Milton resident Richard Livingston has formally announced that he is in the race for State Senate. He is one of two candidates seeking to unseat incumbent Brian Joyce, also a Milton resident. The other candidate who has announced is Canton Selectman Bob Burr.

The following was contributed by the candidate

I am a candidate for the Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth State Senate seat to return it to the people. If you elect me, I will return the office to one, which represents each of you, as fairly as possible, and not merely the special interest groups. I may not be a five-year incumbent town selectman or a 14 year incumbent state senator, but I have the energy and passion to make our state better for you and yours.

In 2005 I graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, with a BA in Legal Educational Service and a concentration in Public Advocacy. I have spent time advocating for asbestos victims and their families. I have a god-son in Iraq, and have worked with others to distribute care-packs to our soldiers, we strive to do anything we can to improve their living conditions. I have also been a Milton resident for the last 25 years, and served as a town meeting representative for 17 years, until 2001. I am currently a division clerk with Signals & Communication of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

I have chosen to take up the call from local, state and national elected officials to run for office, for two primary reasons:

(1) To finally make all the people, families, and children of our future the focus of government. They need basic services – – core – education and environment; good highways, roads, and bridges; decent jobs and fair salaries. No longer can we continue to spend too many of our scarce resources on special interest projects and groups.

(2) We must restore our office of State Senator to a constituent service. With a 9-9½ % unemployment rate in all of the ten towns that make up the district, we need to work to bring about full employment by supporting business development which will create jobs.

If you honor me with your vote, I promise you I will be a full-time legislator, and will not take any other job. In this way, I can devote my full time to supporting the members of this district – -for it is you, who hire me. I will campaign by being out there with you, the people, asking each of you for your ideas, and sharing my own.

The following is a brief synopsis of my campaign actions and goals to-date:

A. So far, what I have heard from you on the campaign trail is grave concern about the state of the economy and the high unemployment rate.

(1) On these issues, I believe we are fortunate, that we live in one of the most innovative states in America – – – and, I will work to encourage and help new ideas and small businesses to flourish in our district. This, in turn, will build stronger sources of employment.

(2) Another way I plan to increase employment is to build partnerships with business. Just one example: We could bring together elected officials from our local towns and the Massachusetts Film Bureau. We could file legislation for a provision in the law/contract that allows mutual agreeable payment or reimbursement to fund future tax credits. We could structure it like a limited partnership agreement. I can provide the details, at voters’ request. The bottom-line is that this approach could fund future movie/film production throughout the commonwealth, creating jobs without putting a burden on the taxpayers.

(3) Another goal of mine is to get tax dollars back into the pockets of working men and women of the Commonwealth. That, in turn, will increase their earning capacity and purchasing power. This will help them to patronize their local establishments, which will in turn create meaningful increases in employment. Here we must realize that we have a clear choice. I encourage you to let me know your opinion on this important matter. Two ways I plan to help lower taxes are:

1. Re-visiting the recent 25% tax hike on Sales Tax in Massachusetts – – it was an increase from 5% to 6.25%.

2. Taking another look at all taxes in Massachusetts.

B. I also plan to work to reform Chapter 40B, the affordable housing law. This law has sparked much debate in our local communities. I believe 40B today is a “carte blanche”, and is leaving local cities and towns powerless to enforce many of their local conservation, wetland, zoning and building laws.

C. Another key goal of my campaign is to significantly improve service to all the citizens of our district. Often politicians say this when campaigning, but forget about it after election. I promise to respond to each constituent letter, and make you my priority, and my full-time job.

I ask you to honor me with your vote and your support. Most importantly, please continue to share your ideas and opinions with me. If one person can make a difference, think what a unified State Senate District of ten towns can accomplish.