Paul Loscocco is a freshman Republican representative from Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Southborough who has proven that an intelligent conservative can be elected in Massachusetts. A rarity in last fall's election, Loscocco, a lawyer, took time to talk with Massachusetts News and share some of his viewpoints.

By Curt Lovelace
April 2001

MassNews: What are your overall legislative priorities for this term?

Loscocco: In a general sense, as a freshman Republican in a post "Question 4 era," my priority is to become acquainted with the budgetary needs of the four towns in my district [Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway, Southborough] so that I can do whatever is possible to help them. I don't want them to suffer from having a new Representative with no seniority after a 14-year incumbent. My towns pay a lot more in taxes than they get back. For instance, Hopkinton pays $30 million in taxes and only gets back about $5 million. I want to address some of the inequities of the system.

A little more specifically, Education Reform will be dealt with this year. What I'd like to see happen is the establishment of a "floor" figure for every town, regarding the foundation budget. I'd like to see a little more fairness in the system and the opportunity for school districts to be able to formulate their budgets based upon real numbers.

I'd certainly like to get some reform done in the health care industry, too.

MassNews: Education seems to be a major theme around the State House these days. There are several educational issues we'd like to know about. How do you feel about school choice?

Loscocco: I'm in favor. My own district has excellent school systems. It's not a hot issue in my district. As a philosophical matter, however, it's an important option to have. More needs to be done to promote choice. Take a look at the success of charter schools.

MassNews: How about vouchers?

Loscocco: Philosophically, I do not have a problem with them. I would have to see specific legislation before I decide how to vote, of course. Again, it's not a priority in my district, but I would be open to legislation. People who don't get good educational opportunities are going to be left behind. Parents have a right to have some control over how and where they get that education.

MassNews: And MCAS?

Loscocco: I've been openly supportive of MCAS. The initiatives recently announced by the Governor are what I campaigned on. There should be an expansion of community college programs and options for students who just haven't been able to pass the MCAS tests. Those were good steps [in the Cellucci-Swift initiatives]. Yes, we need fine tuning, but it's a good tool. A lot of the outcry against it has been misplaced. As a diagnostic tool it's incredible. I've talked to a lot of superintendents about this, and my mother was a teacher for 40 years. I'm convinced there needs to be more. We do need a standard. Every student graduating from a high school in Massachusetts should have a certain level of accomplishment, at least in English and math. I don't think the students are well-served by social promotion.

MassNews: What is your opinion about the Gay-Straight Alliances and the teaching of homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle in publicly-funded schools?

Loscocco: I'm opposed. As a parent of three kids, I feel the schools are there for education, not a tool for somebody's agenda. I want my kids to learn what I learned in school. I want them to learn math and science and English and history. Young children are impressionable. When you let people into the schools with an agenda and you have a captive audience, we should be worried.

MassNews: That brings up the question of the Protection of Marriage Act. Would you support a bill which defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman?

Loscocco: Yes. Understand that I am not anti-gay or homophobic. In fact, more should be done to promote civility and equal compassion. But marriage is something that has an historical and societal basis and once you start taking down societal norms, I wonder what will happen to society. Domestic partnerships and civil unions are just incremental steps on the road to destruction of that societal norm.

MassNews: You've already co-sponsored several gun-related bills. What are they about and why are you involved?

Loscocco: We have several gun clubs in my district. As I was travelling around, I got to know some of the people involved. I don't own a gun and I never have, but I do believe that the Second Amendment guarantees certain rights. I think those rights have been eroded. Some of the stuff I co-sponsored on Chapter 180 [Gun Control Laws] is just common sense. I want to make it less extreme. I sponsored things on standardized training and less power for the local police chiefs in deciding who gets a license.

MassNews: Question 8 on the November ballot would have given drug offenders a chance to opt for treatment instead of jail time. It would also have taken the money from law enforcement agencies to pay for that treatment. If this comes up again will you favor it?

Loscocco: I'm not in favor. Hopefully, the voters' decision will be respected. I do think that drug treatment should be available, but on this proposal, I think the voters decided properly.

MassNews: House Minority Leader Francis Marini has refiled a death penalty bill. How do you plan to vote on that?

Loscocco: This is an issue I got a lot of calls about during the campaign - from both sides. I'm a practicing Roman Catholic, so this is an issue I take very seriously. I have made it very clear to people that this is an issue I could see myself supporting if the bill has certain safeguards. For instance, it should have an automatic appeal and an automatic right to DNA testing. There should be safeguards in place against racial and economic inequities. I feel that society should be able to say, "Here's the line. You crossed it and you should be held responsible." But there must be safeguards.

MassNews: Finally, what is the learning curve like for a freshman representative?

Loscocco: Well, I'm at the bottom of it. I'm certainly doing a lot more listening than talking. I'm also trying to forge relationships, while at the same time remembering who sent me here. As a Republican in this situation, I'm really in a pretty independent position. I'm not expected to toe a party line so much.

Right now I'm here every day trying to learn. One thing I've tried to make people understand is that I'm going in with a citizen's perspective. I actually read the bills that I co-signed. I've never been in any kind of politics before. I don't want to get involved in any of the intrigues that can take place.

Paul Loscocco has lived in Holliston since he was in the 3rd grade. He graduated from Holliston public schools and married his high school sweetheart, Ann-Marie, a Holliston native. He is also a graduate of Boston College and Boston College Law School. He has been with the firm of Riemer & Braunstein since he graduated from Law School. Paul and Ann-Marie have three children, Emily (11), Katie (10) and Michael (7).

Copyright ©2001 Massachusetts News, Inc. Photocopying and data processing storage of all or any part of this issue may not be made without prior written consent.