May: District Has Been Poorly Represented By Hedlund

On Reasons For Running

Patch: Can you please tell us a little about yourself and why you are running for State Senate?

Steve May:  I am running because I believe fundamentally the district has been poorly represented by Hedlund over the years, my experience in HC would be a virtue to the district, and I have the progressive values and experience having worked in more than 40 statehouses as the ED of a nonprofit working around privacy and genetic bias issues

I believe I am the best option to give voice to the broad needs of all voters in the district- my experience as a MH treator, dealing with economics as ED of a nonprofit. Understanding of concerns confronting the working families of the South Shore as evidenced by UAW-MA's endorsement of our bid last week.

JoeyR:  How long have you lived here? Have you held elected office before? What community organizations are you involved in?

Steve May:  I live in Hull. I will have been in Massachusetts 5 yrs by election day. I have been in Hull for just under 3 yrs., I lived in the part of Braintree Hedlund represented for 2 yrs. before that.. I am a member of my synagogues in Hull and Marshfield. Also, I am a member of the OPEIU local 49 and am a member of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, and am an alternate to the Hull Historic District Committee

Mike:  Has Sen. Hedlund shown any leadership for the South Shore?

Steve May: Mike, I believe Hedlund has as a legislator spent much of his time commenting on public policy not making policy... we need someone who can impact the legislative process

Duxbury Drew:   I am a registered Republican, and have generally been supportive of Sen. Hedlund over the last 20 years. That being said, I feel like he now spends too much time commenting on public policy and does very little work as our State Senator. Will you be better able to develop and advocate for policy as a State Senator?

Steve May: Changing Beacon Hill will come from inside the Democratic caucus room... whether that's right or not is a whole different issue. Having a seat at the table for the first time in a generation will make a huge difference.

Happy Hullonian: Do you find it interesting that Sen. Hedlund has become such a strong advocate for an expanded bottle bill lately? Do you think this reflects his actual position or is it more likely a reflection of him facing the strongest Democratic challenge he's had in eight years? Do you support an expanded bottle bill and why / why not?

Steve May:  I believe that it is a product of the political environment- it certainly is not in keeping with his legacy of failing scores on green issues from MASS League of Environmental Voters over the past decade

Andy from Cohasset: State aid to our communities are currently at 1995 levels and South Shore communities are struggling to avoid increasing property tax burdens. In fact it appears that even lottery revenue will be outpacing local aid levels in FY 2012. How will you achieve increases in local aid from the state in a more effective manner than Sen. Hedlund?

Steve May: I would support an .05 surcharge increase on the financial transactions of anyone moving more than $500. This is supported by Mass Nurses and other groups.

I believe having a Dem Senator will permit for better advocacy in Cloakroom where most decisions get made.

Mowerman: How would u deal with hingham rotary issue

Steve May:  Mow, the Hingham rotary is a chalenge... I need to study it some more. I believe traffic calming is important, clearly 3A has seen an explosion in cars per day. Raises the need to provide greater supports for transit.