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The Issues

Joe's Priorities

Affordability - Taxes

MA has lost its competitive edge through its approach to taxes. We face among the country's worst tax burdens. That's why MA is the state with the 3rd highest OUT-migration!

Joe's Position

  • Joe opposes new taxes and supports efforts to roll back our existing tax burden
  • The state must pursue policies that House Republicans have pushed so MA will once again be competitive with states like New Hampshire, Florida, and North Carolina
  • Yes, MA is a great place to live, but people can't afford it anymore
  • Joe believes we need to lead even stronger on making Massachusetts affordable again

Affordability - Cost of Living

Along with our tax burden, MA has among the nation's highest costs of living. This includes utility rates, daycare costs, housing costs (to rent and buy), and groceries.

Joe's Position

  • Support policies to assist first-time home buyers
  • Work to lower utility rates for consumers
  • Make quality child care affordable for working families
  • Address the rising costs of everyday essentials that burden Massachusetts families

Affordability - Utility Rates

The MA Climate mandates, seeking to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050, are misguided and are driving energy costs to astronomical levels.

Joe's Position

  • Consumer electric bills have increased dramatically with mandated fees for renewables and climate initiatives that consumers don't utilize
  • Windmills are failing and the energy generated is inadequate and more expensive
  • Massive swaths of forest have been clear cut for inefficient solar fields, most without local approval or support
  • Joe believes climate goals can be pursued responsibly with incentives, not with state mandates and penalties

Local Aid

Rep. McKenna believes that our cities and towns are most effective at spending our tax dollars. Local government knows what is most important to them and their citizens.

Joe's Position

  • While the state budget has egregiously doubled to over $60B in the last ten years, local aid (known as UGGA) has not kept pace
  • The result is 25% less local aid than 10 years ago
  • Joe supports more of our state dollars going into these local accounts
  • Especially in central and western MA communities that need increased state support

Education

Rep. McKenna is a product of Mass. public schools and is a strong believer that our teachers are the true unsung heroes of our communities.

Joe's Position

  • Our legislature must continue to support our schools, from preschools through our state colleges and universities
  • Support reviewing the CH 70 Funding formula to ensure fair distribution
  • Support lifting the cap on charter schools to provide more educational options
  • Oppose the Common Core Curriculum and PARCC testing that burden our educators

The Second Amendment

Rep. McKenna is a proud supporter of the second amendment and is a gun owner himself. Before even getting elected he testified against the gun control measures in 2014.

Joe's Position

  • While gun-control measures are framed from a place of reducing violence, the results are onerous laws and regulations on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens
  • Criminals continue to be criminals and break the laws regardless of new restrictions
  • Joe supports measures to prevent crime, curb violence, and provide real services to those with mental health needs
  • Not take guns away from responsible, law-abiding citizens exercising their constitutional rights

There are several more important priorities facing our district. If you wish to speak with Rep. McKenna about any topic, please email him at McKennaforrep@gmail.com

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