Former Lt. Governor Kerry Healey and the Republican Women for Lonnie Coalition will be holding a fundraiser for Lonnie Brennan's campaign for State Representative! Campaigns cost a lot of money, so please be generous and donate to this worthy cause!
DETAILS
Thursday, July 24, 2008, 7:00-9:00pm
- to be held at the home of -
Christopher Rich
292 Andover Street, Georgetown
$500 (Inner Circle--program listing)
$200 (Sponsor)
$50 (Friend)
Please make checks payable to:
The Committee to Elect Lonnie Brennan
15 Hamilton Terrace
Georgetown, MA 01833
978-352-5449
To volunteer, please contact Lonnie's Field Coordinator, Robert Aufiero, at robert@lonniebrennan.com, or 781-307-1494.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Voter anger may lead to end of income tax
BY JIM HAND
SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Monday, June 23, 2008
A weak economy, soaring gasoline prices and a frustration with government could cause voters to approve a ballot initiative to wipe out the state income tax, legislators said Thursday.
The legislators said they think the move is too drastic and would cripple state services, but believe voters are looking for a way to lower their costs and lash out at government.
"I think people are frustrated and are looking at a way of expressing it," said state Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro.State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, agreed."
There is a great deal of frustration out there regarding the cost of everything going up," she said. "I have constituents who say they cannot afford the gas to get to work. I would not be surprised if it passed."
A group calling itself Committee for Smaller Government is sponsoring the move and has collected enough signatures to get it on the November ballot.
If passed, it would end the state income tax, which accounts for $11 billion, or almost 40 percent of state revenue."We want to save the people and the businesses of Massachusetts from economic ruin caused by high taxes and big government," said Carla Howell, leader of the group."
We want low taxes to attract business, jobs and talent into the state, rather than allowing high taxes to drive them out of state. We want taxpayers to get back an average or $3,600 every year to save, spend, or give away as they see fit," she said. "With more tax dollars back in the hands of the workers who earned it, people in need will have a real chance to better their lives through private charity that is effective, dignified and humane."
A number of groups and individuals have lined up against the measure, including social services advocates, legislative leaders and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.
Even lawmakers who traditionally advocate for lower taxes, such as Lepper, say they oppose the measure as too extreme.Lepper said service for the disabled would "disappear" and other services would be greatly scaled back.
Poirier said cities and towns are hurting now with tight budgets, but the current situation is nothing compared to what would happen if the income tax was eliminated."
Can you image a 40 percent cut?" Poirier said. "I advocate for judicious cuts, but not with reckless abandon."Howell said she wants state government to cut the entire 40 percent if the measure passes, and not replace the income tax with increases in other taxes."
Politicians like to threaten to cut services people care most about so they can distract attention away from the pork, waste and sweetheart deals that they dish out to their special interest friends. But ending the income tax will force the legislature to cut the waste, which is why they oppose it so fiercely," she said.
Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, said the cuts advocated by Howell would be "disastrous."He said he would favor reasonable cuts in waste and taxes.
Both Ross and Poirier said voter anger might not be as great if the state kept its promise from years ago and lowered the income tax rate to 5 percent. It is now 5.3 percent.
They also said state government has to take steps to earn the trust of voters. In the meantime, legislators said the ballot initiative has an excellent chance of passing, considering a similar proposal got 45 percent of the vote in 2002.
Poirier said voters feel there is nothing they can do to lower gasoline or food costs and may see wiping out the income tax as the only step they can take to save themselves money.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2008/06/13/news/3296779.prt
SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Monday, June 23, 2008
A weak economy, soaring gasoline prices and a frustration with government could cause voters to approve a ballot initiative to wipe out the state income tax, legislators said Thursday.
The legislators said they think the move is too drastic and would cripple state services, but believe voters are looking for a way to lower their costs and lash out at government.
"I think people are frustrated and are looking at a way of expressing it," said state Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro.State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, agreed."
There is a great deal of frustration out there regarding the cost of everything going up," she said. "I have constituents who say they cannot afford the gas to get to work. I would not be surprised if it passed."
A group calling itself Committee for Smaller Government is sponsoring the move and has collected enough signatures to get it on the November ballot.
If passed, it would end the state income tax, which accounts for $11 billion, or almost 40 percent of state revenue."We want to save the people and the businesses of Massachusetts from economic ruin caused by high taxes and big government," said Carla Howell, leader of the group."
We want low taxes to attract business, jobs and talent into the state, rather than allowing high taxes to drive them out of state. We want taxpayers to get back an average or $3,600 every year to save, spend, or give away as they see fit," she said. "With more tax dollars back in the hands of the workers who earned it, people in need will have a real chance to better their lives through private charity that is effective, dignified and humane."
A number of groups and individuals have lined up against the measure, including social services advocates, legislative leaders and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.
Even lawmakers who traditionally advocate for lower taxes, such as Lepper, say they oppose the measure as too extreme.Lepper said service for the disabled would "disappear" and other services would be greatly scaled back.
Poirier said cities and towns are hurting now with tight budgets, but the current situation is nothing compared to what would happen if the income tax was eliminated."
Can you image a 40 percent cut?" Poirier said. "I advocate for judicious cuts, but not with reckless abandon."Howell said she wants state government to cut the entire 40 percent if the measure passes, and not replace the income tax with increases in other taxes."
Politicians like to threaten to cut services people care most about so they can distract attention away from the pork, waste and sweetheart deals that they dish out to their special interest friends. But ending the income tax will force the legislature to cut the waste, which is why they oppose it so fiercely," she said.
Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, said the cuts advocated by Howell would be "disastrous."He said he would favor reasonable cuts in waste and taxes.
Both Ross and Poirier said voter anger might not be as great if the state kept its promise from years ago and lowered the income tax rate to 5 percent. It is now 5.3 percent.
They also said state government has to take steps to earn the trust of voters. In the meantime, legislators said the ballot initiative has an excellent chance of passing, considering a similar proposal got 45 percent of the vote in 2002.
Poirier said voters feel there is nothing they can do to lower gasoline or food costs and may see wiping out the income tax as the only step they can take to save themselves money.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2008/06/13/news/3296779.prt
Friday, May 30, 2008
Help Elect Lonnie Brennan State Representative!
We had a successful kickoff and fundraiser for Lonnie Brennan on March 28! Thanks to everyone that donated, and showed up to support Lonnie!
Lonnie has teams hitting the streets almost daily doing voter identification, and spreading the word about Lonnie's campaign. To get involved with this effort, please contact Rob Aufiero, Lonnie's Field Director, at robert@lonniebrennan.com or 781-307-1494.
Campaigns cost a lot of money, and every little bit helps! Please help us pay for mailings, yard signs, bumper stickers, information about Lonnie for literature drops, phone calls, etc. There are no paid campaign staff, so your donation goes a long way!
Please donate at http://www.lonniebrennan.com.
Thank you and see you on the campaign trail soon!
Lonnie has teams hitting the streets almost daily doing voter identification, and spreading the word about Lonnie's campaign. To get involved with this effort, please contact Rob Aufiero, Lonnie's Field Director, at robert@lonniebrennan.com or 781-307-1494.
Campaigns cost a lot of money, and every little bit helps! Please help us pay for mailings, yard signs, bumper stickers, information about Lonnie for literature drops, phone calls, etc. There are no paid campaign staff, so your donation goes a long way!
Please donate at http://www.lonniebrennan.com.
Thank you and see you on the campaign trail soon!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Candidate for State Rep. Lonnie Brennan
will address the Andover Republican Town Committee on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7:00pm in the Selectmen's room (2nd floor) at the Andover Town Offices, 36 Bartlet Street.
The 18th Essex House District is one whose boundaries were written for a Republican to win! The campaign is hitting the streets hard and working aggressively to get Lonnie's message out...please join us to learn about ways to help put Lonnie over the top this year!
Check out Lonnie's website for more info:
http://www.lonniebrennan.com/
The 18th Essex House District is one whose boundaries were written for a Republican to win! The campaign is hitting the streets hard and working aggressively to get Lonnie's message out...please join us to learn about ways to help put Lonnie over the top this year!
Check out Lonnie's website for more info:
http://www.lonniebrennan.com/
Legislative secrecy an insult to public
Just in case you missed them, check out these terrific articles from the Eagle-Tribune. The story immediately below singles out Rep. Barbara L'Italien by name--the elitism and condescension is appalling.
Go Lonnie!
Our view: Legislative secrecy an insult to public
Published: May 07, 2008 04:22 am
By Taylor Armerding
Staff writer
The region's state representatives claim to do what their title implies — represent the people of their districts.
But they obviously want we, the people, just to take their word for it, since they don't want us looking on as they make some of the most critical decisions of the year — how to spend the money they take from us in taxes.
As documented by Statehouse reporter Edward Mason, House lawmakers have crafted the coming year's $28 billion budget largely out of public view. The real debate over spending occurred in private rooms, and even the orchestrated "debate" for public consumption has been taken off of television and moved only to the Internet.
But there is no transparency...at the Statehouse. The decisions are made out of public view, in a room off the House lobby manned by guards. There is eventually a public debate, but its outcome is never in doubt. The whole exercise is little more than a teleplay.
This is a travesty, and what makes it even more shameful is that the region's representatives defend it. Rep. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover, says it is the Legislature's "prerogative" to have more "internal" discussions.
Clearly, it is not necessary to be in San Francisco, listening to presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, to find elitism. It is rampant at the Massachusetts Statehouse. Members of the Great and General Court must not be distracted by the little people watching them.
If legislators want order and privacy, they should move to the private sector. This is supposed to be a democracy, where deliberations on how to spend public money are conducted in public. And a strong voice is what they all claim they will bring to the Statehouse if we will elect them. Why can't they demonstrate that strong voice in public?
But this is the way it will remain, as long as the House remains overwhelmingly under the control of one party and there is no public outrage. If lawmakers thought they might actually lose their seats over this — yet another example of their obvious disdain for the public — those doors would open.
If voters want change, they need to exercise their own prerogative — to throw out the defenders of this corrupt system.
http://www.eagletribune.com/archivesearch/local_story_127162317.html
Go Lonnie!
Our view: Legislative secrecy an insult to public
Published: May 07, 2008 04:22 am
By Taylor Armerding
Staff writer
The region's state representatives claim to do what their title implies — represent the people of their districts.
But they obviously want we, the people, just to take their word for it, since they don't want us looking on as they make some of the most critical decisions of the year — how to spend the money they take from us in taxes.
As documented by Statehouse reporter Edward Mason, House lawmakers have crafted the coming year's $28 billion budget largely out of public view. The real debate over spending occurred in private rooms, and even the orchestrated "debate" for public consumption has been taken off of television and moved only to the Internet.
But there is no transparency...at the Statehouse. The decisions are made out of public view, in a room off the House lobby manned by guards. There is eventually a public debate, but its outcome is never in doubt. The whole exercise is little more than a teleplay.
This is a travesty, and what makes it even more shameful is that the region's representatives defend it. Rep. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover, says it is the Legislature's "prerogative" to have more "internal" discussions.
Clearly, it is not necessary to be in San Francisco, listening to presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, to find elitism. It is rampant at the Massachusetts Statehouse. Members of the Great and General Court must not be distracted by the little people watching them.
If legislators want order and privacy, they should move to the private sector. This is supposed to be a democracy, where deliberations on how to spend public money are conducted in public. And a strong voice is what they all claim they will bring to the Statehouse if we will elect them. Why can't they demonstrate that strong voice in public?
But this is the way it will remain, as long as the House remains overwhelmingly under the control of one party and there is no public outrage. If lawmakers thought they might actually lose their seats over this — yet another example of their obvious disdain for the public — those doors would open.
If voters want change, they need to exercise their own prerogative — to throw out the defenders of this corrupt system.
http://www.eagletribune.com/archivesearch/local_story_127162317.html
Brennan to challenge Rep. L'Italien again
Georgetown's Brennan gears up to challenge Rep. L'Italien again
By Edward Mason
Staff writer
BOSTON — Georgetown Selectman Lawrence "Lonnie" Brennan is preparing for a rematch against Rep. Barbara L'Italien, the three-term Andover Democrat.
"I'm offering voters an alternative," Brennan, a Republican, said yesterday.
He lost to L'Italien 59 percent to 41 percent two years ago, and said this time around he will make an issue of L'Italien's votes to increase taxes and spending.
So far, Brennan is the first Republican to announce a challenge against one of Essex County's 17 incumbent Democrats. The House's 19 Republicans wield little power, but Brennan said that's no reason not to vote Republican. If elected, Brennan said he'd vote for the district, not his party.
L'Italien's 18th Essex District consists of precincts 1, 7 and 8 in Andover, Precinct 2 in Boxford, Precinct 2 in Georgetown, precincts 1 and 2 of Ward 2, Precinct 2 of Ward 5, and Precinct 2 of Ward 7 in Haverhill, Precinct 7 in Methuen, and precincts 7 and 8 in North Andover.
Brennan criticized L'Italien for voting this month for a $392 million package of tax increases. The bill, which still needs Senate approval, would raise money primarily by closing so-called corporate tax loopholes and increasing the cigarette tax by $1 a pack.
He faulted L'Italien for voting against a Republican proposal to send $450 million from the state's reserves to cities and towns — money House Republicans argued the state took away from municipalities during the last recession.
"She votes against any attempt to shake loose any money from the state coffers," Brennan said.
And he blamed L'Italien for recently proposing more state spending on special education that he said would eliminate incentives for school districts to reduce costs.
Reacting to Brennan's critique, L'Italien said: "The gentleman clearly doesn't understand the role I'm playing."
L'Italien said her proposal to increase state reimbursement for special education is meant to offset one of the biggest factors in swelling municipal budgets.
Her vote against the GOP plan to tap the state reserves, she said, was fiscally responsible. In the last recession, the state drained a $2 billion reserve account. Sending that money to cities and towns now wouldn't be prudent with a recession looming.
And while she voted for the House tax package, she noted she'd proposed to protect Merrimack Valley store owners from the cigarette tax with a 10-mile buffer zone along the New Hampshire border where the tax increase would not go into effect.
L'Italien's vote to kill a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage looked as though it would be a campaign issue. Indeed, Brennan, after the vote, said L'Italien needed to be held accountable, and MassEquality, which supports gay marriage, pledged to come to the aid of L'Italien and other allies if they were challenged this fall.
However, while Brennan criticized L'Italien for her vote he said he won't make that a campaign issue. Voters, he said, have moved on.
"It's an old issue now," Brennan said.
"I'm not beholden to any special interests or party," Brennan said. "If the Republicans are wrong, they'll see me vote against them."
http://www.eagletribune.com/archivesearch/local_story_113225255.html
By Edward Mason
Staff writer
BOSTON — Georgetown Selectman Lawrence "Lonnie" Brennan is preparing for a rematch against Rep. Barbara L'Italien, the three-term Andover Democrat.
"I'm offering voters an alternative," Brennan, a Republican, said yesterday.
He lost to L'Italien 59 percent to 41 percent two years ago, and said this time around he will make an issue of L'Italien's votes to increase taxes and spending.
So far, Brennan is the first Republican to announce a challenge against one of Essex County's 17 incumbent Democrats. The House's 19 Republicans wield little power, but Brennan said that's no reason not to vote Republican. If elected, Brennan said he'd vote for the district, not his party.
L'Italien's 18th Essex District consists of precincts 1, 7 and 8 in Andover, Precinct 2 in Boxford, Precinct 2 in Georgetown, precincts 1 and 2 of Ward 2, Precinct 2 of Ward 5, and Precinct 2 of Ward 7 in Haverhill, Precinct 7 in Methuen, and precincts 7 and 8 in North Andover.
Brennan criticized L'Italien for voting this month for a $392 million package of tax increases. The bill, which still needs Senate approval, would raise money primarily by closing so-called corporate tax loopholes and increasing the cigarette tax by $1 a pack.
He faulted L'Italien for voting against a Republican proposal to send $450 million from the state's reserves to cities and towns — money House Republicans argued the state took away from municipalities during the last recession.
"She votes against any attempt to shake loose any money from the state coffers," Brennan said.
And he blamed L'Italien for recently proposing more state spending on special education that he said would eliminate incentives for school districts to reduce costs.
Reacting to Brennan's critique, L'Italien said: "The gentleman clearly doesn't understand the role I'm playing."
L'Italien said her proposal to increase state reimbursement for special education is meant to offset one of the biggest factors in swelling municipal budgets.
Her vote against the GOP plan to tap the state reserves, she said, was fiscally responsible. In the last recession, the state drained a $2 billion reserve account. Sending that money to cities and towns now wouldn't be prudent with a recession looming.
And while she voted for the House tax package, she noted she'd proposed to protect Merrimack Valley store owners from the cigarette tax with a 10-mile buffer zone along the New Hampshire border where the tax increase would not go into effect.
L'Italien's vote to kill a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage looked as though it would be a campaign issue. Indeed, Brennan, after the vote, said L'Italien needed to be held accountable, and MassEquality, which supports gay marriage, pledged to come to the aid of L'Italien and other allies if they were challenged this fall.
However, while Brennan criticized L'Italien for her vote he said he won't make that a campaign issue. Voters, he said, have moved on.
"It's an old issue now," Brennan said.
"I'm not beholden to any special interests or party," Brennan said. "If the Republicans are wrong, they'll see me vote against them."
http://www.eagletribune.com/archivesearch/local_story_113225255.html
Monday, March 17, 2008
Join Us
Our Mission
We exist to recruit and elect Republican municipal, legislative, statewide and congressional candidates. We work in concert with the MassGOP and other Republican and conservative organizations and individuals to identify and train civic-minded individuals to run for and win elective office in Andover, Massachusetts.
Welcome to our good fight.
Contact Us Today
Please call or email to see how we can specifically use your help right now!
Email:
AndoverRTC@gmail.com
Phone:
John Moffitt, Chairman (978-470-8500)
Paul Adams, Secretary (978-688-7740)
We look forward to meeting you soon and seeing you on the battlefield.
We exist to recruit and elect Republican municipal, legislative, statewide and congressional candidates. We work in concert with the MassGOP and other Republican and conservative organizations and individuals to identify and train civic-minded individuals to run for and win elective office in Andover, Massachusetts.
Welcome to our good fight.
Contact Us Today
Please call or email to see how we can specifically use your help right now!
Email:
AndoverRTC@gmail.com
Phone:
John Moffitt, Chairman (978-470-8500)
Paul Adams, Secretary (978-688-7740)
We look forward to meeting you soon and seeing you on the battlefield.
Town election day 2008
Please Vote Tuesday, March 25!
Support Peter Cotch for Selectman
Townsman: Selectman candidates make their pitch to voters
http://www.andovertownsman.com/local/local_story_072154328.html
Support Greg Rigby for School Committee
Townsman: Candidates advocate change, call for budget transparency
http://www.andovertownsman.com/local/local_story_072153902.html
More News:
Eagle-Tribune: Tax override proposal sparks candidate debate
http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=79358497
Townsman: $600,000 'surprise' found for schools;
Money pays teacher raises in new contract
http://www.andovertownsman.com/local/local_story_066102759.html
Townsman: Teachers prep for vote on contract;
Future affordability questioned
http://www.andovertownsman.com/local/local_story_072153404.html
Support Peter Cotch for Selectman
Townsman: Selectman candidates make their pitch to voters
http://www.andovertownsman.com/local/local_story_072154328.html
Support Greg Rigby for School Committee
Townsman: Candidates advocate change, call for budget transparency
http://www.andovertownsman.com/local/local_story_072153902.html
More News:
Eagle-Tribune: Tax override proposal sparks candidate debate
http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=79358497
Townsman: $600,000 'surprise' found for schools;
Money pays teacher raises in new contract
http://www.andovertownsman.com/local/local_story_066102759.html
Townsman: Teachers prep for vote on contract;
Future affordability questioned
http://www.andovertownsman.com/local/local_story_072153404.html
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