Will Brownsberger -- State Representative, Democrat, 24th Middlesex District

In my annual budget letter, I reinforced concern re local aid and health insurance reform and expressed a preference for a budget without earmarks.

News reports of yesterday’s closed-door house caucus — to the effect that cuts of roughly 5% in local aid are likely — are correct.

Groups from diverse perspectives — the Boston Foundation, Stand for Children, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation — are pushing for change in municipal health insurance. I think that the legislature is really beginning to focus on making something happen and I am starting to be hopeful that we’ll have a bill this spring.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment on this issue before the vote. I read all of the comments. I did vote for the bill. The House did strengthen the bill on the floor in one important respect. We gave the financial overseer the power to trigger a financial control board at any time.

Although it is true that Lawrence is a relatively poor city, Lawrence’s financial crisis largely reflects relatively recent municipal management decisions, some fairly attributable to the recently ousted Mayor. And that is grounds for believing that the crisis may be easier to resolve than some fear.

Tomorrow, I will be asked to vote on a proposal to assist the City of Lawrence. As of now, I am planning to vote for the bill, but I am still listening — it is a close call. Your thoughts are appreciated.

The House took action today on its own version of a driving safety bill. The House version still needs to be reconciled with the Senate version.

Check out our new local aid reference links, which provide current, historical and comparative data on distributions by the state to cities and towns.

This seems like a reasonable first step to aide Lawrence toward fiscal stability.
I favor you voting yes. George Kenrick

I have some experience with Lawrence. In the early 90’s, I helped create and run the annual Bread and Roses Festival, which celebrates Lawrence’s labor history. A few years ago, I taught in Lawrence for a year.
Several points.
Lawrence is an immigrant and mill city with a tough history. Historically, its low-wage mill jobs attracted the [...]

I’m also in support of the bill – but I think it should be made contingent upon the newly-elected mayor resigning his State Legislative seat.  There are still many, many people of out work (my one year anniversary is this month), and even a paid, representative position would help someone else struggling with unemployment.
-Tim Cahill, [...]

Hi, Will. I am in full favor of supporting the bill. I worked in Lawrence for eight years and have a strong attachment to the place. I agree that unusually feckless government is not the problem. Lawrence has struggled hard since the bust of the mill town days and deserves a [...]

I am responding to some comments I have seen here and also thinking about today’s Globe editorial on this topic.
As a teacher and committed union member I think the recent spate of comments about teacher unions are WAY off as a generalization.  I do not dispute that some unions are stubborn about health costs but [...]

These are extraordinary times and a troubled community  like Lawrence can not be allowed to slip through the cracks. To do so would levy a heavier debt for society in the long run.  Its municipal problems have huge consequences adding to the social problems for its residents. If this bill is a stop-gap that will buy [...]