By Senator Richard T. Moore

It has certainly been a rough year for all of us! The U.S. economy contracted by close to 4% between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009, instigating the single worst pullback in gross domestic product (GDP) over the course of one year since the 1930's. The downturn was led by a 28% decline in business investment, and a 1.7% decline in real consumer spending. Every category of revenue that supports state and local government programs declined.

The decline in revenues meant that state and local spending had to be reduced, and in some cases, dramatically reduced. The state budget was cut. Local aid was cut. I shared the pain with my constituents in taking a five day furlough (work without pay) and donated an automatic cost of living salary increase to local charities. In addition, I voluntarily downsized my State House staff from six persons to five. 

Although the national recession is over, or so proclaimed Newsweek magazine (July 27, 2009), and we've seen state revenues improving somewhat in the third, and probably fourth quarters, the labor market has yet to rebound. Unemployment continues around 10% and fears of job loss continue to plague our state and region. Economists tell us that revenues will continue to be sluggish well into the next fiscal year. In addition, federal stimulus funding is expected to end, and "Rainy Day" reserves are nearly all spent. The lack of these extra funds will mean that artificially supported spending in the current budget will have to be reduced in the budget year that begins next July 1. 

Fortunately, my dedicated staff, along with some equally dedicated volunteer interns, has maintained my historically strong record of constituent assistance and legislative productivity. Current budgets will have to be reduced in the budget year that begins next July 1. More reductions in state programs and services and cuts in local aid are almost a guarantee. It's also clear that the current economy can't be fixed by raising anymore tax rates in the foreseeable future.

What seems clear is that not only will further spending cuts be required, but we will need to adopt some commonsense procedures to improve efficiency in state and local government programs and to get added value in public and non-profit services. These reforms are necessary to live within our means now, but they are also going to be needed to restrain the temptation to simply restore every program cut when the revenue picture becomes stronger. I have proposed several reforms along these lines and will work with my colleagues to find additional mechanisms to promote fairness in any program cuts that are necessary. We must also finally close a loophole in sales tax law that prevents the state, and every other sales tax state, from collecting legally owed, but difficult to gather taxes on out of state Internet purchases. Our Revenue Department estimates that this loophole denies us over $350 million a year and hurts our local businesses that are forced into an unfair competitive disadvantage with out of state businesses.

Despite the hard work that faces us in the upcoming year, I have joined my colleagues in accomplishing much on Beacon Hill. The Legislature was successful in implementing various reforms including pension, ethics, and transportation. Additionally, I took a stand against budget items, including voting against the sales tax increase, and voting against the Governor’s “9C cut” authority which hurt local aid to communities across our Commonwealth. It is in protecting those communities however, that I am most proud—especially in representing the Worcester & Norfolk District. This past year, I launched “District Days” in the fourteen towns I represent, visiting Senior Centers, Town Halls, high schools, local businesses and coffee shops as part of a listening tour, so that I may hear the concerns of those being hit hardest by our economy. This year also saw opportunities with new forms of communication: I launched www.workingtogetherformass.com, a web site that allows everyone who may not have had an opportunity to speak with me during coffee hours, office hours, or District Days to submit a question or concern, and have feedback posted on the online forum. I’ve also launched a new Facebook page, which further continues the spirit of communication and dialogue.

Results are the key to success however, and I am pleased to have sponsored or co-sponsored at least one piece of legislation for every community I represent in the Worcester & Norfolk District. Infrastructure projects were completed, including the Mill Street Bridge in the Town of Hopedale, the John Dean Bridges in the Town of Millville, and the Route 122 Bridge in the Town of Blackstone. Additionally, Stimulus Funding was recently secured for the Pulaski Boulevard project in the Town of Bellingham, and a ten mile stretch of Route 146 in the Towns of Uxbridge, Douglas, Sutton and Oxford—both projects being ones that I have pushed for quite some time. Additional federal monies have advanced projects in the Towns of Webster and Dudley, and many school districts have received support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In accomplishing this work for the Worcester & Norfolk District, I have also been happy to welcome dozens of school groups, Cub Scout troops, and local community groups to the State House to personally show and explain the legislative process, and to offer a connection from home to Beacon Hill. In maintaining my commitment to our communities, I enjoy showing others the work that is being accomplished for our hometowns, and am always hopeful that others might be inspired to help their community through any form of civic engagement. It is with those commitments, I believe, that we may weather the fiscal and political uncertainties of this year, and usher in a new year of even more success and prosperity. 

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