Press Release: Hayes announces additional Acton “Conversations with Kurt” town-hall voter forum, commits to three debates.
September 3, 2010
Boxborough
Candidate debate, sponsored by the Lunenburg Civic Forum and Lunenburg Ledger, 7:00pm, Monday, September 27th, Lunenburg Town Hall, upstairs meeting room.
Candidate forum, sponsored by the Shirley Volunteer newspaper, 7:00pm, Wednesday, September 29th, Shirley Town Offices meeting room.
Candidate debate, sponsored by the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, October 26th, 7PM, Devens Common Center.
The Republican challenger will have participated in thirteen open town-hall style meetings and debates before election day on November 2nd. Commenting, Hayes said, “I am committed to giving voters many opportunities to get to know me for my true self. These open, informal meetings allow voters to look me in the eye and ask me a direct question on any issue that’s important to them. If elected, I commit to continue having regular, open town-hall style meetings. I will be focused on keeping the lines of communication with my constituents wide open. I will fight for transparency on Beacon Hill, and that transparency will start with me.”
Press Release: Hayes announces dates for additional “Conversations with Kurt” town-hall voter forums.
August 25th, 2010
Boxborough
The new dates for additional “Conversations with Kurt” events are:
Commenting on the nine town-hall meetings he is holding during his campaign, Hayes said, “I have enjoyed the opportunity to stand before the voters of each of the six towns of the district in August to answer their questions in an informal setting. I look forward to standing before more voters to answer their questions three more times in the final weeks leading up to election day on November 2nd.”
Press Release: Hayes announces additional “Conversations with Kurt” town-hall voter forums, commits to three debates.
August 16, 2010
Boxborough
The Republican challenger for State Representative has already held three well-attended “Conversations with Kurt” events in the first half of August, with three more scheduled for the remaining days of August. The events are one hour in length and are open to all interested voters.
Commenting on the open, informal voter forums, Hayes’ campaign manager Karl Beckstein said, “We have been pleased with the interest and attendance at the first three “Conversations with Kurt” in Shirley, Acton, and Lunenburg. The voters are very engaged this year, even during these dog days of summer vacations. Undecided voters are telling Kurt that they appreciate the opportunity to ask him direct questions on important issues without the restrictions and sound-bite answers of a typical moderated candidate event. Kurt is looking forward to conversations with voters in Lancaster, Harvard, and Boxborough in these last two weeks of August. Kurt Hayes will continue taking his positive message of balance, job creation, and lower taxes directly to the voters with more “Conversations with Kurt” after the September 14th primaries. Voters deserve the opportunity to look their candidates in the eyes and ask direct questions on the issues that are important to them as they decide who will earn their vote on November 2nd.”
Thursday, August 19th, 7-8pm, Lancaster Thayer Memorial Library,
Tuesday, August 24th, 7-8pm, Harvard Town Hall Meeting Room
Thursday, August 26th, 7-8pm, Boxborough Sargent Memorial Library
Statement: State Representative candidate Kurt Hayes calls for Beacon Hill Democrats to fold on casino bill until the next legislative session.
July 29, 2010
Boxborough
“I call on Beacon Hill Democrats to do the right thing and fold on a casino bill for this legislative session. Spend the remaining hours in this session focusing on the current jobs and fiscal crisis, with a known $2.5 billion budget gap in the next fiscal year. Passing a back-room casino bill now without proper vetting and debate is not the answer to the jobs and fiscal crisis we face in Massachusetts, despite what Democrats claim when justifying their rush to ‘do something’ before the end of July. Come back to the table on casinos in the next session. This common-sense move will allow for careful, thorough consideration and debate on the tremendous bet that casinos will place on the future of our Commonwealth.”
Press Release: State Representative candidate Kurt Hayes announces more “Conversations with Kurt” town-hall voter forums in August.
July 26, 2010
Boxborough
Press Release: State Representative candidate Kurt Hayes to hold “Conversations with Kurt” town-hall voter forums in August.
July 19, 2010
Boxborough
State Representative candidate Kurt Hayes announced today that in August he will hold an informal town-hall style forum in each town of the 37th Middlesex district. The events are open to all interested voters. Each voter forum, dubbed “Conversations with Kurt”, will be one hour in length and will take place in the local public library.
The first “Conversations with Kurt” event will take place in Shirley at the Hazen Memorial Library on Thursday, August 5th from 7-8pm. The next “Conversations with Kurt” event will be at the Acton Memorial Library on Tuesday, August 10th from 7-8pm. The third “Conversations with Kurt” event will be at Lunenburg Public Library on Wednesday, August 11th from 7-8pm. An announcement will be forthcoming with the August dates for “Conversations with Kurt” events in Lancaster, Harvard, and Boxborough.
Commenting on the town-hall meetings, Hayes said, “I look forward to the opportunity to stand before the voters of each town and answer their questions in an informal setting. I will listen to their perspective and talk with them, not at them. I know voters want to measure their candidates face-to-face and be able to look you in the eye and get a straight answer when they ask you a direct question. Voters will walk away from these conversations knowing what my priorities will be as their State Representative, what my legislative approach will be, and where I stand on issues that are important to them.”
Commenting on the open, informal voter forums, Hayes campaign manager Karl Beckstein said, “Too many politicians will not stand before the voters in this manner. Kurt Hayes on the other hand wants undecided voters to have the chance to ask him a question on any issue that’s important to them as they decide who will earn their vote for State Representative on November 2nd.”
Press Release: Election year tax vote can’t hide Benson’s true anti-taxpayer record.
July 8, 2010
Boxborough
State Representative Jennifer Benson’s vote yesterday in favor of an August sales tax holiday proposed by House Republicans is in direct conflict with her 2009 vote to increase the sales tax from 5% to 6.25%. At the time she voted for the sales tax increase Benson stated that it was necessary to increase revenue to the state “to preserve our communities and protect the most vulnerable citizens of the commonwealth”.
“This is clearly an election year maneuver by Representative Benson attempting to fool voters into thinking she is looking out for taxpayers. Her true anti-taxpayer record in the State House indicates otherwise. We have seen this type of self-serving behavior from Beacon Hill politicians countless times before and, quite frankly, the voters are not only wise to it but are insulted by it.”, stated Bob Lashua, campaign spokesman for Kurt Hayes.
Lashua points out, “While Kurt Hayes has been endorsed by the Citizens for Limited Taxation for his consistent pro-taxpayer and pro-economic growth positions, Representative Benson has received a dismal 7% rating from the same taxpayer watchdog group for her anti-taxpayer voting record. In addition to voting for the sales tax increase, the first bill she proposed after taking office as a freshman State Representative was a new 5 cent per bag tax on plastic grocery bags. She also voted at her own Town Meeting last year to increase the meals tax on her fellow Lunenburg residents and small business owners.”
Continuing, Lashua said, “Now, when faced with a strong challenge from Kurt Hayes and engaged and informed voters on November 2nd, Ms. Benson has executed a cynical election-year flip-flop on tax policy. It makes no sense that someone who voted to increase the sales tax would now vote to eliminate the tax revenue the sales tax holiday would leave in our wallets. While Kurt Hayes supports the sales tax holiday on a matter of principle, Ms. Benson has done so only because it is an election year. The voters will remember Representative Benson’s true anti-taxpayer voting record on November 2nd.”
The Citizens for Limited Taxation (CLT) endorsements are at www.cltg.org.
The CLT Legislative ratings are at http://www.cltg.org/cltg/clt2010/2009_Ratings.pdf
Kurt Hayes Statement: Don’t go ‘all in’ by betting the future of Massachusetts on new casinos.
“Our elected leaders on Beacon Hill must not recklessly go ‘all in’ with our future by rushing through a bill that includes new casinos in Massachusetts. Because of their rush to do something before adjourning at the end of July, the State Legislature and Governor Patrick are prepared to make a dangerous bet that new casinos will solve our economic crisis.”
“I renew my call for a carefully thought out plan that will support the creation of ‘racinos’ at existing tracks in Massachusetts. This approach will generate revenue sooner, protect current jobs, create new jobs, and leverage existing infrastructure. My approach will also allow us to monitor the positive and negative impacts of expanded gaming in the form of slot machines and table games at ‘racinos’ before considering new casinos in Massachusetts.”
Kurt Hayes Statement: Massachusetts Lyme disease ‘Doctor Protection’ legislation signed into law.
“I applaud the Massachusetts State Legislature and Governor Patrick for passing and signing into law legislation that protects doctors and enables them to use their best judgment and experience when determining the course of treatment for their patients diagnosed with Lyme disease. This day marks an important victory for Lyme disease patients, their families, and their doctors in Massachusetts.”
“There is still much to be done and I vow to continue working with Lyme disease victims, advocates, and elected leaders as we educate the public and medical community as we search for the answers needed stop this debilitating disease. We must focus on research and science that will help us fully understand Lyme disease. Only then will we be able to develop early testing that is both reliable and accurate as well as treatment regimens that will ultimately stop Lyme disease and remove it as a public health hazard.”
Kurt Hayes is the co-founder of LymeLITE.org, a grassroots organization focused on shedding light on the public health hazard of Lyme disease in Massachusetts through Legislation, Innoviation, Treatment, & Education. LymeLITE.org conducts public education & awareness forums, and advocates for the legislation that will help end Lyme disease as a public health hazard in Massachusetts. More information is available at LymeLITE.org
Kurt Hayes is the Republican candidate for State Representative of the 37th Middlesex district. The district is comprised of the towns of Lunenburg, Shirley, Harvard, Boxborough, and portions of Lancaster and Acton. The campaign website is KurtHayes.com.
Press Release: Kurt Hayes driving for Route 2 improvements
Boxborough
June 24, 2010
State Representative candidate Kurt Hayes today called for the creation of a public-private partnership that will accelerate the design and completion of improvements on Route 2. These improvements will significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve safety on the key artery that connects the region to Route 128 and Boston.
Commenting on the announcement Hayes said, “There has been talk of improvements on Route 2 for more than 25 years. We need the state legislature to apply the lessons learned from the successful public-private partnership that designed, built and financed recent improvements to Route 3 between the New Hampshire line and 128. The comprehensive approach I support will accelerate the process so we can get shovels in the ground and finally relieve congestion and improve safety on Route 2.”
Regarding his leadership on the issue Hayes added, “This has been a contentious issue for many, many years. My team is in the process of bringing this issue to voters in my towns as a ballot question on November 2nd . As State Representative, I will work to build a coalition of elected representatives and senators from our region so we can move forward on this important and beneficial investment in Route 2.
Commenting on the announcement, Hayes’ campaign manager Karl Beckstein said, “Route 2 between I-495 and Route 128 is one of the most congested and accident-prone stretches of road in the Commonwealth. A worker from our region traveling to and from the 128 area or Boston spends an average of 240 hours per year sitting in Route 2 traffic. That’s the equivalent of thirty work days that could be better spent. An improved Route 2 will benefit every family, small business and town in our region.”
Statement: Kurt Hayes on Massachusetts Senate passage of benefits amendment. “Your vote does make a difference”.
Boxborough
June 7, 2010
“Last month Massachusetts Senate Republicans stood firm on behalf of eighty-four percent of Massachusetts voters who support common-sense measures that ensure only legal residents of Massachusetts receive taxpayer-funded benefits. The outcome was a surprising vote by the State Senate for taxpayers over those who break the law.
The vote for this pro-taxpayer amendment by the most lopsided, single-party dominated State Senate in the nation is a direct positive result of voters standing up to be counted on January 19th in the U.S. Senate special election. That election, the overwhelming support for this measure among voters, and the prospect of facing those voters in the upcoming November election finally woke up many Senate Democrats.
This vote is evidence of why we need balance on Beacon Hill. Voters need the vitality of a balanced two-party State House to ensure that differing viewpoints are heard and that their elected representatives are not out of touch with voters back home.
I now urge House and Senate Democrats and the Governor to avoid business-as-usual backroom deals and maneuvers that would water down or derail this common-sense amendment that ensures taxpayer-funded benefits go only to legal residents of the Commonwealth. Your constituents expect you to listen to common-sense, pass this amendment, and sign it into law.”
Statement: Kurt Hayes on Massachusetts House consideration of Presidential election law changes.
Boxborough
June 2, 2010
“This week the Massachusetts House of Representatives will debate legislation that would have Massachusetts join a compact with other states that gives all our electoral college votes to the winner of the national popular vote in Presidential elections. I urge our representatives in the State House to vote No on this bill that would surrender our sovereignty as a state to the popularity of a candidate in other states across the nation.
This is another example of why we need balance on Beacon Hill. Only in a one-party State House would Democrat leadership once again seek to change election law, just as they did several times with the U.S. Senate succession laws. Instead, our Beacon Hill representatives should have an agenda that addresses the fiscal crisis, the budget, and rebuilding the state economy by focusing on job creation.
This legislation would amount to a back-door circumvention of the U.S. Constitution. As a state, we can debate if we wish to preserve the current Massachusetts ‘winner take all’ approach or instead allocate our electoral votes proportionally based on results within defined state districts. However, turning over Massachusetts’ electoral college votes to the whim of the other 49 states is bad for Massachusetts.”
Boxborough
May 26, 2010
State Representative candidate Kurt Hayes today proposed a series of six late-summer ‘voter forums’ in which concerned Independent, Democrat, and Republican voters get to ask questions of their two candidates for State Representative. The forums would begin after the legislative session adjourns in late July and finish before the state primary election takes place on Tuesday, September 14th.
Commenting on the need for the voter forums, Hayes said, “These forums will allow voters to focus on the issues and cut through sound-bites and spin as they pose questions directly to their candidates and listen to our responses and differences as we sit side-by-side before them. As candidates asking for their vote, we owe it to the citizens of each town to explain who we are, what we stand for, and how we will represent their best interests if we earn the honor of working for them on Beacon Hill.”
Hayes continued, “There are more than two months before the first voter forum would take place in early August. I challenge my opponent to agree to these late-summer voter forums and then work with me in a spirit of cooperation as we set the dates, agree on a moderator, and then sit side-by-side in each town to focus on the concerns of the voters.”
“Whether the moderator is a town newspaper editor, the Town Moderator himself, or another neutral party, the key is that we put the facts on the table before the voters and focus on issues and solutions rather than politics as usual. Let’s agree to have these voter forums and move forward from there.”
“I’m sure there will be a couple of formal ‘debates’ in the last weeks and days leading up to November 2nd, but the voters deserve the opportunity to question us side-by side in a more relaxed environment before that final stretch run.”
Boxborough
May 10, 2010
State Representative candidate Kurt Hayes announced today that he has received the endorsement of “Citizens for Limited Taxation’s 2 1/2 PAC”, the Massachusetts taxpayer advocacy group.
Citizens for Limited Taxation (CLT) has been fighting for taxpayers in Massachusetts for over 30 years, most notably as the driving force behind the passage of “Proposition 2 ½ ” in 1980. “Prop 2 ½ ” is the law which limits yearly property tax increases and requires an override vote by the town in order to increase property taxes above the 2 ½ % limit.
Hayes earned the CLT’s 2 1/2 PAC endorsement by signing the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” to oppose and vote against any and all efforts to further increase taxes on Massachusetts residents.
Campaign spokesman Bob Lashua said, “While Kurt Hayes received the CLT endorsement for his pro-taxpayer positions and pledge not to raise taxes, his opponent received a dismal rating of just 7% from CLT. This very low rating is based on key tax-related votes that Representative Benson cast against taxpayers in 2009. She has continued this pattern in 2010. Less than two weeks ago she helped kill a measure that would have ensured taxpayer-funded state benefits do not go to those who are here illegally. That same week she cast a losing vote against a bipartisan measure that now requires convicted felons to pay a $5 fee per day to cover a very small share of the cost of their room and board while incarcerated in taxpayer-funded prisons.”
Hayes commented saying, “I am pleased to have the endorsement of Citizens for Limited Taxation. We are certainly taxed enough already here in Massachusetts and my pledge to voters as their State Representative is that I will not look to their wallets as a ‘new source of revenue’ for the state government. I will work to let taxpayers and small businesses keep more money in their own pockets so we can work our way out of the current economic crisis. Private sector jobs will put us on the road to recovery, not higher taxes and more government spending.”
Kurt Hayes is the Republican candidate for State Representative of the 37th Middlesex district. The district is comprised of the towns of Lunenburg, Shirley, Harvard, Boxborough, and portions of Lancaster and Acton. The campaign website is KurtHayes.com.
The Citizens for Limited Taxation’s 2 1/2 PAC endorsements are at www.cltg.org.
The CLT Legislative ratings are at http://www.cltg.org/cltg/clt2010/2009_Ratings.pdf
Boxborough
May 3, 2010
U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) joined Kurt Hayes on Sunday, April 25th as Hayes kicked off his campaign for State Representative. Supporters, friends, and family surrounded the Republican State Representative candidate as he announced that he is seeking to represent them as an independent voice for balance on Beacon Hill.
Hayes stated that his top priorities are “to work for balance in our State House, to help create a climate where businesses can create jobs so we can work our way out of the current economic crisis, and to support efforts to lower taxes while being a good steward of the people’s money.”
Senator Brown, who has been in very high demand for media appearances and campaign events across the nation since being elected to the U.S. Senate on January 19th, received a warm welcome from Hayes’ supporters who packed the ballroom at the Devens Common Center. Once again displaying his characteristic crowd-pleasing warmth and personal attention seen during his historic campaign for U.S. Senate, Brown took time to have his picture taken with each guest and chat about their issues and concerns.
In his remarks, Senator Brown told Hayes’ supporters that he was there “to help Kurt as he helped me. He was a dedicated asset to our team.” Brown encouraged supporters to work hard for Hayes during his campaign for State Representative, just as they had done for him during his U.S. Senate race. Brown stressed the importance for Massachusetts voters to elect leaders like Kurt Hayes to represent them on Beacon Hill, “So we have balance. Good people who know what it’s like to get up in the morning, work hard, know the value of the dollar, and who know how to lay out a good case logically and fairly, maturely, without any finger pointing.”
Boxborough
April 30, 2010
“Late last night State Representative Jennifer Benson continued her streak of votes against the taxpayers of her district and the Commonwealth. She voted ‘No’ on an amendment that will assess prison inmates with a $5 per day fee during their incarceration. Despite her ‘No’ vote, a strong majority from both sides of the aisle voted ‘Yea’ and passed this common-sense measure. By having criminals pay just of a bit of their own way while in taxpayer-funded prisons, we will be able to avoid additional cuts in local aid and possibly even allow law-abiding taxpayers of Massachusetts to keep more of their hard-earned dollars in their own pockets. Yet, once again Jennifer Benson chose to vote against taxpayers and for those who break the law.”
Statement: Kurt Hayes responds to Jennifer Benson’s defense of vote to continue providing public benefits to illegal immigrants.
April 29, 2010
“Yesterday State Representative Jennifer Benson voted to kill an amendment that would prevent taxpayer dollars from going to illegal immigrants in the form of public benefits. She has defended her vote claiming it will be an economic burden on cities and towns. This is the kind of Beacon Hill spin that voters are fed up with. There are tremendous savings to be realized by the state, cities, and towns if we ensure that taxpayer-funded benefits go only to those here legally. The budget savings would help the state avoid further cuts in local aid. Ms. Benson voted for this same amendment-killing ‘study’ one year ago. A study was not done because in fact it was just a disingenuous move by Democrats to avoid an up-or-down vote on a tough issue. We need balance on Beacon Hill so that those elected to represent the best interests of constituents engage in open, spirited debate on issues and then have the courage to take an up-or-down vote on tough issues that are important to the future of Massachusetts”.
Statement: Kurt Hayes responds to Jennifer Benson’s vote against taxpayers and for illegal immigrants.
April 28, 2010
“Today, those elected to the State House to represent the law-abiding taxpayers of Massachusetts had the chance to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to illegal immigrants in the form of public benefits. While several Democrats did take a stand for their constituents and joined Republicans to support the common-sense amendment that would prevent our tax dollars from going to those here illegally, Jennifer Benson joined House leadership in a vote that killed the provision. It is simply wrong to take money from the wallets of hard-working, law-abiding families and hand it to those here illegally.”
Boxborough
April 12, 2010
“The Massachusetts House of Representatives is preparing to rush through debate and passage of a new casino gambling bill. The meetings about this very important legislation have all taken place behind closed-doors at our State House. This type of arm-twisting and back-room deal-making by the Democrat House leadership is exactly what voters reject and what must come to a stop.”
“For those who are in favor or new resort-style destination casinos, I ask you this: ‘If that new casino is built in your town, are you still in favor?.’ In my conversations with voters, a vast majority are not in favor of a new casino near their home because they know it’s a bad bet on the future and character of their town.”
Boxborough
March 24, 2010
Kurt Hayes announced today that key members of the Scott Brown campaign staff have joined his State Representative campaign team. Hayes, a Boxborough Republican, previously announced his candidacy in a re-match of his 2008 run for this same seat.
Joining the Hayes team are Brown veteran staffers Brad Hansen, Bob Lashua, and Karl Beckstein. Commenting on the announcement, Hayes said, “I am honored that Brad, Bob, and Karl have joined my team. Each one is a battle-tested, proven leader from the winning Scott Brown campaign. They have valuable knowledge, insight, experience that will help me personally reach out and connect with voters in my towns. With them by my side, I hope to earn the honor of becoming the independent voice for my district and a representative for balance, job creation, and careful stewardship of the ‘people’s money’ as we confront the many challenges faced by our district and state.”
Brad Hansen managed the statewide signature drive that put Scott Brown on the ballot. He was then named as Brown’s field director where he managed the operations of ten call centers throughout the state. Hansen will serve as advisor for Hayes’ campaign. Commenting on joining Hayes, Hansen said, “I am looking forward to working with Kurt as he seeks to represent his district on Beacon Hill. I first met Kurt in September, at the very beginning of Senator Brown’s signature drive. Kurt volunteered his time, energy, and skills tirelessly from the beginning of the campaign through election day. I’m honored to be working with Kurt towards his goal of representing his district. I’ve seen how he connects with people and is a tireless public servant. The 37th Middlesex district need not look further than Kurt Hayes as the only true choice for their State Representative.”
Bob Lashua joined the Brown campaign as a regional coordinator during the signature drive, and then served as the manager of the Worcester call center. Lashua will serve as Hayes’ campaign spokesman. Commenting, Lashua said, “I met Kurt early in Senator Brown’s campaign. I could tell immediately that Kurt enjoys the challenge of being a problem-solver. We clearly need balance in the State House to move us forward towards a brighter future, and Kurt Hayes will bring real-world experience and perspective to the tremendous challenges we face with the ongoing economic crisis. I look forward to helping Kurt take his message of balance, job creation, and accountability to the voters.”
Karl Beckstein managed Scott Brown’s Littleton call center that opened in mid December. Beckstein will be Hayes’ volunteer coordinator. Hayes and Beckstein worked countless hours side-by-side in the last month of Brown’s historic campaign. Commenting on his work with Hayes, Beckstein said, “Kurt Hayes was instrumental in the success of the Littleton call center. He volunteered every available hour to help me run the operation. In addition to making thousands of voter phone calls personally, Kurt trained just about every new volunteer who walked through our doors. Not only did he teach them how to use the computerized phone system, Kurt mentored volunteers on how to connect with voters and articulate Scott Brown’s message. We had literally hundreds of new volunteers coming through the call center each day that last week of the campaign. Most had never volunteered for a campaign. Whether they were teenagers, working moms, small business owners, or retired doctors who wanted to do anything they could to help elect Scott Brown, Kurt had an instant rapport and connection with each one. Many of those same volunteers are now ready to help elect Kurt on November 2nd. I’m excited be with Kurt and to lead that team of volunteers.”
March 19, 2010
“As we face a continuing economic crisis in Massachusetts, it is an outrage that the Democrat leadership on Beacon Hill refused yesterday to even allow consideration and debate on the bipartisan resolution to level-fund critical local aid to cities and towns for fiscal year 2011. This is yet another example of the real damage caused by single-party control in Massachusetts. Our State House is so out-of-balance that the House leadership regularly uses their stranglehold on procedural rules to deny important resolutions from even being heard or debated in formal House session. It is ironic that on the same day the House unanimously passed additional anti-bullying safeguards to protect our children in our modern-day connected world, the Democrat leadership on Beacon Hill used parliamentary bullying power to deny a fair hearing for this local aid resolution that is so important to our towns and cities.”
“Massachusetts has the most unbalanced State House in the nation, with 90% being from one party. We also have the highest rate of unchallenged and re-elected incumbents. This lack of balance has fostered arrogance and a culture of corruption in our State House. The resignation in disgrace by three consecutive Democrat House Speakers is clear evidence that absolute power often corrupts those who have acquired it.”
“As frustrated as Massachusetts voters are with the single-party grip on Washington and the procedural maneuvers being attempted by one party to pass a healthcare bill that Americans reject, it’s much worse in Massachusetts. Democrats use their monopolistic power to steamroll over the voice of the minority and deny open, honest debate of issues before them. It is ultimately up to voters to use their ballot-box power on November 2nd to bring balance to Beacon Hill.”
March 15, 2010
State Representative candidate Kurt Hayes has announced his support for a bipartisan Local Aid Resolution to level-fund local aid in the 2011 budget year. As cities and towns once again find their budgets under tremendous strain during the continuing economic crisis, 18 Democrats and 15 Republicans signed on to the bipartisan Local Aid Resolution offered by Representative Brad Jones.
The Local Aid Resolution will establish a minimum level of Chapter 70 and Unrestricted Local Aid equal to the amount proposed by Governor Patrick for FY’11. The resolution would also establish a minimum level of funding to towns for Regional School Transportation and Special Education.
Commenting on the Local Aid Resolution, Hayes said, “A State Representative must do their best to protect Local Aid for their towns. We hear campaign promises to fight for Local Aid, but the proof is in votes cast and resolutions supported. When a State Rep. votes to hand the Governor power to make unilateral budget cuts one year, and then won’t sign on to this common-sense, bipartisan Local Aid Resolution now, constituents and town officials have a right to know why.”
Hayes continued, “It is unacceptable that the State does not supply reliable and predictable Local Aid numbers to the towns now, in time for their budget preparation for Spring Town Meeting. This bipartisan Local Aid Resolution offers an opportunity for Beacon Hill politicians to stand up for their towns and constituents. Sadly, the Democrat leadership and their lock-step followers are once again choosing to balance the budget on the backs of the cities and towns.”
March 11, 2010
“I strongly disagree with the plan of Governor Patrick to address skyrocketing health care insurance premiums by imposing a government run price-fixing scheme in Massachusetts. While we pay among the highest health insurance rates in the nation and are seeing annual double-digit increases in their premiums, it is reform, not government price-fixing, that will fix the systemic problems in the Massachusetts healthcare system.
As the embodiment American self-reliance and competition, small business owners I talk with every day want more interstate competition and the ability to pool their buying power with others so that large insurance companies have to compete for their business. They want the State House to stop imposing new mandates on health insurance plans. Small business owners and their workers want freedom to choose a coverage plan that fits their needs.
March 9, 2010
Asked about the new website, Hayes said, “My campaign is about what matters to voters: providing balance on Beacon Hill, helping create jobs, and being accountable for the peoples’ money. I hope voters will take a few minutes to stop by KurtHayes.com to see and hear who I am and where I am on the issues that are important to them. The website is a great way to let voters get to know me and what I stand for. I am also working very hard to personally meet and shake the hand of every voter in my six towns between now and November 2nd.”
March 2, 2010
“The Massachusetts House of Representatives is preparing to vote on bill H 344, ‘An Act prohibiting devocalization of dogs and cats.’ As a pet-owner myself, I oppose this bill as written. As a last resort once other behavior modification training is exhausted, devocalization should be available as an option for pet owners and their family veterinarian. If the barking dog still presents a nuisance to the community and devocalization is illegal, the result will be more pets abused, abandoned to animal shelters, or even euthanized. That is why respected, pet-loving organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, and the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners stand in opposition this bill.”
“Most disturbing is that this bill gives the state courts the power to force a pet owner to submit to a mental health evaluation, counseling and treatment. They could also be sentenced to five years in state prison.”
“This bill is another example of a lack of balanced consideration of the ramifications of well-intended legislation. It also represents an expansion of state government power that infringes on the rights of citizens, and in this case their family veterinarians, to use their best judgment and experience to make decisions that may ultimately be best for their pet, family, and the community.”
Bill available at http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht00pdf/ht00344.pdf
March 1, 2010
“The passage by the Massachusetts House of Representatives of a bill with provisions that mandate additional nutrition requirements on local school districts is a disappointing example of the un-balanced ‘group-think’ that exists under the State House dome. While it may sound good to some to expand state government control of school lunches, this legislation imposes additional hardship and financial burden on the towns, school districts, and families. Local school districts are already focusing on improving the nutritional value of school lunch programs while carefully balancing cost, choice, and tastes. We do not need Beacon Hill imposing less choice, more paperwork, and yet another unfunded mandate on the people of Massachusetts.”
“Most disappointing is that several Republicans in the State House joined the bigger-government mentality of the Democrats to pass this bill without talking with their local school districts or constituents about the actual need for this legislation and the impact. We need our leaders to get out of the State House and listen to the people instead of passing yet another unfunded mandate that limits choice, increases costs, and grows government bureaucracy.”
February 5, 2010
In a letter to local, elected officials in the district, Kurt Hayes announced his candidacy for the 37th Middlesex State Representative seat. Hayes mailed the February 1st letter to each of the 26 elected Selectpersons and 31 School Committee members in the district towns of Lunenburg, Lancaster, Shirley, Harvard, Boxborough, and Acton.
Hayes, a Boxborough Republican, previously announced his plans to run for the State Representative seat to supporters at a “Meet ‘n’ Greet” he organized for then U.S. Senate candidate Scott Brown on November 2nd at the Boxborough Sargent Memorial Library.
The letter from Hayes first thanked each office holder for their “dedication, tireless efforts, and many, many hours that you put forth as a locally elected official.”
After informing the recipient of his candidacy for the Beacon Hill House seat, Hayes indicated that he looked forward to attending upcoming meetings of their respective board to gain further insights into the obstacles that need to be addressed at the state level as towns face budget constraints and unfunded mandates.
In the letter, Hayes asked each locally elected, non-partisan office holder “to consider remaining neutral and independent in terms of this partisan race for State Representative.”
Commenting on the request for neutrality, Hayes said, “Of course, as a concerned citizen and voter, everyone is free to support a candidate if they so choose. However, the office title a local official was given by the voters of their town in a non-partisan election should remain above partisan politics of state and federal races.”
Continuing, Hayes said, “It puts a locally elected official in a compromising position, and may even create a possible conflict of interest in the eyes of the voters, if they lend their non-partisan, elected office title to an endorsement or campaign role in a partisan race. As a candidate, I will not put my elected town leaders in such a position by asking for or accepting their endorsement. Instead, I will seek to listen to and learn from the valuable insights and views our non-partisan, locally elected leaders have on how, as their State Representative, I can help Beacon Hill become more responsive to the needs of the towns in our district.”