Joe Pascarella (R-Dedham) is Passionate About Taxes MassNews Staff September 2002 Print Edition "Working people are paying too many taxes," he says. He seeks to replace four-term incumbent Democrat Maryanne Lewis as state Representative.

Pascarella Meeting Voters—Candidate Joe Pascarella greets residents during while campaigning in Dedham.

Pascarella tells MassNews the legislature has been totally unresponsive to the will of the people regarding taxes. The repeal of the income tax roll-back is a prime example.

Additionally, "The legislature has refused to abide by the will of the people regarding the charitable deduction [on state income taxes] that the people voted for. That was put on the ballot because Massachusetts was 49th or 50th among the states in individual charitable giving. This was an attempt to change that."

The current legislature also repealed the capital gains tax break the people had overwhelmingly approved by means of a ballot question. "They did the same thing with capital gains." He explained that the Democrats like to characterize all capital gains earnings as something only rich people have. Therefore you can tax the rich to take care of the poor. He portrays the Democrat position as a typical divide and conquer strategy, pitting "the rich against the poor and middle class."

"All students should receive a quality education in a safe school," Pascarella believes. Calling education one of the key issues in the state, he also thinks, "Classroom size must be reduced in order to provide students the attention they deserve." Asked about educational vouchers, Pascarella said that he is in support of issuing vouchers, particularly for inner-city students. He also is in favor of charter schools and would like to see more of them spring up all over the state. Competition in the educational realm, he says, can only help the students. His viewpoint is that he is in favor of "school choice in general."

Regarding a citizen's right to keep and bear arms, Pascarella is squarely conservative. He said that "Massachusetts gun laws are too strict. Law-abiding citizens are being punished while criminals continue to obtain guns illegally." It's just too difficult, he explained, for people, especially women, to get weapons for self-defense. He told MassNews, "People should be able to walk into a gun shop and purchase a gun." He does believe, however, that a background check is a necessary tool in the interest of public safety.

"I don't like the label pro-choice," Pascarella says. That label, as currently used, however, does fit him. He told MassNews, "I believe that abortion should be legal." He further elucidates by adding, "especially in the case of the woman's life being in danger, or in cases of rape or incest."

Pascarella labels the recent action of the legislature regarding the Protection of Marriage Amendment "disgraceful." The Constitutional Convention, he argues, should never have been adjourned without full discussion of the issue. He puts particular blame at the feet of Senate President Tom Birmingham. "This matter should be before the voters," he contends. In terms of the concept of marriage being a union between one man and one woman, Pascarella believes that the state should not recognize any other situation as being a legal marriage.

An advocate of personal responsibility and accountability, Pascarella also supports the death penalty. He explained that, "Capital crime deserves capital punishment. Wayward judges must be held accountable for softness on crime."

Running against a four-term incumbent is not easy. When MassNews asked Pascarella why he is in this race, he answered, "It's time we have a two-party government. Because of the current situation we have a lot of government waste. It needs to be eliminated, along with the patronage system."

A graduate of Boston University, Joe Pascarella lives in Dedham and works as an executive with the Boy Scouts of America. He has been a teacher, a union member and has served several volunteer organizations in Dedham and the region. He is also a Dedham Town Meeting Representative.