Candidate profile: Joshua Levy

Joshua Levy, Republican

Age: 23

Town: Needham, MA

Family status: Single

Occupation: Researcher, Massachusetts General Hospital & Boston University

Political/Civic experience
Elected Town Meeting Member; Policy Fellow (2008-2009) at the Institute for Health and Social Policy. During his fellowship, Levy conducted case studies on the language and education policies of New Mexico and New Brunswick (Canada), specifically examining the effects of bureaucratic organization and policy on the delivery of educational services in first, second, and dual language education. Through these case studies and associated fieldwork, Levy gained hands-on insight into the successes and failures of state governments at the interfaces between educational policy, bureaucracy, and classroom learning.

Explain what qualifies you for the office you seek.
As a Policy Fellow, I conducted case studies on language and education policies in state government and examined their effects throughout the bureaucratic and institutional ladders. From conversations with mayors and legislators to teachers and students, I found that the best policies are those that are initiated by local communities. I have the necessary experience at the ground level to represent Needham, Dover & Medfield with insight and integrity. This is an opportunity for our district to turn a new leaf and elect a new representative who has never been a part of the toxic culture on Beacon Hill.

What are the two most important issues in the Commonwealth, and how would you address them?
The two most important issues in the Commonwealth pertain to (1) the unsustainable manner with which the state borrows and spends money and (2) maintaining and enhancing the high quality of education that we expect from Massachusetts’ schooling.

The amount of debt that Massachusetts relies upon is staggering and reckless. The fiscal year 2011 budget relies on $1.5 billion of short-term borrowing, which is 50% higher than the statutory limit. If spending cannot be cut, Massachusetts may soon be faced with a budgetary shambles similar to California or Illinois.

There are three ways to cut spending. The first is through reform, where an existing agency or program is reconfigured to consume less money. A prime example of a program in need of reform is the state pension system. Currently, there are insufficient funds to pay for projected expenses. The system must be reformed for employees whose benefits are not yet vested. The second mechanism is through across-the-board cuts, which are blunt tools but are effective. The third mechanism is through surgically extracting programs from the budget that have outlived their use or are ineffective. In all likelihood, some combination of these three mechanisms will be necessary in order to secure balance and sustainability in our budgets.

Despite the spending cuts that must be incurred, it is important that funding for education remain a top priority. Parents and families want the best education for their children and will go to any lengths to achieve this aim. It is the state’s job to support parents and families in this endeavor by allowing for increased choice in schooling. This is why I am proud to be the only candidate in this race to support funding for the increasing demand of charter schools. The future of Massachusetts relies upon a highly educated populace.