Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, is running for re-election for Mass. State Senator in the Second Bristol and Plymouth District in the 113/26 election. Submitted photo.
Press Release
Hello Acushnet and Fairhaven.
As election day approaches, I would like to take this opportunity to once again ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 3rd. As your State Senator I have always put the needs of our community first, regardless of whether that position complies with Beacon Hill leadership. Too many of our seniors, families, veterans and hardworking taxpayers are grappling with out-of-control living expenses, including utility bills, taxes, and healthcare.
Throughout my legislative career I have pushed back against corporate utilities. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight, I launched an investigation into their costly pipeline repair program, and the Senate has since joined my call to eliminate this inflated charge on your home heating bill. Despite this progress, the most recent energy bill lacked enough immediate savings and I voted against it.
Our healthcare system has been raided by corporate greed and the insidious lobbying culture dominating Beacon Hill. Private equity has no place in your care, and I will continue to push back on these special interests. Similarly, I will continue to hold shoddy nursing home owners accountable and ensure that new consumer protections for assisted living residents are implemented.
To help with your household budget, I have voted to keep your tax rates down. I voted against increasing the sales tax from 5 to 6.25 percent and I joined bipartisan efforts to suspend the state’s gasoline tax long before the current election cycle. Most recently, I stood firm against a proposed increase to your motor vehicle excise tax. I also supported bipartisan efforts to double the personal income tax exemption and to help workers pocket more of their overtime and earned gratuities.
Exposing wasteful spending and the cozy relationships on Beacon Hill that enable this behavior is vital for keeping our costs down. This year I was proud to lead a Senate Post Audit investigation into the failed highway service plaza bidding process. By partnering with the Inspector General, we were able to prevent a deal that would have cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in unnecessary costs. I also voted for the audit ballot question and against legislation that sought to interfere with the voters’ clear directive.
I strongly supported the Student Opportunity Act and the Fair Share Amendment that increased state support for our cities and towns. I’ve also earmarked hundreds of millions of state dollars into this region for major projects like Southcoast Rail, a revived downtown New Bedford, port infrastructure, and numerous capital improvements across Fairhaven. My seniority as Dean of the Senate allows me to deliver vast and necessary resources to our community while still maintaining my longtime independence.
In closing, I have lived my entire life in this district and hear daily of the struggles and concerns facing our friends, family, and neighbors. I put this frustration into action even if it means voting against leadership. I hope to continue this work and respectfully ask for your continued support on November 3rd.
Thank you, Mark
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