PRIORITIES
We must have the utmost confidence and trust in those who we elect to represent us in our government. Aaron believes that ethics and lobbying reform must be the number one priority of the District’s next State Representative.
Additionally, Aaron believes that there is a difference between development and responsible development. Development projects in the District must respect neighborhood standards and the City’s current zoning regulations. Private development should not use our public tax dollars without first making a commitment to providing a substantial public benefit. Aaron has recorded his opposition to the Columbus Center Project for these reasons. He has also lead by example on this issue. As President of the North End Waterfront Neighborhood Council, Aaron opposed a recent proposal to construct an 85’ building on the waterfront because it did not respect community standards or the height requirements set forth in Boston’s Zoning Code and would have unduly impacted the neighboring residential community.
The preservation and maintenance of open space along the Rose Kennedy Greenway has remained a priority of Aaron’s over the past four years while he served as Constituent Services Director under former Speaker DiMasi. He will continue his work to see that funding for the Greenway’s Conservancy is a reality and that development along this precious gift remains responsible and appropriate.
Aaron views the MBTA’s Silver Line as an essential transportation mode for the District and believes that completion of Phase III is essential to furthering the viability of the District’s neighborhoods. However, completion of the Silver Line must not come at the expense of the communities it serves. Aaron will continue his work with the Bay Village neighborhood to ensure that alternatives are explored before any final decision is reached concerning locating the Silver Line’s tunnel portals.
Aaron currently serves as one of the nine (9) Trustees to the Boston Groundwater Trust, which was assembled to address the issues of diminishing groundwater throughout many of Boston’s neighborhoods. Decreasing groundwater has resulted in damage and costly repairs to buildings throughout Boston. Aaron will continue to ensure that resources are committed to addressing and solving the problems of decreasing groundwater affecting neighborhoods in the Third Suffolk District.
Aaron has been a proven advocate for ensuring wider access to the ballot box and would support same day voter registration in the Commonwealth. He has also been a strong supporter of both bilingual ballots and transliteration of names for ballots for the Asian American community.
ISSUES
Civil Rights:
Aaron would oppose any attempt to place on the ballot any constitutional amendment that would ban or impair marriage rights for same sex couples and would support an "Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes" which would extend civil rights, hate crimes protections, and student rights to the transgender community.
Aaron supports a woman's fundamental right to choose. In addition, Aaron is opposed to legislative and judicial attempts to restrict abortions such as mandating waiting periods, requiring religious based counseling, and onerous restrictions on clinics. Aaron is also opposed to the death penalty.
Lastly, Aaron supports access to in-state tuition rates at State Colleges and Universities for children of undocumented immigrants who have received a diploma from a Massachusetts high school.
Jobs and Economic Development:
Aaron supports workers rights to unionize and would support legislation that establishes paid sick days by allowing workers to earn a certain amount of paid sick days based on the amount of hours they work. Aaron is opposed to a further increase in the rate public workers pay for health insurance or legislation that would allow municipalities to mandate active and/or retired public employees into the Group Insurance Commission without collective bargaining.
Aaron would encourage responsible spending of Federal Stimulus dollars by focusing on fixing, improving efficiency, and lowering energy costs for our existing infrastructure, including our buildings, roads and bridges, transmission grid, public transit systems, and manufacturing plants – rather than on new development; Promote high quality, family-supporting jobs for the District; and look to provide opportunities for under-served communities to access high quality jobs, through investments in training programs and partnerships that promote career ladders and “pathways out of poverty.”
Taxes and Revenue:
Aaron would oppose increasing the current State Income tax rate but also believes that cutting the income tax rate to 5% would be irresponsible in the current economic climate.
Aaron supports closing a corporate loophole that allows telecommunications companies to avoid property taxes on poles, wires and equipment, eliminating a $50 million annual tax break and increase revenue for cities and towns.
Aaron would also support increasing the statewide meals tax by 1% and the motel/hotel room occupancy taxes as well as the option for communities to levy an additional 1% increase on either or both providing an estimated $150 million annually back to cities and towns, while granting communities the local option of generating additional revenue by a means other than increasing property taxes.
Aaron opposes increasing tolls for the Harbor Tunnels, Tobin Bridge, and along the Massachusetts Turnpike as a means to pay for the Commonwealth’s Big Dig debt. Rather, Aaron believes the most equitable approach is an Increase in the state’s gas tax and the elimination of waste and redundancy in the state’s transportation system.
Education and Child Care:
Aaron would support and advocate for providing additional resources targeted to:
-Early childhood (pre-kindergarten) Education & Full-Day Kindergarten
-Lowering class sizes (K-3)
-Special Education funding
-Healthy Schools and increases in funding for renovation or replacement of school buildings
-Establishing a state minimum salary for teachers
-Remedial and after school programs
-Technology updates (adequate materials, technology & library staff)
-Mentors for new teachers
Aaron supports use of the MCAS results diagnostically as opposed to using the MCAS as the sole criterion in determining what students will receive a high school diploma and favors a more comprehensive assessment system for students, schools and districts. Aaron would oppose measures that would drain funding away from school districts by charter schools.
