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Managing Editor HAMPDEN - Speaking for the first time as a state representative, former Springfield City Councilor Angelo Puppolo said his first few weeks in office have been "very exciting." Puppolo spoke at the annual legislative breakfast of the Hampden/Wilbraham Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 2. He represents the 12 Hampden District, which includes parts of East Longmeadow and Springfield and all of Wilbraham. Besides nine years of service on the City Council, Puppolo has operated a plumbing business and a law practice. He told the audience, the requirements of his new job constituent services and working at the State House have kept him very busy. "I've never worked so hard in my life," he said with a smile. He has also opened his district office at 2341 Boston Road, Suite 204. Puppolo was the only legislator who attended the event, as State Senator Gale Candaras and State Representative Mary Rogeness were both in Taiwan on a trade mission. Puppolo said that one of goals in the House is to examine the cost of the doing business in the Commonwealth and seek ways to lower those costs. He is interested in decreasing the costs of workman's compensation insurance and said he appreciates the Chamber's stance on the need to decrease the number of weeks of unemployment insurance. Massachusetts has the longest time in the nation an unemployed worker can collect insurance and businesspeople and former Governor Mitt Romney have been calling for its reduction in order to keep businesses in the state. Puppolo said that increases in property taxes are also a detriment to businesses and he will work to bring more local aid back to the communities. Speaking of the reported budget shortfall, Puppolo estimated the House estimate is around $800 million as opposed to the $1.1 billion estimates issued by the governor's office. He said the House leadership anticipates there will be an increase of $300 million in revenue that will lessen the gap. How to close that gap requires cuts, he said. "We need to tighten out belt," he said. "I want to be clear," Puppolo continued, "Read my lips. There is no talk of raising taxes in Boston." He called the budgeting process a "shell game." "The money has to come from some where," he said. There is increased interest in casino gambling, he noted, although one of the biggest issues is where the state's revenues from casino would go and how they would be spent. Puppolo said he would be sending out letters to local officials to gather their needs for funding. These he would use in a presentation for the House Ways and Means chair. Puppolo believes this will be a more effective way to ask for funds rather than send a "blind appeal" to the governor. "I'm there to help you in as many ways as I can," he said. | ||||||
