Dave Carnevale for State Senate

David Carnevale’s challenge to state senator Patricia D. Jehlen is about more than anti-incumbent fervor. Over the past year, as local families and institutions struggled to fight through the recession, Jehlen has relentlessly fought to add and maintain increased taxes for families, seniors and employers while dismissing other revenue options, such as casinos, without serious consideration.

Jehlen voted to increase taxes or deny tax breaks nine times in 2009 and 2010. She even spurned some of our most vulnerable Massachusetts residents, senior citizens, when she voted against making more seniors eligible for tax breaks.

She voted to hike the sales tax, income tax and gas tax. But her tax and spend spree didn’t end there: Jehlen also voted against a tax credit for job creation and to delay a sales tax break for car buyers.

Jehlen represents economic extremism at its worst. Her determination to add taxes for families and employers during a recession is astonishing.

Her opponent, David Carnevale, offers an alternative. A small business owner, Carnevale has the experience to help guide the economy out of the recession. He has pledged to vote for tax breaks to create jobs and economic growth and should also stem the wasteful spending Jehlen and her Beacon Hill colleagues are determined to continue.

The Somerville News urges you to vote for Dave Carnevale on Nov. 2 and send a message to beacon Hill that relentless taxing is not the solution.

Deval Patrick and Tim Murray for Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Deval Patrick is the best choice for Somerville. If his Republican opponent is elected, long overdue city projects such as the Green Line extension and Assembly Square development are in danger.

We would like to see Patrick and Murray focus more on tax cuts for businesses and job creation for the unemployed during these difficult economic times than they have in the past year. Cutting wasteful state spending would also be a welcome move for the Democratic incumbents.

We still have questions about the direction Patrick is moving the state in but in this race he is clearly the best option Somerville has. He has consistently been a sympathetic ear for local officials and activists with concerns and his focus on public education should benefit Somerville children.

The Somerville News urges you to vote for Deval Patrick and Tim Murray on Nov. 2.

Karyn Polito for State Treasurer

We think it might be a good idea to put a Republican, a fiscal conservative, in charge of the state’s money. Democratic candidate Steve Grossman has run for many different political offices over the years but we believe Republican candidate Karyn Polito has the right ideas on how to protect the taxpayers’ money. Polito has committed to “No pensions for politicians” and exploring expanded gaming as an economic engine. The Somerville News urges you to vote for Karyn Polito on Nov. 2.

Terrence Kennedy for Governor’s Council

On a government body that has been criticized for a lack of professionalism, attorney Terrence Kennedy brings 25 years experience to the Governor’s Council. Kennedy has pledged to value judicial candidates who balance fairness for the accused and justice for victims.

The Somerville News urges you to vote for Terrence Kennedy for Governor’s Council.

Vote Yes on Question 1

This proposed law would remove the Massachusetts sales tax on alcohol. Alcohol distributors already face repeated taxes in their business and a tax cut could help stimulate the economic growth we need in this state to get people back to work. The Somerville News urges you to vote Yes on Question 1.

Vote No on Question 2

If Question 2 passes it will threaten the many gains made to spread affordable housing throughout the state. Affordable housing requirements and laws do not work perfectly and some adjustments should probably be explored but Question 2 does nothing to improve housing options for families. The Somerville News urges you to vote No on Question 2.

Vote Yes on Question 3

There are a lot of scare tactics surrounding Question 1, but it is time for state and local governments to adjust their spending in light of serious economic troubles. Passing Question 1 would reduce sales and use tax rates from 6.25 percent to three percent. Passing Question 1 will force governments to do the same thing families and businesses have had to do: cut back spending. The Somerville News urges you to vote Yes on Question 1.