O’CONNELL URGES PASSAGE OF LOCAL AID RESOLUTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Ciampa - 508-415-9665
3.22.10


Incumbent MIA on Defending Local Aid

Taunton, MA…Today Shaunna O’Connell, Republican candidate for State Representative in the Third Bristol District, responded to the failure of the Massachusetts House of Representatives to consider a local aid resolution at the first formal session in several weeks.

“Our tax dollars belong in Taunton rather than the Boston bureaucracy. Passage of this resolution would have made a statement that our Representatives wanted to protect local instead of slashing it,” said O’Connell. “This resolution deserved the support of every House member.”

Last week House Republicans attempted to introduce a resolution on local aid on the House Floor. The Democrat leadership refused to allow it to be debated.

“Where was our Representative? Why didn’t he stand up and do the right thing in protecting our local aid?” asked O’Connell. “Clearly he is too partisan and that is hurting us in Taunton.”

The resolution proposed the following:
1. Establish a minimum level of Chapter 70 and Unrestricted Local Aid equal the amount proposed by the Governor for FY11.
* The minimum Chapter 70 appropriation must equal $4,048,324,258 for FY11
* The minimum Unrestricted Local Aid appropriation must equal $936,437,803

2. Establish a minimum level of funding for each of the following accounts to equal the amount proposed by the Governor for FY11
* Reimbursement to cities in lieu of taxes $27.3 million
* Regional school transportation $40.5 million
* Special education residential schools $135 million

“We need a Representative who will fight for Taunton and put our priorities first. By not standing up for this resolution, Rep. Fagan has proven once again that he is more obligated to the insiders on Beacon Hill than us,” added O’Connell.

O’Connell is a lifelong resident of Taunton. She worked her way through college by serving in the food department at Morton Hospital and eventually becoming a department supervisor. Professionally, O’Connell is a self employed court reporter. She is a devoted wife and mother of two young children and has been active in her church and volunteers for numerous community programs.