THE ISSUES
March 13, 2016
PUBLIC SAFETY
Paul has always been a voice for Public Safety on Beacon Hill in his role as PFFM Legislative Agent. Helping to secure funding for Fire Departments throughout Massachusetts to provide programs such as Public Fire and Life Safety Education, Hazardous Materials Response Teams, and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Assisted in locking down Training monies for Massachusetts Fire Departments, the Massachusetts State Firefighting Academy, and the Department of Fire Services. Spearheaded initiatives, both locally and across the Commonwealth, to create safer communities through legislation that improves the safety and readiness of our First Responders.
Education
Paul knows first hand the value of Education. After many years of night school, working 3 plus jobs at a time, raising a family, and still paying college loans; Paul received his Masters Degree in Public Administration. Paul understands the need to ensure a solid educational foundation for our children’s future.
Education serves as the cornerstone of our society, with public education as the foundation. Paul knows that every child deserves the maximum opportunity to receive a quality education. Paul is a strong advocate for students, teachers, and public schools.
Early education for all is at the heart of learning. It is paramount to teach our children at every step of their educational path and essential to embrace all children’s individual unique learning style.
Paul supports less testing and more learning, opposes lifting the cap on charter schools, understands the need for strong advocacy on Beacon Hill for special ed
ucation, ELL, autistic, gifted students, physical education, and the arts. Every child in the Commonwealth deserves a safe and supportive school to achieve long-term academic success.
Paul supports public school teachers and will strongly advocate for appropriate funding and staffing. This will allow teachers and support personnel in the classroom to have the much needed tools to do what they do every day…educate the most precious commodity of our society…our children.
Veteran Services
As an Iraq War Veteran, Paul knows first hand the issues facing our Veterans past, present, and future. Paul will be a strong voice on Beacon Hill to addresses the critical issues facing our Veterans such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), suicide risk, trauma, unemployment, homelessness, and delay in receiving Veteran Benefits. All that impact Active members of the Military, Veterans, and their families on a daily basis.
- Veteran unemployment is nearly twice the national average.
- One out of every three Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans suffers from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or a combination of the two due to combat trauma.
- There is a backlog of 1.2 million claims at the Veterans Administration
- A third of all homeless citizens in America are Veterans
In addition to serving our Country in Iraq, Paul worked with Operation Helmet and raised over $30,000 to purchase military helmet upgrade kits that added protection and stability for soldiers serving in the combat zone. Paul was able to outfit over 300 soldiers, his entire Unit, with these valuable upgrade kits.
Senior and Retiree Services
“We must keep the promises made to our Seniors/Retirees to ensure a quality of life well-earned from years of hard work and sacrifice.”
With the number of Seniors and Retirees on the rise, we must protect this most precious group. Cities and Towns must begin to coordinate today’s fragmented elderly services such as transportation, housing, health care, and education to meet the needs of an aging population. The high demand for subsidized housing for the elderly increases on a daily basis. The cost of paying for the basic needs has become difficult as these costs increase year to year. Finding ways to assist them navigate through programs like Medicare and helping them locate caregivers is a must to help our Seniors and Retirees.
Part of the solution should be to restore original funding and provide more resources to local Council on Aging and Senior Centers in Massachusetts. These are not just places to play bingo, have lunch, or enjoy crafts and exercise classes. These Community Centers have become an integral part of providing care for every Senior and Retiree.
Paul is a strong supporter of initiatives to strengthen our Seniors lives, especially lowering prescription drug prices. He supports funding for the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Advanced Home Care, Elder Services, and Councils on Aging to name a few.
Paul strongly believes that every effort must be put forth to prevent cuts to retirement benefits of current and future Retirees. We must ensure that Cities, Towns, and the State keep their promise to Retirees and their Widows who count on these earned pensions to survive.
Massachusetts Gu
n Rights 2016 Legislative Candidate Positions
