The Townsman asked the candidates for Andover's state representative seats three "Yes/No" questions. Candidates then had an opportunity to further explain their answers. The state primary, to choose one Democrat and one Republican who will be on the general election ballot is Sept. 14.
Do you support allowing casinos in Massachusetts?
Please explain your views on whether to allow expanded gambling and what limits, if any, you support (up to 100 words).
Should Andover and other communities be able to choose the health-care plan offered its employees without union bargaining?
Please explain your views (up to 100 words).
Do you support Question 2 to eliminate Ch. 40B, the state's primary affordable housing law?
Please explain whether you would seek to change part or all of this law and why or why not (up to 75 words).
DO YOU SUPPORT...CasinosTown choosing employees' health-care planRepealing Ch. 40 affordable housing law
Democrat
Pat CommaneYESYESNO
Republicans
Sal TabitYESYESYES
Paul AdamsNOYESYES
Democrats
Frank Bonet(D)
(Candidate did not respond to e-mail)
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Pat Commane (D)
Casinos: YES
I would support one resort casino. The Wampanoag tribe is close to federal approval and the state should be proactive and negotiate terms including 25 percent of casino revenue going directly to local aid and to gambling addiction programs. With that said, I believe the negative consequences of casino gambling are very real. I have first hand experience with my father-in-law losing his life savings to gambling after the loss of his wife. We were lucky that our family was able to intervene and get him help before he lost his home.
Health-care plan choice: YES
Cities and towns need more control over spiraling health care costs. Municipalities should be able to enroll their employees in the quality health care plans offered by the Group Insurance Commission (GIC). If the savings are real, the cities and town should go for it. If the savings are achieved only by employees paying higher premiums and co-pays then the town will need to negotiate with workers around that issue.
Affordable housing law: NO
Chapter 40B has produced more than half the affordable units in Andover (more than 400 of about 750 units). Chapter 40B has served the Town well because the Andover Planning staff and the Andover Zoning Board of Appeals have managed the permitting process very carefully, creating attractive affordable and market rate units. The average single family home assessed value in Andover is almost $550,000, a price unaffordable to families with household income less than $125,000.
Republicans
Paul Adams (R)
Casinos: NO
Expanded gambling is a bad bet for Massachusetts. Casinos may increase revenues in the short-term, but when the cash is gone, taxpayers will be left to foot the bill for the new, increased spending base by state government. Casinos would also place a significant burden on communities for infrastructure improvements, additional public safety and would squeeze local businesses, as has been the case in other states.
Health-care plan choice: YES
Local officials need the ability to choose which health plans their municipalities can afford. Flexible municipal plan design is an essential tool that allows communities to reduce healthcare costs, gives municipal employees the ability to choose which plans they need and can afford, makes costs more closely aligned with those paid by private sector workers. I also would seek legislative action to repeal extraordinarily costly, unnecessary and unaffordable mandates that make all of our health plans some of the nation's most expensive.
Affordable housing law: YES
Ch. 40B is a debt obligation—another unfunded liability for cities and towns. The law is a classic example of government interfering with the free market. It skews supply and demand, inflates prices for everyone, creates fewer affordable homes and allows developers to override sensitive, local zoning laws. I believe the law should be repealed and that the solution is an Inclusionary Zoning law for existing buildings or urban areas already deemed affordable.
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Sal Tabit (R)
Casinos: YES
While gaming alone is not a complete economic recovery plan, it is undeniable that expanded gaming will create much needed employment in the Commonwealth. We have lost thousands of good paying jobs over the last several years. The construction and gaming industry jobs that would be created by private casinos would be welcomed by hard working men and women across the state. This is about creating desperately needed jobs now. We do not need Beacon Hill interfering with private business. Why is it OK for the government to profit from our gambling through the lottery, but not private enterprise?
Health-care plan choice: YES
For some time now, community leaders from across the state have asked our local legislators to give cities and towns the ability to design municipal health plans without negotiating changes in those plans with employee unions. By all accounts, such a practice would save local communities millions of dollars a year. The Commonwealth itself has the ability to negotiate such changes, yet our legislators refuse to allow our local officials the same benefit. It is our obligation as legislators to advocate for the needs of our local officials and I intend on doing just that as State Representative.
Affordable housing law: YES
No single thing effects the character and identity of a city or town more than its zoning laws. 40B provides a loophole to the zoning decisions made by individual municipalities and can thus significantly alter the vision that a particular city or town has for itself. Affordable housing is important, but it cannot be achieved at the expense of local zoning decisions.
