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Progress in Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes
Posted on June 26, 2008 by Carl Sciortino
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The debate over closing corporate tax loopholes reached a milestone in the House of Representatives this spring. I was proud to take a leading role in this fight.
Closing these tax loopholes goes a long way to raising the revenue needed for important programs like school funding and health care, while ensuring the tax burden isn’t unfairly on the working class and small business owners.
Click here to read more about this debate
Accomplishments & More
Posted on May 1, 2008 by Carl Sciortino
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Four years ago, I ran for office at a time when local aid for Medford and Somerville had been slashed, and a lot of important issues were at stake. I made a commitment to bring effective representation to our community and to deliver for the families in Medford and Somerville.
Last week, Somerville Alderman Bob Trane, whose opponent I supported in the municipal elections last year, announced he will be running against me in this year’s Democratic Primary. He began his campaign by calling me “elitist” and “out of touch.”
It is disappointing that he feels the need to resort to name-calling to launch his campaign. The voters of Medford and Somerville rejected those kinds of divisive tactics in 2004 when I first ran, and I am confident that they will again this year.
When I first ran, I was clear about my priorities. Since then, I have succeeded in delivering on the commitments I made to my district:
* Increased local aid and education funding each year
* Secured funding for Foss Park and local youth programs
* Passed legislation to create senior housing
* Secured $600 million for the Green Line Extension
* And more…
I have also been honored to be able to help many constituents one-on-one with their individual concerns, family struggles, and calls for assistance. Constituent services have always come first.
I am proud of my accomplishments in the last four years and look forward to talking about them with the families of Medford and Somerville.
I cannot, however, do this alone, and I will be reaching out for your support as the campaign gets into gear. Please consider making a contribution to my campaign. Your support will allow us to get off to a strong start.
I look forward to hitting the campaign trail and continuing to talk about the real issues facing our community.
Sincerely,
Carl Sciortino
www.electcarl.org
Green Line Extension and Civic Participation
Posted on February 7, 2008 by Carl Sciortino
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Over the past two weeks, I’ve spent many of my evenings at community meetings studying neighborhood maps, looking at possible green line station locations in Medford and Somerville, and talking with local residents about the merits and challenges of this project.
What is so remarkable to me about this process isn’t that there are so many meetings, but that there were so many residents willing and energized to show up and participate. I heard one resident, shaking hands with his neighbor, say “I haven’t seen you in years!”
This project is a huge opportunity to improve public transportation infrastructure in our communities. But it also brings with it a responsibility of both our local residents and all of us in elected office to get engaged in the planning process. It is early enough that we have the opportunity to shape the look and feel of the project. We can get answers to our questions. We can provide concrete suggestions of where the stations are located, and how they are accessed and designed. We can learn about the benefits of light rail in dense neighborhoods. And we can make sure through our input and knowledge that the character and integrity of our neighborhoods is protected and enhanced.
From the continually increasing turnout at these community meetings, I’d say the civic engagement levels are encouraging. I have to applaud and thank all of you who have taken the time to get involved. With so many more meetings coming up, I expect I’ll be seeing even more of you in the coming months, and I look forward to your questions, feedback, and participation.
If you want to learn more about the Green Line Extension, as well as see the calendar of upcoming meetings, go to www.greenlineextension.org.
Local Coffee Hours This Week
Posted on January 9, 2008 by Carl Sciortino
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Have a burning question about a state or local political issue? In need of assistance with a state agency? Just want to grab a cup of coffee, on me?
Come to one of my regular evening/weekend district coffee hours!
Thursday, Jan. 10, 6-7pm, Danish Pastry House, corner of Boston Ave & Winthrop St in Medford
Saturday, Jan. 12, 3-4pm, Soleil Cafe, corner of Curtis St & Broadway in Teele Square, Somerville
Drop by either one. And if neither of those work, you’re always more than welcome to schedule another time convenient for you, just contact me at (617) 722-2140, or carl.sciortino@state.ma.us.
MCAS Reform & the New Year
Posted on January 3, 2008 by Carl Sciortino
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On New Years Day, I woke up to find the Herald had listed me as one of the top five legislators who “missed the mark” for my work on MCAS reform. Here’s what they said:
Hey, why consider 14 years of educational progress when you can score points with your liberal constituents by taking aim at MCAS? Sciortino has filed a bill that would allow students to graduate from high school regardless of whether they’ve passed the MCAS test, which would instantly de-value a Massachusetts high school diploma. Sciortino may be from Somerville but he’s come up with a very Cambridge solution to a nonexistent problem. -Boston Herald, 01 January 08.
Of course, ignoring their inaccuracy about my residency (see Kat Powers’ blog about that slip-up, thanks for claiming me for Somerville Kat!), the fact that the Herald included this in their top five is to me a good sign. I have been working hard trying to get recognition for the fact that using MCAS as a one-size-fits-all model is not serving all of our students, and that there are ways of ensuring high standards that are actually meaningful in the real world. After years of relative silence about the topic, I’m thrilled to see we have successfully rekindled the debate.
In Somerville and Medford, local officials have also taken a stand on the importance of MCAS Reform. Medford Superintendent Roy Belson and Somerville School Committee member Mary Jo Rossetti both testified in favor of the MCAS Reform bill, and both School Committees passed resolutions endorsing it. I have also received support from numerous school officials, parents, students, and teachers. Clearly it’s an issue important to our local communities.
Yes, fourteen years of education reform has led to some significant improvements, but there are still significant areas of improvement needed. Consider this… since MCAS was added as a graduation requirement, we have seen a spike in drop-outs, with a high percent of students citing “boredom” and “lack of applicability to the real world” as reasons for dropping out.
Here’s a great summary of the connection between MCAS & dropping out:
“Youth that participated in the forums and other discussions expressed massive frustration and boredom with the endless drilling and practice of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test and test preparation. Electives have been replaced with test preparation. After school programs teach MCAS preparation. Far too many students describe their school experience as an MCAS-centric environment . . . Given the large number of annual dropouts (nearly half the number of students that graduate), as well as the pressure on teachers to improve scores, the incentive for students to remain in school is tenuous.” -Boston City Council, “Report of the Special Committee on Youth Violent Crime Prevention: Working Together to Increase the Peace,” 13 June 2006
In fact, some of the key architects of Massachusetts’ Ed Reform of 1993 have come out in support of the MCAS Reform Bill, saying that under the last several Republican administrations, ed reform went off track. Check out testimony from former Chairman of the Board of Education, Martin Kaplan.
So no matter what some editorial pages might say, I know our students deserve better than the status quo, and I’m glad to see the issue front and center heading into 2008.
Go to my website to read more about the MCAS Reform Bill, H. 561.
East Somerville Community School Needs Your Help
Posted on December 15, 2007 by Carl Sciortino
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As students, teachers, and parents pull together after last week’s fire, there is a way all of us can help out.
Below is the message from the School Dept. that outlines what is needed. There has been a request for donations, both financial and materials, and any help you can provide would be appreciated.
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The Somerville Public Schools asks for your help. Our largest elementary school, the East Somerville Community School, was significantly damaged in a 3-alarm fire early Sunday morning, December 9th. We are striving to re-establish the high quality and vibrant educational process in three alternate locations sometime during the week of Dec.17th.
We need help to make 35 alternate classrooms and 585 students ready for learning and teaching. There are five ways you can help:
1. Make a cash donation to the Somerville Public Schools to support the acquisition of non-essential academic instructional resources for teachers – items such as bulletin boards, storytelling supplies, and math manipulatives are needed. Donations of any amount are welcome, and may be sent to the Somerville Public Schools in care of Pat Durette, Director of Finance, 181 Washington Street , Somerville MA 02143 . Please put “ESCS Fire Response” in the check memo line.
2. Send new or gently used instructional materials and tools for teachers to use. A wish list is attached, along with instructions for shipping donations of material supplies.
3. Adopt a classroom or a student and provide age-appropriate school supply goodie bags for students. This project being undertaken by the Parent Teacher Association under the fantastic leadership of Louise Weiand, Sue Leone and Christine Bissette, will ensure every East Somerville Community School student has the basic supplies needed for learning when they restart school. Instructions for adopting a classroom or a student are attached.
4. Can’t create goodie bags for students, but want to help students? Consider donating $25 to the PTA to adopt a student, or $550 to adopt a class. Checks made out to the Somerville PTA may be sent to Louise Weiand, PTA Council President, 10 Otis Street , Somerville MA 02145 . Please put “ESCS Fire Response” in the check memo line.
5. Volunteers are needed to make photocopies for teachers and to help set up teacher classrooms on Monday 12/17 or Tuesday, 12/18. If you can volunteer time beginning at 10:00 AM, please contact Gretchen Kinder at 617-625-6600 x6013 or gkinder@k12.somerville.ma.us.
On behalf of the East Somerville Community School Principal Dr. Holly Hatch, Superintendent Pierantozzi, and the entire community THANK YOU!
Together we can quickly restore this vibrant school community where Every Student Can Succeed!
-gk-
Gretchen Kinder
Coordinator of Research & Development, Public Information and Grants
Somerville Public Schools
617-625-6600 x6013
gkinder@k12.somerville.ma.us
Fuel Assistance Available
Posted on December 3, 2007 by Carl Sciortino
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With snow and cold weather setting in, it’s a good time to mention some resources to help deal with the rising cost of home heating fuel. Massachusetts provides several resources to make sure all of our loved ones and neighbors are kept warm through the winter months.
- Fuel assistance to help pay for winter heating bills
- Grants for energy efficiency/weatherization home improvements (e.g. insulation, weather stripping, air sealing)
- Emergency repair/replacement of failing heating systems
Eligibility for these programs is for individuals and families earning under 200% of the federal poverty level (which is $20,420 per year for a household of 1, or $41,300 for a family of 4).
The legislative delegation unanimously backed passage of $15 million in emergency funding for this program last month, see story in the Somerville Journal here.
If you have questions about eligibility and are in need of some assistance, please feel free to contact my office at (617) 722-2140, or email me at carl.sciortino@state.ma.us.
House passes major Energy/Environment Bill
Posted on November 16, 2007 by Carl Sciortino
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For anyone who has seen Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” you probably left the theater fearing our political system wasn’t up to the challenge of dealing with global climate change. BUT, there was that little bit of hope in the end, something along the lines of ’political will is a renewable resource in America.’
Yesterday in the State House of Representatives, we passed an incredible piece of comprehensive legislation that addresses our state’s energy usage, both where we get energy from, and how we use it. Thankfully, good energy policy is both good for the environment and good economics, so this legislation brought a lot of stakeholders together, and with great results. Here are some of the highlights:
Incentives outlined in the bill include an income tax deduction of $2,000 for individuals who purchase hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles, a 15 percent or $300 tax credit to Massachusetts businesses to offset the cost of purchasing a solar water heating system, and low-interest loans and grants for cities and towns to finance energy-saving improvements locally.
Under the legislation, the state would lead by example, replacing state-owned and operated vehicles with more fuel-efficient vehicles. The bill will create a Department of Clean Energy, under the supervision and control of the Commissioner of the Division of Energy Resources, to ensure oversight of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in Massachusetts.
Other key provisions of the legislation include:
Implementation of long-term contracts for renewable energy: Establishes pilot program requiring distribution companies to enter into cost-effective renewable energy contract for 10 to 15 years to help make Massachusetts a national leader in renewable energy generation.
Establishment of least-cost energy planning: Mandates that distributors consider all available energy resources when purchasing power and requires them to buy the most cost-effective and stable resources.
Establishment of alternative energy portfolio standard: Provides market incentives to alternative generation technologies by requiring a percentage of generation sold to customers come from alternative energies.
With all that has been included, I have to say, I think Al Gore might be proud! I can’t say this single bill will save the world, but it places Massachusetts at the forefront of what will have to be a global effort.
The bill now heads to the Senate and Governor, so as this moves along I’ll share any updates. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please let me know.
Coming Soon…
Posted on November 15, 2007 by Carl Sciortino
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I’m very excited to be able to use this forum to communicate what is going on at the State House, what the legislative delegation is working on, share ways for residents to get involved, and provide helpful tips and resources for constituents.
More to come, but meanwhile, you can always reach me at my State House office, at 617-722-2140, or email me at carl.sciortino@state.ma.us.
