bostonThe road to

1st Hampden-HampsHire district senate race series

Tim Allen James “Chip” Harrington Tom Lachiusa Eric Lesser Aaron Saunders

This is the first in a four-part series of coverage of the Demo-cratic State Senate Primary race in the 1st Hampden and Hamp-shire District replacing Sen. Gale Candaras (D-Wilbraham). An editorial board made up of editors of Turley Publications newspapers in the district has determined that the candidates can speak for themselves when we posed questions to them cov-ering a range of issues, the econ-omy, public safety, education and questions from our readers.

Q: What would you do to get the attention of leaders in Boston

and Eastern Massachusetts about the plight of the Greater Springfield economy, which is lagging behind the rest of the state?

TIM ALLEN

A: I recently released an economic development plan outlining my pro-

posals to attract businesses to the region and ensure that we have a labor ready workforce with the skills to match local employer needs.

My plan calls for a Jobs and Economic Development Sum-mit, which would bring together members of the business, edu-cation and public sectors. The summit would be an opportunity for local workforce development leaders, business owners, Cham-ber representatives, the Eco-nomic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, state of-ficials, including a new governor, and legislators to convene and develop a coordinated strategy to grow business and employ local residents in living wage jobs in our region.

As senator I will put prior-ity focus on the growing area of healthcare jobs and careers and precision manufacturing, which is strong in the Valley, but lacks the trained workforce to fill avail-able vacancies. These ideas are included in my comprehensive Economic Development plan that can be accessed at TimAl-len2014.com.

JAMES “CHIP”HARRINGTON

A: As a member of the Western Massachusetts legislative delegation

I would encourage my fellow Western Massachusetts senators to form a caucus. As individuals we speak for our district but as a group we speak for the entire region, which includes Spring-field, Westfield, Greenfield and Pittsfield.

We are lagging behind Cen-tral and Eastern Massachusetts in a very significant way. Spring-field is the center of our universe and all surrounding communities will succeed or struggle based on the city. The same is true for the other towns in Western Mas-sachusetts that surround a city. I have lived in this district my en-tire life, I own a small business and I feel the gradual decrease of business we are experiencing. My customers have lost jobs or had their hours cut which has affected my business and every business in this region.

As a state senator I will bring real world experience from Western Massachusetts to the Senate. We must work as a group regardless of party affiliation to improve our current economic state in Greater Springfield. The

leaders in Boston will not have the ability to ignore our collec-tive voice. We also have an op-portunity to be heard now that State Senator Stan Rosenberg becomes Senate President.

TOM LACHIUSA

A: To get the leaders in Boston to pay attention to Greater Springfield

I would use the following ap-proach: First I would need to share information about our area that would trigger some emo-tional response in the leaders. They would need to see that our concern is something they feel emotionally connected to after hearing about the real issues we have.

The second part of the pro-cess would involve providing data that shows Greater Spring-field is lagging behind and to what extent this can be proven.

The last part of the process would involve presenting a so-lution that would connect to the emotional concern that was trig-gered in Part One of the process. If emotion to support Greater Springfield is not generated in the “power clique” of leaders, we need to try again with a better ar-gument. An asset that should help our area of the state is the lead-

ership position that Senator Stan Rosenberg of Amherst will have. He has a direct understanding of Belchertown and feels connected to that part of our district.

ERIC LESSER

A: Ultimately the great-est way to ensure we are part of the discussion is

to make sure we have a seat at the table, and the way we do that is by organizing, demanding that our voices in Western Massachu-setts are heard, and offering new ideas and new vision to change the status quo. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck with the same old rou-tine of Western Massachusetts getting ignored. As state senator I will vigorously advocate for Greater Springfield’s strengths, and for policies that build on those strengths, for example, increased support for our high-tech manufacturing sector, and improvements to our infrastruc-ture, including high speed rail to Boston.

It’s not fair that Eastern Massachusetts gets all the at-tention when we have so many needs here. As state senator, I will continue to knock on doors throughout our area to learn first-hand what our citizens need.

AARON SAUNDERS

A: As your state senator I would use the years of experience I have in state

government working on behalf of our communities to hit the ground running. My six years as Senator Gale Candaras’ chief of staff will be instrumental in en-suring our voice is heard. West-ern Massachusetts cannot afford to have our next state senator learn on the job while vital fund-ing and opportunities go else-where.

Western Massachusetts also has a historic opportunity with the presumptive next Sen-ate President, Stan Rosenberg. I have had the pleasure of work-ing with Sen. Rosenberg, and the rest of the Western Massa-chusetts delegation for the better part of a decade and I know that we share many of the same re-gional goals.

Q: What would you do to bring more technology and innovation compa-

nies to Greater Springfield?

TIM ALLEN

A: I believe that in combi-nation with investments in infrastructure that the

Greater Springfield area can le-verage the assets it already has in order to realize its potential as a hub for innovation and techno-logical advancement.

For instance, Springfield Technology Park offers a state-of-the-art and redundant fiber op-tic network making it a location that is primed for innovation and tech-oriented businesses. The Technology Park employs about 800 workers in a range of tech-nology-based companies. Grow-ing our precision manufacturing sector within the Greater Spring-field Economy will be critical as well — this in an area we have excelled at and there are 400 precision manufacturers in the region who continue to evolve and innovate. These are jobs that are not going overseas and need our support. We also need to sup-port the Tech Foundry, a training program for people who want to enter the Information Technol-ogy field.

* Massachusetts numbers are reflected in Primary Value (Left Axis) all other is Secondary Value (Right Axis)

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Massachusetts

Hampden County

Hampshire County

Franklin County

Three Counties

Suffolk County

Springfield

Part 1: The Greater Springfield Economy

Please see SENATE SERIES, on following page

Photo courtesy Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield

Graph shows Hampden and Hampshire County lagging behind the eastern part of the state in job growth.

JAMES “CHIP” HARRINGTON

A: Leverage the talent we currently have throughout our “Knowledge Corri-

dor” with the plethora of colleges universities, community colleges and our public schools especially, or vocational schools to prove that we have the proper and ade-quate human capital to make sure these companies have options or employees.

In addition, we must ask ex-actly what these companies need when it comes to their work-force.

TOM LACHIUSA

A: Much of the science-based cutting edge tech-nology research is con-

ducted in modern laboratories in Cambridge. The turnover in a lab space happens regularly due to the level of competition. New com-panies are able to easily find lab space and staff quickly. To draw companies to the Greater Spring-field area we need to develop ad-equate facilities for several com-panies, and have trained workers available, or we cannot compete with areas like Cambridge.

Involving the local colleges and universities would also be a focus of my development plan. In New York State they are prepar-ing for the future and you can see the new building from Route 90 in Albany. A very large new building focusing on Nanoscale Science and Engineering technology was added to the University of Albany system. This Albany NanoTech Complex is currently the most advanced research facility of its kind. We sit 90 miles from Alba-ny and 90 miles from Cambridge. We are in a great location to de-velop educational programs and employment opportunities.

ERIC LESSER

A: Our region has histori-cally been a hotbed for innovation - from the first

gasoline-powered automobile to the invention of basketball. We are also national leaders in high-tech manufacturing. To make the most of these strengths, I would improve training programs and work to make sure our most tal-ented workers stay local.

One way to do this is to im-prove collaboration between our schools and our local businesses. FloDesign, for example, has suc-cessfully placed many local en-gineering grads in jobs design-ing wind turbines and jet engine components at their headquarters in Wilbraham. We can also pro-

vide more support to nonprofit groups like Tech Foundry and Valley Venture Mentors, which are preparing people for careers in the technology and entrepre-neurship fields, fueling innova-tive new businesses right here in Western Massachusetts.

I am also a strong advocate for a high-speed rail link between Springfield and Boston, which will help attract more high-tech economies to Western Massachu-setts. As your state senator, I will bring new energy to these initia-tives and make sure we’re get-ting support from Beacon Hill to make our area a magnet for talent and innovation.

AARON SAUNDERS

A: There are a number of in-centives and programs that would be useful in attract-

ing new business to our region, but in order for any of them to be suc-cessful we must ensure that there is regulatory and tax stability.

All too often the region has lost business and job opportuni-ties because the rules are changed at the last minute, or the state does not think through the rami-fications of a new tax, such as the failed tech tax, before imple-menting the policy. As state sena-tor I will work to attract jobs and economic development by first creating a stable environment in which to attract businesses and developing job creation initia-tives tailored for Western Mas-sachusetts.

Q: Would you work to end corporate welfare?

TIM ALLEN

A: I think the question is fundamentally one of fairness. Our laws must

provide a framework that is fair to both the public and private sector’s interests. Our system of taxes and regulations must also provide incentives for small busi-nesses to grow, hire locally, and provide living wage salaries.

JAMES “CHIP” HARRINGTON

A: Yes I would. It is not uncommon for state gov-ernments to offer special

business tax breaks to corpora-tions in an effort to bolster the economy during an economic downturn. For example Massa-chusetts spent about $350 million on special business tax breaks in the late 1990’s then jumped to over $770 million by 2012.

These are real tax dollars that are being lost or reallocated to mostly large corporations. My

feeling on any kind of welfare, regardless if it is “corporate wel-fare” or “social welfare” is that it should only be a temporary bridge to get from a difficult situ-ation to a more stable situation. Just as I would support reform of our current social welfare pro-gram, I would equally support an overhaul of any type of corporate welfare program as well.

TOM LACHIUSA

A: Ending corporate wel-fare involves challenging some of the strongest lob-

bies in the country. As a freshman senator I would offer what I could to established senators who have been working on this issue. Giv-ing funds to corporations is com-plex, but taxpayers should not be taken advantage of.

ERIC LESSER

A:Yes. Year after year, the middle class is asked to do more and more with

less and less. Our tax system in particular is unfair to middle class families and is skewed to benefit wealthy corporations at the expense of everyday people. We need to restore fairness, and that means ensuring corporations pay their fair share of taxes, pay their workers fair wages, and give back to the communities that give them so much. I will have a zero tolerance policy for tax eva-sions, corporate giveaways, and inside deals that pad the pockets of corporations at the expense of our middle class. I will also work to protect and fight for our local family-owned businesses, which are increasingly getting squeezed and asked to pay for corporate welfare that does not benefit our local economy.

AARON SAUNDERS

A: Any expenditure of the public’s money must have a public benefit, includ-

ing tax exemptions and credits. Whether a business is a corpora-tion, or any other form, as your state senator I will make sure any tax expenditure meets this stan-dard. I fully support the periodic review of tax credits, and any new tax credits must meet a high stan-dard to prove that they will result in more economic growth than the corresponding loss in tax revenue.

Q: According to statisti-cal research conducted by the firm WalletHub.

com, Massachusetts ranks 46th nationally in regard to the con-dition of its public roads. What would you do to improve this rating?

TIM ALLEN

A: As we know, our re-gional infrastructure af-fects not only quality of

life but business investment in Western Massachusetts. A well maintained, modernized system of roads, highways and bridges, are essential in growing our local economy.

Projects like the I-91 viaduct rehabilitation are necessary but must be done with careful fiscal oversight to make sure those pub-lic funds are being utilized effec-tively and that local businesses do not suffer during the construction phase. The next state senator can have an impact on making sure the viaduct project is done right, with as little disruption as pos-sible and with maximum benefit to the region.

JAMES “CHIP” HARRINGTON

A: Roadways in New Eng-land have always been a challenge. Our climate

and seasonal temperature fluc-tuation makes maintaining our roads a constant expensive uphill battle.

It is so important for our state to maintain healthy public roads for our commerce and busi-ness community. We cannot fully fund this program on a local or even state level. The federal gov-ernment must play a larger role in increased funding for our state roads and highways. Our Legis-lature along with the Executive Branch has a responsibility to ad-vocate for more federal funding for our state highways and roads.

TOM LACHIUSA

A:To improve the condition of public roads I would first identify priority ar-

eas for repair. Next would be to determine if it is a state road, lo-cal community road, or a private road that people may think is public. Senators regularly request funds from the state for specific repairs that need to be made a priority.

Large, heavy trucks gener-ally cause most of the damage to roads but consumers depend on these vehicles so we cannot re-strict them. Finding a fair way to tax vehicles would not be an easy task. Generating support from the Senate to appropriate more funds for all the roads in poor condition would require that other state con-cerns receive less funding. To see Massachusetts make significant improvement in its public road conditions would require federal intervention unless the funds col-lected from state taxes increase.

ERIC LESSER

A: We’ve all experienced this problem and it is only getting worse. We

know that maintaining our roads reduces traffic fatalities and saves nearly $500 per motorist in Mas-sachusetts by reducing damage and wear-and-tear on our vehi-cles. We also know, for example, that the state pays $2 million a year just to prevent the Interstate 91 viaduct in Springfield from falling apart. Keeping roads well maintained is essential for eco-nomic health and also saves us money.

I will make sure funding for our roads is protected and en-sure we have dedicated mainte-nance plans in place. I will also strongly advocate for investments in alternative forms of transpor-tation, especially the upcoming north-south rail link between Springfield and Hartford, and a new east-west rail link between Boston and Springfield. High-speed rail will reduce congestion on our roads, ease transportation throughout our region, and open vast new economic opportunities in the process.

AARON SAUNDERS

A:A safe and modern pub-lic infrastructure is key to economic growth and job

creation. Sadly, too much of our transportation money spent over the last number of years has gone to the Big Dig, or to bail out the MBTA.

As your state senator, the roads and bridges of Western Massachusetts will be a top prior-ity. I will fight for increased tar-geted funding for Western Mas-sachusetts in light of the billions of dollars spent elsewhere at our expense.

While train service to Boston might be a nice long-term goal, those of us who live and work in Western Massachusetts know that our roads and bridges must be our top transportation prior-ity. We depend on our roads and bridges to bring us to work, get kids to school safely, and trans-port goods and services in and out of the region. Our roads and bridges are simply too important to take a back seat to any other transportation priority.

This part 1 of the Senate Se-ries was edited by Editor Charles F. Bennett of the Wilbraham-Hampden Times.

SENATE SERIESfrom previous page

bostonThe road to

1st Hampden-HampsHire district senate race series

The Road to Boston senate series continues next week when the candidates discuss public safety issues.