Chris Walsh: Democratic Nominee for Representative in the 6th Middlesex District

Chris Walsh

Chris Walsh pulled off one of the few upsets in the Democratic Primary, beating incumbent Pam Richardson. He now faces two independents: Jim Pillsbury and Jim Rizzoli. The Democratic primary was the tougher contest, and it is very likely that Walsh will win the general election.

Mr. Walsh has sent in a personal profile:

Chris Walsh, AIA, NCARB

Occupation:  Architect   Registered in MA, NH & RI

Associations:

• American Institute of Architects
• National Council of Architectural Boards
• Central Massachusetts American Institute of Architects- Current President
• Massachusetts AIA Legislative Affairs Committee
• MetroWest Leadership Academy – Class of ‘92
• Alumni Board Member
• Framingham Democratic Town Committee
• MetroWest Chamber of Commerce

Community:

• Framingham Public Library Trustee
• Amazing Things  Arts Center – Board Member
• Framingham Town Meeting, First elected in 1992 (not currently)
• Ways and Means Committee
• Government Study Committee
• Planning and Zoning committee
• Capital Budget Committee
• Historic District Commission (Chair)
• Framingham Preservation Trust (Founding Member)
• Downtown Rail Crossing Committee
• Open Space Committee
• Historic Reuse Committee
• Framingham Historical Society, Past President
• Framingham Improvement Association, past Board member
• Framingham Civic League, past Board Member
• Framingham Charrette 1997 (Founding Member)

Legislative Priorities:

Job creation and retention are critical and intractable problems throughout the Commonwealth. The MetroWest is the second largest economy in the state with a 11 billion dollar payroll and 180,000 jobs. Comparatively we have good job retention and Framingham in particular is a net jobs importer (more jobs than people). What we don’t have is an even distribution of jobs across all the employment sectors (MetroWest Economic Research Center’s 2010 report).

One job sector that is lagging is hospitality and arts. Redevelopment of our older urban areas into places that cater to arts and hospitality businesses would round out a multi-tiered economic picture and create a broad jobs base. By working with the State economic development office and using funds collected by the new MetrtoWest Tourist Bureau ( a platform in my 2008 campaign) to create specialized economic zones, target existing brownfield sites (CSX yard) with programs that will attract private redevelopment which will fuel smaller projects in the existing infrastructure

The second issue facing the entire Commonwealth is the pressure, both economic and social, that the middle class is under. The wealthiest Americans have excelled at shielding themselves and their money – often paying less tax than middle income families.

On the other end of the political spectrum, there is a continual expansion of the legal boundaries of laws and programs under a civil rights umbrella which are mandated but not funded. Between these two extreme poles the middle class is funding more while receiving fewer services, making it increasingly difficult to stay afloat. As a State Representative I will insist that programs mandated by the state have both an economic impact assessment and a budget proposal. Promises to fund the “special education circuit breaker” or removal of the turnpike tolls must be honored or fair alternatives offered. Binding legislation such as the collective bargaining agreement ( Section 19 of Chapter 32B MGL) have, over time, created unsustainable economic straitjackets in affected communities and I will work to build a level of flexibility and common sense into legislation that will allow municipalities to cope with the particular circumstances of their community.

We have more on Chris Walsh from our pre-primary race profile.

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