A letter from Stephen:

October 26, 2008

Dear Friend,

On November 4, 2008, we have the privilege to choose not only our next President, but our next State Representative as well. With both of these positions, we have the ability to choose an individual that will lead us down a much needed different path. My name is Stephen J. Comtois II, and it is with this letter that I ask for your vote to become that leader of this great Fifth Worcester District.

The issues that face our district are many. With the economic struggles that everyone in this country is facing, we need fiscal responsibility. Our current representatives continue to demonstrate their lack of this ability. This year’s state budget increased 5.2 percent ($1.5 billion), even with a projected growth of only 3.8 percent. Funding increased in more than 140 accounts over 9 percent with some agencies seeing spending increases of double and even triple digits. Borrowing of $16 billion through bonds on top of this year’s $28.22 billion budget has reached an all time high. With a budget like this, it should not have been hard to predict the situation that we are all in now.

We need major reform within many departments. With the example of the re-instatement of a pension for an individual convicted of dumping over 150 gallons of oil into an unlined trench, which was an over-ride of our Governor’s veto three months ago, we have a major accountability issue. We need to punish our criminals and reward the hard working men and women that are the back bone of our communities.

I believe that our state income tax should be reduced to 5 percent. We need to reduce our current 9.5 percent corporate tax rate to at least the national average of 6.9 percent if not 5 percent, making our state more attractive to companies that will employee our citizens. We need tax rebates for families willing to convert their oil heating systems to those of clean burning coal and natural gas – abundant resources that are produced in our country. I would fight for tax rebates that will entice families to install solar panels and wind powered energy sources. We need to reduce the cost of education with ideas such as book and fuel collaborations state wide, as well as a major MCAS restructuring. It is with ideas like these that will save this Commonwealth millions, and has earned our campaign the endorsement of Citizens for Limited Taxation. It is also with this bi-partisan approach to solving our problems that I have earned the endorsement from Richard Selfridge, Chairman of the Constitution Party. I have also earned an A rating from the NRA as well as a 100 percent rating from GOAL.

Business as usual and lack of accountability is not getting the job done for the hard working men and woman in this great Commonwealth. We need to focus on the much needed changes that will stimulate our economy by creating jobs and making life less expensive to live in Massachusetts. I am hopeful that I can earn your vote this November 4th in order to lead us in a much needed different direction of our current tax, borrow, and spend path.

Sincerely,
Stephen J. Comtois II
Candidate for State Representative - Fifth Worcester District