Time for reform, time for action

From The Beacon, September 2009, Vol. XXXV, #8

Labor Day is upon us, and time is flying by. Before we know it, leaves will be falling, cool autumn air will whisk us to Thanksgiving, and, just a bit later, we’ll be trying to remember to write “2010” on our checks while snow piles up outside.

This is not a lament about all-too-short New England summers, just a reminder that the only constant is the steady passage of time. And given the national recession, the state fiscal crisis, and the vexing challenges that all communities are facing, we must act now, and not let precious time slip by.

That’s why it is not too early to begin thinking about next year’s agenda and the work ahead for all cities and towns as municipal officials strive to anticipate, plan, respond and react to the major problems facing the communities and residents of Massachusetts.

This is why we are pleased to announce that we are ramping up for the MMA’s next Annual Meeting and Trade Show, which will take place on Jan. 22 and 23, 2010. The theme is “Local Leaders: Acting Today, Building Tomorrow, Creating a Stronger Future.”

Thanks to your involvement and participation, the MMA’s Annual Meeting has grown into the largest yearly gathering of municipal officials in the Northeast, with headliner keynote speakers, 30 informative workshops, and scores of other events and opportunities to network, learn and lead at home and across the state.

We certainly encourage you to sign up for the meeting right away and help us have another record-setting year.

With the Legislature heading back into session this month, and huge fiscal problems facing the Commonwealth and all communities, there is a lot to do before our Annual Meeting opens on the fourth Friday in January.

Cities and towns need real municipal health insurance reform now, reform that simply gives local officials the same authority that state leaders have to set health insurance benefits outside of collective bargaining. This is a relatively simple solution that must not be undermined with anti-taxpayer giveaways in the form of binding arbitration or other special powers and benefits for municipal unions that the state would never provide to state employee labor groups.

Communities need real relief from unfunded mandates and unmet promises such as the funding shortfall in the Police Career Incentive Program. The state changed its mind and decided to back off its decades-old pledge to fund 50 percent of the Quinn Bill obligations, and in the process has triggered confusion and a giant fiscal mess for cities and towns. State leaders need to take responsibility for their decision to underfund and phase out their contributions, and they must clarify in state law that cities and towns are not responsible for the missing state funds. Otherwise, this will unfairly cause widespread police layoffs and a higher property tax burden.

Local governments need the power to regionalize services, including emergency dispatch and other critical activities, without having to negotiate for permission with municipal unions. We are living with a new fiscal reality, and municipal innovations and efficiencies can’t be held hostage to the power of “No.”

Cities and towns deeply appreciate the Legislature’s and governor’s support for ending the telecommunications property tax loophole on poles and wires, a very positive step for communities and taxpayers. Now, localities need an end to the other telecom tax loophole: the effort by telecom companies to avoid paying their fair share of personal property taxes on valuable equipment. Closing that loophole would generate another $25 million in needed local revenue.

From the local perspective, all of these issues are easy calls. But many political and special interests are opposing this agenda, and they are working hard on Beacon Hill to block these needed reforms.

Traditionally, special interests try to run out the clock and slow things down to a snail’s pace, trying to win a game of attrition. But this is a new era for Massachusetts, and this is no time for games or for the status quo. The problems are so big, and the stakes are so high, that we need action now. If we waste time, the crisis won’t go away, it will get worse.

In summary, we need the governor and the Legislature to support cities and towns and act today to embrace and enact these reform priorities. This agenda will build a foundation for tomorrow and create a stronger future for the residents, businesses and taxpayers of Massachusetts.

Acting, building and creating. Sound familiar? Just look at the theme for our 2010 Annual Meeting.

We have four and a half months before the gavel opens our Annual Meeting in January. Let’s make sure that we don’t waste this precious time.