On May 15th both the Lawrence and Worcester City Councils passed resolutions calling for the Governor and the State Legislature to support tax reform that raises substantial new revenue while protecting low- and middle-income families and seniors from big increases.

In Worcester, City Councilor and former Worcester Mayor Joe O'Brien was the chief sponsor of the resolution. The Worcester community mobilized in support of this effort (see photo at right), with members of Neighbor to Neighbor, the Mass Senior Action Council, the AFL-CIO and Central Mass Labor Council, SEIU, the Education Association of Worcester, the Mass Nurses Association, the Worcester Democratic City Committee, Worcester Interfaith, EPOCA, the Worcester Roots Project and other organizations talking with their City Councilors about the need for new revenue and attending the City Council meeting in support of the resolution. Over the past four years, Worcester has lost over $20 million in general local aid, which has resulted in cuts to a variety of city services, particularly to public safety services, like police and fire.

In Lawrence, City Council President Frank Moran was the resolution's lead sponsor, and 1199 SEIU organized the community in support. Forty members of 1199 attended the City Council meeting to support the resolution (see picture at right). Lawrence has lost over $9 million in general local aid over the past four years.

The Campaign for Our Communities congratulates both of these City Councils on recognizing the need for new revenue to support locally provided services in their communities.