initiatives, then I humbly accept his support,” Moore said. “If, however, his goal is only to seek public office without any meaningful reforms or ideas, based on poorly researched items, then he is woefully out of touch and uninformed on current events and the issues that matter most to citizens of the Second Worcester District.”
Comments (9)
Moore Proof the Senator Moore maybe the one out of touch.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 9/20/2012
BOSTON — The Massachusetts unemployment rate edged up two-tenths of a points in August while preliminary figures show the state losing about 4,800 jobs during the month.
The office of Labor and Workforce Development said Thursday the state's unemployment rate stood at 6.3 percent in August, up from 6.1 percent in July.
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said the August job loss in Massachusetts followed a revised gain of 300 jobs in July.
The state has picked up an estimated 31,400 jobs in 2012.
The state's unemployment rate is down from 7.4 percent at this time a year ago and remains below the national jobless rate of 8.1 percent in August
Did you know in Central Massachusetts the Median income has dropped. Exactly how have the initiatives Senator Moore touted helped the average non government citizen.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120920/NEWS/109209782/1116
Here is a great example of the results and effectiveness of Senator Moore's efforts on illegal immigration.
"Gov. Deval Patrick says the state must provide health care for illegal immigrants, despite the cost. That’s after the Patrick administration released figures that show the state spent $178 million to reimburse hospitals for treating patients who failed to prove legal residency."
"A small liberal arts college in western Massachusetts is offering a new scholarship to illegal immigrants.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/23/hampshire-college-in-mass-offers-illegal-immigrant-scholarship/#ixzz26lPlEl7K
Did you know:
85 percent of the money in the state's EBT program is taken out at ATMs.
The state auditor's office found that more than 500 people defrauded the state of close to $3 million in April, May and June of this year alone.
Source: http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/mass-losing-millions-to-welfare-fraud
Ask yourself how effective have these so called reforms been?
Out of curiosity when is Simonian going to talk about his transparency (haha) about collecting health care benefits for a less than part time job on the Auburn BOS? Where is all the outrage over this? and how is this not an Ethics violation with him discussing a topic that he has a financial interest in?
From auburn daily voice:
"Simonian said in the last few weeks that he wanted part-time elected officials to continue to have the town health insurance option.
He said that the policy has been in place for years, and he didn’t think it would be fair to cut it off, not just for himself but as a policy.
Simonian said that it would be hypocritical to get rid of a health insurance option for anyone in Massachusetts, where health insurance is mandatory, and when President Barack Obama requires health insurance for everyone."
Are these the types of EBT Reforms Senator Moore is talking about?
www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dta/ebt-e.pdf
To Get Cash from your Cash Benefi ts at the
Store
1. Get your balance by looking at your last receipt or
call 1-800-997-2555.
2. Look for the Quest® mark on the door or
window of the store.
3. Swipe your card at the check-out counter.
4. Enter your secret PIN on the number pad, then
press Enter.
5. Tell the clerk how much money to enter or
enter the amount yourself.
6. Check to make sure the amount on the receipt is
the same as the cash you received
No teeth, huh? EBT reform: became law. Documenting illegal residents for public assistance: became law. Fair share small business legislation: became law. Unemployment rate freeze: became law. 3 new projects for local construction: became law. Local Aid increase of $288 million: became law. Full funding of special education circuit breaker: became law. Work Authorization Program: became law. Eliminating fraud from public construction bidding: became law.
This is a candidate with a LONG record of results. Mr. Simonian can't come close to this....in fact, he doesn't have ANY record of results.
Oh yeah, Great job Senator. All of your proposals have no teeth. You are great at letting everyone know what you are doing, but fail to notify them that you supported Pension Reform that you EXEMPTED yourself from! Double Dipping is not illegal but it is an example of what all you and your buddies are doing for each other up on the Hill.
Well said, Senator. How can Simonian hope to do anything on Beacon Hill if he doesn't even understand current events? If anything, Steve is making a case for re-electing Senator Moore....everything Simonian wants to do, Mike has already done! Secure Communities, EBT reform, immigrantion documentation, support for small business....not only has Senator Moore advocated for these items, he's achieved true results.