Times are tough, and families are struggling... even in the 4th Middlesex

While our incumbent legislators on Beacon Hill continue to tell us the economy here in the 4th Middlesex district is fine and dandy, one only has to look as far as the local food pantry to be convinced otherwise. Over the past month and a half I have spent my days and nights visiting citizens at senior centers, at community events, and volunteering at food pantries in our district. The situation I see on a daily basis is one of household budgets stretched to the brink and increasing numbers of families relying on the generosity of donations to local food banks.

In Arlington, the hometown of our incumbent State Senator Donnelly, the food panty has seen an increase from an average of 90 families to 200-250 families per month over the past 2-3 months. What I find most frustrating about this, is that while our friends and neighbors struggle to make ends meet, Senator Donnelly has pushed through legislation allowing him to 'double dip', that is to collect a publically funded pension AND state senate salary, he voted against providing seniors with a tax break for ~970$, voted to increase the state income tax, and has overseen a ~$3 billion drop in local aid to 4th Middlesex cities & towns, and last but not least he voted against giving a tax break to job-creating businesses.

Enough is enough, it's time to acknowledge times are tough here in our neck of the woods, and it's time to start putting the needs of the people AHEAD of the pockets of politicians... just like Senator Donnelly!