Candidate Wants to Improve Small Business Climate in Massachusetts

FRANCO FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: (508)981-6511

August 4, 2010

FRANCO’S PLAN TO REVIVE THE ECONOMY

Candidate Wants to Improve Small Business Climate in Massachusetts

Paxton, MA…Today Paul Franco, Republican candidate for State Representative in the Thirteenth Worcester District announced that he will be a strong advocate for the small business community on Beacon Hill and that he will fight for real reforms that strengthen our jobs market.

“For months we have watched Beacon Hill officials tirelessly bicker about expanding gambling in the Commonwealth. It’s too bad that they could not put aside the political gamesmanship. Lost in the shuffle was the opportunity to revive our economy by instituting policies that help the small business community,” said Franco.

According to Franco three out of every 4 news jobs are created by small businesses. He strongly believes that a top priority for our next State Representative must be to help pass policies and reforms that reduce government burdens on these job creators. He plans on taking a proactive role in helping small businesses in order to put of this district back to work.

The Franco small business plan includes:

· Rolling back the sales tax increase to make Massachusetts once again competitive with other states like New Hampshire.

· Reforming unemployment insurance to reduce this heavy financial burden on small business

· Keeping utility costs low and waive sales taxes on energy efficient equipment

· Prohibiting more health care mandates that increase the costs of insurance

“With an unemployment rate of 8.8%, we need to encourage small business development. Unfortunately, for years Massachusetts state government has treated the business community like the goose that lays golden eggs. And they killed the goose with high taxes, more mandates and more regulations,” said Franco. “As a father of 6, I want my children to have the same economic opportunities that I have had. Like so many parents, I don’t want them forced out of the Commonwealth due to poor economic conditions.”

Lieutenant Colonel Paul J. Franco just came off active duty as a US Army Reservist. He has been working as a Soldiers’ Counsel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, for the past year as a mobilized US Army Reservist. His duties were to represent those soldiers injured during the war to ensure they receive the appropriate amount of compensation before being medically retired or separated. Franco’s efforts were so successful that over 70-percent of the soldiers he represented received an increase in their benefits or managed to be retained in the Army. He was recently awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Northern Regional Medical Commander, Major General Carla Hawley-Bowland, for his “unwavering professionalism, commitment.”

Besides being an officer in the US Army Reserve since 1980, Franco has lived in Worcester for 22 years where he has practiced law. He has worked as an attorney with the Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia for the past 10 years. Franco has also been active within the community serving on the West Tatnuck Elementary Parents’ Advisory Council, Christ the King Church Parish Council, and as Director of Tee-ball and AA Boys Baseball Leagues for 2008-2009 with the Jesse Burkett Little League. He has also coached and served on the Board of Directors for the St. Peter’s Church basketball league and he has coached youth soccer in Worcester since 1994.

Franco has been married to Mary Ann Franco for nearly 27 years and they have six children, ranging in ages from eight to 25. All of his children are or have attended the Worcester Public Schools.

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Paid for by the Committee to Elect Paul Franco, 58 Wildrose Avenue, Worcester, MA 01602