Polito Asks Opponent to Clarify Position on In-state Tuition

Karyn Polito, Republican candidate for treasurer, is asking her Democratic opponent to clarify his position on in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, according to documents released by the Polito campaign today.

In a letter to her Democratic opponent, Steve Grossman, Polito requests that Grossman reconcile inconsistent statements he has made regarding in-state tuition recently. (The full text of Polito's letter follows below.)

In 2006, State House News Service cited a letter from Steve Grossman to then House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi urging the Legislature to pass a bill to provide in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants.

"'Dear Sal,' wrote Grossman, a top Democrat, '...Beyond the addition to our education coffers, the In-State Tuition Bill would strengthen our workforce, position Massachusetts as a state that welcomes immigrants, and most importantly, allow hard working immigrant students the chance to realize their dreams of a college education.'" ("House to Address Series of Amendments on In-state Tuition Bill," Jim O'Sullivan, State House News Service, January 10, 2006.)

However, in a radio debate last week on Dan Rea's Nightside show (WBZ AM-1030), Grossman expressed his opposition to in-state tuition. (To hear what Grossman said, please click here for an excerpt. For full audio of the October 4 radio debate, please click here.)

"There's a clear difference between Steve Grossman and myself on the issue of providing benefits to illegal immigrants," said Polito. "My opponent, the former chairman of the Democratic Party, has long supported in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. I oppose giving public entitlement benefits to illegal immigrants because I think doing so disadvantages taxpayers and provides an incentive for people to break the law. My record stands for itself, and as treasurer, I will continue working to protect Massachusetts taxpayers first."

Karyn Polito is the Republican candidate running for the office of state treasurer. A former selectman and lottery commissioner, she currently serves as a state representative for the 11th Worcester District. An attorney by trade, she helps run a century-old family business that specializes in commercial real estate development and resides in her hometown of Shrewsbury with husband Steve and two children ages 5 and 7.

For more information about the campaign, please visit www.KarynPolito.com.

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October 9, 2010

Mr. Steve Grossman

Former Democratic Party Chairman

30 Huntington Road

Newton, MA 02458

Dear Mr. Grossman:

I am writing you this short note to ask you to clarify your position on illegal immigration and taxpayer-provided benefits as there now appears to be some confusion based on your conflicting statements regarding this important issue.

In 2006, you wrote a letter to former House Speaker Sal DiMasi asking him to support the so-called “in-state tuition” bill, which would provide tax dollars to subsidize public college tuition for illegal immigrant students such that they would pay the same low rate afforded legal residents of the Commonwealth. In that letter, you said the in-state tuition bill “would strengthen our workforce, position Massachusetts as a state that welcomes immigrants, and most importantly, allow hard-working immigrant students the chance to realize their dreams of a college education.”

Yet, in a October 4th interview on WBZ’s “Nightside” show with Dan Rea, in response to a question from the host, you declared your opposition to the in-state tuition bill.

Steve, which is it? The voters deserve to know.

We all welcome legal immigration and recognize that it contributes to the vitality of our country. But I oppose giving public benefits to illegal immigrants because I think doing so flouts the rule of law and disadvantages taxpayers. It puts people who reside here illegally on an equal footing with law-abiding residents, and that’s wrong. In-state tuition is a magnet for illegal immigration, and we need to turn off the magnets. As candidates for Treasurer, we need to commit ourselves to the rule of law and to watching carefully the expenditure of public funds. My record stands for itself, and I’ll always endeavor to put the law and the interests of Massachusetts ahead of all other considerations.

Sincerely,

Karyn Polito

Statement of Karyn Polito on EBT Cash Benefits

Karyn Polito, Republican candidate for state treasurer, released the following statement today concerning published reports in the Boston Herald today regarding the use of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards by recipients of Department of Transitional Assistance programs:

“People are fed up with waste and overspending in government. If I'm elected state treasurer, I'll make sure that EBT cash benefits are used for legitimate purposes, not for lottery, alcohol and other non-essential items. The Patrick administration should ensure that these funds are being spent appropriately on behalf of the state's taxpayers."

Karyn Polito talks to VB on Fox25

Polito Campaign Launches New Radio Ad

The Karyn Polito for Treasurer campaign launched a new radio ad today that features interviews with people on the street talking about why Karyn Polito is the best candidate for treasurer.

The ad features everyday people talking about Polito's fiscal conservatism and her support for low taxes and less government spending, and her call for 'no pensions for politicians.'

"She is promising to be a watchdog for the people and crack down on business as usual," says one person in the ad.

"She's not taking a pension. That speaks volumes," says another.

"The taxpayers are the ones paying the bills, and it's time that Beacon Hill started living within its means... [Karyn] is somebody who will roll up her sleeves, go to work and really start doing the people's business," say other people in the ad.

Polito's ad is running on radio stations statewide. To listen to the ad online, please click here.

Polito Criticizes Opponent for His Support of Benefits for Illegal Immigrants

Karyn Polito, Republican candidate for state treasurer, today criticized her Democratic opponent for his long-standing support for granting in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants.

"There's a clear difference between Steve Grossman and myself on the issue of providing benefits to illegal immigrants," said Polito. "My opponent, the former chairman of the Democratic Party, has long supported in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. I oppose giving public entitlement benefits to illegal immigrants because I think doing so disadvantages taxpayers and provides an incentive for people to break the law. My record stands for itself, and as treasurer, I will continue working to protect Massachusetts taxpayers first."

In 2006, State House News Service cited a letter from Steve Grossman to then House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi urging the Legislature to pass a bill to provide in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants.

"'Dear Sal,' wrote Grossman, a top Democrat, '...Beyond the addition to our education coffers, the In-State Tuition Bill would strengthen our workforce, position Massachusetts as a state that welcomes immigrants, and most importantly, allow hard working immigrant students the chance to realize their dreams of a college education.'" ("House to Address Series of Amendments on In-state Tuition Bill," Jim O'Sullivan, State House News Service, January 10, 2006.)

Karyn Polito is the Republican candidate running for the office of state treasurer. A former selectman and lottery commissioner, she currently serves as a state representative for the 11th Worcester District. An attorney by trade, she helps run a century-old family business that specializes in commercial real estate development and resides in her hometown of Shrewsbury with husband Steve and two children ages 5 and 7.

Polito Campaign Sponsors "Push to Victory Rally" In Worcester

SHREWSBURY – The Karyn Polito for Treasurer Campaign is hosting a special "Push to Victory Rally" in Worcester this evening.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6 at the ITAM Club, located at 231 Lake Avenue, Worcester.

"I'm looking forward to this opportunity to spend time with residents from all around Massachusetts as we get ready for a busy month of campaigning before Election Day," said Polito. "I have spent the past few months traveling across the state, hearing from people about the need for a new culture on Beacon Hill and for an independent fiscal watchdog in the treasurer's office. I will continue to draw distinctions between myself and my opponent on these fronts over the next few weeks, and I will remind people that I am the only fiscally-conservative candidate for treasurer."

Karyn Polito is the Republican candidate running for the office of state treasurer. A former selectman and lottery commissioner, she currently serves as a state representative for the 11th Worcester District. An attorney by trade, she helps run a century-old family business that specializes in commercial real estate development and resides in her hometown of Shrewsbury with husband Steve and two children ages 5 and 7.

Polito sends letter to House and Senate Leaders against $400 million spending bill

State Representative Karyn Polito (R - Shrewsbury) sent the following letter to House and Senate leadership today expressing her objections to the $400 million supplemental spending bill and her disappointment that House leaders passed the bill notwithstanding her objections and despite the fact she arrived in the House Chamber mere moments after session began this morning:

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October 4, 2010

The Honorable Robert A. DeLeo
Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
The State House, Room 356
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Speaker DeLeo:

A little over a week ago, the House Ways and Means Committee reported a $400 million supplemental spending bill (now House Bill 5028) for consideration by the House of Representatives.

I have objected to the passage of this bill at several informal sessions over the past week for the purpose of exposing a fundamental problem on Beacon Hill – that the legislative process is dysfunctional and that as a state we continue to add to our budget problems instead of coming up with a plan to address our growing deficit. Even if leadership will eventually get what they want on this bill in informal sessions, that doesn’t mean I can’t shine a light on the conduct of business as usual at the State House and explain why it is wrong.

Informal Sessions Should Not Be Used to Spend Money This Way

The supplemental spending bill unilaterally spends several hundred million dollars and enacts over one hundred separate changes to our general and special laws. Yet, under the rules of informal sessions, there can be no debate and no roll calls. We should not pass hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending in an informal session where the number of legislative staff in the Chamber is greater than the number of legislators participating in the process on behalf of their constituents.

We Need A Plan To Address Future Budget Shortfalls Now

Massachusetts is facing a budget shortfall in Fiscal Year 2012 that is estimated to be at least $2 billion. Bridging this budget gap will be one of the most challenging tasks our state leaders have faced in many years.

I believe we must consider any new spending within this larger context. Every dollar we add to the budget today adds to the deficit next year. We must be mindful not to create pressure for future tax increases.

We Are Spending Money Too Early In The Fiscal Year

Another concern with the budget is that we are spending hundreds of millions of dollars a mere 90 days after we passed the FY2011 state budget. Accounts in the FY2011 budget – particularly those serving vulnerable populations – should have been properly funded originally without reliance on speculative federal dollars. I believe it is a fair question to ask why we are increasing budget appropriations substantially with one-time federal dollars. It's also fair to ask why the budget we passed – and which was heralded for meeting the needs of our citizens – is now so deficient that we have to supplement it with additional spending so early in the fiscal year. Unfortunately, I have no opportunity to ask these questions and to have them answered in an informal session.

Spending Priorities Are Out-of-balance

Among the new spending called for in the supplement budget bill is $11 million in pay raises for public employees. I have spoken with people across the Commonwealth who are struggling to make ends meet, and one of the few things they can agree on is that now is not the time for public sector employees to get a pay raise. Saying that these raises are part of collective bargaining agreements that must be funded ignores the role of the Legislature in ratifying these agreements as being in the best interest of the people of Massachusetts.

We Need to Protect Taxpayers

Throughout my legislative career, my primary concern has been to protect Massachusetts taxpayers, and this has been my same goal this past week. In a good faith effort to move matters forward, I made several offers of compromise to your leadership this past week. One of my offers was to fund necessary accounts on a temporary six-month basis so we can resume deliberation of supplemental spending when a new Legislature resumes formal sessions in January. I separately requested that you defer consideration of any pay raises until later in the fiscal year when the full Chamber can debate it.

It is disappointing but frankly not surprising that my offers of fair compromise were summarily rejected by your leadership.

Despite my best efforts to be at session this morning at exactly 10:00 a.m., I was delayed by traffic and arrived moments after session started, only to find that the bill had already been passed and sent to the Senate. While there is little I can do to stop that, I am determined to speak out against the unnecessary spending and poor process represented by this bill, and I will continue to advocate for greater fiscal responsibility to address our budgetary problems.

I ask that you share my concerns with all the members.

Sincerely,

Karyn Polito, State Representative
11th Worcester District

cc: Therese Murray, President of the Senate
Charles Murphy, Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
Steven Panagiotakos, Chairman, Senate Ways and Means Committee
Bradley H. Jones, Jr., House Minority Leader
Richard R. Tisei, Senate Minority Leader