The budget cycle is often a painful process in small towns: With a limited tax base, which is overwhelmingly residential, citizens are often forced to make difficult choices in order to create a balanced budget. As your state representative, I pledge to be an active -- and proactive -- participant during these cycles by meeting with town leaders at the start of the budget process to understand requests for specific state aid for needs like purchase of new equipment or local improvements, as well as opportunities for specialized earmarks.

Every year, state legislators secure tens of thousands of dollars for the towns in their district: This funding is critically needed every year for our Towns. It’s an appropriate way to make sure that voters see their tax dollars put back into their community. I consider this a top priority for this District, and will submit funding requests on behalf of each town for every budget cycle that I am your state representative.