View from the Hill

Sterilite Corporation's unprecedented gift to the people of Townsend is the district's leading story this holiday season.

from the Office of State Rep. Robert S. Hargraves
[Includes information on some upcoming legislative proposals]

Congratulations to everyone who took the trouble to go out and vote in the September 4 special primary election for the Fifth Congressional District.

The Legislature, meeting in joint session as a constitutional convention, has finally taken definitive action on the citizens' initiative petition defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

The House, which approved its version of the FY 2008 state budget several weeks ago, is now marking time with committee hearings and the occasional formal session as the Senate begins its own budget process.

from State Rep. Robert S. Hargraves

The Legislature took two significant actions last week which should help communities struggling to finalize their FY08 operating budgets and plan their schedules for vital road maintenance.

from State Rep. Robert S. Hargraves

The proportion of Republicans in the 2007-2008 Legislature has shrunk to just 12 percent of the total membership. In addition, the Governor's Office is now in Democratic hands for the first time since 1990. Despite these daunting numbers, my colleagues and I in the minority party are not folding up our tents. Indeed, our caucus has come forward with an ambitious legislative agenda that proposes solid advances in the crucial areas of affordability, innovation and competitiveness, conserving our resources, strengthening, protecting and empowering our communities, and restoring confidence in government.

from State Rep. Robert S. Hargraves

Even though the FY 2008 budget season is still in its infancy (the Governor's version of the budget is not due until the end of this month), there has already been a considerable amount of attention given to the revenue situation and its implications for the possible increase of state contributions to such programs as local aid. I have recently sent a letter to the Boards of Selectmen in each of my towns outlining the current views of House budget writers, and I believe it would be valuable to reproduce it here for a wider audience: